Sundrops

Sundrops - a summertime staple.  Best eaten straight from the vine when they're still warm from the sun.  

Maritime

My arms are aching from the gloriousness of yesterday.  I am so in love with the maritime culture here in Charleston.  I met some friends for lunch on the creek, changed into my bathing suit in the bathroom, and hopped on their boat.  We dropped the anchor and went swimming in the vast openness of the Wando River, then took the Intracoastal back to her house.  

After a brief pause we came back to my side of town to go kayaking.  We left the dock prepared for a nice little evening ride, but ended up using the rest of the daylight.  One thing we mused over was how exciting dolphins are.  It doesn't matter that we grew up with them and see them every single time we go boating, we still get excited about seeing them.  We also saw two sea turtles!  I've never seen one in Charleston, so that was an exciting moment.  A dinner and impromptu chocolate chip cookies enjoyed in the company of old friends was the perfect ending to a perfect day.  Ah, if only I could do this every day...

Beetles by the Pool

Yesterday afternoon was reserved for the finest of summer pursuits: sunbathing, swimming, finishing a book, painting toes, margaritas.  Really its hard to think of a better way to pass the time.  

Our backyard has always retained a little more wildness than the typical backyard.  At least I like to think so.  The highlight of one memorable July 4th party was a snake that fell out of a palm tree eating a rat.  It was truly fascinating.  So while I was talking on the phone and walking across the pool deck yesterday this little frog managed to cling onto my instep while my foot was midair.  I have no idea why he decided that was a safe place to be.  It was kind of a funny feeling to have this moist little thing clinging to the bottom of your foot, but he was so cute!  And he wouldn't let go until I scooped him up.  

Later, I was interrupted from my reading by a very loud whirring.  It was a big bug that I assumed to be a grasshopper.  He didn't really know where he was going, but kept bumbling around before finally deciding that the middle of the pool seemed to be the perfect place for him.  I promptly rescued him and was amazed to find that it wasn't a grasshopper but this beautiful beetle!  The colors were just stunning. I've always been amazed at the vibrance of the animal kingdom, and this guy is no exception.  The picture truly doesn't do him justice.  (For scale, his body was about 1- 1 ½ inches, and his antennae the same. )

Declaration of Summer

In spite of the 90º spring days that seemed to foreshadow a sizzling summer, June has come in like a breath of fresh air.  As I write this my bare arms are delightfully chilly in the salty breeze.  If I had a hammock, a siesta would be in order.  I do love a good overcast day spent watching the harbor.

This is a rather personal post in that I'm making a declaration to myself.  If I put it up here on the crazy internet for anyone to see instead of just repeating it to myself, I like to think that I'll hold myself accountable.  It's worth a shot right?  I've spent the last few months trying to keep myself productively busy.  Trying to find things to improve my work experience or potential job skills, but I have done very little that makes me happy.  No music, no photography, no biking, no ocean.  Here goes nothin'...This will change this summer.  I will find a balance of work, play and self-improvement.

Now let's go find a margarita to celebrate...