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