A week ago, Piper and I took off for the ocean, it's been too long since we'd been there. The day was warm, sunny and the earth around us felt energized - YESSSSS! We rolled along with our hair pulled back, the windows down and the music cranked up high. The hills around us were bright spring green from recent rains, dark green trees in clutches here and there and wild flowers in bloom covering great masses of space and slopes with brilliant color. The closer we got to the ocean, the prettier it got - hard to believe but it's true. The day was picture perfect, postcard perfection at it's California best. The beach we chose was away from big flashy crowds and the boardwalks. Fewer people meant less food out. Less food meant fewer seagulls. And fewer seagulls equaled greater ocean sound and a more fulfilling experience.
No whale or dolphin sightings this trip, but we did get to watch a happy sea lion playing in the surf - always a highlight, they're sooo cute! The beach was smooth sweet sand as far as the eye could see and the foot could travel in either direction. And yes, the water was cold - at first - but it was so soothing to the soul I couldn't stay out of it. As a matter of fact, I sat right down in it. Wait, at first, I sat on what I thought was the edge of the surf, you know, a spot far enough back that only the occasional wave might reach me and if it did it would barely touch my feet. I sat mediation style, legs crossed in front, hands placed on knees, palms turned upward to the sun and eyes closed. Piper, dear sweet child, wished to remain dry and warm and therefore sat on her lounger 20 feet back. I tuned everything out but the ocean, the feel of it, the smell, the power, the constant un-ebbing flow of energy into my soul. I was in full-on meditative state, everything about me hummed happiness and bliss and joy in the moment. Piper sat watching as the waves rolled and crashed along in their rhythmic pace along the shore. If you've watched waves for any length of time, you'll see they clearly move along in a pattern of high to low but heading south at the same time. Kind of like kneading bread dough only on the move down the counter. Every now and then a Rogue Wave breaks the pace and pattern. This is why they are called Rogue Waves. And this is why, when you go to the beach, you don't set up camp so to say, right near the water's edge. No, you set up camp far enough from the waves reaches to allow Rogue Waves to come along at will and not soak your stuff. Any savvy beach goer knows this. Although we were savvy in our placement of our set-up, I was too far gone in joy and meditation to consider "The Rogue." Well Piper watched a Rogue building in the distance out in front of me and heading my way. She took the time to consider whether she should shout and warn me to move, or not. She chose NOT. Like I said, dear, sweet child. That icy water rolled in and broke on me like I was an official breaker! Ssssssssplllaaaaammmm! Splash! Wooooosh!! And I was soaked from head to toe and back to bottom! And yes, my child was greatly entertained. She was chuckling to herself, quite pleased with having witnessed the wonderous surprise drenching I'd received. I slogged my drippy self back to our blanket and stood pooling at her feet. I never even had to ask, she said while trying to hold down her laughter, "You looked so, sooooo happy I didn't want to interrupt you while you were in your ZONE." Uhhhhh . . . . yeah.
Well, as long as I was wet, I turned back to the water and played in the surf myself - had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again!!!
Our haul this trip; four full sand dollars that we'll bleach and preserve, and a bucket and a half full of shells and shell pieces. I gathered a few rocks and sticks for my fairy house. I've been gathering a few supplies all week, small rocks so far mostly. I have to build this creation on my patio, but our lease states anything on patios must be on wheels or at least moveable. I've been searching for just the right something and have a base in mind, just haven't been able to locate what I'm looking for yet. I'm very particular about my projects and what goes into them so this may take longer than I want it to. Update on my transplanted fairy vines; I planted four separate pots with clumps of tubers. One is solid and healthy, two are just hanging in there and one is barely growing at all. These little vines are so full and lush at Tad's house I may just bring home a few more starts.
No whale or dolphin sightings this trip, but we did get to watch a happy sea lion playing in the surf - always a highlight, they're sooo cute! The beach was smooth sweet sand as far as the eye could see and the foot could travel in either direction. And yes, the water was cold - at first - but it was so soothing to the soul I couldn't stay out of it. As a matter of fact, I sat right down in it. Wait, at first, I sat on what I thought was the edge of the surf, you know, a spot far enough back that only the occasional wave might reach me and if it did it would barely touch my feet. I sat mediation style, legs crossed in front, hands placed on knees, palms turned upward to the sun and eyes closed. Piper, dear sweet child, wished to remain dry and warm and therefore sat on her lounger 20 feet back. I tuned everything out but the ocean, the feel of it, the smell, the power, the constant un-ebbing flow of energy into my soul. I was in full-on meditative state, everything about me hummed happiness and bliss and joy in the moment. Piper sat watching as the waves rolled and crashed along in their rhythmic pace along the shore. If you've watched waves for any length of time, you'll see they clearly move along in a pattern of high to low but heading south at the same time. Kind of like kneading bread dough only on the move down the counter. Every now and then a Rogue Wave breaks the pace and pattern. This is why they are called Rogue Waves. And this is why, when you go to the beach, you don't set up camp so to say, right near the water's edge. No, you set up camp far enough from the waves reaches to allow Rogue Waves to come along at will and not soak your stuff. Any savvy beach goer knows this. Although we were savvy in our placement of our set-up, I was too far gone in joy and meditation to consider "The Rogue." Well Piper watched a Rogue building in the distance out in front of me and heading my way. She took the time to consider whether she should shout and warn me to move, or not. She chose NOT. Like I said, dear, sweet child. That icy water rolled in and broke on me like I was an official breaker! Ssssssssplllaaaaammmm! Splash! Wooooosh!! And I was soaked from head to toe and back to bottom! And yes, my child was greatly entertained. She was chuckling to herself, quite pleased with having witnessed the wonderous surprise drenching I'd received. I slogged my drippy self back to our blanket and stood pooling at her feet. I never even had to ask, she said while trying to hold down her laughter, "You looked so, sooooo happy I didn't want to interrupt you while you were in your ZONE." Uhhhhh . . . . yeah.
Well, as long as I was wet, I turned back to the water and played in the surf myself - had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again!!!
Our haul this trip; four full sand dollars that we'll bleach and preserve, and a bucket and a half full of shells and shell pieces. I gathered a few rocks and sticks for my fairy house. I've been gathering a few supplies all week, small rocks so far mostly. I have to build this creation on my patio, but our lease states anything on patios must be on wheels or at least moveable. I've been searching for just the right something and have a base in mind, just haven't been able to locate what I'm looking for yet. I'm very particular about my projects and what goes into them so this may take longer than I want it to. Update on my transplanted fairy vines; I planted four separate pots with clumps of tubers. One is solid and healthy, two are just hanging in there and one is barely growing at all. These little vines are so full and lush at Tad's house I may just bring home a few more starts.