Sand Stand

 Name of my ocean front boutique or new I-phone accessory? Periodically, I think about how nice it might be to live all year long along the Outer Banks. Specifically, North Carolina. And more specifically Ocracoke Island.

I can still feel the salty sea air and the balmy breeze during the ferry rides to and fro from this remote island. The coveted spot on the vessel for me was always to perch on the helm to catch the wind and ocean spray as the ship lurched and crashed through the waves. And you know, it always reminds me of that very famous scene from the Titanic when Kate and Leo are perched on the figurehead, gazing into the ocean.

But back to the Ocracoke Ferry where seagulls could always be found waiting dockside because their eagle eye would spot that huge bag of cheese popcorn, tucked securely under someone’s arm. Such fun to toss up handfuls and watch the acrobatic results. I loved the sound of their squawking appreciative delights. Such chatterboxes.


And then there is the ample supply of sand for building endless rows of sandcastles. I wonder what one could do these days with their cell phone at the beach, and then it came to me. I bet your I-phone would set snuggly into one of the (castle towers) for extra strong reception. LOL.

I often think about packing up my paints and opening up a little boutique down there. I could walk for miles during the day along deserted beaches and gathering seashells. And then long into the evening, sit on the beach, fashioning them into ankle bracelets as the moonlight reflected off of the pounding surf. Ahhhhh.

And of course, I would be willing to share the island with the wild ponies, hiding in the swaying sea oats. I hope that they would not mind if maybe I even tried to sketch a few of them. Though, not so good at drawing horses. But practice makes perfect. Then, every summer without fail, it seems around the time that we get to the hurricanes that start with the letter “I”, I re-evaluate my re-location plans and unpack my portfolio.

Another season has passed but the warm pleasant memories of seaside frolicking shall not. One love and peace from the Quirky Artiste.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."
--Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement speech, June 2005