A Lifetime of Yesterday’s 8/6/24

This passage is at the end of Chapter 2 for those following along.

We felt lucky to be close to Sea Bright. My sister and I loved being within two 

miles of the beach. Dad grew up in town, and we had family there, though we 

weren’t allowed to speak with them much as our father didn’t like them. Sea 

Bright has its advantages and few disadvantages. A small town on the beach, 

not too crowded and close enough to ride a bike or walk to. I learned to surf and 

loved it. I became good and could hold my own in the ocean, but not quite as good 

as many friends who are still in the water decades later. Surf bums.

The whole circumstance seemed like I was dreaming a dreams, dream. The 

layers of unconsciousness did little to protect me. Dad's accident and disability 

and the accusations that led to the threat to kill me, combined with a kindling that

would start an inferno in a tropical rainforest. 

I surfed and hung out in Sea Bright. I skipped whatever practice I had if the 

waves were big. I hung around at the public beach or a favorite store in the 

center of town.

This iconic store was Weisman’s, a toy store, confectionery, and newsstand. One 

Of those "you can find it at" places right in the center of town across from the 

public beach parking lot. I think it was owned by two 

brothers, but it was always a stop when we were in town. You could buy a bus 

ticket, a milkshake, or a dirty magazine when it was open. Everyone knew it, but not 

everyone went in because of the mags, which were not very public when I was a 

kid. Still, it was a town staple.

A friend of mine raves about Weisman’s egg creme. He hasn't had one in almost

fifty years but can describe it so well you can taste it. You feel like you're sitting 

on a spin stool at the counter and drinking it along with everything else from so 

long ago.

And that is the quality of small-town stores, people, products, and experiences. 

Sea Bright had and had that quality. So does Grafton, VT, for me. Think of

those small towns and what brought you to them, and soon you will miss them 

more than ever. 

Peace, Chris

I used AI for images only