Walking Home From the Car Shop

We don't get many shells on Neptune Beach, at least not whole ones, and this time of the year is no exception. Lots of pieces, but no shells larger than about an inch across. The only whole shell I see this morning is still attached to a recently-deceased crab, legs and all. Usually, we only see the shells of those types of crabs, and they're so fragile that they often crumble like eggshells before you can get them home.

The ocean is calm, the tide is low, and I see a faint hint of a school of dolphins breaking the water just beyond the breakers, pursuing a late breakfast. There's an occasional breeze to relieve the heat of the morning sun, but it's from the west, which means a hot afternoon, possibly with thunderstorms, will be in store.

Seeing the walker ahead of me looking up in the sky, I follow suit. There's something floating up there, about 10 stories up judging from the nearby high-rise condos. A kite? No, it doesn't have the shape of any kite I've seen. As it's merely hovering, not really moving fast, it can't be a pelican. But it's tan like a pelican. As I get nearer, I realize that it's a plastic grocery bag, caught on a wind current, drifting out over the ocean. Never seen one up that high before. I also know that when it finally descends into the water it has a good chance of choking some sea creature who thinks it's going to be a tasty snack. People who litter really annoy me.

Usually, I walk north on my beach walks, but this morning the car needed servicing, so I'm approaching my street from the opposite direction...almost missed it! I do a few stretches on the wooden ramp over the dunes before heading home to start my busy work day. Why don't I do this every morning? The beer can I have to pick up out of my front yard, likely tossed from some cruising, carefree teenager's car window last night, reminds me of all the responsibilities that keep me from doing so. It's time for a nice, long shower!