Vol. Nearly No. Shorts time

If you’ve ever been to Carmel, Ca. you’ll remember the literally dozens of art galleries in the semi-large downtown area, all designed for tourists, of course. I doubt many locals ever go into the myriad shops, clothes, furniture (go figure), restaurants (some are really good so that’s a possibility for locals) and again, all the TONS of galleries. So what? you wonder. We’re going down for a mini-vacation this weekend because – and you’ll not believe this – it’s an art festival! The difference here, I’ve been told, it’s all the local artists (no one living beyond Gdansk is allowed to participate), and those local artists who show up will take their assigned places in the park right on Ocean Avenue (main shopping street that goes down to one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen) and hock their wares. Part of the day you can even watch them painting –- or whatever their medium. There’ll be a contest (and I ask you how do you pick between three slashes of red/white/black on a canvas and a traditional Dutch cows in the meadow with a sweet young lass standing by with her milk pail?) And what’s the prize for the winner? Maybe a trip for two to Gdansk?

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Happy Memorial Day on the 27^th – maybe carry the American flag in the town parade and eat your weight in potato salad since there are no calories on that wonderful day.

Ah, to sit on the pure white beach at the end of Ocean Avenue in Carmel and watch the waves ripple in --

Catherine Coulter

The Night Creature at Storne Hope

Twice Dead