Even on vacation, the emails follow, and some of them bring things you'd rather not hear. Last night I received a letter from someone I've never met, telling me that she is already working on a book about the same character I was planning to use for my next biographical novel. The worst of it was that she is related to the character and has access to lots of private materials that I could never get close to. So there's no help for it. I issued a gracious (at least I hope it was!) withdrawal and wished her well with her endeavors. And now I must rethink what direction I'll take in the new year.   The morning, however, brought a gorgeous sunrise over the Atlantic, a brilliant blue sky, and weather warm enough for beach-going. The pools have been full all day, and the beach swarming with little ones building sand castles. By this afternoon, the gulls have moved in, and they are at least as curious about us as we were about them. This bunch seemed to have decided to walk along with us. Others were more interested in taking a sand nap. And here are a few seconds of video to capture the day and all its simple pleasures:
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