***Have you seen the Pacific before, in person? ***
Yes, just a few years ago. Santa Monica. What a beautiful beach. I have a heart thing and thought I must be crazy to go to southern California in August because of the humidity. Yet, I climbed all the way down those six million stairs to the beach, and back up again while breathing freely in the salt-dried air. Got back home up north and almost passed out when I left the air-conditioned air port.
I was at Cerritos for a concert, and found that even that far from the ocean the air was so much more breathable than up north. Who knew?
And, maple twirlers are the abundant seeds from maple trees. They have long, crescent-shaped tails and fall from the trees like little helicopters.
Oh, THOSE maple twirlers! We call them samaras* out here. They're cool toys for kids who don't have much pocket money. (Seriously.)
Yes, re the salt air being so much easier on the breathing! I have a running battle with sinusitis and asthma. The closer I am to the sea, the better I can breathe. I just feel better all the way around being by the salt air.
*sam·a·ra [sah MARE ah]
n.
A dry, indehiscent, winged, often one-seeded fruit, as of the ash, elm, or maple. Also called key fruit.