The Year of Living Covidly

  Oh! Rapture at 10,000 feet and climbing, a rare treat. No mortal had the chance before the Wrights To soar on the wing, higher than the birds. Above the ocean  and into the celestial sea. an illusionary net of cotton ball clouds upon which the imaginary god Zeus might perch of no aid if things go south The beauty of the filtered sunlight makes you forget the errand you are on Then clouds turn from meadows into fierce mountains their jagged edges in relief agains the dimming sky A few miles and minutes more they settle into a calm sea making a horizon against the sun's waning light Down the plane goes, down like the sun Until a few glimmers from above shine up The lights and the sky grow bolder competing for the night As the wing hovers between the beauty Making its choice it leaves the sky behind Rushing to the welcoming lights a touchdown The pleasure was mine.

It's been a long, hard slog. We are all going a little stir crazy. A trip I had scheduled last spring was cancelled. So with the agreement of my better half, I made a trip to Anna Maria Island, Florida for a few days of sunshine and R & R. I was fortunate to find a place in Bradenton Beach that was only a few steps from the beach. Bradenton Beach is the southernmost town on Anna Maria Island (AMI), the others being Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. I didn't have much of an agenda on this trip except to hang out on the beach, visit my friend Janet, take a few pics, and do some reading and writing. Love those sandpipers. They make me smile. Wonder what these pelicans are thinking of the parasailers? The beach is a great place to fly a kite. My hotel was on Bridge Street. Here is a pier at the end of the street, where I later came to watch the sunrise. Although AMI is more noted for its awesome sunsets.  As you'll see, I got a little carried away with the photos. But, really, d