June at the Ocean

Where I live, when you say "I'm going down to the ocean" you mean the Atlantic and that you are going to Ocean City, Maryland. Many in our area say it more as "goin' downy oshun" either because they come from Baltimore or because they like to mimic the "Bawlmerese" way of saying it.

No matter how you say it, Ocean City MD brings to mind a variety of images at this time of year. Over this past weekend was a car show and an air show. Also this weekend began the steady stream of high school graduates - know as June Bugs - to Ocean City. We are here for a convention, and there are quite a number of others here for other meetings and conferences as well.

Last night there was a tornado warning, which diminished to a really good storm by the time it got here, but it was enough to dampen the evening, move the band indoors and keep some from an after-dinner swim or walk. It also cleared the air of oppressive humidity and higher-then-normal temperatures. Today is clear and almost 20 degrees cooler (the mid-seventies is still comfortable!).

I have spent some time walking on the beach - I had forgotten how much effort it takes to walk in sand! - and watching children and adults have fun at the water's edge.

This morning as I came back in from the beach, a father and his young daughter were coming in after collecting shells. She had her little pail containing the treasures she had discovered. The toddler asked why they were coming into the building and he explained that they would change into swimsuits and go to the pool. She was extremely unhappy with that idea, announcing "I don't want to go in the pool - I want to go in the big splashy water!"

I hope you get the chance to get away - perhaps to the big splashy water. Watch other people, and let them see you having fun too. (Laugh at/with them and give them reasons to laugh.)

And all the better if you can do it under a palm tree!