It’s seventy degrees with perfect blue skies. This is far removed from my usual rainy and soggy island.

Driving along Pacific Coast Highway, I spied the mist spray of a whale surfacing in the calm waters.  It’s early for gray whale migration, but I imagine that’s what I saw.

If I believed in omens, I would say this is an omen for good things to come. For I am sure in a fictional world a gray whale would be my familiar.

Or, perhaps I’ve had too much sun today.

I spent the afternoon on Leo Carrillo Beach. With craggy rocks, caves, and tide pools, this beach is probably my favorite of all.

I wish everyone happiness and good things to come for the new year.