It has been hot! Crazy hot!  So hot that we put off our trip to Busch Gardens.  I mean, how can you enjoy yourself when the temperature is a sweltering 102 degrees.  Geez!  That being said...I love summer.  It's my favorite season but the recent temps had me longing for cooler times.  Living in coastal North Carolina, I am lucky to have access to the water.  The beach is maybe ten minutes from my house and nothing much beats an early morning walk except maybe the river.  The river is literally a stones throw from my home.  It's what I grew up with....floating on innertubes, clamming, diving from shrimpboats.  There is something about the sound of the water lapping against the shore that soothes my soul.   In the winter, there are times when the river gets so cold, the water starts freezing along the edges.  There are days, when the river is smooth as glass; perfectly reflecting the blue sky.  It's one of those mornings that inspired the following excerpt:

The morning was cold but perfect.  Jenna concentrated on her breathing and the pounding of her feet against the pavement.  ­­­­­­­­­­­­Reaching the corner of Bay and Waterway she turned north, running toward the river.  At the corner of Waterway and Riverside, Jenna paused, jogging in place, as an old truck slowly passed.  She crossed the road, making a beeline for the path beside Joe’s Tackle Shop.  A little blue sign pointed the way to the public pier.  Slowing her pace to a walk, Jenna made her way to the end of the wooden planks and leaned against the railing.  She listened to the water as it gently lapped around the pilings.  Seagulls flew overhead, hoping for an easy breakfast.  While apologizing for coming empty handed, Jenna pulled her hood up, trying to keep the cold off her ears.   Her eyes moved, taking in the rustic beauty around her.  Just off to the right, on a lone weathered piling, a pelican kept watch.  And beyond him, in the distance, a boat ambled its way up the river. 

The chugging of a motor grew steadily louder, pulling Jenna’s attention to her left.  A skiff drew near to the pier and puttered by, carrying an old man.  Gray hair surrounded a weathered face.  He threw up a gnarled hand in greeting.  Jenna smiled and waved back.

Life happens. 
It isn't perfect.
It's messy...
And therein lies the secret-
It's the not so perfect days
that allows us to appreciate
the beauty of a sunrise,
the song of the ocean,
and time with family & friends.

DS McKnight

Dreams are but realities unawakened;
lying dormant in the hearts of those
       too afraid to risk failure
        for a chance at success.

-DS McKnight

Creative Writing - Asking "What if?"

What if?  We've all ask it...What if I didn't go to the store?  What if I'd answered the phone?  What if I'd listened to the little voice sounding off in my head?   It's a question that torments us;  that makes us doubt our choices.
What if?  What if I could fly?  What if I could touch the moon?  It's also a question that motivates us; that brings our imagination to life.
What if? - is my favorite question.  It was the first question I asked myself as I began to write.  It's the question that brought my villian to life...

  (Excerpt from my book)

People had no idea how vulnerable they made themselves and he wasn’t above taking advantage of their follies.  Standing in the darkness, just beyond the patio, he had a perfect view into the kitchen through the large picture window.  He watched as she lifted her hair from her neck; as her mother fastened the necklace; as the light accented her bare shoulders and he imagined himself standing behind her, trailing his fingers across her soft skin, encircling her neck with his special gift.  His special gift – he moved through the darkness, making his way to his treasure…

DS McKnight

     There are times when no matter how hard you try, things don't turn out how you expect.  Take for instance, this Memorial Day Weekend.  My husband and youngest son decided to go hiking.  They are new to this - having only hiked once before.  They left out early Saturday morning,  drove five hours west and found there were no camping sites available.  Apparently, Memorial Day weekend is big for campers and hikers.  Reservations were needed. 
     I felt a little guilty, especially as my middle son and I had decided to go to Myrtle Beach.  What could be better?  Little did we realize, Myrtle Beach was host to Bike Week.  Oh my!  Bumper to bumper traffic.  After what seemed an eternity, we arrived at Broadway at the Beach.  Broadway is one of my favorite places to visit.  It's got everything - shopping, food and fun. 
     The first thing on the agenda was food.  We were starved.  We choose to eat at The Liberty.  (It was yummy!) However, before the food arrived, I was itching....and it didn't stop....and by the time dinner was over, I had the hives.  Yikes!  Needless to say, the trip was cut short.  We were homeward bound.
     And the hives?     Oh, they love me....
                                                 have been with me for the last 24 hours....
                                                                                 and I have grown to love Benadryl.

DS McKnight