And I'm feeling good

On Wednesday, I showed you the results of my late night/early morning shelling excursion and told you I had headed out to Dunedin Causeway to see what the low tide was revealing. I also wanted to be in one of my favorite spots to watch the sunrise. I was truly rewarded for getting up at 2:30am, so I could be on the beach by 3am. I didn't miss a minute of this spectacular display. Without further ado and no photo retouching, here's what I saw…

WOW! I'm telling you, it was the best sunrise I have ever witnessed. The colors were brilliant and just lit up the sky. I was humbled to see something so magnificent. My troubles were washed away from my weary brain as I stood beneath this display of light and yes, a few tears were shed in the process. Are there any fireworks anywhere that could rival this show in the sky?

As the sun began to show itself, a gentle rain began and I stood there mesmerized by the beauty of Mother Nature at her finest. I was so refreshed spiritually and the soft rain only added to my feeling of reawakening. Last year was a tough year, but I am determined to enjoy life, realizing I can only do my best and let the cards fall where they may. I know I must still take the time to appreciate the things that are good in my life — my family and friends, which includes all of you, and a sunrise that paints the morning sky with hope for a new day.

Birds flying high

You know how I feel

Sun in the sky

You know how I feel

Breeze driftin' on by

You know how I feel

It's a new dawn

It's a new day

It's a new life

For me

And I'm feeling good.

Lyrics from Feeling Good written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse (1965)

The day only continued to get better as I made my way to my girlfriend Sharon's home at about 7:30am. Now you know someone is a good friend when you can show up at her door at that hour, waking the dog and the husband in the process mind you, and she drags herself out of bed, throws on some clothes and is willing to go down the street to The Covered Bridge Restaurant to have breakfast with you.

After a plate of grits and eggs and lots of coffee, we jumped in the car

and headed back down to the causeway. 

By this time the sun was high up in the sky…

The yellows, oranges and reds of my morning had turned into this…

And I'm feeling good.

After we had both taken tons of photos, picked up a few more shells, and stopped by the thrift store, we headed back to Sharon's and were greeted by her smiling hubby. No, Charles didn't kill me for waking them so early, he was just as nice and sweet as always. Now how come I never met a guy like that?

Sharon and I spent most of the day in her studio. I watched as she worked on a new painting for an upcoming show, we talked art, I took a few strolls around a nearby park and later we munched on some croissants Charles picked up for us with some Marionberry jam his mother had sent for Christmas.

This is Sharon, painting Sharon, from a photo of Sharon…

Yea, it was a good day

And I'm feeling good.

I returned home rejuvenated and the next day I uploaded the photos I had taken to my computer. I got the ones above ready for this post and then decided I wanted to play around in Photoshop. I use this program all the time for work and for personal use, but my friend Julie of Being Ruby has inspired me to get more artsy with it and if you've visited her blog, you know exactly what I'm taking about. I love her style and hope one day to be half as good as her. She is such an inspiration to me in my artistic pursuits. (The photo I worked with is the fifth one in this post.)

Thanks Julie, this ones for you…

Yes, it was another good day

And I'm feeling good.