Vacation Minutiae, With Mobile Pix, One Hopes

We are at the Jersey Shore, at my dad's house. (My house, though I didn't grow up in it...)

We arrived Sunday night in a violent rainstorm, complete with thunder, lightning, flickering power, and water pouring in a kitchen window. We promptly settled in to watch the Olympics (we who never, ever watch sporting events on TV unless the Red Sox are in the World Series). Dad was thrilled to see us, even moreso because we were a day earlier than I'd promised. But once church was over Sunday, we just got outta town.

Monday was spent, largely, sleeping... we are all exhausted, Larry from his exertions taking his summer classes, Petra, from being a world-traveler, and me, from... just from. I dozed on an Easy Boy in the living room much of the day, with a view of Casino City skyline over the bay and marshes. The water undulating makes beautiful reflections of light on the walls. It is utterly peaceful and delightful.

We had an early dinner Monday (a wonderful and elegant Chinese restaurant) and then we went to Ocean City. Hopefully some of those photos are showing up somewhere on this blog; I am in the midst of experimenting with mobile posting. It was another moment, for me, of recognizing how grown up my children are. No "Can we go to the water park Mom?" conversations. Not even a roller coaster ride. Simply strolling, enjoying the sights, the lights that twinkled on as the twilight progressed. I sent fudge and taffy to two organizations I support (ahem), ice cream was had by some, and we got in the car and headed home early (8 pm).

Tuesday more energy had us all heading out to Smithville, an historic village about a half hour's drive from here, walking around the pond there and browsing a lovely art museum that focuses largely on local artists. My dad came with us, which was a surprise, but a nice one. He seemed really pleased to be out and about. But we walked him off his pins, I'm afraid, and so he opted out of dinner. Last night we watched 3:10 to Yuma... see it, absolutely.

Today we went to the beach. I began reading a book I've been hearing lots about for months, and we finished that jaunt with a stop at a hamburger stand I frequented much as a kid.

Favorite moments so far:

• Driving with all the windows down, in bathing suit and shorts, after leaving the beach... everyone's hair curly from the humidity, everyone slightly sunburned, listening to this:

• Waking to the sounds of seagulls screaming.

• Watching the look on my dad's face as Petra and I sing this

and Larry sings this



and Petra sings this



and I sing this.



Next: dinner at the Bonefish Grill. Good vacation.