Shiny and New

Good Morning Atlantic! November 11, 2014, St. Augustine

We're BACK! And what a beautiful morning greeted us today! I say "we're back" because yesterday was one of those days where it rains all day long and there is never a break for any light to shine through, and the clouds are so low and thick that it feels like almost nighttime every single hour - and after so long it kind of feels like your life was transported far from the world you used to know to a parallel, dismal, dark reality. Wait - as I think about it there was one break. It was at sunset, when the sun was at its lowest point. It shot across one of our low clouds creating a deep apocalyptic orange over St. Augustine beach. At the same time it lit up the thick black clouds with a double, maybe triple rainbow. This rainbow was so bright it felt like it was burning my eyes to look at directly. I have never seen any rainbow so sharp and clear - it was almost cartoon like! And it took my breath away over and over as it danced in the sky to the rhythm of the steady setting sun. Below is a panoramic I attempted, although please know that this is like one billionth of the actual beauty that was happening all around me, and this was just after the full double arc. **

**Isn't it crazy that I just FORGOT about this epic event! This is how beautiful it is here! What I was going to share today was:

I went to a drive-through carwash today. WOW! What an experience. With absolutely no man-power, this machine operates on concrete and metal, and with some crazy monster-like scrubber buddies. It has been a while (possibly never) since I got my grandmother's beautiful Buick washed myself, and I was overtaken by the sheer PLEASURE of the experience. Instantly I felt like I was getting a massage! My whole body relaxed, my skin started tingling, like all the skin cells wanted to face themselves outward for the vehicle's kneading (as if they could somehow feel it), and I noticed I was smiling! Back and forth the metal machinery went over my car, with soap, with water spray, and it was impossible not to personify each of the 5 scrubber monsters. I almost got teary when the big one came down, darkening my world, remembering when I was a young child how this part would scare me a little. Back and forth they went, rhythmic, soothing. Then the drier. More tingling. I am actually getting relaxed right now as I type, remembering it (yes I'm serious). For $9, and that's "The Works", the best they have on offer, I rolled out of the BP auto wash a new woman! I think I am going to need to schedule this into my life at least biweekly...

May you find bliss in even the dingiest of car washes and other urban machinery, and allow that to take you to clear skies and warm waters of your own pleasure, every time!

Love and apocalyptic rainbows, after cleansing rain, to make you shiny and new!!!

Lucinda