The Secret Pepper Society: Yesterday We Went To The Beach

Jul 23, 2011

Yesterday We Went To The Beach

The Gulf of Mexico was crystal clear to the point where we could easily see silly, sideways walking crabs and tiny white fish. I always think of my favorite poem since childhood on days like this.

When I was down beside the sea

A wooden spade they gave to me

To dig the sandy shore

My holes were empty like a cup

In every hole the sea came up

Till it could come no more





Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...: I'm envious. I love the ocean. Glad you had a good day.; July 23, 2011 at 7:49 AM
SECRET PEPPER PERSON: said...: I know Lilith I love the Gulf. If i had moola I'd move there.; July 23, 2011 at 8:05 AM
Elizabeth said...: I loved that poem, too, and the book it was in -- A Child's Garden of Verses, right? I still remember the one about the swing and the one about being sick at home in bed.

Thanks for bringing back the memories, and your photos are wonderful!; July 23, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Looks like fun. Definitely need to be near water if you are going to be outside. Heat index is gonna be over 105 today. Which beach? I love it when you can find lots of critters.
Ms. M; July 23, 2011 at 8:50 AM
SECRET PEPPER PERSON: said...: Elizabeth: My mom raised me on poetry. I will always be thankful for her love of poetry.

Mrs. M: Pas-a-Grille. Always!; July 23, 2011 at 9:46 AM
Beverly said...: Your photos are great, and I love the poem. The gulf is gorgeous. I live about 10 minutes from AMI. I don't go too often because of my fair, fair skin.

I, too, love the Robert Louis Stevenson poems.; July 23, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Island Rider said...: That was one of my favorite poems growing up, too. I live 15 minutes from the beach and never go. Sad. I really should go more often. Does the baby make an exception to her no outdoors policy for the beach?; July 23, 2011 at 7:10 PM
SECRET PEPPER PERSON: said...: Island Rider: The Baby hates the beach as well. She stiffened up like a board and shook for the first 15 minutes. After an hour she warms up to the the idea of floating...as long as I am glued to her and her floatie.; July 23, 2011 at 7:29 PM
Kathleen Scott said...: What fun pictures. And gorgeous sunset. I know the kids loved it. Sounds like you did too. I believe in life's little vacations. Glad you took one.; July 24, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Dani said...: A great way to spend the day!; July 25, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Diane said...: Love these pictures!!; July 26, 2011 at 3:20 PM

The Artist

The Artist can be seen in the yearly dance calendars, Breaking Bounds, by photographer Lois Greenfiled throughout the years.The artistically gifted second daughter who graduated from a very expensive art college in Philadelphia is one of those annoying people who can do all things artsy. Dance. Sing. Make jewelry. Photography. A genetic descendant of St. Francis of Assisi, this "sister moon" is called "the dog whisperer" behind her back by the SPP's posse. She is currently involved in animal rescue and is usually tooling around the south in her VW transporting unfortunate animals to their new homes. As a child she ate Barbie doll toes. I spent years thinking the hamster did it until The Genius set me straight.

The Teenager

The teenager became part of the family in 1994. She was born with hypoplasia of the cerebellum. As a result she has cerebral palsy. She was diagnosed with developmental delays early on and in later years has developed glaucoma and epilepsy. She was not supposed to be able to walk, talk or use her upper extremeties well. No one shared this information with her. She began walking wihout assistance at age 6. She began writing at the age of 13. After 10 years in book one of Hooked on Phonics she now reads well. She enjoys music, dancing, soccer, and her dvd collection. She loves light bulbs, cracks in windows and windshield wipers. The teenager comes up with the most interesting statements. They are rarely politically correct.

The Boy

The boy became a part of the family in 2000. He has a rare genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3. He has severe dyslexia and ADHD. The boy was not expected to survive per his geneticist and pulmonologist. No one shared this information with the boy. The boy is Evel Knievel in a Humpty Dumpty body. He loves monster trucks, cars of all kinds especially vintage and critters. The boy could not understand why I was upset with him when I discovered a live snake in his top bunk becasue it was " not poisonous." Don't ever say to the Secret Pepper Person that boys are easier than girls. I will hurt you.

The Baby

The baby became a member of the family in 2007. She was rescued by a paramedic who found her dead in the amniotic sac in a hallway. For those of you who find this offensive please get a life. The baby should be in a vegetative state from the estimated 10 minutes of cerebral anoxia. No one informed her of that. The baby is the happiest child I have ever known and is seriously nosey. She has cerebral palsy and seizures but neither interfere with her quality of life. She signs and has just begun to talk. Even when she is 30 she will be referred to as the "baby" as she is the omega child. The baby loves french fries,music, remote control cars and soft blankets. She hates peaches.

The Dog

The most recent addition to the posse came to us from Great Pyrenes Rescue. Vanna White had lived in several homes before ours and the day we met her she was leaving for yet another adoptive placement. The adoption fell through after 2 weeks as, "there was still too much puppy in her." What they really meant to say is that she likes to pee on furniture. Vanna is a herd protector by nature who is strong enough to take on a bear but becomes emotionally attached to her herd animals. This is a perfect fit for our family. She is very protective of the baby and sleeps by her crib. She has a disctinct "boy bark" which alerts me to the fact that the boy is outside doing stunts not wearing his helmet. Yes, Vanna is that intelligent. Vanna loves other dogs, digging, long walks, chicken and peeing on the sofa. She hates the rain.

The Cat

The cat showed up in our backyard about 14 years ago. No one knows where he came from or how old he was. Every time you approached him he would drop to the ground and roll, thus the name, "Roller." Once we determined that Roller wasn't rabid we decided to make him a permanent member of the family. He grudgingly obliged. Roller had some "adjustment issues" and our kind and gentle Hindu vet informed me he thought Roller needed some help "finding his place in the family" and put Roller on Elavil. In other words, the cat was seriously psycho. Roller's issues have mellowed over the years but if there are 14 people in my living room he will stalk the one person who hates cats. He is an accomplished hunter and likes to leave bloodied fruit rats on the door mat or if he's mad at me on my bed. After the last rat on the bed the cat door was nailed shut. Roller likes freedom, two story houses, rats and chocolate Ensure Plus. He hates the dog, the kids and the 4th of July.

Iris aka Virus

Iris has been with the family for almost 7 years and is the teenagers' respite worker/personal care assistant. Iris looks like a Bavarian milkmaid who should be clad in a dirndldress or lederhose. A cross between Heidi Klum and Gretel complete with culry blonde hair and rosy complexion. Iris, however, has an alter ego lovingly referred to as Virus. Virus likes the color black, sparkly clothes and metal bands. She met her husband, "the beard" at Livestock. 09 and he proposed at Livestock 12.They were married and went to a Great White concert after the ceremony. They have two model beautiful children which dispels the myth that pretty people have ugly children. Virus loves Ozzie Osborne, Motley Crue, Kiss, and Queensryche and has a Queensryche tattoo under the lederhose. If you look up Iris/Virus in Roget's Thesaurus you will find synonyms such as, "loyal, faithful, honest, kind, and long-suffering." Iris has a mental list of places she can never go to again because of the teenagers behavior. Virus doesn't care. Iris would like to have dinner with Ozzie Osborne before she dies but feels she needs an interpreter. I suggested the teenager. She hates REM and people who wear pajamas in public. Iris is the only person I would trust my children with and not be concerend about the outcome. For Iris or the children.

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