Bob, The Newspaper Man

Scott and Diana have met many very nice and interesting people at "our" place by the sea at Shell Beach. Bob is a favorite of ours.  We met Bob when he was on "our" bench reading his newspaper.   My brother and I sat on a bench nearby.  Diana decided to toss her weekly seagull food to "her" seagulls who gathered by habit in the space in front of Bob.  Diana is noted for her "oops" throws.  She tossed a cracker and accidentally hit Bob on his head.  Patient and likeable Bob offered to switch benches.  Months later, when Bob sees us drive up, he smiles and moves to the other bench.  Bob drives all the way from Sacramento to our lovely Central Coast to cool off and read his newspaper on a foggy Shell Beach morning.

Our Saturday morning is a happier one when we can smile and say, "Hey!  There's Bob, the Newspaper Man."

Sad to say - This very special place by the sea is slipping.  Note the erosion.  In 7 short years the side has slipped at least 4 feet.  Yes, I realize part of the problem are my dear scrats (squirrel + rat).   But part of the problem is the excessive watering of the lawn and flowers by the gazebo.  We hope someone shores up this area or else it will be like "Dilbert" and "Auzzie" and be separated from the land, surrounded by sea.  And covered with pelicans and sea gulls.  Maybe that's just Nature.   Hmmmm. . .?

(Photographs, as usual, by my brother Scott Douglas)