{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} -- Hatteras Island version

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{Pretty}

Almost every June we spend a week gathering beach gear of all kinds, household items and whatever else we think we may need for our family vacation on Hatteras Island. My husband, the engineer, stages all the equipment and paraphernalia in our dining room and then the day before we are scheduled to leave, he very meticulously packs our huge van, knowing exactly how things fit best. (I gave up packing early in our marriage after he once undid everything I had done and repacked the car. His way was so much better and more efficient! So from then on, he took care of all the packing of the car or van and he prefers it that way. And so do I.)

This year we rented an oceanfront house in Rodanthe, NC with easy access to the beach. The views from our deck were stunning:

{Happy}

 

 

 

Isaac had the best time!

And so did Margaret.

All tuckered out!

{Funny} 

Holly spies a CRAB!

Holly was quite intrigued by the crab and ended up chasing it all over the area where we were sitting. It scuttled away sideways, at one point finding shelter underneath a sand chair where our son-in-law's mom was seated! Holly eventually chased the poor creature down to the surf where it happily made its escape.

{Real}

A contemplative by nature, a week at the shore revives my soul. Like many people, I am content to sit for hours just watching pelicans skim the waves and listening to the laughing gulls. It's not necessary to make conversation, but it is important to look and listen.

My poor Jim is really an active soul who can only sit for so long before becoming restless. A Michigan native, he longs for vacations on a lake where he can swim, canoe, kayak, fish or nap under the shade of a tree. He is so good to me - agreeing every summer to an ocean beach vacation because he knows how much I love it; how much it is in my blood, having spent my early life on Long Island, NY where the beach was just a hop, skip and a jump away.

I think maybe next summer I will insist on a lake vacation. Jim would like that.
And, yeah, so would I.

Jim and our friend, Peggy, scoping out the beach upon our arrival

Fr. "Uncle Jimmy" relaxing under the canopy.

My great-niece Marley

Margaret giving Holly kisses.

Sam & Katie and family.

The view of Pamlico Sound. 

Sunset over the sound as seen from the deck of our cottage.

Nothing like a Margarita at lunch time!

Isaac building a sand fort with his Daddy and Auntie Erin.

This is how one dresses for the beach after forgetting to apply sunscreen on feet and ankles the day before.

Our beach canopy.

{p,h,f,r}

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