I tried to go surfing this morning, but didn’t get in the water because it was freezing. I’d left my wetsuit at home, thinking my rash guard would be enough. The sun was out at our house and I couldn’t see a marine layer as I drove toward the beach, meaning the water was warm enough to resist being pulled apart by the hot air. But when I got to the water, it was covered in a thin cold fog. The waves were flat. I started walking out, but it was too cold. It was too cold for such small waves.

I decided to exercise and meditate instead. I did some lunges and pushups. I found a hand-made mug in the sand (it looks handmade). I said hi to some dogs and smiled at their people. I climbed onto the foot of the cliffs and found a spot to sit.

I did my usual 20 minutes or so, and when I opened my eyes I found a snail on one of my flip flops. I picked him up and wondered where to put him. I decided to put him on some ice plant. I worried that he might not like it, but then I noticed another snail on the same plant, only about two inches away. Then I noticed the plant had snails all over it. Then I noticed a snail crossing the sand in front of me.

Then I looked up and noticed the fog had cleared. I watched surfers catch little waves and noticed some movement in the water beyond them. There were dolphins swimming back there. Birds flew above them.