On the Beach #25

[Riley Smith]

We arrived to a black and white world over the water, compliments of a cloudy sky that makes the water take on the attributes of said sky. It isn't very conducive to photography unless you want one of those moody shots, which I do on occasion. And besides, I had chores. The first was a quick mow of the property, not a real grass cutting but a quick comb and look in the mirror. Mr. Bean loves it here and went off on some dog mission. I feel safe letting him roam with his platonic attitude. When Sonya arrived I had completed the combing already, to her surprise, and we unloaded food for the feast to come. And then sat on the porch, the center of the Labrot universe.

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The scene always puts me in a good place and I can sit there for hours. Eventually we noticed a dolphin attack some fish at Dan's boat shed and photographed it as it went past. It came back though, and made an attack right in front of us. I got stills and Sonya got video as the creature chased its meal. After it was all over I told Sonya to look around and tell me who else got to view the scene. Nobody else was out and about, numb to the blessings of the saltwater in the front. We live much of our lives outside, unlike others, and see these things.
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And then we set about the feast preparation. It's a big job putting on a feast and we've done it for a very long time. The turkey was relegated to the morning because it was small, as she usually starts it in the wee hours of the morning. There were two other turkeys and a ham coming, so small didn't really matter.  The baked turkey is essential in the preparation of the dressing. No, not stuffing, dressing. Cornbread dressing to be exact and with turkey neck gravy. If you've never had turkey neck gravy you don't know what you've missed. I had to go borrow some poultry seasoning from Kim, her niece and neighbor, to get it all done.
I caught a few very small white trout under the lights before we hit the hay. Nothing big and nothing to get the heart pumping. I would have put one on a cork and fished it for something more substantial if there had been a bigger rig available, but I just threw them back and was glad I didn't have to filet fish.

The feast was great, although we received belated word that my great niece had had a stroke and was in ICU. There is no wifi and no so good reception on the beach, so in essence it is life unplugged. So we prayed on the porch and hoped for the best. The feast was very good and there was plenty of food and great fellowship with those in our lives. And pies. Sonya made a lemon pie that was awesome and we had already attacked one of the pecan pies the night before. Pecan pie right out of the over. It don't get any better.

The kids fished after the food and I was worried about Jude when he wandered off. There have been two adult bald eagles hanging around andwe saw one zoom through the 12 Oaks airspace, the old house two doors down. Although the chances of bad things happening are very low, they're not zero. Rusty and Pat caught a couple of fish but nothing to keep. Jackson was disappointed and I told him that Paw-Paw wasn't fishing because the fish weren't biting.

And now today the bar is sticking its head well above the surface of the water out front and the north wind is howling. It's pretty chilly and the wind has blown all the water out.. Thunder awakened me in the early hours rumbling afar out on the Gulf.  I watched it flash through the windows several times before going back to sleep. Thunder in November. Highly unusual but that has been weather this year. I took a couple of those somber B&W shots over the water and had coffee listening to the wind blow and watching cat's paws across the water after I got up. I wondered if the Labrot's sat on this porch and looked over that same scene.
The sun came out, making diamonds upon the water. It feels good,  waming these old bones, making me very thankful for the things that have been blessed me. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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[Norm L.]

Bless everyone that could gather with those they love, even if there were a few that aren't on that list.

I will show you a photo from after dinner.

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Living in the south in the winter I went through 3 different jackets over the last week. Wind breaker, warmer jacket, now commercial heavy jacket. By midweek it will be only long sleeve shirt. And that cycle will continue.

[Riley Smith]

I'm so tired of changing clothes! We lit the first first fire in the fireplace last night and I'm wanting a tee shirt this afternoon

[Spot]

Riley, if it makes you feel any better, heading to only half that in degrees F tonight:

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[Wayne Howard]

Here in Central Texas, I have three sets of clothes out right now. Summer, Fall and Winter. And each day, I check my weather station to see which set I am putting on that morning. Afternoons are usually different. 

[Riley Smith]

The West River bar has been above the water all week, as the north wind blows the water out, and low tides have drained all the water out of the marsh. Low tide at daylight, and it's been chilly but sunny, and it doesn't take long before the sun works its magic. Mid-day it is hot on the porch. Which also means you keep changing clothes all day long. And this time on the beach I didn't bring many with me. Never to worry, fashion icon is not leading the pack in things I consider worthy.

Bean wanted his back scratched and I gave him a good scratching. Tiring of the massage, I stood up, so he eases over to Sonya and she pretends to ignore him. But he knows. We're all aware of each other and I'm grinning over here watching the play. And the dog that can make your ears hurt with a bark to get what he wants mutters a tiny growl to let her KNOW he knows. Sonya and I died laughing.

The bald eagles have been flying all about this morning and there is hardly a breath of air moving. It's warm on the porch in the sunshine and very quiet. No TV, stereo, or electronic blather. And a cell phone is frowned upon. Sonya could hear one of the eagles calling but that frequency is too high for my ears. We've had a good time and I've got a few projects going there. And I completed a few. And as always, caught a couple of fish. Nothing to write home about but the extended bite has continued through November and on in to December. I cleaned the Garcia and it's working like a champ. Maybe I hang into something decent with it in the next week or so.

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