The beach - December 10, 2009

I am sitting on the pier at Manhattan Beach in California, watching the waves, the surfers fighting against the current and trying to ride the waves in. The seagulls are screeching and flittering about. The sun is shining and the breeze is sweet and salty. The pier is beautifully decorated in lights for the holidays as the palms sway in the breeze.

The sound if the ocean is frightening yet so relaxing, white foam crashes into the sand washing away any sign of human life.

What a wonderful morning, I am fortunate to observe.

It occurs to me that the water is blue green, not brown, except where it mixes with the sand. The sand on the beach is fine, each grain blending in with the others around it, creating a smooth surface, it almost looks like a sheet of glass, dull and tan.

The locals seem to take advantage of the beautiful sights as they walk, run or bike ride. I am the intruder here, yet no one disturbs me as I watch. I man preparing for a bike ride in the cold air says hi to me as I write, complains of the cold but leaves me to myself.

What life must be like to live so close to the ocean, I will try to enjoy working close by as much as I can.