Yes, this is a manatee! Not a common sight here in North Carolina, but nonetheless, there it is.
While visiting friends at Swan Point Marina this beautiful creature came swimming around the finger docks. We threw lettuce and fresh water. Wow! Hope this big guy is safe.

Of course, I do not remember being here, but I'm told I was. This is when we lived in the Azores before coming to TI. They do bullfights a little differently in the Azores. Seems, rather than kill the bull, one is to drag it into the water -or something like that. Obviously, nobody dragged el toro anywhere that day-except maybe the slaughterhouse.
Okay- another cool quote for you writers out there. And having read Jack London's MARTIN EDEN, I totally agree with the following quote: How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live-Henry David Thoreau.

Super morning. Hazy and muted---soooooooooooooo cool. Quote: Because he loved true things he tried to explain-John Steinbeck.

So this is the new cover to BRIDGE TENDER. Much like the previous, but more ominous, don't ya think. Again, thanks to Connie Pletl and Loggerhead Designs.

quote: And I know Martin Eden's
           gonna be proud of me
           And many before me
          who've been called by the sea.
          --Tom Waits

One of the observation towers from the late 1940s when Operation Bumble Bee was active on the island. The missiles being observed were part of an anti-aircraft, surface to air missile defense system.This ramjet powered design is still used in some technology today. The Navy left in 1948, turning over leased land to land owners, opening the floodgates for developers.

Back in the day, young courageous hearts and souls climbed the rickety stairways and dared each other to jump from the towers. We did, but we had tall, voluptuous sand dunes to land in.

A writing tip-QUOTE-If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.--John Irving.

When I was a kid I used to swim out ten stokes and if I could touch bottom, I'd swim out ten more-and on and on.

QUOTE:  Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go-
 T.S. ELIOT

THESE DAYS, CHARACTER IS LIKE MONEY--SO FEW HAVE IT.

I keep forgetting that this blog is supposed to be about writing tips. Okay, ya want a writing tip-here it is: quit reading other people's stuff and comparing it to what you think you could be capable of doing. YOU are not THAT person, you are your own-self.-do YOUR thing. It is tough putting yourself out there every day for criticism but that is what being a writer is, quit making excuses for what you think you should be and just be yourself. Because, sweetie pie, it doesn't matter what size golden eggs you lay, there will always be someone to say they are the wrong shape and wrong size. How's that for a tip?
Now on to the important stuff, the photo. This was taken after hurricane Donna. I remember coming home from Camp Lejeune (where we stayed that year for the storm) and seeing three houses floating down the Intracoastal. WOW! I thought it was cool. Then before the storm I remember running up to the dunes and walking out as far as I could on this little jetty that the ocean had created and watching the cascade of waves crisscrossing one another, I seems some were even going backward. The wind was blowing ferociously, and I recall fighting against it and loving every second. Yippee! Mother Nature!  Imagine--being exposed to such strength and awesomeness at such a young age. Anyway, I digress--this picture is an example as to what usually happened when a storm came through. Even though it may originate from the south, they always seemed to swirl to the north of the island, knock out McKees, then Paradise-pieces of those piers would move southward to hit the remaining fishing piers (Ocean City, Barnacle Bill's, Surf City, Dolphin, Jolly Roger-Scotch Bonnet wasn't built until '64, I think) I believe this is Surf City Pier. Because of those piers, Topsail was referred to as  THE FISHERMAN'S PARADISE.
I do want to thank those of you who visit my blog. A couple of you have mentioned it to me at the markets. Thanks again and I hope I'm informative.