Beach

Rooting for the Anticlimax

/ Katie / 10 Comments

Well, Hurricane Erin has come and gone. Or, rather, it’s gone and it was never really here to begin with.

I’m not unhappy about that at all. Sometimes, anticlimactic is good.

It’s my first hurricane season as an official resident of Virginia Beach, and though I’m not too worried generally, I admit I was concerned about and disconcerted by all the watches and warnings that accompanied Erin’s not-landfall here. As a lifelong mountain critter – if not in body than certainly in spirit – I find the ocean intimidating. Coastal storms were something that, growing up, we actually talked about pretty often. You know, as in: “Gee, sure glad and grateful we aren’t dealing with that.”

And now here I am, living very close to the big water, right on the coast. It’s a funny old life.

At any rate, I am quite grateful that the most we saw of Erin in our neck of the woods – er, our stretch of the sand – was just a little bit of a breeze, some higher than usual high tides, and rough waves.

The surfers had a great time. Waves in Virginia Beach are normally pretty calm, so these were fun to watch. From a distance.

I know the Outer Banks in North Carolina dealt with more, and I’ve heard Norfolk had some flooding. But as storms go, we got lucky. And I’m hoping we stay lucky through this season. Because as much as I love new experiences, I definitely don’t have “See a hurricane up close and personal” on my 2025 bingo card.  

Becoming a Beach Person

/ Katie / 14 Comments

I’m a mountain person.

Always have been.

Graham grew up by the water, and spent pretty much every summer day of his entire childhood on the sand. He’s the first person I’ve ever met who actually lived at the beach.

Before we got together, I think I’d visited the beach, like, five times, maybe?

All of that to say, the beach was never a huge part of my life, and it’s taken some getting used to.

It’s silly, I know, to say something like that. Lots of people love the beach – they visit every year, they make plans to retire there, they dream of owning a house and staying in it as often as they can. And I totally get it! It’s just never been my thing.

But y’all, sometimes, you gotta get over yourself.

And in this case, you is me. I am you. Because, as it turns out, Lucy loves the beach.

She’s a little intimidated by the all that sand and water, sure, but she’s a fan. Graham is elated. 😊 And me?

Well, I guess I’m finally, slowly, and for the best reason ever, becoming a beach person.  

Summer Break!

/ Katie / 28 Comments

I’ll be taking a blogging break next week, from July 17th through July 21st. I’m still planning to read all of your wonderful posts. I just won’t be writing any of my own. Why?

I’m going to the beach!

Okay, I know this is something I do fairly often. It’s the advantage of marrying a beach kid. 😉 But this year feels a little different, a little special, because it’s the last time Graham and I will be heading down to the ocean as just the two of us. This time next year, we’ll have our little girl, and we’ll be three. So exciting, and I can’t wait to see her reaction to the waves and the texture of the sand.

But, for now, I really want to unplug as much as possible and just enjoy this time with Graham, before things change. It’s a good change, but a change nonetheless. I’m so happy and grateful, but also soaking in these last few months before we’re parents.

So, happy creating in these next several days! And I promise lots of fun stuff when I come back, including July’s short story. I haven’t started it yet, but I plan to make it a good one!

Annie is a beach dog???

/ Katie / 10 Comments

Y’all, I just had to share one more picture from our beach getaway.

Now that we’ve been home for a week, Annie is up to her usual antics – barking, guarding the back window against deer and groundhogs, generally being sort of loud and energetic.

She was a different dog at the beach. As you can see.

Calm, sleepy, relaxed, easy-going. I’m beginning to think our country puppy who loves the snow and cold is actually A BEACH DOG! Who knew?

Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?

There’s always time…

/ Katie / 29 Comments

…for one last sunrise.

This is from yesterday, bright and early, as we were packing up and getting ready to head home from a lovely and much-needed vacation. I don’t know what it is about sunrises on the beach, but I just can’t enough of them.

Beach Break!

/ Katie / 4 Comments

I’ll be taking a writing break next week to really enjoy some family time and of course some long days on the beach. 😊 I’ll be back on August 15th. For now, enjoy some pictures of my mother-in-law’s beautiful garden, which we have been enjoying so much these last few days.

And until next time, I wish y’all happy creating!

A Pre-Spring Break

/ Katie / 4 Comments

Yes, indeed. And much needed.

Graham and I are heading to the coast later this week, so I’ll be taking a bit of a writing break. But I’ll be back next week – I’m sure with lots of stories and pictures – and February’s short story will be posted on Monday, February 28th. It’s a good one, if I do say so myself. So, check back next week, and in the meantime, happy creating, y’all!