I remember that outfit...

Connor and I went to baby play group this morning. It was a small group of kids - just Connor, Charlotte, Mariah, and Uriel. Amy stopped in with Lachlan for a minute but he and a couple of the other older kids played outside on the playground instead of indoors with the younger ones.

Connor was wearing a cute outfit: a onesie with a fire truck on it, and matching red overalls. When Amy saw it, she said, "Hey, I remember that outfit!", and I realized it must have been one of Lachlan's outfits that she passed on to Connor. That reminded me of the time last week when I was at the Health Center with Connor, and the father of two young boys took one look at him and said, "Oh, I remember that jacket".

This is just one of the many ways we have been blessed by the Ocracoke community. I also love that I get to participate in being a blessing to others in this way: as Connor outgrows things, I pass them on to people with younger kids. And I just can't wait to see one of those babies somewhere and say "I remember that..."

South Point Road pictures

Today I finally remembered to take my camera with me on my morning South Point Road and beach drive, and managed to get a few good shots. So here are some of them for your enjoyment!


Sea oats along the side of the road


Flying friends


The first glimpse of the ocean


The deserted beach


This is one of my favorite sights - sunlight on water.


Sunlight on sand is pretty terrific, too.


This picture is especially for my friend, "not so anonymous". :)


The view back toward the village from South Point Road. This reminds me of a description written by Alton Ballance in his book Ocracokers: "the village between the Lighthouse and the water tower".

Lively discussion

Tonight was the second in the series of Let's Talk About It book discussions. The book this time was The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles. The group was a bit smaller than the one which gathered for the Madame Bovary discussion, but they were every bit as lively.

The scheduled speaker had taken ill, so a different person came in her stead. He presented a slide show of information about John Fowles and the novel, including pictures of the places where it is set. He did a great job pointing out the humor of the book, too. And then he gave us a question to discuss in small groups, which really got everybody thinking and talking.

And then we indulged in some delicious cheesecake and cookies. (It can't be entirely intellectual the whole time!) It was an enjoyable evening, all around.

The next book is The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, and it will be discussed on Thursday February 26th at 6:30 at the Library. All are welcome to join.

Relax...

Here's a reason to come to Ocracoke in late February: on the 25th, there will be an oh-so-relaxing event at Deep Water Theater. It's being called "Winter Wellness Wednesday", and will include mini massages, yoga, and other such relaxing things. For more information, call Amy Howard at 252-921-0182.

One reason I love winter

I went to the beach this morning, and I was the only one there.

It was raining lightly (which probably has as much to do with why I was the only one there as the season does), but I was driving instead of walking so I stayed dry. I enjoyed watching the seagulls and pipers finding (and munching) their breakfast. I smiled at the waves rolling in, and was really happy when the rain stopped long enough that I could jump out of the Jeep and go touch the ocean. (I hadn't touched salt water in two days!) I took great pleasure in the quiet, with only the sound of the Atlantic to keep me company.

But most of all, I loved the drive back to the village via South Point Road. If you've never had the pleasure of going down South Point Road (and you have a four wheel drive vehicle), I highly recommend you try it next time you have the chance. It's beautiful at all times of year. This morning, I enjoyed views of dark green marsh grasses, waving sea oats, gray-silver brush, the Lighthouse in the distance (which was on when I first saw it, because it was so overcast, but then turned off as I drove), and one startled egret who took wing as I went by him (my Jeep is old and muffler-challenged). It was a lovely, peaceful few minutes. I think I'll do it again tomorrow.

New restaurant

There's a building on the island which has been home to several restaurants. It has housed three eateries that I've experienced myself (Saucy Shrimp, Sargasso, and Mango Loco), and I think I ate there when it was whatever it was before it was Saucy Shrimp, too. (If I had a better memory, I'd be able to tell you the name it had then).

Anyway, it's about to be yet another restaurant: Riley's. I saw the new sign being put up a couple of days ago. According to the sign, it will be an Italian restaurant ("Pizza, Pasta, Pub", it says) with options for "eat in, take out, or delivery".

I like Italian food. Actually, I love Italian food. All pasta is my friend, and lasagna is my absolute favorite food ever. But we already have fantastic pasta options (and wonderful pizza) available from Jason's. And, if you feel like delivery, the Ocracoke Pizza Company will be happy to oblige. I'm sure I will enjoy Riley's, but I sure wish someone would open a restaurant we don't already have. My suggestions: barbecue (North Carolina style, of course), or authentic Mexican (not Mexi-Caribbean as Mango Loco offered).

Just my two cents.

Sick as a dog

Well, it's a good thing I got the Christmas tree handled yesterday, because I am sick again today. I'm having bad luck with weekends and being healthy..they haven't seemed to go together recently. (I think it's a side effect of having a baby in day care.)

If you're interested in the origins of words and phrases as I am, you can learn more about "sick as a dog" here.