Part 2. Maybe more?

Ben loved coconuts. Charlie was sick, sunburned, and bug-bitten the whole week. We visited two very nice pharmacies. An iguana almost fell on Ben's head when we were "visiting" a pool. Katie had moments of irritability.

Andy kept everyone happy and made friends with the neighbors up the street when our rental car was "vandalized." (The bumper was smashed in before we got it, but we didn't notice until after he hired the neighbors up the street to fix it... then we had a flat tire... they shared some good times and cold beers while Katie and the kids played Curious George Scrabble.) We drove with the top down.

Breakfast on the deck.

Ben made up elaborate games such as Guess how much money is under this? During those games he would say things like, "I put the dolphin on the Mexican girl's picture because I know that they love dolphins."

We saw many striped and swizzled fish. Sass would have freaked out because they swam so close to our legs. Some saw stingrays and turtles.

Many sandcastles. Many articles and chapters in books. Many beach running races and "jump before the waves get you" races.

The boys watched many classic cartoons such as Bettie Boop and Popeye while we grilled dinner and danced. We woke up to sound of the mosquitoes and waves.

Saint Thomas. Part One

Here are quick glimpses of a week in Saint Thomas.

Morning on the deck overlooking the ocean.
Beach time.

Snorkeling.

Sand castles.

Twister and other games. Ben had many great competitions for us.

Playing on the beach.

Good food at home and in Saint John.

Reading.

Resting.

Playing.

Exploring.

Driving with the top down.

Iguanas falling from trees.

Car issues.

Presidente beers.

Mosquito nets.

Hard Rain is Gonna Fall

***Note about this post: I've included links in this post. For some reason the links are set to open in the same window, which could make for a disjointed reading experience. I suggest you either read all the way through and then go back to see illustrations or right-click on the links and opt to "open in new tab" (as I've suggested with the first Andrew Bird song) to keep the old Optimist front and center. Also, there are three youtube songs linked on here; you might want to play one at a time. Sun in the photos misrepresents today. I'm not trying to micromanage your reading experience. I just aim to take care of you as best as I can. Thanks for reading.***

In between a meeting in the RiverArts district, working on a newsletter, talking with my sister, and working on a taasc business plan, I went for a run.

At first, only little drops of water dashed my brow and I set off with what I thought was a Fresh Air podcast on my little shuffle. Midway to the Grove Park Inn, I realized that Andrew Bird was the only sound in my ears.


(Right-Click here to open this in a new window and listen. Disregard the youtube video that goes along with music and continue reading as you listen...)

As I ran higher into the fog, Andrew Bird's whistling, birds, and sometimes melancholy melodies refreshed and deepened the solemness of a gray March afternoon. As the orchestra of little birds began this one, the rain started pounding harder.

I had the urge to scream in the middle of the street, but instead I ran faster down flow of water back to my house and stretched my arms parallel to the pavement. I smiled at drivers on Kimberly while imagining that they were on the way home to watch Amelie and eat popcorn on a dreary day.


I breathed deeply and felt like I wanted to smell the fresh rain and cry and all in the same inhale-exhale.



I was drenched and warm I took this photo. It is a warrior's growl for the day.

Once again days will be as bright as the Asheville websites advertise.

Here's a little song to end a March 16th post.