In the vortex

Shortly after I moved here I heard that Wilmington is in a vortex of creativity. What that means exactly, I don't know, but I get the idea and agree. Though I have been hanging with the "visual" artists, I see creativity all over the place.
Today I had lunch at the art museum where the food is always interesting and tasty. Today I chose a side dish of roasted beets with goat cheese that also had pretty little halved peapods, and other delightful vegetables mingled in. Creative! Then when I was checking out at Sam's, the pretty young woman ahead of me was buying lots of butter, vanilla, flour, etc. We started talking about her baking business, and she gave me her card. Creative! Tonight at the art get-together I talked with several people who have found unique ways of doing art. Creative!
Recently I heard this truism, that if we don't create, then we will destroy. it is a trait of humanity.
Our individual creative juices run in different directions, but it is important to let them flow.

Birds at WB today

A flock of black skimmers.

Lizard

While I was taking pix of the swan family, this lizard dashed by me. I love the little green lizards around town.

Only one cygnet left?

bird and flowers

A new bird for me - an American coot at Greenfield Lake.

 The azaleas are about gone, but these irises were blooming 

a special dinner

Since Mike had to go out of town, Margaret invited me to use his already paid for reservation for the monthly Sunday buffet at the independent living apartment building for seniors where she lives.
I got there in plenty of time for our noon seating and was able to enjoy a pre-dinner Bloody Mary and some gazpacho. As it turned out, Margaret and I were the first (of what seemed like hundreds) to go through the line that held a sumptuous display of food. I went for the seafood choices mostly, shrimp and grits and perfectly fried catfish nuggets with fresh dill sauce. The bass and piano jazz duo played during dinner, and after we ate we sat near them for a closer listen. All around the air was festive and fun. Those seniors really know how to party!
This iPhone pic of the women sitting on the stairs listening to the music is fuzzy but still cute.
I love it here!

My faves at the moment

From the Cats photo shoot

this morning at the beach



There are always surfers at Wrightsville.

doctor visit

For many reasons, I really really dislike going to see a doctor, but in order to get my thyroid medicine, I must make an occasional visit.
Last year I went to see my new Wilmington doc. He was nice enough but tried to sell me on some invasive tests, those that many people agree to. Maybe it is because I heard so many horror stories during my thirty years of nursing, that I am just not up for all those things. I declined as politely as I could.
Today I saw him for the second time. All went well, and there was no sales pitch. He was accepting of this hardened old nurse.
But my systolic BP was up a little. I explained that "I rushed over here from a meeting."
He said "Why rush? This is Wilmington. I'll be here. Take your time."
"So my appointment was twelve-thirtyish?" I asked.
""Twelve-thirtyish. Whenever."
I love this laid back town!

a short walk

Though it was rainy this morning, the parade went on. I did not go, but due to many roads being closed, I had to walk three blocks to get to the art show today. Here are some shots from on my way there. It was pretty, fresh and green.

weather

A pretty day changed to a stormy, angry one this afternoon. It didn't last long, and when it was over, there was a beautiful sky and then everything seemed new and clean.  I took this pic from a mall parking lot after the rain stopped. It looks angelic.

updated

This morning after I got fixed up, I thought I didn't look half bad. I checked myself in the full length mirror and decided to take a pic of my reflection. First I used the iPad camera but switched to the real camera. Me in the mirror looking as if there were a beam of light across my hair and a gauzy film on my face. Perfect! I cropped it, and posted it, and now I have a new google photo of myself to replace the one that has been there the past six years. You can see it at the bottom of the page.

On this Day of Resurrection

Oh taste and see that The Lord is good!  

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8

Airlie today

It was just last year when I visited it for the first time, and now I am in awe. It is a destination.
I can't believe I rode past it for so many years wondering what was behind its wrought iron gates.
One of the attractions today were the many tulips in bloom.