No joke, we spent April Fool’s day traveling to OBX for a weekend of relaxation.
Friday afternoon, we arrived at check-in time. Thinking we would have chilly weather, how delightful to find we could sit in the sun and enjoy its rays. The emptiness of the campground surprised both of us. Typically, OBX Campground doesn’t have the number of empty spaces we encountered this weekend. One of the ways diesel prices affect the RV world, costing double the price from October 2020, people stay home to save money, or at least the empty sites seem to point in that direction.
Talking Ron into a pedicure takes a herculean effort, but he’s always thankful when he does. Today, as always, he thanked me for talking him into it. I tipped his lady well; she had a job on her hands. Complimentary wine makes the experience all that more enjoyable.
“Does that work well?”
John, a native of New Jersey, came over to ask us about our portable dog pen. Jebediah, a three-month-old Yorkie-poo with chocolate brown, soft, curly fur, had recently joined John and his wife Marty’s home.
Talking fast, John had a lot to say. Currently residing on the Eastern Shore of VA, he served one term as mayor. John’s claim to fame during his tenure in office uniting two towns into one. Retired now, I’m not quite sure what John did during his working years, something with the government.
From trucks to politics to family, we covered it all. My favorite quote from John came unexpectedly.
“You know what they say when you buy the asset; you get the liability,” referring to marriage. I hadn’t heard that particular wisdom before, but I couldn’t argue with it. How true, the bad does come with the good.
“God forbid you might go before me, and I’d like to remember sitting by the fire with you,” my words calmed the storm. Ron doesn’t love the pictures, but I do because they epitomize him, and he tolerates me well. Praise God!
I do have permission to post.
Sophia pulled too hard on her harness, causing her to flatten her trachea. I assume partial responsibility because I put her harness on upside down accidentally. Small dogs have this issue; finding a harness that doesn’t choke her took time, but we finally did, as long as I put it on correctly. Thankfully, Sophia hasn’t done this often, but it takes a couple of days of hacking to get things right again when she does.
Friday night’s hacking caused us to have a sleepless night; we found a little rest after changing the sheets. While eating lunch, we did laundry and slept much better Saturday night on fresh-smelling sheets. Our little Sophia much better, snuggled beside me as usual.
While Ron installed a register at the Christmas Mouse, I enjoyed a stroll on the beach. With a high of 50 degrees, I dressed warmly. The empty beaches during the off-season refresh my soul.
Towards the end of my walk, I came upon some unhappy souls. Somehow, their Tundra became stuck in the shifting sands. The more they dug out the wheels, the more entrenched they became when I walked past; a sheepish smile decorated the driver’s face, cigarette hanging from his lips, the front wheel spinning endlessly, going nowhere.
Hopefully, the tow truck arrived before the tide did.
While waiting for Ron to pick me up, I discovered Sea Green Gallery. I didn’t get to peruse as long as I would have liked; definitely, a place to explore further.
Saturday afternoon, I enjoyed “How to Write a Key Scene,” taught by John DeDakis from the Muse Writing Center. As the only student, I had one-on-one attention from an experienced author. Currently working on his sixth novel, John spent his career in journalism, working as a correspondent to the White House in the 80s and Senior Copy Editor for CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”
“Working for Pat Robertson when he ran for President was interesting,” John told me when we chatted about our backgrounds. I can only imagine the stories John can tell.
After explaining the key elements of writing a scene, John gave me four scenarios. I chose two people colliding their grocery carts while shopping, one a Trump supporter, one Biden. I learned from John to think about how you want the scene to end, then create the scene. Since I knew I wanted a peaceful conclusion, I had my work cut out. In the end, they found unity unexpectedly. You can read the piece here.
“I knew the only thing that would unite them was a heart connection.” I even surprised John with how I brought the two friends together.
As always, we attended Nags Head Church for Sunday service. Matt Thomas filled in for Nathaniel. At the end of the service, we prayed for the staff’s safe travel home from Charlotte. Matt’s message taught me some things about Jewish culture I didn’t know. For example, the Jews believed a spirit lingered for a day or two after a person’s death. By day three, no hope remained for them to come back to life. Jesus’s resurrection has so many intricacies; I have so much to learn even as a lifelong follower.
“And then you married a bitch.”
“No, you are the sweetest of them all…with some rough spots.”
My husband’s honesty refreshes my soul. When I ask him something, I know he will tell me the truth as lovingly as he can. Thank God for the gift of a good man.
Today’s conversation revolved around past girlfriends. Ron realized he had a type; sweet.
I have never thought of myself as sweet, but Ron does.
Our last night in our OBX haven passed quietly by the fire. Sophia’s hacking dramatically reduced; she loves to play us both. Childless, we fall for it every time.
By 8:21 a.m. the following day, the Crusader trailed behind us for the short trek back to Virginia. Another weekend in the books.