Ocean scene

The summer has come and gone. My beetle was not working that great and still isn't. That has put a damper on my surfing and general beach going.

Yesterday I was able to go back to the beach sit in a chair and watch as the sun was going down. My idea of heaven. I had some snacks and even...shhh! a beer. I might go again tomorrow and if I do then I will take my dogs with me.

Last week I found a great deal at the farmers market on some oysters. I brought them home and we shared them with friends. The fresh taste of the oysters reminds me of the ocean mist. Like the first taste of salt water on my face.

It was a great time and I love that there was hardly anyone there. Just a few surfers and us. Then it was on to my Fave Store Hi-Times beer and wine. Check out the bargains at the back of the store, going into the beer cooler department. Close-outs at some great deals.

I won't be at my normal beer garden this week, but back next week. Only a few more, and summer time fun is over.

Every year

It seems every year they have the US Open at Huntington and there isn't great surf. I heard the surf report and said to myself, "there is going to be a lot of the 'Huntington Hop' going on.

For those that don't know its the style of surfing that the Huntington boys have been doing for decades. When the surf is a bit sloppy they bounce and create a bit more wave than is really there. Helps make the most of the ride.

I am not good at that and just ride it in. This week after the contest is long gone and its supper hot and full moon, there is good surf. For the boys that stayed around a while, its perfect.

The contests have to be done on certain days, not just according to the good waves. Some times there is nothing really much to surf, of course for the pro, its his job to make it anyway.

Every year with the bad surf of summer people try to learn to ride a board. They don't know that the real waves are in the fall and winter. As a result they stop by the fall just as the real waves kick in. That's when I get back out there. I want to go to beach tomorrow, just for fun. I have to go to the beach in the summer, every year.

Back to the drawing board

I have still been recovering from my procedure earlier this summer. It was not a success so I can't get back in the water just yet.

I couldn't not be more disappointed. I have been doing my walks and my belly dancing route. As for the rest it will have to wait. Not that I really mind since I like to go to the beach when its empty.

As for my dancing it makes me happy and I love that I can dance alone in belly dancing. I give it up to the women that dance in troupes and trios. For me I have dance alone and just bust a move.

In the last week I printed out my book project and made it into a book for my friend. After all this time it was so great to see it in a book form. As for now i want to keep up my dancing. It does inspire my writing. This summer has not been by the beach, its been in the house listening to music on YouTube. I feel like a spoiled teenager.

The good things, I have still been walking my dogs and still dancing. Since I have not been on my board it will be back to the drawing board for me. Not bad, it could be worse.

Ocean

Last Sunday I was able to go down to the beach. I haven't been in so long. When asked which way I wanted to walk on the shore line, my answer was, straight. As into the ocean.

I couldn't wait for that first step into the water, the shock of it being so cold. There is nothing like it. It was in the afternoon when the temperature difference is bigger. In the early am it almost feels warm, since you are cold and so is the water.

I have always been a beach girl. When I lived with my father land locked for a summer, I was so blue. I could stand having the ocean be a whole state away. I still sunbathed like normal, and everyone thought I was crazy.

The ocean has been more of a close friend that I have to visit to keep up with. In the summer I get disturbed by all the visitors. I get spoiled in the winter when its just the surfers and hardly anyone else for miles. It gets to the norm to have miles of sand to look at in either direction. The sand is cold but still comforting and easy to mold into my shape. With my Ipod and something to read....bliss. My friend always agrees with me. So easy to get a long with, why wouldn't I go back every week? Its been too long and I promise to get back soon.

Summer 2010

When we were young summer was all about sleeping in and then laying at the beach all day. Maybe laying by the pool and 'working on our tan', meaning letting the sun burn us to a crisp.

If that was your summer. Sometimes there was summer school. I had that once, not to make up for what I had missed but to keep my mother from spending too much on day care. That was such a thorny subject as a child.

We went though many baby-sitters. It was hard on my mother, being a single mom. What she needed was day care while she worked, for years. All year long, it was not easy to come by. Which was why we ended up latch-key kids.

I still want care free days. In stead I have dogs and chickens and a house to take care off. I can't complain. At least not too much. Since I also have a car and I can go to beer garden and get a good spot. I have yet to go to the beach. Something I need to remedy soon. The Ocean is calling me and I need to answer with my board, my SPF 45 or higher and my towel. Summer 2010 is still here.

Step up

In the last few weeks I have not been myself. This last Monday I thought I could jump right into my belly dancing class and I would be fine.

As it was I did keep up, was I alright? Not really, I was sore and really tired later. The next day we took the dogs out for a walk. I did not do my 4 miles,just 2 this time.

I have to face facts, I can't just step up to my old routine. Not just yet. Taking it slow is the only way I can do this. Its not easy to admit to and its not fun to make this realization.

No what? I have been having fun reading some of the novels I have bought and never read. It was sad to hear of the passing of Harvey Pekar, I have one of his graphic novels, that I have never opened, let alone read. It maybe time to pull that out.

There is plenty to do around the house, I have been making Strawberry Jam and Oven Dried tomatoes in olive oil. This has been fun and handy. With my pasta I have a nice appetizer. With my crepes I have my jam as a nice filling.

No I have not abandon my exercise routine, just slowed down for my body to catch up. As it is with this heat wave no exercise past 10 am is recommended. Tomorrow, early with the dogs and it will be fine.

Recovery

In the last few weeks I have not had it in me to be 100% in my regular exercise routine.

Leading up to getting my procedure done I was very active. I wanted my recovery to go well. It has, I still can't do everything I want to, but it has been OK.

I don't have a broken leg, so I will still walk. I need to take it easy and make sure I don't over do it. The night before I did my belly dance class. I took a hot bath afterwards.

Whatever we do, make sure that exercise is part of your routine. The road to recovery can be hard on us all. It is worth the effort to still do part of the same things you have always done.

The next part will be working up the pace I was before. Its been nice to slow down for a while. I have been reading a book and watching movies that I love. It was nice to have an in-home spay retreat. That's the best way I can think of it.