i have always loved the beach, despite the fact that i hate being in the hot sun! as you can imagine, my taking up the sport of beach volleyball has some drawbacks, and i usually hide under an umbrella or the boardwalk whenever i don’t have to be on a court.

but having a beach house is the perfect way for me to enjoy the beach. just a few steps from house to ocean, i can pick and choose my times for optimum enjoyment. Like, if i were to uncharacteristically be up early in the morning, i could go to the beach from say, 8 or 9 in the morning until 10ish when it starts to get hot and bright. and then return later, at 3 or so to catch the sun when it’s still bright but has lost a lot of its intensity.

lately, though, i’ve found an entirely new reason to love the beach. i make a little pit in the sand about a foot in diameter, lay my towel over it, and lie down on my stomach! my swollen pregnant belly nestled in the little pit i made! it’s ingenious and so comfortable — at least for a good half hour.

it’s been a long time since i’ve been able to lie on my stomach, and i have really missed it. so today and yesterday lying on my stomach on fire island was so heavenly.