On this New Year’s Eve we began our day much as we always do,
commencing around 5:00 a.m. with the routine coffee and silent perusal of our accustomed
web sites and email. We did however
elevate our typical breakfast in a small way by having bacon and corn bread
with our “over easy” fried egg. Then,
when the sun had risen sufficiently on the distant horizon of the Ocean and
sky, we bundled ourselves in sweaters, coats, gloves and hats and pushed off
for our habitual early morning bicycle ride.
Monday, December 31, 2012
New Year’s Eve in South Carolina
I don’t imagine there is anywhere on earth that New Year’s
Eve doesn’t involve an element of entertainment and merriment. Being by the Atlantic Ocean adds a further feature
of festivity particularly when, on a day of dazzling sunshine and warm
temperatures such as today, the beach is flecked by throngs of families playing
with one another, throwing balls for their barking pets and sitting about in
beach chairs and chatting. The regular shrieks
of children heighten the carnival air.
Sunny Day at the Beach
On the heels of the temperature having approached 65˚F yesterday afternoon, we were somewhat unprepared today on our early morning bicycle ride for temperatures closer to freezing. In point of fact we were rather under-dressed all considered, sans woolen gloves or hats. When however we came into the direct sunlight, away from the overhanging trees on the bicycle paths, we knew it would not be long before things improved. The vibrant blue skies soon provided ample radiant heat.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Trauma on the Bike Path
Whether for the love of exercise (“exercise is medicine”) or – what is perhaps more likely –whether to expiate last night’s immoderation of martinis, shrimp, wine and pousse-cafés, early this morning we climbed aboard our respective tandems not long after the sun was up. The weather was decidedly cool. We were heavily layered in undergarments, golf shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters and jackets, along with woolen gloves and tuques (and for me the requisite silk scarf). Thankfully, however, it wasn’t long before we began removing some of the layers. There was no wind on the beach so we felt the full warmth of the increasingly intense sun.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Le Bien Être
Progressively the manacles of the workforce are falling from me and I am acclimatizing myself to the locale both in fact and metaphorically. This morning’s rising sun and clear skies brought the assurance of another fine day. After our predictable breakfast of fruit, coffee, muffin and one egg we bundled ourselves in woolen fisherman knit sweaters, gloves and tuques and set off on our one-speed bicycles along the beach, into the wind (to have the advantage of it upon our return). The broad face of the unpopulated beach was welcome refreshment, as we breathed deeply to capture all that is good in the Atlantic sea air, savouring the glittering sunshine. After we reached the most southerly point of our adventure, we swung back to retrace our passage, this time with effortless swiftness.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Pacem in Terris
Apart from the necessities of nature (food, clothing and shelter essentially), when all is said and done it’s about peace of mind. Peace of mind is however not something easily won. Being a bleeding heart liberal isn’t a realistic prescription either: “…and world peace”. Rather it is a matter of accommodation, adjusting to the aspirations, strengths, weaknesses, successes and short-comings of both one’s self and others within one’s orbit. Peace of mind is as at times as illusory as perpetual happiness. No one is above the struggle to achieve peace of mind, no amount of prosperity or social advantage can ensure it and there is no one recipe which suits everyone.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Day on Hilton Head Island
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve on Hilton Head Island
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Preparing for Christmas
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