Still cool, but perfectly pleasant on the beach this morning. I left later than usual and it was mid-morning and bright sun. Someone was feeling very playful on the beach today, and I met a happy octopus etched with a stick in the sand. The maker nowhere in sight. I love how the beach brings out playfulness in people. I found many sand dollars today but met no children to give them to so I brought them home and washed them in bleach. I went three times to the beach today: after my morning walk I worked for a few hours and needed to clear my head and stretch my body. I brought my captivating book and my chair and sat in the sun and sadly finished it. “Say Nothing,” by Patrick Radden Keefe. It will win the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction, I’m certain. Tonight, I am sad not to have my book to sink into long after I should be asleep. The house was quiet, after making quiche I worked a few more hours, and then after my quiche I rode my bike up to Bradenton Bridge to catch the sky in colors of after sundown. Walked out to the pier and let the gold and purple sky wash over me and felt how much I have fallen in love with this beautiful place – and who wouldn’t?