August has always meant family gatherings, beach days, ripe peaches and fresh corn and a string of long hot afternoons that drag straight into a starry night. For as long as I can remember August has ruled the summer. Bathing suits and towels slung over deck railings, everyone talking around a table filled with farm fresh everything, sandy feet padding about on sandy paths, berries popping from vine to mouth and all the time in the world to do nothing. Hands down August wins every time.
There are days when you just have to say, this is good. No, no, that’s not it. It’s more that there are days when you know this one is more than good. The sun is still high in the sky even at 5:00. The breeze coming off the Pacific is gentle and lovely, while the ocean temperature is a warmish 66°. You know you will dive in eventually, but for now you walk along with your feet in the surf, taking in every hue of blue you see. You exhale. You say thank you.
Living in California, the Pacific Ocean borders 840 miles of shoreline, and definitely runs the show, as it continuously intrigues us all. Especially our adventurous and curious grandson. So, of course we spent Monday at the Aquarium of the Pacific, in Snoop Dog’s hometown of Long Beach. The seeing part was fabulous, for there are countless, literally, sea creatures and fish and mammals and birds there. From oh so tiny to pretty big, we were entertained from start to finish, but also delighted to know that conservation is a big part of this non-profit, and that, “the Aquarium is conserving species and ecosystems, including sea turtles, abalone, giant sea bass, corals, sharks, penguins, and sea otters. Like aquariums around the world, we are working hard to save species that are being pushed to the brink of extinction by humans.” Our young guy could not have been happier to explore every inch of the place.
Nine Cent Girl 