February 12th, 2026

This is the first sunset over the water photo I've shared in quite some time.   Naturally, the reason being my stupid foot.  It continues to heal, very slowly, but progress is progress no matter how pokey it may be. I make it a point to do a little more walking each day and now I'm branching out into walking on different surfaces.

Perhaps you never had occasion to really think about it,  but in truth, walking on actual ground is completely different than walking on concrete which is different, in turn, to walking on sand.  I've been mostly walking on smooth flat surfaces:  wood, concrete, asphalt, tile but I've started branching out occasionally to wandering aimlessly around the backyard, carefully. I don't want a set back for heaven's sakes. This has gone on quite long enough!

But I've been doing so well that the other night after dinner, spontaneously (which is unusual for me) I suggested to Tim that we head over to the beach to watch the sunset.  It's something we used to do regularly but haven't been able to do in quite some time so I think we were both surprised by the words coming out of my mouth.  It's almost criminal to not take advantage of being as close to the beach as we are!

I took off my socks and put on my sandals (socks and sand sounds like a bad mix), Tim grabbed his wallet and keys and at the last second, I snagged my camera.  Once we arrived and I was faced with actually walking on the sand I hesitated.  I even remember thinking, "this could be a really great idea or a really bad one."  I shrugged,  "over the top!" I thought to myself and there we went.

There were far fewer people out there than I expected, this being peak season right now.  (February and March bring guests in droves) but that was probably due to the fact that it was more than a little chilly and very windy.  We did not care one single bit.  

It smelled the same as I remembered and all the elements were still there:  the sun, the birds, the boats, the sand and the water. The beach didn't care that I wasn't around for awhile, it did not hold a grudge, just welcomed me back.

All of the peace contentment, beauty and simplicity was still right there.  And as shuffled cautiously out across the shifting and uneven sand spotted with broken shells and seaweed and the occasional bits of this'n'that  I immediately decided that it was totally worth the risk.

I took a few photos, of course I did:

 We didn't stay long, but I'm so glad went. Now I know I can tackle a careful walk on the sand safely and therefore will return. Probably soon.  The siren call of the beach is just too strong to resist.  Or perhaps I just don't care to resist any longer.

Like the beach I send you wishes for serenity and peace!  I know I am a day early but Happy Weekend to you!