Well, that says it all for a blog called Gone to the Beach!
Hi everyone! Weather here is lovely but the eclipse was a fizzle. It was very fun to get texts from friends and read FB posts as everyone in the eclipse path experienced the awesome sight.
From Mel who was in Missouri:
But I live far to the northeast, we had nada. It didn't even get a little dark! I expected twilight. Something?
Mo and I stayed in, our optometrist friend urging us strongly not to risk our eyesight. Here's a view from my window at the height of the eclipse:
Business as usual at the beach. I really don't think anyone would have noticed anything except for all the TV coverage. And just to add---watching an eclipse on TV is sort of like watching Macy's Fourth of July fireworks on TV. Bland, boring, and dull---with commercials.
 |
| big flock of now-grown sea gull babies, in their dark and ugly plumage |
Just an ordinary day...
But back to the beach. See this bracelet:
It's from My Intent I kept seeing their ads online and I cherish the stamped inspirational key my children gave me, so this past spring I treated myself to the simple bracelet. The Giving Keys
You know how every New Year there's a lot of bloggy talk about choosing one's word for the year, the single word that will define and guide throughout the year? I always thought that was a little silly, to be honest. These bracelets are similar, but instead of choosing a word like kind or peace or simplicity, I chose to make my focus more tangible. I asked myself, What do I want to accomplish this summer, and this year?
Well, most important was to walk Mo again, but I was already doing that as best I could.
What would be a bigger challenge? Admittedly my world is small. My disk would not say, A summer in Provence or Christmas in Vermont or Move to Sweden.
It had to be doable.
Looking back, despite the pain, I enjoyed my summer last year, me and Mo sewing very day on the deck, but I also felt lonely and isolated and left home alone as family and friends went to the beach. Without me.
My goal this year is simple. My bracelet says:BEACH.
Each bracelet is hand stamped just for the recipient. As when my friend Hunter makes origami cranes, folding blessings into their paper wings, the artisans who make the bracelets are told why the word they're stamping was chosen, and add their thoughts to their work.
Beach...
What has surprised me is--it works! There are days when I do not feel I can make the walk down to the beach. The beach is wide this summer, and round trip, with no extra walking/ beachcombing is about 1 1/2 miles. I sit on the edge of my bed in my swimsuit and think, I just can't, it's too far and so hot...but then I glance at my wrist, tying on my old New Balance walking sneakers, and I think, You can do it. You can, and you will.
I pack up Bitty, a large jar of water, some snack crackers; bug spray, sunscreen spray, a towel. I tie Mel's bracelet she made me, all shells and seaglass beads, on top of the Intent bracelet. And off I go
Carpe diem, sieze the day.
Darling Mo, sadly, must remain behind. That breaks my heart, even though I understand pugs do not belong on hot sandy beaches.
...................
Do you have a word, a mantra word? Do you think a charm or talisman can actually work?
love
lizzy
gone to the beach!!!!
word keys: [these are real re-purposed recycled keys!] The Giving Keys
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The eclipse was slightly more exciting in person, lol, although the complete eclipse only lasted a handful of minutes. It did get dark like twilight and the temperature dropped noticably. All in all it was an experience I'm glad to have had, as it's not something I may see ever again!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are able to visit your beach again! I know you really missed it last summer, and I hope it continues to get easier for you!
Your heart is at the beach, even though you can see it from your window it's not the same as BEING there. The sound of the crashing waves replenishes your spirit, you feel complete, and the world just seems better for being there. I understand completely.
ReplyDeleteI love a mantra/physical reminder of what we need and want. I think it works! I'm getting ready for one more tattoo with my mantra.
ReplyDeleteToo bad you didn't see any effect of the eclipse. :( It was pretty darn amazing.
Loving your new bracelet! And happy it helps you to get your body moving. I know it has been hard on you. I have never had a mantra except I guess - Live! I know too many people who do not try and experience all this life has to offer and it is sad. Have a great week! Kit
ReplyDeleteYour mantra is great! And yes, they do work ... for years it seemed my mantra was 'meh' and that's what I got ... now I need to come up with a better one!
ReplyDeleteThere was a great necklace a la the 70s in the thrift store - a stylized 'outrageous' - maybe that would work?
smooches to you and Mo,
Lisa
You're ''outrageous" without a necklace! But it might be cool. A reminder of how awesome you are.
DeleteGlad to see Mel's photos. We didn't take any, because we figured we'd see better ones that were taken with real cameras on the internet. Now I kind of wish we had. I was surprised to be quite moved by it. Like Mel said, it seemed like twilight, but different. The lighting was different.
ReplyDeleteYour little bracelet is very cute. I think things like that help you to be present, and focus on meaningful things. You picked a perfect word for yourself :)
Kel
Lucky you! I think a lot of the good photos were just via phones.
DeleteFunny how motivating a litle taliman can be. Ha! It should say, "No More Potato Chips"
Glad to see Mel's photos. We didn't take any, because we figured we'd see better ones that were taken with real cameras on the internet. Now I kind of wish we had. I was surprised to be quite moved by it. Like Mel said, it seemed like twilight, but different. The lighting was different.
ReplyDeleteYour little bracelet is very cute. I think things like that help you to be present, and focus on meaningful things. You picked a perfect word for yourself :)
Kel