Stormy Treasures

I went down to the bay just to see how it was reacting to the severe winds. The rain was pelting me, but I still managed to assess the situation since, after all, I am the Beach Lady. There was a tug boat out in the bay pulling a huge barge. I guess Smithtown Bay will provide a safe place for it to overnight, but then again, what do I

know about ships, tugboats and all that nautical stuff? Nothing! At least there were no Idiots out this evening with their sail boats or fisherman in tiny boats who think the weather reports do not apply to them. What gives? There's usually one idiot per storm. I did get lucky by stumbling upon these two treasures: an awesome rock and a piece of drift wood that will be transformed into something useful, as soon as I figure out what that is. So even the gloomiest of days have an up side. You just have to look for it.

It's a tough job

Yes, I have a tough job on the weekends: watching the sun go down. Somebody's got to do it. I am fabulous at it, too. If only someone, somewhere paid me to monitor the nightly miracle!

Tonight was quite lovely, with all the low clouds hanging around just waiting for the moment to shine and throw off pinks and oranges into the sky. Last night my friends and I got to see fireworks all the way in Connecticut. What were the celebrating? Friday? I'll drink to that!

Tornado watch

It's all quiet out there on Smithtown Bay. The waves were crashing, but it was much calmer the further east I walked towards Crane Neck. No tornado.

s to be seen. Mother Nature is buzzing-bees, butterflies, birds, squirrels, deer-they are all running around gathering "stuff." Even the trees are busy dropping acorns, pine cones and other weird, amour-plated nuts. Flowers are still blooming and I haven't let go of summer just yet.

Victory on the wagon wheel issue...or 'Am I a pain in the neck, or what?'

I know have been like a pit bull with something in its grip, not wanting to let go of this issue, but I think, finally, some progress has been made on the plastic wagon wheels! Just to give a quick recap, in March 2011 a sewage water treatment in Mamaroneck accidently released thousands nitrogen filters into the Long Island Sound. These filters look like little plastic wagon wheels and if you walk the beaches along Smithtown Bay, you have surely seen them. I periodically collect them by the bags full and then send then with a terse letter to the Environmental Facilities Commissioner over there, Thomas Lauro.

He said he tried to come here to clean them up, but couldn't get on our beaches. So I wrote to Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, who took on the issue and finally the Commissioner took notice. Now this recent article, http://www.lohud.com/article/20120830/NEWS02/308300054/Westchester-nears-Sound-cleanup-deal-over-Mamaroneck-sewage-treatment-plant, from a Westchester paper states that Westchester County, where the plant is located, could be fined and there will be some money to clean up the wheels. Hurray! That's all I ever wanted. I wanted to see them take responsibility for the garbage and to be fined. I think that is the least that should be done. I mean, who do those people think they are...Wall Street bankers? I have to say I feel good about getting results on an issue that matters. I love my beach. Don't mess with my beach. Thanks to Legislator Hahn for always being an advocate for our environment! It would have been nice, however, if Mr. Lauro had at least mentioned me as a thorn in his side, maybe slamming down a box of wagon wheels that I sent him, saying, “I’ll do anything, just please stop her from mailing me these packages!”

Artistic landscape

The Beach Lady is back after a long hiatus. The Smithtown Bay shore at low tide is full of nature's sculptures, paintings and performance art. When the water recedes I feel like a five-year-old exploring the tide pools,baby mussels, fish eggs and other unidentified sea creatures. The sunset was hidden by a veil of clouds tonight. The bugs gave me a reprieve

. Bless their little blood-sucking hearts.

A new kid in town

Sometimes the rainy nights at the beach yield the best surprises. I went down in the rain to check on the water (make sure it was still there). It was low tide and the gulls were sweeping by in the air clutching spider crabs and mussels. But there was a new visitor. I have never seen this bird before. I knew he wasn't an egret and the funny thing about him was that when he saw me, instead of flying away, he inched closer. Sorta like I looked like his mother or something. He was not afraid of me, but rather wanted to get closer. (I don't make this shit up.)He liked people. I moved closer to get a good look because I knew that later I would want to ID him him in my bird book. It was a Yellow Crowned Night Heron. Which explains what he was doing out at 8 p.m. He is a bird with a lot of personality! Smithtown Bay seemed to be taking a respite from all the boats, fisherman and beach goers tonight. I heard it heave a sigh and say, "Peace and quiet at last!"

Prime time

As Billy Joel says, "These are the days we will remember." The summer has been filled with perfect beach days and wonderful company. Friday night was an evening with "the most interesting women in the world." We philosophized about the Higgs Boson, compared notes about personal lives, went for a swim and then whipped up an amazing meal. Oh, and then there was also dancing! How fortunate I am to live here and i give thanks every day.