I've promised myself to spend some time at the beach this summer. I am debating whether it should be a requirement for anyone who has an e-reader and lives near the shore. In fact, after some sober thought, not spending time there with my Kindle in hand feels somehow...wrong. In my mind's eye I see a chaise lounge, and a floppy hat, and roaring waves. In my head I hear that cute Kindle jingle and I have the urge to follow it as I would the siren's sound. Unfortunately, there are things that should be against the law at the beach. It should, for instance, be a criminal act to manufacture string bikini's in anything larger than size "small". In my beachdom, Speedos would likewise be banned. But I digress.
I found a nice shady place to park the car and located a bench swing, where I planted myself for blissful reading and gull watching. (I snapped the view from my little perch and share it with you here). The Kindle performed splendidly. I had just finished The House of the Whispering Pines by Anna Katharine Green and was well into The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart - both very engrossing Who-Dunnits. The idea that I was carrying 78 books on my person made me giddy! I'll finish "Staircase" well before next Friday when my four-day weekend begins. Who will sit beside me on the sand? Sheridan Le Fanu? Rafael Sabatini (Captain Blood might provide just the right swash buckle to fit the bill)? H.G. Wells? R. L. Stevenson? Such heady problems almost make me swoon.
While out at Tybee Island, I came across the most funky looking little shop advertising "Fish Art," which conjured mental images of flounders dressed in smocks with little berets on their fish heads...holding palettes of the most beachy colors. Fish Art sounded like something I should not miss. I've made a mental note to wander around the studio next weekend to delve more deeply into Fish Art (or Poisson's d'art?) What's that, you say?? Poison dart? Could there be a hidden meaning in the name of this curious little shop? Or could it be that I've been reading too many mysteries after all? Come Friday, I shall investigate further and report my findings. Fish Art? An innocent and unintended play on words? Or something more sinister?
I had almost forgotten what fun summer can be. I feel like a kid again...when every summer day is an adventure waiting to unfold.
I am so envious of you being near the beach that I can hardly breath. I would love to be able to simply walk down onto the sand and stroll along the wavelike, especially on a day such as today has been, very hot and humid. But, beware getting that sand into the innards of your kindle. I suspect it wouldn't like it too much.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, you know, I worried about that. The first day I had it I inadvertently left it out on the patio overnight. And it rained. I was heartbroken when I saw it out there. Mercifully, it either didn't rain very hard, or the Kindle folks anticipated some doofus doing what I did. I think it's probably okay at the beach, but I don't take any chances by sitting it down. And, yes, I feel very lucky to be so near the sea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this fun post! Your comment on the Kindle made me think of a book I'm reading, Sherry Turkle's book Alone Together, in which she discusses how we slowly become a little too attched to our gadgets. I highly recommend it. But as a writer, I'd put a book-like gadget like Kindle in a different category!
ReplyDeleteShelley, I admit it - almost shame-faced. I have become attached to my Kindle in a way I never thought I would. I am a true lover of the "book" book. Sometimes I feel as though I've "sold out." But then at other times I think, "Oh, what the hell." And then I happily crank up the Kindle. It is wonderful for carrying around for those numerous times during the day when we stand around waiting. And for the beach, it's just marvelous.
ReplyDeleteThat beach looks gorgeous! Cambridge is dreadfully landlocked and it takes ages to find the seaside (and when you do it's the North Sea - less than inviting!). Here's to lots of lovely, lazy, reading days in the summer sunshine.
ReplyDeleteLitlove, y'all come down! Tybee is a fun place. A little whacky, a little shabby, and we really try to keep it that way. A few years ago, we were all a little worried about it becoming too gentrified. (Especially when Hollywood types started buying property). We like things to stay easy on TyB.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely view you had from your bench! I know exactly what you mean about being giddy over all the books you are carrying around on your Kindle. And I cannot wait to hear about the fish art! Don't forget to take some photos!
ReplyDeleteStefanie, I will try to take pictures of the fish art, but there was also a sign that said "We are asking for donations if you take photos." Not...sure...why. But the shop looks so interesting I would gladly pay admission just to catch a glimpse.
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