Today is a strange day. On the North Carolina coast, not only can we not see the horizon, we cannot even see the shore line. All is foggy, dense and dripping. I planted pansies yesterday outside my door--yellow, purple and russet--because they survive a winter freeze, and I can't see them from the upstairs deck. The fog comes right up to our windows, misty, translucent with shadows of outdoor furniture. I poured a glass of wine; it's that kind of day. If we still had our wonderful maltipoo, he would bark at the fog I am sure. "What is this," his bark would say. "I can't see."
Sitting high in a cottage on pilings, upside-down with entry on the ground floor, bedrooms up one floor and living area on top--the ordinary way of all Southern beach houses--is a lovely way to live, or vacation. I'm an advocate for the Crystal Coast. The sands are wide and uncrowded, the seafood fresh and the fishing good. Nature trails abound.
There's a wonderful aquarium just down the road. Pine Knoll Shores is a small coastal town on Bogue Banks, covering only 2.5 square miles with 1400 year-round residents. The aquarium is open every day because, after all, the animals do need to be fed 24/7. At 306,000 gallons of water, its ocean habitat is the largest in our state. I go often when we're here to see the river otters, the sea turtles, jelly fish and sharks. We have a niece who arrives in a day or two to spend the semester with the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology: CMAST. What a great way to learn!
So today is a good day. We need those. I am missing the pop-up demonstrations at home in Durham, against ICE for the murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. I am sorry about that. But I forwarded the details to thirty friends and many let me know they were going.
It's always a good day at the beach. Not living here full time, I don't know if that would be true if I did. Maybe you live in a beach town, or on a lake or river or near the sea. Maybe your homestead is in a woodland. Or maybe you are urban, near museums and theaters and zoos, near farmers' markets and art shows. Maybe we can always find or make a good day when we need one. I hope so.
If we stumble into one, or intentionally set our sights on one, let us give thanks. I am happy for today. If your day was not so good, I hope tomorrow will be. Or the day after.
Nina Naomi
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