In the center of Avalon’s business district, The Preppy Palm stands out. Its large footprint at the corner of 26th and Dune is punctuated by the palm trees flanking the doorway. Stepping through the door, loyal customers bask in the cool, crisp aesthetic and carefully curated selection of clothing, housewares, jewelry, and gifts.

What draws us to the water surrounding our shores?

Is the water a window, allowing us to peek at infinity, serenity, power, and grace?

Is the water a mirror reflecting light, absorbing shade, and amplifying our joy, against a horizon that never changes yet never stays the same?

In every profession, there are pinnacles. Lofty goals that many strive for, and very few achieve. For writers, Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club is Mount Everest, one of the highest peaks of all.