Last week, I did a hot decidedly short walk in the Pines, taking some stoppage time to admire the area’s famed sugar sand. And it truly is white as said sugar, if not whiter. Walking atop it, I strained to think what it reminded me of. Oh, that’s right, Long Beach Island back in the glimmering sand days of not so distant yore.

Later that day, back on LBI, it further struck my trained eye that our beaches are no longer nearly on par with former sugary days, namely prior to beach replenishment.

Now don’t get all gritty with me. This is not even slightly a slap at replenishment. The longer we hold out against oft-hostile seas and other arising threats, the more fun times are had by one and all. Rock on, you crazy non-diamond-sand Island.