big scary black clouds & thunder

When I hear the life guard’s whistle blow way down at the public beach, I pay attention. It was thunder that made the beach be cleared, and I did, too.

black clouds, along with thunder rolled in quickly
black clouds rolling in

had to build another castle from scratch, again

It IS Labor Day weekend, but I always hope that people would enjoy seeing castles.  I am very glad that I take a picture before I leave the beach, because today, at 1 o’clock, there was nothing left – flattened just about as flat as could be.

I knew that I had limited time today, but took time to talk to parents and kids.  Two of my favorites were Kairy (called Katy) 5 years old, and also Juan Pablo.  Kairy doesn’t build, but comes and talks (and talks, and talks!) keeping me company.  She is in Kindergarten this year, and full of wonder and a delight to sit with!  Juan Pablo is 10, and quiet, but also full of fun!  I have been blessed to meet this children this summer!

I worked, building a castle from the almost flattened sand, from 1 – 3pm (when Jack came down to coax me off the beach.)  We planned to go into Rehoboth with Brendan and Julie, to go to Dogfish Head, for supper.

Sunday's castle

Juan Pablo came back and built again, today

Juan Pablo is such a joker!  He snuck up behind me 2 or 3 times, and would clap his cold, wet hand on my back, and then laugh hard, because he surprised me!

He built another castle today that was even better than yesterday’s.  What a nice young man!

Juan Pablo, in front of his Sunday's castle. Kayaks in the distance behind him.

2 great families team up again this year!

Zoe, 14 (not in this photo) and Ella, 12, are from Princeton, NJ, and worked with Chelsea 9 and Escher, 9, from San Antonio, TX, with Zoe and Ella’s dad, Ted, to make this very interesting creation at the water’s edge.

Escher, Ella, and Chelsea, sitting inside their creation, at the water's edge.

Had to start from scratch today

I did get to the beach earlier today, but a group of adults decided that my castle from yesterday wasn’t going to be finished, (since I didn’t get there till 1:15pm.)

They decided to knock down the castle, and SIT up on the mound that I had been working on all week.  So, when I got there, their chairs were RIGHT up on TOP of what had been my castle from yesterday.  Never mind that there was PLENTY of space in front of, alongside of, in back of the castle.  They put their chairs and  big cooler on TOP.

One of the women came over to me later, to say that they didn’t think I was coming.  But she thought I would “have fun rebuilding.”  I said, no, it would NOT be fun rebuilding.  I was 66, and it would NOT be fun.

So – I had to start from scratch, which is not easy, and definitely not necessary, unless some inconsiderate people decide to sit up on the castle.

I’m sorry I’m in this picture – I do look a little crazy (which I am) but I guess the camera ‘caught’ me.

after a very long day, in front of my castle

 

Juan Pablo and a good castle

Juan Pablo is 10, and from Wilmington, Delaware.  He was born in Colombia, and came to the U.S. when he was 7, and he says they get to go home, usually in the summer, where there there is a lot of his family.  Juan Pablo is a great guy – great manners, and a good sense of humor.  I really enjoyed teaching him, and spending time with him.  I hope he’ll be back tomorrow to build some more!

Juan Pablo and his castle, today

slow castle for me today

Although I really wanted to get to the beach early today, my dreams aft gang astray.

I did get there a little before 3, but was tired before I started, and just not feeling up to par, but built a little, and that always makes me feel better.

a small castle of mine, in front of a student's castle

A great new castle by Maddy, Ashley, and Trevor

Maddy is 10, and Trevor is 5 – both are from East Chester, NY. Maddy supervised and taught Ashley, who is 5, from Newark, DE.
The result was the three of them made a great castle on the beach today! They wanted Grant, 2 years old (also from Newark, DE) to be in their picture.

Grant and Ashley in front; Trevor and Maddy in back

Better late than never

I got back to Lewes last night, got settled in this morning, and finally got to the beach at 3:30 today. It feels so good to walk down to the water, scoop up a bucket of water, and splash onto a pile of sand. The bay was calm today; the wind only about 5 mph out of the South. I only had 2 hours to work today (had to go to dinner at 6:30.) So, I left an unfinished symphony – (I mean sandcastle!) God willing, I’ll go back tomorrow, and build some more <3 [caption id="attachment_597" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="an unfinished castle, but better a start than not "][/caption]

Tuesday, August 28 – am in PA till tomorrow

I am missing the beach and castles and kids!

Jack and I had to drive home, to make settlement on our old house this morning.  All went well, and we will be driving back down to Lewes tomorrow afternoon.

I hope to see you all building, and on the beach <3