A group of friends and I went down to the beach the other day. It was a really nice day and just the right temperature; the sun was out with gentle breezes blowing.

On the way down we passed over the train tracks on a pedestrian bridge. There were many freight trains that day and I notice the full loads of uncovered coal on the way to the docks to be shipped. Some of the coal always comes out of the cars and the dust settles by the side of the train tracks. (I think most of us know what the use of coal does to the environment - if you don’t I encourage you to look into it)

As we sat enjoying our conversation and cooking a meal the sounds of the freight trains would occasionally get so loud we could not understand each other.

There was a big sign stating that the local shell fish could not be harvested. Some red tide type bacteria or something. I wasn’t particularly interested, I’ve kind of stopped eating meat in general.

I wandered away from the group and enjoyed walking barefoot along this fresh water stream that made its way down towards the ocean. There were many green grasses growing in the stream. Lots of sharp rocks were in the area and some broken glass from bottles.

We wanted to bring some wine down to share with everyone but I guess it was against the law at this point for some odd reason. I remembered the fun days of hanging out at the beach with friends sharing wine.

The sun shown brightly sparking on the water and the green stuff felt nice between my toes. It was much easier walking on them than the sharp rocks but I was a bit worried about not really being able to see what laid hidden beneath my feet.

All of a sudden I felt a sharp pain in my foot but kept walking. After I bit I came out of the water and noticed some blood on my foot. I took a quick look at it and there looked like some odd looking squiggly worm attached to my foot.

It was almost an immediate visceral reaction to grab the item, yank it off my foot and toss it away. I’ve read too many stories of parasitic worms popping out of peoples feet into water and stories of blood sucking leaches. If it hurt this bad I could imagine the worm was trying to eat its way into my foot. (None of that usually happens around here thankfully, I think perhaps because of the cooler climate)

I had to tell everyone, “I don’t know about that stream water, I think I found a leach on my foot.”

After a bit I calmed down enough to take a load off and check my foot out in more depth. I cleaned the area gently and noticed that the wound did not look at all like a bite from any type of worm. It looked more like I had stepped on a broken piece of glass. I kind of felt a bit silly letting everyone know that I no longer thought there were leaches in the water. I must have just pulled off part of my skin and tossed it away - double yuck in any case, lol.

Walking back from the beach

After a really nice meal, we all started walking back over the bridge. I stopped on the bridge and thought to myself that a train would soon be coming by. I got out my camera just in case. Sure enough the train came roaring down the track. A blast of hot air preceded it. It took some pictures as it passed under the bridge.

The coal had all been emptied and I guessed that the train was heading back for another load.

These trains move really fast. Some people have been killed by them because they were wearing headphones and didn’t get out the way fast enough.

I felt sorry for those that are injured by the trains and continued walking on. I have listened to enough music in my life not to need to wear headphones when I walk. The soft sound of the air in the trees, the birds, drops of rain, noises of the city, and other things all mix together and sound like the harps of angels if you are in the right state of mind. I do like to listen to the sounds of all kinds of popular music too - just not when I’m walking along train tracks, lol.

Ancient salt

I enjoyed a wonderful meal tonight. Asparagus from Mexico, wine and cheese from France, crusty bread and Greek style pasta. So much goes into a meal such as I had, I feel blessed.

The salt came from an ancient sea bed. The package stated that it came from: “Long before the earth knew pollution,...”

I looked down at the cool little grains of minerals and was very aware that this would not always be available. Perhaps for my son or his decedents - at some point this type of salt would be all gone.

I was wishing that there would always be special salt for everyone coming after me. Such a basic thing is the salt of the earth and really so abundant.

I remember hearing stories of “clam bakes” on the east coast. One of my old sayings when I’m just about to leave a party is, “I guess it’s time to blow this clam bake.”

I’ve heard that they used to go out to the beach and dig up the clams and make a big bonfire with the driftwood. When the fire was just right, they would boil up the clams in some sea water and eat them with some wine or beer. It was a really good time from what I have heard and people stayed around talking for a long while and left when they felt like it.

To just be there with friends and plenty of fresh clean food and salt from the sea is priceless.

Bunny update

I was just wondering about the bunny today; I had not seen it for a while. As I was walking out in the yard to dump the compost in the bin there it was, as if in answer to my question.

I’m glad it is still around and looking very healthy. The legs and torso is looking more adult rabbit like. Perhaps there will be some little cotton tails around the yard soon.

I found out where the bunny is getting in and out so I’m not worried about it not getting enough water or anything. I think the hole is too small for the dog to escape.

Dog said, “I my younger days I could squeeze through that hole with no problem.”

I looked at him disdainfully, “You need to quit your dumpster diving days doggie!”

He said, “Human, I know your joking.”

“Don’t test me, or I’ll put a mouse trap in the trash can,” I said laughing.

“Not listening,” said Dog as he wandered away.

(Dog was rescued from the pound after he was caught dumpster diving in some small town around here for your information and he loves trash cans a bit too much)

Feeling alright

Somehow I’m feeling alright. I’ve got no crystal ball but it feels like crypto is hanging in there and increasing in popularity. The earth keeps turning.

It is hard to see too far into the future, even with advanced computing hardware they can’t predict things like the weather past about five days with any high degree of accuracy.

Still, with any luck you can kind of feel what can happen just around the corner.

Oh, and my foot is all healed up now, except for a small worm sized scar and divot.

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Thanks for reading! I always really value your support! Photos were taken by me with my Galaxy S7.