Identical, Illustration Friday

Well here it is, already several days past the Labor Day holiday weekend and the unofficial beginning of fall, ha ha ha! I know I should be getting all giddy about the autumn holidays and Christmas looming, but for those of us who live in a warmer climates (and ask any kid who's just returned to a new school year)- these days are still practically identical to some of the best of summer's. I just know there are a few more beach days, yet.
Along the strand just north of the Oceanside pier, two rows of tiny beach cottages face the Pacific Ocean. Built in the late 1920's and named "Roberts Cottages" for their early owners, Harry and Virginia Roberts, they've undoubtedly witnessed the passing of many seasons and the ebb and flow of both the tides and tourists who vacation at the shore.
Hello, September! I see those leaves starting to change to golden green! A few more weeks' worth of summer, that's all I ask...

Teacher, Illustration Friday

Many years ago, I thought I might like to be a teacher. Instead, I enrolled in this "crash" course, a non- elective, where recesses are brief and there's no graduation date in sight. Welcome back, live and learn, students. We're back in session...Again.

Freeze, Illustration Friday

Like everybody else, I spent a good part of the past two weeks spellbound by the TV as the world's top athletes gathered for the Olympic games in London. Of course, all this "activity" during summer's heat has invited much indulging in frosty confections, like popsicles, smoothies and my fave, ice cream. I think I've perfected the technique of timing my intake, savoring each frozen gulp or bite, so I can honestly say I've never really experienced the dreaded ice cream headache, It's just one of the skills that go with the territory, that's all, and not soon to be featured in any Olympic event.
This week's IF theme being "Freeze," I thought it was safe and appropriate to put my little deer out on a warm summer night, frozen in a slightly different way, and only for the moment as the headlights pass.

Thanks to all the nice people of London and the UK for graciously hosting the summer games!

Lonely, Illustration Friday

What good is one without the other?
One half of a pair, a flip without a flop or simply a flop?
This is not the end of the road for this very well worn and comfortable slipper! Just isolated it to stand by its lonely self for Illustration Friday.

Carry, Illustration Friday

It's summer. Instead of going on about heavy loads and other burdens to bear, I will give it all a rest and simply let this little sparrow carry his happy tune!

Suspend, Illustration Friday

Returning from a temporary but suspended animation, blog and weather-wise, only to discover that summer is now in full session. The monsoonal influence has invited the higher temps along with a little humidity, and as a result, we get skies that inspire watercolor sketches or mimicking little ripples along the shore. As much as I'd love to lazily drift along with these clouds, there is a growing list of things that need tending to. All right, who's ready for the beach? ;o)

Shiny, Illustration Friday

When hope is not pinned wriggling onto a shiny image or expectation, it sometimes floats forth and opens.” ~ Anne Lamott


Just waiting for the sunny days of summer to get here and patiently dealing with the "June Gloom," that continues to tease us with cloudy skies along the coastal areas. Still, the warmer days suggest summer is almost here and soon there will be many more opportunities to walk along the shore, tempted by glittery sand, shells, sparkly seaglass, and other shiny treasures at the water's edge.
But just like the cocktail hour, it's always beach weather somewhere- and it's always summer on the inside, right?