For those wondering, yesterday, I saw the missing gentleman from Wisconsin. He was walking down the beach. I almost missed him. He looks really thin, but still has his sweet smile and brief nod to passersby. I am happy.
For today, I wish you happy updates, and I wish you
Blessings
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Ruminations III
People Missing:
Here in paradise, I am missing my people. Proof that it is not so much where you are or what you are doing, but more about who you are with (sorry, Betsy, I know I finished with a preposition, but the proper way just sounds stilted and snooty :-)). Please, do not think I am complaining. I would not do that for fear that all you at home in the gloom and cold will want to line up and smack me upside the head upon my return.
Homesickness:
The first time I remember being homesick was when I was about nine years old. I went to Memphis to spend some time with my cousins. They were wonderful to me, but they did everything so differently. It was on that trip that I had shrimp cocktail for the first time. I ate all the tails. I knew no better. I was mortified. My aunt and uncle were concerned about the effect eating shrimp tails would have on my digestive system. Just possibly there might have been some giggles from my cousins as well. This was the beginning of my awareness that dumb moves, stupid choices, and dorkified comments would be more the rule than the exception.
As an adult, I suffered breath-stealing, heart-clinching homesickness while spending many days in Boston with a cousin who was going through a stem-cell transplant. She was to be there for weeks, and so family pitched in to be with her throughout. I loved her. She was so fun. She was one of the best people I have ever known. She exuded a child-like wonder at all this beautiful world has to offer, even during her darkest days. But, I remember one day, as she was going through a procedure, and I was sitting in a hospital waiting room, thinking I might literally expire on the spot if I did not hear Mr. Lincoln's voice. I found a pay phone tucked away, called him collect, and as soon as I heard his
voice, I began to weep, uncontrollably weep. Mr. L loves me, and so my angst is painful for him, but
he also knows me well, and knows what "support" is going to be most helpful to me. As a result, he very gently and kindly reminded me that this was "an all volunteer army" (a popular reminder in our family when people complain about the hardships that come due to one's own choices), that I would be fine, and that my cousin needed me. I was still homesick, but he had given me what I needed in that moment.
I am not homesick here. The island is too familiar. It is a bit of a paradox, however, that my familiarity with the surroundings brings both comfort and melancholia.
Dear God in Heaven:
On this end of the island, we do not see the sun set as though it is dropping into the ocean. There is a dogleg that obscures it, however, the sky does change colors to alert those on this end of the island that the day is coming to a close. Last night, outside my window, I could see the most amazing cloud formations, and decided to go out and take a few pictures. I can honestly say that I have never seen a more beautiful sky. The colors were exquisite, the clouds majestic. I so wished that my mother had stayed an extra day to see this grand display. I literally said aloud, " dear God, why do you bless us so?" Whenever I witness a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I think to myself "what a gift." Day could begin and end like the flipping of a switch, but instead, it is gradual and exciting and peaceful, and beyond beautiful. I need to be more aware at home.
An Observation:
People over sixty hurt. Either their backs hurt, or their knees, or their hips, or their feet, or any combination. Almost everyone is listing to one side or the other.
Why Spend Less When You Can Pay More
For breakfast this morning, I had the most delicious donut made, covered in toffee pieces, chocolate, and caramel. Needless to say, a bit of extra walking was called for to work off those calories (anyone who knows me well is overcome with incredulous guffaws), so I decided to walk to my favorite ice cream shop, Pinnochio's for lunch. As an aside, there is a "beach foodie" shop called Gepetto's where a $15.00 piece of pizza can be had. At Pinnochio's my mother ordered a waffle cone with coffee ice cream. You will think I am exaggerating, but, I promise, I am not when I tell you that they put at least a quart of ice cream in that cone. She gave it the old college try, but was unable to finish it. My favorite flavor is called Wedding Bells. It is almond ice cream with sliced almonds. I am of the mind that ice cream is totally wasted on those cake cones. I much prefer a sugar cone, but a sugar cone comes with three dips of ice cream, which is not more than I can eat, but much more than I want to eat. So, I buy a kiddie amount of ice cream (1 1/2 dips) and have them put it in a sugar cone. Now, my $3.00 cone will cost me $5.50, but as I say, why spend less when you can pay more?
Trivia Crack on Steroids:
Because I did not want to get carried away in my exercise regime, I took a short cut to the ice cream shop and ran into a lovely lady who was full of questions. "Did you see the Snowy Plovers," she asked. "Possibly, but I haven't a clue what they look like," I replied. "Well, if you walk down to mile marker 1, you will see them. They are tiny," she said with great authority. "I am staying around mile marker 1, so, yes, I believe I saw a bunch of them," I, with great pleasure, answered. "There are only a few on the island!" I lose; spin again.
Well, it has been a quiet day. I painted a couple rudimentary water color cards, walked about 5 miles, eaten a pound of sugar, now I shall head to the pool, even though it is cloudy and cool, and kill some brain cells reading a Danielle Steel novel. Do not judge. I am on vacation. As always, when I blog on my IPad, there are technical anomalies, so please forgive poor grammar and typos.
Today, I wish you peace, something decadently sweet to eat, and I wish you
Blessings
Here in paradise, I am missing my people. Proof that it is not so much where you are or what you are doing, but more about who you are with (sorry, Betsy, I know I finished with a preposition, but the proper way just sounds stilted and snooty :-)). Please, do not think I am complaining. I would not do that for fear that all you at home in the gloom and cold will want to line up and smack me upside the head upon my return.
Homesickness:
The first time I remember being homesick was when I was about nine years old. I went to Memphis to spend some time with my cousins. They were wonderful to me, but they did everything so differently. It was on that trip that I had shrimp cocktail for the first time. I ate all the tails. I knew no better. I was mortified. My aunt and uncle were concerned about the effect eating shrimp tails would have on my digestive system. Just possibly there might have been some giggles from my cousins as well. This was the beginning of my awareness that dumb moves, stupid choices, and dorkified comments would be more the rule than the exception.
As an adult, I suffered breath-stealing, heart-clinching homesickness while spending many days in Boston with a cousin who was going through a stem-cell transplant. She was to be there for weeks, and so family pitched in to be with her throughout. I loved her. She was so fun. She was one of the best people I have ever known. She exuded a child-like wonder at all this beautiful world has to offer, even during her darkest days. But, I remember one day, as she was going through a procedure, and I was sitting in a hospital waiting room, thinking I might literally expire on the spot if I did not hear Mr. Lincoln's voice. I found a pay phone tucked away, called him collect, and as soon as I heard his
voice, I began to weep, uncontrollably weep. Mr. L loves me, and so my angst is painful for him, but
he also knows me well, and knows what "support" is going to be most helpful to me. As a result, he very gently and kindly reminded me that this was "an all volunteer army" (a popular reminder in our family when people complain about the hardships that come due to one's own choices), that I would be fine, and that my cousin needed me. I was still homesick, but he had given me what I needed in that moment.
I am not homesick here. The island is too familiar. It is a bit of a paradox, however, that my familiarity with the surroundings brings both comfort and melancholia.
Dear God in Heaven:
On this end of the island, we do not see the sun set as though it is dropping into the ocean. There is a dogleg that obscures it, however, the sky does change colors to alert those on this end of the island that the day is coming to a close. Last night, outside my window, I could see the most amazing cloud formations, and decided to go out and take a few pictures. I can honestly say that I have never seen a more beautiful sky. The colors were exquisite, the clouds majestic. I so wished that my mother had stayed an extra day to see this grand display. I literally said aloud, " dear God, why do you bless us so?" Whenever I witness a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I think to myself "what a gift." Day could begin and end like the flipping of a switch, but instead, it is gradual and exciting and peaceful, and beyond beautiful. I need to be more aware at home.
An Observation:
People over sixty hurt. Either their backs hurt, or their knees, or their hips, or their feet, or any combination. Almost everyone is listing to one side or the other.
Why Spend Less When You Can Pay More
For breakfast this morning, I had the most delicious donut made, covered in toffee pieces, chocolate, and caramel. Needless to say, a bit of extra walking was called for to work off those calories (anyone who knows me well is overcome with incredulous guffaws), so I decided to walk to my favorite ice cream shop, Pinnochio's for lunch. As an aside, there is a "beach foodie" shop called Gepetto's where a $15.00 piece of pizza can be had. At Pinnochio's my mother ordered a waffle cone with coffee ice cream. You will think I am exaggerating, but, I promise, I am not when I tell you that they put at least a quart of ice cream in that cone. She gave it the old college try, but was unable to finish it. My favorite flavor is called Wedding Bells. It is almond ice cream with sliced almonds. I am of the mind that ice cream is totally wasted on those cake cones. I much prefer a sugar cone, but a sugar cone comes with three dips of ice cream, which is not more than I can eat, but much more than I want to eat. So, I buy a kiddie amount of ice cream (1 1/2 dips) and have them put it in a sugar cone. Now, my $3.00 cone will cost me $5.50, but as I say, why spend less when you can pay more?
Trivia Crack on Steroids:
Because I did not want to get carried away in my exercise regime, I took a short cut to the ice cream shop and ran into a lovely lady who was full of questions. "Did you see the Snowy Plovers," she asked. "Possibly, but I haven't a clue what they look like," I replied. "Well, if you walk down to mile marker 1, you will see them. They are tiny," she said with great authority. "I am staying around mile marker 1, so, yes, I believe I saw a bunch of them," I, with great pleasure, answered. "There are only a few on the island!" I lose; spin again.
Well, it has been a quiet day. I painted a couple rudimentary water color cards, walked about 5 miles, eaten a pound of sugar, now I shall head to the pool, even though it is cloudy and cool, and kill some brain cells reading a Danielle Steel novel. Do not judge. I am on vacation. As always, when I blog on my IPad, there are technical anomalies, so please forgive poor grammar and typos.
Today, I wish you peace, something decadently sweet to eat, and I wish you
Blessings
Friday, January 9, 2015
Ruminations From the Beach II
Different Things We Notice:
Mr. L. (as a man and his wife walk by): "Did you see how big his feet were?
Me: "No, what I noticed was his wife walking 3 steps in front of him to avoid that cigar smoke."
Possibly Unkind Observations:
Sir, you with the big belly and man boobs, you may think you are "one sit-up away from a date with a super model" (credit to Patrick Mead for that little saying), but, trust me, it might serve you well to be kinder to your wife.
Ma'am, is it possible that you do not feel the breeze on your bare backside exposed to the entire beach as you gather shells? That garment you have on defies the term "cover-up."
Birds:
If I were a shorebird, I would be a pelican. They just bob along in the surf in small groups. When they get hungry they take off, fly low, grab a fish, swallow it whole, then quietly kick back in the surf. Seagulls are way too noisy, and the tiny plovers travel in packs, run so quickly their legs are literally a blur, and they have to work too hard for food. Yep, it's a pelican's life for me.
Going to the Beach:
With a man - I have my towel, will you grab the sunscreen...I'll meet you there.
With a group of women - Do I need a jacket...a heavy or lightweight one...should I take my ball cap
or my big straw hat...have you seen my book...where did I put my sunglasses...have you seen my reading glasses...I need another towel...do you think I need 30 sunscreen or 15...are there any plastic cups, I need to take a glass of iced tea...I think I will take this chair...oh, wait a minute, I need to tee tee one more time before we go...
Returning From the Beach:
With a man:
I'm going on up to the condo.
With a group of women:
Are you cold...I don't know, are you cold...do you need to tee tee...no, do you...are you ready to go in...what time is it...is everybody ready to go in...have you seen my glasses...is this my towel or yours...is this your sunscreen...did you get your jacket...do you want the rest of your tea.............
Missing Person:
For years, I have seen the same tall, gangly gentleman walking down the beach each morning. He is from Wisconsin. He always nods or quietly says good morning. He is a Packers fan. He had an aura of sadness about him last year, but we were not on the kind of terms that made it appropriate for me to ask questions. He is not here this year. I keep hoping to see him. I wonder where he is.
Maybe more later. For today I wish you much joy and many
Blessings
Mr. L. (as a man and his wife walk by): "Did you see how big his feet were?
Me: "No, what I noticed was his wife walking 3 steps in front of him to avoid that cigar smoke."
Possibly Unkind Observations:
Sir, you with the big belly and man boobs, you may think you are "one sit-up away from a date with a super model" (credit to Patrick Mead for that little saying), but, trust me, it might serve you well to be kinder to your wife.
Ma'am, is it possible that you do not feel the breeze on your bare backside exposed to the entire beach as you gather shells? That garment you have on defies the term "cover-up."
Birds:
If I were a shorebird, I would be a pelican. They just bob along in the surf in small groups. When they get hungry they take off, fly low, grab a fish, swallow it whole, then quietly kick back in the surf. Seagulls are way too noisy, and the tiny plovers travel in packs, run so quickly their legs are literally a blur, and they have to work too hard for food. Yep, it's a pelican's life for me.
Going to the Beach:
With a man - I have my towel, will you grab the sunscreen...I'll meet you there.
With a group of women - Do I need a jacket...a heavy or lightweight one...should I take my ball cap
or my big straw hat...have you seen my book...where did I put my sunglasses...have you seen my reading glasses...I need another towel...do you think I need 30 sunscreen or 15...are there any plastic cups, I need to take a glass of iced tea...I think I will take this chair...oh, wait a minute, I need to tee tee one more time before we go...
Returning From the Beach:
With a man:
I'm going on up to the condo.
With a group of women:
Are you cold...I don't know, are you cold...do you need to tee tee...no, do you...are you ready to go in...what time is it...is everybody ready to go in...have you seen my glasses...is this my towel or yours...is this your sunscreen...did you get your jacket...do you want the rest of your tea.............
Missing Person:
For years, I have seen the same tall, gangly gentleman walking down the beach each morning. He is from Wisconsin. He always nods or quietly says good morning. He is a Packers fan. He had an aura of sadness about him last year, but we were not on the kind of terms that made it appropriate for me to ask questions. He is not here this year. I keep hoping to see him. I wonder where he is.
Maybe more later. For today I wish you much joy and many
Blessings
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Rumination from the Beach
Alone:
Mr. L had to return home yesterday. I am on hour 16 or so of 40+ hours of being on my own. Come next Tuesday at this time, I will be on hour 12 or so of 90+ hours on my own. As I sit here in the condo looking out over the gulf eating breakfast cookies and drinking Diet Coke, Please understand I am not seeking sympathy. I just miss Mr. L.
Body Image:
I marvel at some of the men on the beach with amazingly confident body images. They just march down the beach leading with their big ol' bellies, affectionately patting them. They worked years on perfecting that look, and they are not, by golly, going to be ashamed!
Should I Really Be Left Alone?:
I really cannot remember when I have actually been "on my own." There is always someone I can call if I need help, be it family, friend, or trusted church. So, in anticipation of my solitude and independence, I thought about the things I probably won't do, like ride a bike because I might not be as lucky in a bike wreck as I was last year. So, no bikes. Yesterday, I turned my ankle walking on flat ground, so no walking on flat ground while alone. Yesterday, I cut my leg on the seat in the car requiring a trip to the drugstore for band-aids. So, no car. Yesterday, I also scraped my forearm on the bathroom cabinet door, leaving a big, sore raspberry. So, bathroom cabinets must stay closed. Perhaps, I will not budge from this spot, look out at the gulf, eat breakfast cookies and drink Diet Coke all day.
Hair:
My hair has been commented on several times both in person and via FaceTime. Things have been said like, "did you bring a brush," which quickly morphed into "your hair could use a brush," which ended in, "maybe you should put on a hat." Oh, and there was the FaceTime comment, "I see you are letting your hair just go natural." It was NOT meant as a compliment, and came after I had actually used mousse, root lifter, 2 round brushes and a hair dryer. I have very little control over my hair at home, and absolutely none at the beach. 15 seconds outside, and it is curling and frizzing in all directions. I shall embrace it.
Social Dorkdom:
Several days ago, I was at Mr. L's office. He called in his legal assistant so I could meet her. Oh, my, Crash and Burn. After the hello, and my wishing her a happy new year, crickets.....for several minutes. I know Mr. L was proud. Why did I not use the valuable lessons I gleaned from my The Art of Small Talk book? Why did I not ask her, as the book suggests, " if you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?" Not stand here and waste time in this social morass!!
Here, at the beach, we see the same people year after year. I ran into a man named Ken, who Mr. L and I call Mr. Tanned. He stopped to speak, and ask how we are doing. Do you know what I said to him, "did y'all have a nice winter? Oh, wait, this is winter." Seriously, on January 3, I ask someone how their winter was. Why did I not just ask, "if you knew you were going to die tomorrow......"
Books I Have Read So Far:
1. Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery-I do not recommend. 2. Islands, by Ann Rivers Siddons- I actually think I had read it before. She really has great characters in her books, but they are haunting, and sometime can really mess with my mind. I do recommend it, for what it is worth. 3. The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton. This was really good with multi layered characters. 4.
Mr. L had to return home yesterday. I am on hour 16 or so of 40+ hours of being on my own. Come next Tuesday at this time, I will be on hour 12 or so of 90+ hours on my own. As I sit here in the condo looking out over the gulf eating breakfast cookies and drinking Diet Coke, Please understand I am not seeking sympathy. I just miss Mr. L.
Body Image:
I marvel at some of the men on the beach with amazingly confident body images. They just march down the beach leading with their big ol' bellies, affectionately patting them. They worked years on perfecting that look, and they are not, by golly, going to be ashamed!
Should I Really Be Left Alone?:
I really cannot remember when I have actually been "on my own." There is always someone I can call if I need help, be it family, friend, or trusted church. So, in anticipation of my solitude and independence, I thought about the things I probably won't do, like ride a bike because I might not be as lucky in a bike wreck as I was last year. So, no bikes. Yesterday, I turned my ankle walking on flat ground, so no walking on flat ground while alone. Yesterday, I cut my leg on the seat in the car requiring a trip to the drugstore for band-aids. So, no car. Yesterday, I also scraped my forearm on the bathroom cabinet door, leaving a big, sore raspberry. So, bathroom cabinets must stay closed. Perhaps, I will not budge from this spot, look out at the gulf, eat breakfast cookies and drink Diet Coke all day.
Hair:
My hair has been commented on several times both in person and via FaceTime. Things have been said like, "did you bring a brush," which quickly morphed into "your hair could use a brush," which ended in, "maybe you should put on a hat." Oh, and there was the FaceTime comment, "I see you are letting your hair just go natural." It was NOT meant as a compliment, and came after I had actually used mousse, root lifter, 2 round brushes and a hair dryer. I have very little control over my hair at home, and absolutely none at the beach. 15 seconds outside, and it is curling and frizzing in all directions. I shall embrace it.
Social Dorkdom:
Several days ago, I was at Mr. L's office. He called in his legal assistant so I could meet her. Oh, my, Crash and Burn. After the hello, and my wishing her a happy new year, crickets.....for several minutes. I know Mr. L was proud. Why did I not use the valuable lessons I gleaned from my The Art of Small Talk book? Why did I not ask her, as the book suggests, " if you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?" Not stand here and waste time in this social morass!!
Here, at the beach, we see the same people year after year. I ran into a man named Ken, who Mr. L and I call Mr. Tanned. He stopped to speak, and ask how we are doing. Do you know what I said to him, "did y'all have a nice winter? Oh, wait, this is winter." Seriously, on January 3, I ask someone how their winter was. Why did I not just ask, "if you knew you were going to die tomorrow......"
Books I Have Read So Far:
1. Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery-I do not recommend. 2. Islands, by Ann Rivers Siddons- I actually think I had read it before. She really has great characters in her books, but they are haunting, and sometime can really mess with my mind. I do recommend it, for what it is worth. 3. The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton. This was really good with multi layered characters. 4.
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