Biking the boards and hoping for whales—I spotted a hat.

I asked the young lady beneath it if I could photograph her hat, and she said, “Sure.”

She was beautiful, and I found she had a beautiful story to match. She agreed to a photo essay, so I biked home with a bundle of words and a disk full of photos.

But, paraphrasing wise words, “While making plans, life happens.”

Yes, I started the essay on her. But staying in front of this computer—while my terrace, shore, and spring beckons?

I yielded.

I’ll finish the essay soon, but sometimes, ya just gotta stop and smell, no, taste the salt—suck in the essence of the sea.

So, I’m pausing here to share—life’s little things.

They’re the little things that make life worth living; focusing on them lets life’s madness and sadness fade a bit.

But first, one needs to shed the noisy backpack we tend to carry. It dulls the call of gulls.

There needs to be a sign on our beach entrance:

PRESENCE ADVISORY:

PLEASE LEAVE ALL ANXIETIES AND REGRETS AT THE BOARDWALK’S EDGE.

YOU CAN PICK THEM UP AGAIN UPON LEAVING.

THANK YOU,

WELLNESS DEPT, LBNY.

In my essay diversion, I came upon dancing dolphins.

Compared to whales, they are “little things.”

But not so little in the joy they bring.

On our terrace, sipping iced tea with Cheryl, a dragonfly landed on our railing.

It seemed to be a youngster. When I moved my phone closer— he just stared at me.

Did he see himself in my iPhone’s glass? Curious met curious.

Black lace against the blue—tiny latticework of wings.

So much wonder in little things.

Back to the shore the next day, still no whales.

But baby oystercatchers—caught me.

One yearned to see the sea.

And the whole family joined its “leader.”

A soft tide of life surged seaward. Tiny steps—yet leaps in life.

The family flock neared the surf.

But the sea was angry that day my friends.

Beneath the roar, the tots feared not.

But seemed happy back—at momma’s spot.

Yes, there’s awe when majesty springs.

But we can’t forget—life’s little things.

Be well

Leebythesea