Tuesday

I worked on getting my Alamance vehicle tax refund today. One of the officials said I needed to first turn in my NC plate to the NC DMV and get a receipt. Then mail Alamance County a copy of the receipt with a copy of our new Florida registration for the car. Then they would consider issuing a refund. So we headed to the Post Office after lunch and got the plate mailed. Since we paid the tax for the year back in May, I'm hoping for a decent refund.

Then we hopped on our bikes and headed out to the island for a calming and meditative walk in the Gulf of Mexico.

It's difficult, though not impossible, to be anxious or upset while you're walking through the surf and sand. The gentle yet persistent forces of the waves have a way of wearing off the rough edges, just as they do for the shells and pebbles.

It was overcast. Perfect for brooding. But we left the sea a bit more centered than when we arrived.

One of the things I like about Florida is if you don't like what you are seeing in one direction, turn around and look in another. The new vista is likely to be different from the one you were looking at. It's a good thought to keep in mind during these anxiety-ridden times we live in. Don't focus too much on any one thing, especially if you are helpless to change it, just like you can't change the clouds in the sky.

 

These flowers are thriving in the most inhospitable of places just a few yards from the high tide mark.

 

On my mind today: the pandemic. It has claimed over 200,000 American lives with predictions of 400,000 by the new year, if we are are not vigilant with our precautions. It's a staggering loss. 

 

We're number one in the world in COVID-19 deaths. The number two country (Brazil) trails us with over 67,000 fewer deaths. Not exactly the "America First" promised by this most uncouth and incompetent of presidents (source: Statista). 

 

I read that early on the Coronavirus task force arranged to have the Post Office deliver 5 masks per household, which would have likely changed the course of the pandemic and the economic pain in this country. But the plan was nixed. The reason: it might cause people to panic. The alternative plan: down-play the seriousness, bully people to open up the country and schools, and ridicule people for wearing masks. The result is tragically clear.

 

Looking in a different direction, I am thankful for John and our marriage, which represents our commitment to one another and our willingness to share one another's burdens. I am thankful for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg for giving me this right, along with four other of the nine justices. 

People say that Florida does not have seasons. That's, of course, not true. This morning on our causeway sunrise walk, the temperature was 70 degrees with the wind blowing at 14 mph. I had long sleeves on and John had his hoodie on. There was a distinct chill in the air.

 

The sunrise is now lining up with the bridge, but in the winter, the sunrise will be to the right of the bridge.

 

 

 

Last night, we walked down to the Pinellas Trail bridge over Alt. 19 (Bayshore Blvd.) to watch the sunset over the Dunedin Youth Guild Park.

 

It was not spectacular, but we enjoyed the walk.

 

On the walk back, we glimpsed the setting sun over the Curlew Creek bridge from the Pinellas Trail. 

Tonight's dinner: John's meatloaf, rice, peas. 

After dinner, we took a quick bike ride downtown to see what was going on. There were a good many people eating out. Live music at a couple of places. Lots of walkers and bikers on the trail.

 

Today's bike routes

 

Miles biked: 19.61
Miles walked: 9.1