A rough start to the new year but one that is in the rearview now. As I turned the wall calendar to February and took a moment to acknowledge how fast the last month went by. To reflect that some goals went by the wayside but other accomplishments stepped in at times.

I’m already rolling on a new photo project and hope to get a wall covered tonight to sort through the combinations I want to use. Tomorrow I hope to do some woodworking and pick up the cameras again. And I’m thinking about a day or two at the beach before spring actually gets here in full force so it’s time to look at the calendar.

Time moves so fast that it scares me. I saw something that reminded me of a friend who passed almost a year ago and was shocked that time has gone by. I like reading his emails that we traded while he was fighting one of the worst cancers. His bravery and focus on living each day, stick with me today.

We worked together for a little over a decade if I remember correctly. But hadn’t touched base in a few decades. He noted how easy it was to reconnect and that it was just like yesterday when we spoke instead of decades ago. He was one of those people and I hope and try to be someone like that myself. Someone who shared good times and good memories with. Someone you feel that connection to. Someone who is there for you.

So I’m going to think of him watching over me now and saying get up and get busy with your passions. And I’ll smile and appreciate the time I’ve been given.

Random Thoughts of the Day

• Do the simple things for people, it is appreciated.
• College basketball is my favorite sport and the tension is building early this year for March Madness.
• I looked in the mirror and started to see the makings of a hippie, time for a haircut and beard trim.
• When I make a mistake, I haven’t taken the proper time to learn from it.
• My next best picture is the next print coming out of the printer. And then again, the one after that could be the best. Funny how that process repeats itself. Isn’t it great?

I thought I saw the sun out there today, could it be an illusion. What is real and what is an illusion? I have the illusion of being at the beach today. At least that morning sun today, feels like a beach day. But that won’t be the case in reality for a few more weeks. But it doesn’t keep my mind from wandering into the sand and shore. Or my ears from hearing the sound of the waves. Nor that feeling of sand between my toes.

Past Sunrise, in glorious Ocean City.
Photo by Mike Hartley

Watching the morning pool cleaning and the joggers on the beach and Ocean highway. Mornings are the best at the beach. Everything is fresh again. The footprints in the sand have been washed from the high tide. The boats are just being prepped for the day’s fishing. The trash cans are empty instead of overflowing. The amusement stands/games have restocked their giant stuffed toys. The streets have been cleaned. The traffic is light to none, except for bikes. I love to bike down there and an early morning ride is so peaceful. Well maybe not on biker week or the hot rod week, but all others are pretty good.

I hope time allows for a few weeks down in Bethany and Ocean City this season. And if time doesn’t allow for it, then I’ll just have to manufacturer some.

Why are we spending a gazillion dollars on Sound Barriers when the roads and bridges that they protect local residents from won’t be passable in the near future? Why not take care of the real infrastructure issues instead of aesthetics.

Why are we spending time bashing the two presumptive Presidential candidates when we should be on a search for their replacement in four years and in between that in church praying we survive those four years. And for those not praying to a higher source there is Canada. Just call it, an extended vacation.

It’s a damn shame all this rain in the northeast isn’t over Canada now.

Well, got to get making that Mothers Day breakfast for my better half. Have a great day. I intend to.