It’s been a tough week. The loss of Radio Mike still weighs on me, perhaps because people are still posting on his FB page! A female friend is posting evocative photos of herself taken by Radio Mike nearly 20 years ago. She calls herself Mikes “Muse”. Also, a nephew of his is posting photos and tidbits of wisdom that Mike asked him to post. It seems like Mike is talking to us from the great beyond. It is interesting, but each post renews the sadness.
It was also a crummy week because I attended a Medicare workshop (mine starts in July) and discovered the high cost of Medicare. Yikes. It is really throwing a wrench in the budget. The Medicare shock that people receive as they approach age 65 is quite real. I am also a bit bittersweet about leaving here soon. I have fun adventures ahead, but I dug in some roots here this winter and will miss my new home base.
So, each day this week I felt a little worse. Yesterday I kept fighting the urge to crawl back into bed and hide under the covers. This was one of the prettiest days yet this spring; instead, I painted a bit and messed around outside. I went into town for some glue. Nothing too exciting but far better than sleeping through the day. I still felt out of synch, though.
Late in the afternoon I turned to Tango and exclaimed, “Let’s have a picnic on the beach!” He wagged his tail in agreement so we drove back into town for a rotisserie chicken, fresh bread, and coleslaw! After I returned, I left him in the car while I ran into the RV and made up a container with my picnic supper. I bagged up some of the chicken skin and dog food for Tango. I also tossed into the tote a beach blanket, water, cup, fork, and a bowl for Tango. I drove across the street to the marina parking lot and was delighted to find it was low tide. I grabbed Tango, my lightweight folding chair and the picnic bag, and we walked down the steep path that goes to the beach. I guided us to my favorite spot, a small estuary where a freshwater creek drains into the bay. The water makes a gurgling sound there; however, the beach is more like a gravel bar, so when I set up my chair I laid out a blanket for Tango. Apologies for the crummy photo!
It sounds serene, but the place was jumping with excitement! Clams and other seafood are abundant here, and the seagulls easily scoop them up at low tide. When they have something, they soar upwards and then drop the shell on the rocks below to open them up. Voila! If another seagull is nearby, the seagull with a catch will stay closer to the ground so that they can swoop back down before the other steals it. When no one else is watching, the seagulls fly up higher before the drop. Thwack! The soft clam is exposed and ready. I like watching the routine and laugh when another seagull manages to steal someone else’s snack.
A pair of geese also came through. As usual, they were squawking about something the entire time they flew past. They landed at the far end of the beach and I could still hear them making a fuss. Canada Geese are drama queens. I missed my pair of Oyster Catchers this time. I see them only sporadically before the tide is fully out. They are hard to miss with their black, shiny bodies and long, flame-red beaks.
Wow, I am blessed to be in this beautiful setting. The whole experience was comforting and soul-filling. I felt much of the sadness lift. Tango sniffed around endlessly while I sat feeling content.
Stock photo of Oystercatchers
It occurred to me that many people don’t know what it is like to always deal with things by yourself. When you have a significant other or even lots of family, you always have people with whom you can share things. I never had sisters, a daughter, a sympathetic mom, or even nieces, which leaves a real void when you need to talk! Yep, when you are single, retired, and nomadic, you basically have yourself. You must figure out how to take care of yourself in healthy ways, like being outdoors. And, it worked! Today I feel more balanced but am looking forward to another picnic (and more of that chicken) tonight. Same place, same station!
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