Today is my first day of living at the North Carolina Coast. We have rented a small cottage for the winter, which sits on marsh and water that is part of the White Oak River Basin in Swansboro. What appears to be a nondescript yellow building from the road is, in fact, a charming cottage with a big deck, which reaches nearly to the water, and a small pier. The back of the cottage is nearly all windows, and the view across the water is, well, breathtaking. I'm told there are fish, crabs, and shrimp to be caught from the pier, but not sure how its done. I tried calling up a few crabs this morning but succeeded only in rousing a few crabby neighbors.
  It is so odd, but the sun rises from across this water, when it appears to me that it should come up on the other side of the house. This jagged coastline, with its filigrees of land surrounded by water is the explanation. The ocean is nearby, but where? I definitely have to orient myself. Oh, did I mention the intense red/orange sunrise that fills the picture window in the bedroom and makes me feel that I am hallucinating when I open my eyes in the morning. Man, that scene is psychedellic!
   So far I have seen a large, grey, wading bird just off the dock. I would have called it a Great Blue Herron at home, but here I'm not so sure. I'm going to need a coastal bird book. He stood so still, then slowly waded through the water, looking for dinner I presume. His pace is so calming to watch.
   After breakfast, the dogs (Nicki and Teddy) and I drove out to Emerald Isle for our morning walk. It takes about 10-15 minutes to get to the beach. Let me say that again 10-15 minutes to the beach. I never in my life thought I would be able to say such a thing about the place I live.
   It was low tide, and the beach was impossibly wide, as it is on the Carolina coast, and nearly empty. Nicki, our Corgy mix, was ecstatic. She has this way of lifting her front paws up in a half jump when she is really happy. Teddy endured walking on a leash. He's a 7-1/2 lb. Poodle, and he is not amused by having to be leashed.
   It has been really cold, but today is slightly warmer, and not so bad on the beach with a jacket and gloves. This weekend should be better.
   No great insights as yet. I guess I am overwhelmed by being here, and just looking to see what is. See what is. That phrase is on my refrigerator, and I guess I'll have to make good on it.