RELAX.

Folly Beach near Charleston—about three hours from Pineapple Hill—is a favorite spot for a dog friendly vacation at the beach. There’s shops and restaurants but not so many to feel overwhelmed. Rent a golf cart or ebike. Ride around in your swimsuit. The houses are unpretentious and so are the people.

dog friendly vacation Folly Beach near Charleston

Bad things happened, an entire run of them that shut me down, caused me to withdraw from everything except my inner self.

One afternoon, in a hammock, I took a photo of myself. Just my legs. But there was no one to send it to. No one to understand.

I needed a sidekick so I sketched an armadillo because they’re crusty on the outside but not within. I made him my butler. Crusoe’s manservant Friday.

We began interacting—my hammock photo speaking to that critter, that critter speaking back.There’s a folder of cartoons somewhere. For now there’s just this one. (LINK)

Eventually after that I began writing novels.

I’m still a hermit, marooned you might say, but leaving my shell more and more—my inner self seeking its freedom through writing.