Monday Morning Beach Report

View past the dunes to the water.

I pick up trash on Mondays. After the weekend goings-on, I can count on a couple of jammed-full grocery sacks.  A lot of it is the same week after week. Beverage containers. Lids. Straws. There are a lot of socks. You know those socks that disappear in the washer? I know where they went. If you're missing one flip-flop, it's on the beach. A tank top? On the beach. Your sunglasses? Beach.

There's always something different though. Something I've never picked up off the sand before. Today it was a tube of denture cream. Well, yeah, I would wouldn't want to lose my choppers in a big wave, would you?

And today there was this.

Judging from the number of flowers I find strewn on the sand, I think there are probably a lot of memorial services with remains scattered here. I have a few questions though about the scenario above. Is the memorial just there temporarily with someone keeping a close eye on the tides? Because if not, that plaque and the plastic angel will eventually become part of the great Pacific garbage patch. Probably not what the bereaved intended. Well it's undisturbed for now. I wish the departed and those he or she left behind peace.

And in the world of birds there was this:

Cormorant/seagull stand-off?

A long line of pelicans, low to the water.

Wonders and Abominations

Just in case you're wondering where to hire a band of pirates, I happen to know.

Now we need some knights for the beach jousting tournament.

Perhaps they can ride pelicans instead of horses.

The folks who left this behind at their last beach gathering aren't invited. The bottles and cans were left scattered across the sand--not tucked into this box.

Perhaps the same crowd left this memento. The photo doesn't quite capture the strategically placed shoe-print.

I always hope that monsters find a more civilized self buried inside. And that reminds me. Want a great beach read? Try this.

I read it ages ago and find myself in the mood for it again. Here's an excerpt from the jacket copy:
"...all the elements for a TV horror movie: unnatural sex, a demon lover, a King Kong aspect, a typical movie car chase ending in a fatal crash, a hint of the jasmine of Madame Butterfly, and even an ozone-like whiff of E.T.