how swell

Last day of August! I never understand how June and July zip by so quickly, and August feels like an eternity. Everyone is talking about Hurricane Earl, which appears as though it will swing by us later this week. If it does pass without damaging the island, expect beautiful weather for Labor Day weekend.

I'm going to go ahead and clean up the yard this morning, based on the theory that preparedness repels storms, just like packing a raincoat prevents rain.

deliciously in love

Tina and I got all choked up at the Cafe' last night because a gentleman proposed to his girlfriend, properly, on one knee. There were handshakes and applause and a woman at a nearby table admired the ring. I love love, and these two were glowing with it.

Ahhh . . . fall and romance on the Outer Banks. The weather is certainly doing it's part, extravagantly sunny days and cool nights. Today, everyone is scampering off to the beach, to admire the high tides and swell.

Goodbye, August. Helloooooo fall.

First Day of School

All right! Kids, at least the ones on Ocracoke, are back in school. Presumably someone is in charge. (I hear from multiple sources, including a high school senior, that the new principal is really nice)

Also Ocracoke has a new Doctor and a new Methodist Pastor. May our new community leaders be wise and compassionate.

AND the weather has cooled down just enough to allow the windows to be open at night. The peepers and cicadas are better than a lullaby. If you've been waiting, as a reasonable person might, for a less crowded, less humid island, consider visiting now. Blue Heron is friendly and we'll help you book a fall rental house on Ocracoke.

squishy feet

Hooray for Pamlico Sound! Last weekend I went clamming one day and for a sail the next. Jumping off boats into the sound is excellent summer recreation. Watching my nephews giggle and leap is even better. The water's just this amazing green and perfectly comfortable--you can languidly drift and swim all afternoon without getting chilled. (Plan for a nice long nap after)

My mother adores clamming, but I've always been squeamish about digging my feet into the fine sand and grassy seabed. Until I caught a few clams. Now I, too, have got the fever. Bryan steamed the smallest ones, made casino clams with the slightly larger ones, and there are chowder clams in the freezer. Jenny Scarborough, clam killer.

Blue Heron has Ocracoke Island rental homes with docking, and anyone can rent a kayak or boat to explore Ocracoke's waters. Labor Day is only a few weeks away. Get it while it's hot!

Books and Booze

The heat is like the tropics, but luckily, so is the water: clear turquoise under bright skies. Going to the beach the other day was like stepping into a Corona commercial.

I stopped by Books to be Red, bought David Mitchell's new book and spent a contented late afternoon in my beach chair. Mitchell is ridiculously talented--I was transported to a whole new world within the first few pages. Heather is anxiously waiting for me to finish already and pass Jacob de Zoet along.

Last night I checked out Ocracoke's newest hot spot, Gaffer's Sports Pub. At 9 pm I was the only customer, but by the time I left two hours later it was jumping. There are many many televisions as well as libations. Bands are booked for the next couple of weekends. Get ready to shimmy.

Tasty fish

I went flounder gigging for the first time ever the other night! It's lovely, wading through the illuminated water with the stars above. At first everything looked like a potential flounder to me, and Bryan had to point out the fish (they really do just lay there, confident in their camoflauge). I trust I will get better at spotting them with practice. When it was time to spear them I had to look away.

rain dates

I keep hearing how awesome last night's 1980s reunion hosted by Britt and Jessie was. Apparently there is photographic evidence of my sister in a spectacularly prim dress, which of course I'm dying to see. Jenfu at the Women's Opry looked so amazing in those big pink prom dress sleeves that I'm thinking about allowing a little of that Laura Ashley cuteness back into my wardrobe.

Ah, the 1980s, the halcyon days of Sunday afternoon beach volleyball and an endless string of bonfires at night. Is it enough to make you willing to re-visit teendom?