Magic waves refresh one’s soul

I have a confession to make. Not that it will surprise anyone.

I am not the Energizer Bunny. I get tired and slow down. Sometimes my batteries just need recharging.

Getting a good night’s sleep should help, but there are often nights when I can’t turn off my brain and find myself planning out each week’s edition of the Boulder City Review or writing — at least mentally — at 3 a.m.

Too bad there is not a charging cord for people like the one for my cellphone.

But, I have found something that seems to do the trick: ocean breezes

As a Southern California girl, I find the crashing of waves on the sand as the tide rolls in or out to be very calming. Even the squawking by seagulls helps set the scene.

It’s the one thing I miss most about living in Nevada. Sure, there’s Lake Mead and the Colorado River. Those bodies of water also have some soothing and calming properties. But it’s not quite the same.

I don’t even have to get in the ocean. Or get my toes in the sand. I just have to feel the breezes on my face and hear the waves crashing to restore my soul.

Luckily, I was able to sneak away for 24 hours to soak in some coastal atmosphere and watch the sun rise and set over the horizon. It’s almost become an annual trek each November.

The beaches, long since emptied of most of the summer crowds, are so serene. Not even a little rain or stormy seas can dampen my spirits.

As an added bonus, I get to sneak in a little retail therapy.

On the first Sunday in November, the quaint town of Carlsbad hosts one of the world’s largest street fairs. There are more than 900 vendors featuring everything from aromatic oils to musical instruments. There is plenty of beach-themed home decor items as well as plants, jewelry, clothing and gift items.

There are also informational displays, rides and activities for the kiddies and food. It’s kinda like going to a county fair.

I stumbled upon the Carlsbad Village Faire a few years ago. It was a rainy Sunday and I vowed to return one day so I could appreciate the event to its fullest.

With the girls out of school Oct. 31 for Nevada Day and no classes Monday or Tuesday, it seemed like this was the year.

I think I walked every square inch of the fair.

It was a great way to spend the day. Surprisingly, it had one unexpected consequence. It made me homesick for Boulder City.

Carlsbad and Boulder City are quite similar. They both have that old-fashioned small town feel and great community spirit.

Walking around put me in the mood for the coming events in Boulder City that will take place in next few weeks, starting with this weekend’s Winter Art Festival presented by the Boulder City Art Guild and the first “Out Damned Spot!” Shakespeare Festival presented by the Shakespeare Institute of Southern Nevada and the Boulder City Library.

Then there’s several church harvest bazaars, the Tricky Tray gift basket raffle, A Taste for the Arts, the luminaria, city tree lighting ceremony, the Doodlebug Bazaar and Santa’s Electric Night Parade.

Thinking of all of that makes me tired.

Fortunately, I have just recharged my batteries.