REPORT: July 6, 2010 - Tuesday - 7pm

OBSERVED: Quiet. Trash!!!! a lot of it!

COLLECTED: unusual sea sponges of various colors, sea shell, curious bone (fish) cartilage, coral, seaweed


It was a gorgeous evening despite the earlier rain. I collected and threw away a very full bag of ALL KINDS of debris. It was understandable since the holiday brought in extra visitors. But, finding the torn up scraps from the fireworks littered right on the shoreline also demonstrates that the basic beach cleanup can't get everything - that includes what's in the water (plastic with hanger, bait fish bags, pampers bags, etc.) So much plastic.

With or without the rubbish, we enjoy the time together in the water - T. OCEAN swimming between us and learning the timing of the waves.


Your,
Little Mama Sea Keeper

REPORT: June 20, 2010 - Sunday - 5:30pm

OBSERVED: trash, and lots of it.

COLLECTED: nothing


Spotted in a small area, and in less than 5 minutes I collected and threw away a piece of a shoe, a hand-full of plastic bits and pieces, bottles, and from the water - a Doritos bag, a very large plastic bag, and another large piece of plastic. So much friggin' plastic!!! Later, I picked up 3 water bottles people had left along with a metal beach chair right on the water's edge. I guess it's a holiday weekend (Father's Day?). I wish this kind of complacency no longer bewildered me, but it does. Either way, I feel a little better with those few items now picked up. Helps me sleep at night - what can I say...

Makes me really respect those Kauai beaches I visited 4 years ago. There wasn't a trash receptacle in sight for most of them; yet the sands and sea water were immaculate!! Pristine even. Perhaps there is simply more regard for nature there? What's their secret, I wonder... And, I miss it.

A heavy shore break and looming thunder storms with lighting chased us off the beach sooner than expected. It didn't stop us from enjoying the short swim we did get in. Hopefully to go back again tomorrow for another evening dip.


Your,
Little Mama Sea Keeper

REPORT: June 16, 2010 - Wednesday - 7pm

OBSERVED: fair - clean

COLLECTED: sand, shells, seaweed


As I write this, T. OCEAN sits finishing his spaghetti dinner and watching the rest of "Ocean Drifters", a National Geographic movie from about 15 years ago. This and "Jewels of the Sea" are favorites. They were sponsored by Chevron.

The last part of "Ocean Drifters" summarizes the importance of the food chain from the most microscopic to the largest creatures along the Gulf Stream. How important even sea plankton are as a primary food source, yet absorbing all materials in the water - natural, chemical and otherwise. It doesn't take much for me to wonder what will happen - with what we can and what we cannot see - along the Gulf Stream, just out beyond our horizon.

Last night our president spoke in the Oval Office about the disaster in the Gulf. He says he has a plan. Perhaps a better plan than the oil company ever did. But I am deeply suspect about the realistic ability to return the oceans, marches and beaches to their original state. Sarcastically, I think....we'll pick up tar balls and drop off plastic. Sometimes, it just feels too great.

It's been a few days since we've been able to get to the beach, and I feel like I'm drying up. I'm physically tired and moving slowly, but we eventually make it out there just before 7:oo in the evening, hot and sweating. With the heat index, it's in the low 100's, and ocean is around 85 degrees, surprisingly warmer than a few days ago yet still refreshing after the long walk.

Trash was strewn around from day-trippers: plastic ziploc bags and wrappers and bottles. But the water was mostly clear except for bits of seaweed, and the tide was far out and only a light chop, perfect for T. OCEAN to test his metal again. He constantly walks out further and further, loving the feel of waves knocking against him. He's learned their timing and knows when to jump up and bob around, instinctively doing a little dog-paddle. These days even if he goes under, I know he can handle it and he won't panic. Still, I insist he stay close to me. He remembers and forgets, remembers, and forgets. A dance we do in the water.

I notice my body feels relieved and lighter on our walk home. The swim was good. The fresh air cleared my mind. We can now face the night at ease.

Your,
Little Mama Sea Keeper

REPORT: June 10, 2010 - Thursday - 6:30pm

OBSERVED: lots of seaweed in the water and along shoreline & plastic, plastic, plastic, and more plastic

COLLECTED: nothing


Plastic everywhere! Bags, pieces, parts - on the shore, in the water, in the sand. And the shore line was caked with seaweed. Once again, Lady Ocean was doing some serious house-keeping and it showed! But in the water, between those bits of seaweed and grasses (and wrappers) was the clearest, warmest water! So lovely.

Unfortunately however, for T. OCEAN, the South Atlantic is teeming with sea lice right now, and he was sustaining multiple bites along his neck and shoulders as he swam. Within 15 minutes he was red and blotchy, so I pulled him out well before he was ready to call it quits. He already has bites scattered all over his torso and upper legs. We probably shouldn't let him get in the water for the next week or so until the peak season subsides. But, it is IMPOSSIBLE to bring him to the beach without allowing him in the water! The boy just cannot help himself. Even in the chilly winter weather back in January, he would still find a way to get himself soaked head to toe, shivering.

This bit of forced hiatus yet to be imposed my child (starting tomorrow) leads me to another question which is far from unanswerable right now: what will happen if we can't swim in the ocean for an unknowable length of time because the water is too toxic? I can't imagine taking him to the beach and NOT get in the water! He simply will not be able to comprehend why - day in and day out - the one thing he knows and loves so well will be off-limits to him (and me). What will we do if that happens? Will we stay here? Far too many questions, and too few answers.

For now, it's strangely comforting to remind myself that the sea lice will subside (just like the man-o-war did); and the time for moon-jellies and Loggerhead turtle nests and shark migrations will come - each it's own season.


Your,
Little Mama Sea Keeper