I Want an Ocean on the Front Page
My husband, Joe, and I live on the dividend of the honest communication that we’ve invested in each other over time. With just a little maintenance and upkeep, our relationship remains rewarding. He’s not even jealous that I sometimes yearn for a long distance love……the ocean. In fact, he drives me to it a couple of times a year. I overheard him recently saying to my sister about me, “If she gets out of sorts or is taking herself too serious, I take her to the ocean. There, she’s as giddy as a girl.”
Upon my return from my month long sabbatical by the ocean in Massachusetts, I went through some withdrawal pangs. And when the last of the “beach sketches” I wrote while I was there went off the front page of my blog, I felt forlorn.
The ocean is 5 hours away from where Joe and I live, in The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, so sometimes a pool, a pond, or a lake has to do. We’re headed out today to camp along a lake. I guess Joe thinks I need an attitude adjustment, or maybe he just wants to see me not acting my age.
The Photo: This is a case where a digital camera would have come in handy. It was taken on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts, during one of my sunset walks this past July. It should have accompanied Beach Sketch IV.
Comments
Sounds so peaceful. Sometimes getting away from everything can work wonders. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Michele sent me:)
Posted by: Dawn | August 12, 2005 10:03 AM
don't be surprised if i pass by the turn off to the lake and just keep heading east to the beach.
i sure love that giddy girl in you.
Posted by: joeyk | August 12, 2005 10:57 AM
Oh, I love this Post. I also feel great when next to the ocean! It makes me think of that song "I Hope You Dance"!
I hope you still feel small, when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
~ I hope you dance Loose Leaf ~
Posted by: TW | August 12, 2005 11:27 AM
Hi Col, I'm glad Joe is sensitive to needs.
BTW, there is research to bloster your claim...the ocean is indeed a tranquilizer and stress buster.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4695711.stm
Posted by: Kathy AKA Ben | August 12, 2005 12:21 PM
I live 15 minutes from the nearest beach. It is the Earth's best gift to humans.
Posted by: Jenn | August 12, 2005 2:51 PM
I'm a water girl all the way.
Posted by: Lora | August 12, 2005 5:24 PM
I have a friend looking for houses, there are so many to select from he asked me which would I choose, Ocean, Lake or Town.
OCEAN Baby! Even if it's too cold to go in, it's always great to watch and listen to.
Posted by: lisa | August 12, 2005 7:36 PM
The only thing is you have to be really careful about having digital cameras near salt water.
I noticed on Paul Nichol's Blog that we have the same birthday, Colleen. A fellow possum! Oh, my.
Posted by: Utenzi | August 13, 2005 9:07 AM
Sometimes I just long for a body of water. I too live too far from the Ocean to go often but like you a lake or pond quenches my thirst of water. My love of the water comes from my dad. He being a Navy man who served in WW2, he made sure that both my sister and I knew how to swim. I took it a bit further and joined a swim team when I was younger and later worked as a lifeguard when I was in college. There is nothing more serene than sitting by the water and watching the waves licking the shoreline, or bobbing along in a boat.
Posted by: Colleen | August 13, 2005 6:45 PM
AMEN! Any form of water is fine by me, but I prefer the ocean or a wide river.
Posted by: kenju | August 14, 2005 12:42 AM
I remember a winter trip to Provincetown around 1990, when the place was all but deserted, looking out beyond snow to gray ocean under gray sky. Wind whipping the gulls around. It was simply magical. Down here I am amazed at how different the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are, both with their own beauty and power.
Posted by: Elissa Malcohn | August 14, 2005 3:44 AM
Bobbing in the water is so peaceful, Colleen. I totally agree with you. I love to do it especially on overcast gloomy days. For some reason I find being surrounded by gray very soothing. Water and sky all shades of one comforting color. Ahhhh.
Posted by: Utenzi | August 14, 2005 7:33 AM
You know I'm with you there!
Posted by: Laura | August 14, 2005 9:59 AM
I live on Virginia's ocean, and we're planning a long needed trip to the Virginia mountains. I'm looking for the quiet of the mountains, and maybe a moonlit walk like you described above.
Visiting from Michelle's
Posted by: dena | August 14, 2005 8:43 PM
Oh, Colleen what a wonderful picture. You know how I feel about the ocean. I think we're even going to use the picture on my site for our Christmas card this year.
Posted by: terrilynn | August 14, 2005 11:07 PM