It wasn’t until they were talking about Dow 12K and the anniversary of the ‘87 crash on CNBC that I realized that today (well, technically yesterday at this point), it’s been 10 years since my Dad died. I’m sure it sounds exceptionally weird, but the actual date does *not* stick in my head whatsoever, it never has. I just know it’s the anniversary of Black Monday and 12 days after my brother’s birthday - and the 12 day thing I only know because my brother keyed into the fact that my Mom died 12 days after my birthday. Even knowing that, I have to sit down and count days if someone needs the actual dates.
When it hit me, it wasn’t anything horrid or terribly sad or anything, just “Has it really been 10 years?!” In some ways it feels like it’s been forever, and in other ways, like he just left. I’d like to think that he’s somewhere and able to watch the adventure I’ve made of my life and smile at it. I know his reaction to MCM and tris would be basically the same as
I’ve had a few days of feeling slightly guilty about my escape from productive society, but then things happen that remind me that right now, I need to be living life on MY terms and not the terms set forth by the HR department of some corporation. Saturday night I got a call, “How would you like to hit the beach for a couple days?*” Well, come on, who could resist that? Sunday was finishing up a paper while sitting on the screened porch (50/50 score) followed by surfcasting (reeled in 2 blues on one line, go me) which was just awesome. Monday was kayaking on the sound again and rediscovering that I have NOT lost my casting skills, I just need a saltwater rig that fits my size. Tuesday was just a lazy rainy day at the beach, with a wonderful candlelight dinner at the end of it. This freedom to get up and go is what I’ve needed for a very long time, and I’m very grateful to have it.
The kayaking was freakin’ awesome. Last time, it had been 13 years since I’d been out, and over the course of the outing, I did get very comfortable in the boat, but when Dave pushed me off first, I’ll admit there were some nerves there. This time, he pushed my boat off and my first thought was, “He’d better hurry up, cause I’m not waiting for him” and off I went. Kayaking skills *do* come back quickly - a hell of a lot faster than riding a bike to be sure. Was quickly doing hard turns and stops with no issues whatsoever and enjoying the hell out of it. It didn’t go unnoticed as about halfway through the afternoon Dave declared me a natural in the water. Hell, I’m a Pisces, I should hope so. At one point he asked, “How ya doin’ over there?” to which I replied, “I’m mentally accessorizing my new kayak.” Seriously, I am definitely thinking about acquiring a boat - you can paddle in all the lakes up here, and it’s SO relaxing, and sit on tops aren’t prohibitively expensive.
Of course, as we were getting out of the kayaks, he says, “The cops are here.” Oh lord, NO - we weren’t doing ANYTHING prohibited this time!!! Turns out it was just one of the guys from the Sheriff’s department who happened to park in the general vicinity of where we parked and was doing paperwork or eating lunch or something and didn’t really care about us.
For those that hit OBX on a semi-regular basis, North Shore Outfitters in Duck is dangerous. (West side of 12, next shopping center past the ABC store) They’re the folks that have supplied me with a kayak the last 2 trips down there, and they are very well stocked with outdoor goodies by The North Face, Patagonia, Royal Robbins & Icebreaker among others. I now have a wonderful pair of fleecy microfiber pants, a kickass fleece type tank top and a good pair of shorts. It’s in the same little shopping center as the coffeeshop/bookstore, another place I managed to not be able to leave with *just* a latte. (And then discovered that Dave has the same book I bought - Wine and War - which may be research material for my next paper.)
While we were down there, I found a couple Lawrence Sanders books in the house, including one I hadn’t actually read yet - I figured his folks probably had brought them down, cause his writing tends to lend itself to an older generation. Well, while we were talking tonight, it turns out they were his - and he loves the McNally series as well, for the same reasons I do - it’s fun fluff, but well written, and you have to love the descriptions of what Archie McNally wears and especially the food descriptions. Lordy, we are dorks. ;) Spiffy to find someone else who also considers the fall of the family cocktail hour to be a sad, sad thing.
So yeah, that’s where I’ve been the past few days.
*It was supposed to be him & his Dad going down to get some work done on the house, and his Dad literally bailed at 9:30 Saturday night. (Legit reasons, and I can’t say I mind, I got a couple days at the beach.)
