48 – Return

Announcement

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I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

After arriving, then unpacking, grocery shopping, and a supply trek to Costco, today is my first full day of our respite as snowbirds.

It’s good to return to life as my alter ego – the time without appointments – a time of minimal commitments – a time without the feeling that I have to do something – a time when I try to leave my daily burdens behind. I still carry some of life’s baggage with me to this place – that’s what life does – but it’s different than a year ago.

It’s good to see the fine, off-white sand from the balcony for the first time since a year ago.

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It’s good to see the sand that is always moving. The shifting sands of change cause me to wonder where the beach will be different – as in more narrow or wider. From the balcony, I notice the beach at the waterline is more scalloped than in the past – so I wonder if the recent hurricanes made the difference.

It’s good to see a seemingly endless vast view of water that will help me discover metaphors for future walks.

It is good to see the vast sky – today blue with puffy white clouds. Yesterday was a blanket of gray. I am confident that the days ahead will bring many different skies that are yet to be seen.

It’s good to have the first struggle with the fine, soft sand on my way to the water’s edge while hearing the sand squeak.

It’s good to smell the freshness of the sea air – that hint of salt with a skosh of marine life – a different scent than the air of my inland home. I also know that future winds will vary from a light touch to a fierce force.

It’s good to know that the sea will probably show me many emotions on its face – those emotions varying from placid calm to raging anger.

It’s good to feel the packed sand at the water’s edge that will serve as my pavement for the weeks to come.

It’s good to see the string of shells marking high tide. Each year we’ve focused on different shells, but because we have enough, we will give preference only to any unique shell we encounter.

It’s good to feel the water moving across my feet. It’s a bit brisk at the moment, but I’m confident a truly refreshing temperature is approaching.

It’s good to see the seagulls are still present and squawking – but I wonder when I’ll see them gathered as a large group on the sand.

It’s good to see my first group of sanderlings – the small birds with the fast-moving legs in their ongoing hunt for food at the water’s edge. Their presence always makes me smile.

It’s good to see the lanky sandpipers carefully strolling the water’s edge.

It’s good to see the pelicans effortlessly gliding just about the water’s surface, then redirect upward only to turn around to dive after unwilling prey below the surface.

It’s good to see the Great Blue Heron still patiently standing and staring toward the water – waiting for its next meal.

It’s good to hear the sounds of the beach – the water coming ashore – the whistling of the steady breeze – the squawking seagulls – and even the air traffic from the nearby naval air station.

It’s good to feel the warm air. I will encounter cold days here, but no matter how cold here, it will be warmer than home.

I wonder about the first glorious sunrise and the first beautiful sunset.

I wonder when I will see my first group of dolphins passing by on their hunt for food.

I wonder when I will see my first sand crab moving sideways toward a hole after sensing my approaching footsteps.

I wonder if I’ll see a beach restoration project because one year, we observed the process of moving sand from the channel to the beach.

I wonder if I’ll see people I’ve met in previous years. Will they return? If so, when will I see them?

I wonder how this year will be different than past years? That is, in the times of Covid-19.

I wonder when I’ll have my first Bushwacker – think an alcoholic Frosty.

It’s good to start the process of letting the sand jettison the old skin from the bottom of my feet. If the past is any indicator, my feet will have a warm glow by the end of the stay.

Let the exfoliating begin because I like walking on the beach. After all, it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about Return

• Return (poem)
• Return to the Cliff: Textures (photos)
• To Return (poem)
• Return (short story by an occasional visitor here)
• Return to Loveliness (photos)

Next Post: Bones * – Thursday 11 March @ 1 AM (Eastern US)

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