Day Twelve: Perfect Picnic Day
November 12th, 2007
Maybe I had so much trouble blogging last night because I didn’t have any photos to jump off from. I like to think I’m a writer/artist but when the going gets tough—I’m more of a visual person than a wordsmith. I’ve especially felt this way lately as I peruse more and more amazingly witty blog writers. At one point, I got so disappointed in my lack of wittiness, I almost decided that I shouldn’t read witty blogs anymore. And that is just sad. So I got over that, shook off my jealousy and told myself to just keep doing what I do and stop thinking so much about it.
Today was a great day for taking pictures. It was sunny and lovely. The Santa Ana winds blew softly, warming the day up in a surreal its-a-holiday* sort of way. The weather and lack of usual 9-5 hustle bustle reminded me of Christmas. Christmas is always unusually warm around here. People take walks, drink coffee outside, hang out with their kids at the park… my town just has that “I’m on holiday* feeling”. And if that doesn’t do it for you then you’ll realize it’s a holiday* when you can’t deposit your check at the bank or mail that package you promised you’d mail first thing Monday morning.
In spite of my foiled errands to the post office and the bank, today was a perfect day. A perfect day for a picnic! I try to fill the big block of time between Baby Bug’s one nap of the day and bedtime with an outing that will amuse us both. Somedays we just stay inside and color all day. Those days drag on painfully. Other days I think up something fun and novel like a picnic!
Baby Bug got a quilt in the mail the other day from a reader who spoils me rotten and the quilt just called out to be taken outside for some fun. It’s so bright and colorful it makes all the other blankets jealous.
Of course we couldn’t disappoint the new quilt, so we packed up some lunch and headed down to the beach for some sun and sand. Nothing says holiday like the crunch of sand when you bite down on a grilled cheese sandwich. I’m so used to sand these days, it doesn’t even phase me. Sand sand everywhere. Good thing we have spanking new plumbing in our falling down rental apartment.
We had so much fun with our picnic we decided to share it with the seagulls which probably made all the other families picnicking nearby us mad at us. Actually, there was a family near us and I could tell the mom was seething as I tossed Baby Bug’s uneaten apples to the greedy seagulls. I suppose it wasn’t the wisest thing to do but it was very entertaining. Seagulls are such mad creatures. I get a kick out of watching them fight over food. They weren’t really a problem. When we finished up our lunch, I threw away the trash and they flew off to bug someone else.
I don’t know if good weather will keep the “no mo’ nablopomo blues” away but it certainly helped! Sunny weather always helps.
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Editor’s note: I know today is not a “holiday”. It’s actually a day to remember those who have given their lives to preserve ours. It’s not about celebrating but it is about being thankful. And I’m thankful to all those soldiers because without them there wouldn’t be perfect days for picnics.
November 12th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
What a beautiful day! Love the photos and the quilt, I soooo want to come there now.
It was so windy here, my sisters new-huge BBQ blew off her patio!
November 13th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Okay, I am only slightly miffed that the sun didn’t really come out till I left. That quilt really is perfect for beach picnics!
November 13th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Spanking new plumbing AND a psychedelic new floor? Sounds like a winning place to me!
I also really love that you left a little place in your post for Veterans Day. I grew up with a wonderfully patriotic Dad that made me appreciate November 11 in a way I’m not sure many people do. Even more, I have been lucky enough to have met friends socially who have served in Iraq — and in a way I’m not sure I could.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:47 am
A picnic in November! How delightful. Those sanwiches look tempting but then I am hungry. Here it is very gray and gloomy today enjoy your winter picnics :)
November 13th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Love the new quilt. And it sure looked like it was a beautiful picnic day. I didn’t realize that you guys had a holiday yesterday too. Like you say it isn’t a holiday in the true sense of the word, but it is a day to reflect on those who have given their lives so we could enjoy the one we have today. With Hubby home yesterday it sure felt like a holiday.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:18 am
Grilled cheese while sitting on a beautiful quilt on the beach? What a wonderful way to spend the day!
November 13th, 2007 at 6:19 am
I so admire your images! I’ve been wondering if BB insists that you wear those Goh-reeen! shoes on your outings. They look so fun, but still, her favourite colour.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Awwww, I love the quilt. DeeJay is such a sweetheart! She sent each of my 3 girls a quilt and they all adore them. I need to take ours on a picnic. I wish I had a beautiful, sunny beach nearby to take them to. :::jealous:::
xxoo
November 13th, 2007 at 7:09 am
i miss the ocean! what great pics. :)
November 13th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Great photos. I am a visual writer too. For me, posts and photos go hand in hand.
I would love to be wittier too, but I’ll leave it to the experts ;)
November 13th, 2007 at 7:36 am
What a perfect day!
November 13th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Love this post! All of these pictures of shoes has made me think of the play “Barefoot in the Park”…so funny!
November 13th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Isn’t it great that there is a bit of bright green in BB’s new quilt?
It is so happy, just right for sunshine and beach and picnic with sandy sandwiches.
I remember always going to school on Veteraqns’ Day, but promptly and 11 o’clock we all stood up by our desks and quietly reflected on how much our veterans had done for us. Really it was a solemn occasion. No one fidgeted or giggled. We all were respectful.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Oh, and I forgot to say…you are witty, I so wish I could be as witty as you! You are so good at seeing the whimsy in life and capturing it in words.
November 13th, 2007 at 11:22 am
while you may be a wee bit jealous of witty blogs, i’m jealous that baby bug eats grilled cheese sandwiches! :) i can’t get my son to eat much outside of egg noodles and rice! haha…
November 13th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
heck i dunno why you are jealous! I love your blog, sense of homor, witt, playfulness etc etc.. and hey, at least YOU have readers! looks like an awesome day for a picnic, and reflection, and I think BB had a great time too!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Yes! I visited my OC family this weekend and got that same “It’s Christmas” feeling.
How odd.
Something about the stillness and the mild warmth and the crowds in the stores…
November 13th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
what a beautiful day.