Up Down Up

Sometimes a rough week warrants doing something radical.

I spotted a dusty boogie board at my parents. "See you in an hour." I tossed it in the trunk, grabbed my purse and headed toward the beach. Ten minutes later the warm sand massaged my feet as I scouted for the perfect spot to lay my purse. I stepped out into the foamy tumblers and felt the icy water spray across my knees and slap at my board.  Another wave fell against the board and sprayed me down, so I stooped down and let the cold water flow over my shoulders, and I was in.

I caught a wave. It let me glide with it for a  moment and then pushed me onto the sand. I tried to look lady-like as I grabbed my board and straightened up. (Impossible).  All the more reason to strut back in the water and pretend like I know what I'm doing.  As you can see the size of the waves matched my "surfing" expertise and and the board had no wrist cord....oh it was perfect.

After that I went for a walk and ended up sitting on this wall. The side near the water is taller than it looks. I loved sitting with my feet dangling, the warm breeze whipping my hair, and my wet swim suit keeping me cool.  I watched the boats and the pelicans for quite some time, and felt as free as the seagulls flying overhead.

 Speaking of birds, these pelicans were hilarious. They were fishing right along with the fishermen.

Back at the shop (my dad's underground cave) he is working on a remote control sail boat that he and my brother plan to launch soon.  

He sure has a lot of drills.  

Speaking of "a lot",  here is a picture of a lot of boys.
 On another summer day my cousin, Bruce, his wife Marian and their 4 boys came by for a visit. They are getting ready to jump in for a swim at the community pool near my parents home.  (Bruce's grandmother is my dear great-aunt. She is 99. She married my grandfather's brother.) Bruce, who is a contractor,  is here to pick up a tile cutter that my dad borrowed in order to tile the bathroom. The whole neighborhood knew about my dad's tile project due to the searing sound an effective tile cutter makes. And they all breathed a sigh of relief when it was finished. 

Fields of green grass wrap around the homes in the area, and I took my cousins on a walk. Here is the duck pond, but all the ducks are taking a break.

We walked all the way to the bluffs overlooking the back bay. It was beautiful.

Back at home, in the hot lands it has been about 100 degrees. My tomato bushes are on their last legs, but here is a picture of my first crop. I'm on a health kick and determined my family is going to eat more fruits and vegetables.  In the fridge I have carrots, celery, broccoli, grapes, plums, strawberries. (no I didn't grow all those)  I tried to put them toward the front for easy access.  I hope it works.

I'm hoping this finds you well, and having a good summer. Life has its ups and downs, but you wouldn't feel the joy of UP unless you are familiar with the DOWN. But no matter up or down, God promises he will never leave us or forsake us, and he will use everything to build us stronger.

Have a good day!