Linda J Bottjer's Blog
Posted by Linda J Bottjer
The beach. It is many things to many people.
Some come to lie on the sands and brown the skin. Others come to frolic in the waves or paint inspired scenes.
Still others barely pick up their heads for they are beachcombers. Diligently traversing past more boisterous beach goers, patiently picking through the remnants of shells left by the surf all in the hope of discovering that perfect shell. To some it is the wide top of a conch that spirals down to a fragile narrowness or a scallop shell with its delicate edges intact and not chipped.
Then there are those who come to the shoreline for solitude. I am one of those.
We bring our problems - some heavy like cancer has struck my family again or others as light as "should I wear the 2" or 4" heels on my date tomorrow night?"
The enormity of the situation does not matter - the ocean accepts them all.
Some write in journals, others send silent prayers into the pounding surf.
Me?
I take a shell and write out my upsets in the sand.
There is no spell check and punctuation is not a prerequisite...I just write.
Sometimes a curious person wanders over while I am bent over and in the midst of sand scripting. But usually people recognize the motion and keep a respectful distance.
Now they might run over and read my sagas when I am done – I have no idea.
For it is my practice that once the epic is completed I toss my shell “pen” over the shoulder and I walk away.
I have left the problem for something far greater than myself to handle.
For the tides will ebb and flow as will my worries.
Posted by Linda J Bottjer
Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the North Carolina Jazz Festival, and hearing greats like bassist Herman Burnley, vibe man John Cocuzzi and others. A few days later I had delightful lunch with Sandy Evans the energetic organizer of the event.
We spoke on the throngs of volunteers who are the backbone of such festivals, and the importance of getting a community behind an event.
And it made me think - how many of us pay attention to the events, attractions and cultural events in our own hometown?
When was the last time any of us took a Sunday afternoon and just browsed a local historical site or museum? Many offer resident discounts or are free on certain days.
Is live music a component of area restaurants and clubs? Do you frequent them, and show your support for someone who makes their living by being creative? What about attending local theatre? OK the quality might not be the same as Broadway or the West End - but I can guarantee the spirit is greater and the ticket price is a fraction of the $100.00+ range. The same applies for local symphonies, operatic organizations and even a kazoo band.
When you buy art are you going to galleries that feature local artists?
Don't feel guilty for you are in good company. I am just as guilty. It’s been a couple of years since I've attended the Bluegrass Jams that occur every Thursday night near me.
So let's meet back up here in a few months, and discuss who and what we have seen in our own close proximity.
Posted by Linda J Bottjer
This past weekend, I was on assignment covering an artist appearing at the North Carolina Jazz Fest. While that event and the people connected with it were absolutely wonderful - I was doubly blessed with the opportunity to stay on Carolina Beach.
The beach in February, you might ask?
Yes. And it too was fantastic.
Granted instead of a bathing suit I had sweatshirts, Crocs with socks replaced flip flops and a hat for warmth, and not sun protection, rested on my head.
I also brought along my trusty bike, and after a hearty breakfast at the Microtel Motel - where I learned I had a gift for waffle making at the continental breakast - I headed a few miles down the road to Fort Fisher.
There I buzzed by the Atlantic as its surf crashed along the large rocks. Its unceasing power encouraged me to take the bike trail which snaked past the Aquarium and letout by the Southport bound ferry doc k, I pedaled on to the tip of the island where a lonely windswept marker denotes one of the final "nail in the coffin" moments for the Confederacy.
Trees twisted by frequent storms provided photographic moments as fresh smells of salt and sweet juniper highlighted the ever presence of nature.
With the afternoon temperature hovering in the low 60's and the sun set in a bright blue sky I gave into a secret love of mine - kite flying. Soon I had both my deltas dancing in the ocean breezes high above the golden sands.
A winter wonderland without the snow....and the crowds.
Posted by Linda J Bottjer
See what happened?
With fewer Europeans hitting our shores and converting much needed foreign currency into our feeble dollar bills – some Americans have turned to drastic measures for revitalizing our tourism market.
Say hello to Stephenville Texas, a small farming community about 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth. I’ve never been to the town – but having once lived in the Lone Star State I would probably not be amiss in saying it is a place where God and high school football rule. Where people still say “please” and “thank you”, and the only time a hand is raised off a steering wheel is to send a friendly wave to the family and acquaintances one encounters enroute to the local Piggly Wiggly.
So these folks aren't crazy!
Recently a rash of responsible, and normally rational, people reported a seeing a flat metallic object hovering in the dusky twilight sky.
Where government officials pooh- poohed the notion of alien visitors local businesses jumped at the potential tourism gold mine.
Imagine the virtually untapped market as... a landing strip for UFO’s.
Genius!
Perhaps a Martian space cowboy requires a makeover? Head him/her or it over to RP’s Western Outlet, produce some ID (hope its’ nothing deadly to humans), and wrangle new duds at a 25% savings.
Spaceship kaput? No worries – the 7H Bar Auto Ranch has skilled mechanics for any engine upset.
While a Washington Redskins fan might get the odd look, at the Bull Nettle Bar and Grill, an Asteroid Belt resident is always welcome to quench its thirst by tipping back a cool longneck.
Problems parallel parking a large stardust covered craft? The back lot at the Chicken Express is open.
Who would not want to visit a place with a sense of humor?
Posted by Linda J Bottjer
As you might know - Ali, Baba and Baby are the three alligators that live in the canal outside my home.
They alternately frighten and fascinate me.
So the other day, at dusk, when I noticed a large ring of water disturbing the normally placid waters I thought one of the three had caught dinner.
Then something dark and slick popped up and darted quickly back under the surface creating an even wider circle. Whatever it was it was moving tremendously fast, and I could follow its air bubbles as it zigged and zagged the entire canal. By now I was tracking it with the binoculars.
What was it?
Not an alligator.
Had Nessie left Loch Ness?
Nope.
It was a river otter.
I have only seen them on nature programs - but never in real life.
They are big! About 4' (1.2192 meters)
This animal was having a great time just barrelling through the water, bobbing up, flipping around and zooming to the other shore. I could almost swear he/she (?) had a smile on its face.
It was a wonderful thing to witness.
