Autumn with Topsail

Today we went to the “Autumn with Topsail” festival on Topsail Island. I made it through three artisans’ booths before I had to buy something (a beautiful beaded necklace). I was hunting for Ray McAllister’s booth. Ray wrote the book Topsail Island: Mayberry by the Sea, which was practically my bible as I wrote Before the Storm and Secrets She Left Behind. Ray and I have chatted back and forth online, but it was fun to finally meet him and his wife Vicki. Allan Libby, Director of Tourism for Surf City, was at Ray’s booth. Then John and I hit the food stands (he had barbecue and I had chicken teriyaki. Yum) and we bumped into Lori Fisher, owner of the wonderful Quarter Moon Books, while we were munching.

Back at the condo, we both did a little work. After being stranded here by the storm a couple of weeks ago, it was wonderful to see thesunshine and calm water again and the dolphins romping in the waves. We went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, then came home and set up my telescope on the deck and stared at the moon and a planet we have yet to identify because we’re new at this astronomy stuff. But the very coolest thing was the phosphorescence of the waves. I’d never seen that here before and it was beautiful.

Tomorrow is back to the grind. It’s been a great day, but I’m looking forward to getting down to business tomorrow. Actually, I can’t wait!