The Adventures of Mom

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, who I know is reading this.  Happy Mom’s day to Diane (even though I’ve been told it was in March in the UK!) and to Pema (who I think is superwoman in disguise), to the moms from the local mom’s group (you know who you are) and to all the other moms out there, old and new- this is OUR day, so sit back and enjoy- and don’t you dare touch that laundry basket! Relish in the fact that according to US Weekly magazine, stay at home moms are worth $136,000 a year- working moms just need to tack their extra earned income onto that- so enjoy your day- this one is for us!

Finally made it to the beach with the entire family, towels, sunblock and shovels and pails in tow. I directed my husband to Gamble Rogers State Park up A1A, and away from the congested Daytona/Ormond area and their notorious driving on the beach- which I suppose is great for the 16-21 year olds, but dangerous when you have little people to watch out for- they ran over two people their last year! What is it about having to drive on the beach anyway? If you have legs, use them- and can we say Beach Erosion? It doesn’t exactly help, does it?

Well, we passed a new little city beach park in Ormond complete with a new playground and toilets- to hit a beach I had frequented with my family in years past. It cost $4.00 for parking, but it was going to the state park service, and the place was CLEAN. My husband announced that we had forgotten the umbrella (I told him it would blow away anyway), but we secured a shady spot under the wheelchair ramp- which, of course the kids stayed out of the entire time, except under dire threats.

Sunblock slathered on the tender limbs, everyone ventured into the Atlantic Ocean- it was CCCCold! The undertow felt strong (but was mild, according to the park flag warning system in the parking lot). I kept an arm on Sydney the entire time- luckily she seemed more concerned about digging at the surf’s edge (ah, small blessings). Logan swam a doggie paddle under daddy’s watchful eyes and later chased crabs through the sand.

It was a beautiful day. My little girl did not throw a single tantrum the entire day (I will mark this day as a historic moment just for that!) When it was time to leave, we showered outside, changed in the toilets (I love this park just for that reason-amenities!) and headed home- both little ones drifting off to sleep before we left A1A.  We could see the forest fires from Volusia county rising like a smoke stack in the distance (these forest fires are ravaging this state and Georgia). As for me, I was happy we had our first day outing to the beach as a family. My own back was burning as being a mom, I was so busy keeping the kids covered with sunscreen, I forgot about me- ouch!

As my dear sister Sandy continues off on her own adventures early this morning, I will reflect back to the moment when I first noticed our writing differences- oh yes, we have both been writing since we were children, but it was in a little sidewalk cafe on the Greek island of Rhodes that our varied styles of writing (and thinking!) became ever so apparent. It was breakfast time and we were sipping tea, penning postcards to our loved ones back in the states.

Sandy’s eloquent writing described the architecture surrounding us- the cobbled stone streets of the Knights, the gothic arches and stone fortress walls, whilest mine, (sigh-and I remember this well) went: “Am suffering a wicked hangover. Had a late night with some wild fellow travellers in an ex-pat pub…” Aw, I figure I am not looking to win the Pulitzer Prize with my writings (Which, incidently, my cousin out in the desert was nominated for on his book of Zen stories- congrats, Sean) I just want to entertain- oh yes, and have movie producers bid for the screen rights of my books (heh heh).  So, thus I liken us to the surfer and the sea captain- we both have a love of writing as they love the sea, but we approach it in very different ways.  What else can I say, except- Hang Ten Dude!

Incidentally, Sandy has made a great travelling companion on several journeys. She has this built in compass, which I seem to be lacking (I spent three hours hunting for the Effiel Tower in Paris- and I could see the dang thing the whole time!) I have a lousy sense of direction. I have been lost in every major city in Europe- really! One time Sandy and I were climbing a mountain in Nepal (yes- to get to the other side- no really, because it was there), and if it weren’t for her and her brilliant sense of direction, we would be somewhere in Tibet now, as our path had vanished and I was convinced the village was in the opposite direction of where it actually was- but thanks to sis, we made it to the stupa on the top and enjoyed an ice cold CocaCola at the drink shack outside- believe me, Coke tastes so much better when you are viewing Annapurna and sweating from a climb past a monkey filled jungle. oh yes, I let Sandy lead the way down the mountain….so I am here to write of it, not meditating with monks in Tibet- or eating rice in China…