My afternoon beach stroll in Port Aransas today was filled with drama. First, I stumbled across this rather smug-looking rubber duck. A few more steps and I found a pair of pliers. Further along in the sand was the poor, disemboweled fish.
Using my impeccable sleuthing skills (acquired during childhood games of Clue) I determined that the fish was killed by Mr. Rubber Duck, with the pliers, on the beach.
Case closed!
Me, Foghorn, and Sandy, Rockport, Texas August 2019
As you can see in the photo above, I have trouble being still. My lack of patience has been a lifelong struggle (every single report card from elementary school made note of that fact).
During the last few years of my grandmother’s life I spent a lot of time with her, hoping to absorb (by osmosis) some of her calm and patient demeanor. One memorable afternoon, I explained my thought to her and my sweet grandma leaned over, patted my hand, and said with a smile, “Not in this lifetime, dear.”
Mic drop. Ah, so that’s where I got my sass!
Last month this unusual bivalve caught my eye while I was walking on the Mustang Island beach. Since the amber exterior is leathery in texture and not a hard surface, I had to soak it in bleach and let it dry outside for a long, long time to disperse the strong, fishy odor.
As you can (kind of) see in the second photo, the shell’s interior made my effort worthwhile. The Atlantic Pearl Oyster (Pinctada imbricata), as the name implies, can create desirable, nacreous gemstones. Which actually led to some problems for the species. On his third trip in 1498, Christopher Columbus collected some pearls which in turn led to a major pearl harvesting industry off the coast of Venezuela. Their popularity led to a massive depletion of the population.
I may not have found a pearl but I still feel like I discovered a bit of treasure.
Friends and I attended a Corpus Christi Hooks game tonight (farm team for the Houston Astros). It felt great to be back at a ball park after missing out completely last year. Midway through the lineup I recognized a name from my alma mater.
A quick Google search confirmed that JJ Matijevic played for University of Arizona Wildcats 2015 through 2017 (the team went to the College World Series his final season). After allowing the Frisco Rough Riders a Grand Slam during a wild seventh, the Hooks hung on to win. It was a wonderful summer evening for baseball!
Copano Bay, Rockport, Texas August 2019
A relaxing evening photo to help you ease into the week ahead. A cool way to beat the high temps…
Rockport Beach, Rockport, Texas August 2019
This little lady had certainly seen better days. Knowing how impossible it is to get the sand out of my own hair, I didn’t even try to clean her up. Side note: I’m presuming she’s French…
Hanging out for brunch on a lazy Sunday morning a couple weeks back I caught this conversation:
“Hey, John! What’s up? Man, what’s with the glitter?”
John: “I don’t know. I woke up with glitter all over my bed and all over me.”
First Guy: “Wild. Any night that ends with your sheets covered in glitter was a good night, my friend!”
John, sighing: “Yeah, I just wish I remembered it.”
Rockport Beach Fishing Pier, Rockport, Texas August 2019
I walk along the beach to this fishing pier most every evening. I usually spend my time on the weathered, wooden planks staring out over the water, watching mullets jump and pelicans dive. As I was stretching my legs for my return stroll I caught this cool view out of the corner of my eye. I think I’ll start looking at more of the world this way…
Found on Rockport Beach, Texas August 2019
The beach gifted me two rings last night. So, apparently, we’re married now. At least I look forward to seeing the beach every day (not all married folks can say that about their partners).
I came across this colorful pair at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge last month. Despite their Latin binomial, the wings of the Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) are really not that much longer than others. Perhaps a more appropriate name would’ve referenced their frosty blue coloration. Or, here’s your word for the day, their pruinose blue coloration. Good ahead, look it up, I’ll wait…cool word, right?
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