Dream on the Eve of My Birthday

"Look how high the water in the marina is," my friend Sasha said. We all ran to the window to see it lapping the edges of the sidewalk. Going from window to widow, we checked the water's progress every few minutes, but the level held steady. 

"It's okay," I said, "but what about all these dogs?" The neighbors had a small pool and a jacuzzi, and nine large black dogs took turns jumping in and out of the water. When I looked more closely, I saw that one was an ape. "That's not good," I said as the ape came to the fence between our two yards. He could climb over that, I thought. I ran to a basement bedroom and barricaded the door.

******

When I talked to a friend this morning, he told me he'd had a dream last night about seeing someone walking some big dogs. And he dreamed about a chimpanzee in a car. We talked about the Chinese zodiac for a while, but couldn't make sense of anything. I was born in the year of the dragon. Water dragon, I think, to be more specific. At least that makes a little sense. The water is rising.

Merry Christmas

Christmas at my house used to look like this.

Today, for the second year in a row, I spent Christmas Day at a bar with friends, listening to fabulous local musicians.

Booze and boats. What a lovely view.

The party ended at 4:30. Santa can party til he melts, but I'm snug at home.
Wherever you are this Christmas, I hope you are safe. I hope you are loved. I hope you've given and received, and that some delicious and festive concoction has passed your lips. I hope you've uttered kind words and heard that kindness echo back. Merry Christmas.

Bird of the Day

These creatures recently appeared a few doors down from me.  I'm amused. Delighted even. But I suspect our homeowners' association might not be. There have been letters of late reiterating old rules, enumerating new ones. Our boat docks need to be cleaner; kayak racks must be removed,; nothing is to be hung from patio fences or set on top of patio walls; and be careful where you prop that broom or  kayak paddle; and for god's sake you must have saucers under your patio potted plants. We all have plastic owls (I have four) everywhere to keep the swallows, gulls, and pigeons from encasing the neighborhood in guano so maybe the swans are cool. I hope so.

My neighborhood pet peeves? Loud motorcycles, my neighbor who leaves his car running while he does who knows what, and all the water that gets wasted around here on watering outdated un-waterwise landscaping.

But it's still paradise.

Tuesday Beach Report

Early morning and the marina is an old mirror, too gray and still for even the birds. The sailors are sleeping. But later when I step onto the sand, the ocean is a silver-green cauldron, and the waves are building.