Ha! I didn’t mean to post that sweater picture today — I had preblogged it while I was recovering, and I must have put it on the wrong day. What I’m going to post today is this:
**Hours before:
Now this is something I’ve never done. I’m lying on my stomach on Pompono Beach, just south of Half Moon Bay. This is just what I needed.
I spent the early morning driving Lala around, as she was leaving on her tour. And then, unreasonably irritated at having to fight traffic after going back for forgotten and necessary glasses, I decided to just keep driving. Counterintuitive, yes. But I got on 880 and headed south, intending to head for Half Moon Bay but not really remembering which bridge to cross the bay to get there.
I ended up going over the wrong bridge, but turned myself around, and found Half Moon Bay. I spent a few hours wandering, writing at a cafe, fondling yarn at Fengari (got away with only sock yarn and the new Vogue), and book browsing,. Then I headed south on Highway 1, enroute to Pescadero and that ollalieberry pie at Duarte’s I always rave about.
On the way, I pulled over at Pompono Beach, grabbed my bag and the sheet out of the back of that station wagon, and here I am.
It’s gorgeous. I’m propped up on my elbows, facing the water. I’m typing lying on my belly, just like Carrie always did in Sex and the City, and really, it’s not as comfortable as she made it look. But it’s working.
Just a little cloudy, but with enough sun that I was too warm in my light sweater and I took it off to use it for a pillow later. Cool breeze on my arms, but my legs are warm from sun. The waves breaking at the shoreline are the exact color of the most common green of sea glass, with a deeper azure out toward the horizon. It’s bright enough that I can’t see the screen at all — I’m typing blindly and will fix typos later. The ocean is roaring.
There are a few families on the beach, some of them looking like they planned to be here, beach chairs, coolers. Some of the kids are in swim suits, which in northern California is just plain nuts. But they’re far away — it’s as if they got out of their cars, got on to the sand, and plopped down, not able or willing to walk for two more minutes to be away from the voices of others. The only thing that reaches me from the groups is the slight whiff of cigarette smoke, and it smells so good. I love that smell.
The surfers here aren’t that great, but they’re funny. They’re trying to ride, but the break is so close to the shore that few are getting up, and when they do they have to pump their boards hard with their feet just to stay on top for a few seconds.
OHMYGOD, a huge flock of seagulls is getting closer. Hate seagulls.
I can’t remember the last time I was on my stomach on the beach, playing idly with sand in front of my face, napping a little, waking and thinking a little. Pie soon. Yes.
**I wrote the above, then I took a little nap, and then I watched the clouds overhead. More like a very light, broken fog. It looked like, and I can’t help it, white cashmere fiber. Clouds of cashmere, all short fibers, poofing out above me.
I can’t tell you how relaxing, how unexpected the day was.
I had a crab sandwich and a pint of beer and my pie, and I read my new Vogue Knitting at the counter at Duarte’s. The waitress liked me. I went a little farther south and explored the Pigeon Point Lighthouse (which is also a hostel and has a hot tub on the cliff edge — hello, private room!). (My cell phone was dead, so no photos, I’m so sorry. I would have loved to have shown you my day.)
I stopped and bought apricots and beets from a roadside vendor. I drove home singing.
And a bonus! Picture of a baby kitty! Smallest, wee-est, seven-week old baby too young to really be separated from his mother, but she was feral, and took off, leaving him behind:
Guess who?
My Digit! 11 years ago. He’s doing so well…. his balance is still strangely off, but we’re watching him closely. He’s all healed, and he is NOT going out of the house. Nope. And that is all. Me, I’m recovering well but I’m tired from my long day. Still can’t talk for that long without throat pain, but the rest of me feels great! Hooray!
Ohhhhh… Such an adorable picture! And I’m glad you had such a good day–I’m sure it helps with recovery.
The country store and deli – inland in Pescadero – has THE most amazingly wonderful fresh artichoke bread – tender sourdough loaf with chunks of fresh, local artichoke hearts in it. We always had to buy two because one loaf never actually made it home.
You make me homesick – two years ago, before leaving to live in Asia, we lived for several months in Montara, a tiny coast town immediately north of Half Moon Bay. Lovely, lovely place to be! Glad you got to hang out there for some R&R while you’re recovering.
The country store and deli – inland in Pescadero – has THE most amazingly wonderful fresh artichoke bread – tender sourdough loaf with chunks of fresh, local artichoke hearts in it. We always had to buy two because one loaf never actually made it home.
You make me homesick – two years ago, before leaving to live in Asia, we lived for several months in Montara, a tiny coast town immediately north of Half Moon Bay. Lovely, lovely place to be! Glad you got to hang out there for some R&R while you’re recovering.
What a fabulous day! I used to live on the Peninsula, and your post made me miss Half Moon Bay.
The country store and deli – inland in Pescadero – has THE most amazingly wonderful fresh artichoke bread – tender sourdough loaf with chunks of fresh, local artichoke hearts in it. We always had to buy two because one loaf never actually made it home.
You make me homesick – two years ago, before leaving to live in Asia, we lived for several months in Montara, a tiny coast town immediately north of Half Moon Bay. Lovely, lovely place to be! Glad you got to hang out there for some R&R while you’re recovering.
Each and every time you blog about Mr. Digit–it makes me soooo happy. My dear Chloe got run over real good last year–and to think that you lost Digit, and then he CAME BACK–brings me such joy. Go Digit, Go!
what a perfect day. thanks for sharing.
What a treat to hear about the San Mateo coast. I lived in a redwood forest just outside of Pescadero from 1980-1990. Some of the best years of my life.
Sometime try the cioppino or artichoke soup at Duarte’s.
1/2 moon bay has a special place in my heart. It’s the first port I ever put in through a storm while aboard my long-gone 32′ sailboat. It’s where I saw Neil Young’s beautiful Broken Arrow…and you were 28 miles north (at the beach) of my Santa Cruz…where I spent my latter teens and a good chunk of my 20s…so filled with nostalgia right now….
Wow, what a great day… There’s something special about having a day like that and being in a mental place to enjoy it, not sitting on the beach making grocery lists or something like that.
Thanks for the tiny Digit photo! Sometimes I wish I could have kittens again for a day…
When I lived near Ocean Beach in San Francisco I used to love sitting and watching the novice surfers fall down. Much more fun than watching the ones who were good enough to stay up.
aww that really does sound like a perfect day. Sounds like you’re doing way better, and that is great 🙂
What do you make from beets? I know they’re supposed to be good for the body, but I just.. don’t know what to do with them. They’re at the farmer’s market all the time and just don’t look appealing to me, but maybe if I knew how to prepare them, they would. Any suggestions? 🙂
Mmmm. Beach.
A good friend of mine had her beloved kitty disappear a week or two ago. I told her Digit’s story, but she is still v. sad.
Sounds like the kind of day I need…An unexpected restful day of contentment. Pajamas here I come!
Baby Digit is too cute! I’m going to spend the rest of the day with kittens on the brain (especially Baby Digit) – which isn’t that bad a way to spend the day, actually.
Your day sounds absolutely wonderful. It’s been too long since I’ve done that type of wandering. I’m glad you and Digit are feeling better. I love the picture of the wee Digit…so cute! Have a great weekend!
The planets must be perfectly aligned these days or something. I had a fabulous day today. Big kids gone with grandma all day, baby slept most of the day away. I read in the morning and was able to prepare and cut out the fabric for an entire dress. Big kids came home right as I was clipping the last threads on the last piece of the pattern.
Oh, and great food and great company with friends for lunch (they brought all the food, too!).
For a mommy of three, you can’t get much better than that.
I’m happy somebody was smiling down on you, as well.
Awwwwww, Digit. Sounds like a heavenly day. Lucky you (except for how you got the day off).
Awwwwww, Digit. Sounds like a heavenly day. Lucky you (except for how you got the day off).
Awwwwww, Digit. Sounds like a heavenly day. Lucky you (except for how you got the day off).
Lovely day.
Do you know that tall medical building across Webster from Summit Hospital? I was on the top floor today, and somebody took me into her new office to show me the view. She looks out over the bay. Clear right then, but she can look down on the finger of fog that comes in through the gate, sometimes it stays, sometime it plays, sometimes it just pokes and heads back out.
Is he yours now?
Thank you for the lovely post — I felt as though I was right there with you! Days like that are so surprisingly wonderful, especially in retrospect, and while it’s fun to share them with someone, sometimes you really need the time alone. Cheers!
Duarte’s, I can taste it now. I have a freind about to arrive from Michigan and I thought of Duartes for the Cream of Artichoke and Cream of Green Chili soup that they will serve up in a single bowl, looking like yin and yang. With the fresh french fread from Muzzis down the street and top it off with a cup of coffe and Ollalaberry (spelling) pie. I can’t wait. Thanks for reminding me.
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What a wonderful day! I love that picture of you and Digit.
*sigh* A perfect day indeed. And – awww! Wee Digit! So cute.
Geesh, I got all hyped over the sweater post, and forgot about this one! LOL. Your day sounds fantastic; so great you got to unlax like that. And awwwwwwwwww, BabyDigit – oh, the cuteness! ::melt:: One of the best pics ever.
Your wonderful beach day sounds faaaaaaabulous. How bad do I need one of those? Also: eeeee baby Digit!
Also also: Devin left his water bottle at your house a while back and would like to pick it up sometime this weekend and maybe hang out with you a bit if you are feeling up to it. Is this weekend good? And if so is tomorrow or Sunday better for you?
That picture is totally adorable and your day sounds so wonderful. Now, why don’t we do that more often, considering that we live here? I’m glad you got such a great day to relax.
1. Ollalieberry pie!!!!!!!!!
2. What a wonderful day you had, and how glad I am that you described it. Reminds me of that post where you took photos on your drive down the coast — like, three years ago or something. Remember?
3. Kitten-Digit!!!!!!!!!
That is such a cute picture of Digit! Oh, man, it’s so hard to imagine him as a teeny tiny little baby kitten!
Such a treat, seeing a photo of wee Digit. I do love your cat, and I wish he had a blog so he could tell us about his adventures finding his way back home to you.