Creative Work by Julie Goldstein

New Adventures

Long time no blog. Last week was the 4th of July. I was at the beach with my family in-laws, creating great memories. Every year we gather at their family home on the shores of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The festivities culminate with an annual block party thrown by the neighboring families. A tented dance floor is set up for a band that plays three sets! Fliers and tee-shirts are designed by the owner of the graphic arts firm at www.freemandesign.biz. The street is taken over by kids on bicycles and scooters, along side games of paddle ball and frisbee. It is the perfect kind of wildness and play.

What is it about the ocean that makes you forget about every little thing besides the next wave that is coming towards you? Just when you think that you've had enough of being tossed around like a stringy clump of seaweed, you are ready for another underwater tumble. The water was soooo cold--the coldest I had ever swam in during the summer. It was numbing at first,and then numbing some more, and yes, still cold even while swimming around. I'd take it again though, any day over jellyfish, strong undertow or riptides.

We arrived home to a living room filled with water. Apparently the washing machine malfunctioned. It may take up to a week for the wooden floors to dry out. We'll see if the floors, along with our sanity, can be preserved! The house is turned upside down, with five industrial de-humidifiers set on full blast. We are staying at my parents'--it has been a fun adventure.

Back from vacation, we headed straight into another kind of vacation. There are new things to enjoy here too, while the days go by. My parents live in a neighborhood, and the kids think the sidewalks are simply amazing. Last night we walked to the park. We didn't have to pack up and drive. It really wasn't a big production. Oh, and everywhere I drive takes like, ten minutes less to get there. I could get used to this kind of life.