“At the beach,
time you enjoy wasting
is not wasted.” 
T. S. Eliot

I spent a considerable amount of time at the beach today. Notice that I said “at” the beach, not “on” the beach. I love being at the beach. I’m not such a big fan of being on the beach. There is a difference.

I wanted to do some writing again today, so this afternoon I settled down at a poolside bar table overlooking Nassau harbor. I was at the beach, but not on it. No sand in my shoes. No worries about getting hit by a misguided frisbee tossed by a student on spring break. No worry about overexposure to the sun. I was in the shade, comfortable, with my shoes on my feet, my feet on the ground, and a stunning view of Nassau harbor. It was an ideal setting for writing… and thinking.

In the early morning hours, I had run a few errands before enjoying a late breakfast at the Logos Bookstore in the Harbor Bay Center on East Bay Street. The quaint establishment is one of the few good bookstores on the island. On the upper-level loft, they offer an impressive assortment of greeting cards. Books and other random products are available on the main level. In the corner of the first floor is a café which serves a delicious breakfast. I made good choices today. The cinnamon rolls looked good. So, too, did the banana and pumpkin breads. The menu was complete with omelets, French toast, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and grits. I opted for scrambled eggs with wheat toast and a glass of mango-peach juice. I felt sufficiently nourished throughout the remainder of the day.

I spent most of the afternoon and early evening sitting at the table in my beachside office space. Before it got dark, I ordered a chicken Cesar salad and iced tea for dinner. While walking back to the hotel, I enjoyed watching the sun set beyond the western end of the island. It was the perfect ending to a productive and enjoyable day.

Tomorrow is my last full day in Nassau. Again, I have a few chores to run. Most of the day, however, will be devoted to walking, reminiscing, taking photos, talking with people I encounter along the way, and breathing the fresh ocean air. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend this week here to celebrate both the 80th anniversary of St. Augustine’s College and the 50th anniversary of my experience teaching at the school. 

I will be home on Friday, but I am confident that the energy and sense of tranquility I have accumulated this week will be with me for a long time. It is said, and rightly so, that you can’t buy happiness. No, you can’t. But you can buy a ticket to the Bahamas!