It’s Good To Be Home

 

"Juno Beach" - Jupiter, Florida

We were away for a little over a week in Florida.  As much as it’s good to go away for a bit to the warmer weather it’s always nice to come home. 

Here are a few pictures I took and thought I’d share with you.  Because everyone is always dying to see someone else’s vacation pictures…

" Juno Beach"   on the Ocean

 

 

And so the alligator came out and asked "Hey, who hit me on the head with a golf ball!"

I can honestly say I've never seen a sign saying this before. (on the way to Marcos Island)

" Marcos Island" on the Gulf

The beach had lots of shells

View from the room

Love the way the water is always changing color

Beautiful Sunset

 

A Little Ocean Time

 We’ve just come back from a weekend spent on Cape Cod.  I love our farm but it’s far from the Atlantic Ocean that I find irresistible and actually need to go visit occasionally to rejuvenate.  Having grown up not far from the ocean I miss not being able to hop in the car and take a ride to the beach anytime the mood strikes me.

This weekend I walked barefoot along the shore, the wet sand beneath my feet squishing up between toes.  I helped the grandkids build sandcastles and search for shells and special rocks, and afterwards we rolled up our pants to play tag with the rolling surf.  The ocean was wild with a strong breeze whipping the waves into whitecaps and, as always, it was invigorating to watch this picturesque immensity and feel the salty air all around me.  Walking along the beach put me in mind of my favorite Autumn poem, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Thoughts
by Jacqueline Bouvier

I love the Autumn,
And yet I cannot say
All the thoughts and things
That make one feel this way.
I love walking on the angry shore,
To watch the angry sea;
Where summer people were before,
But now there's only me.
I love wood fires at night
That have a ruddy glow.
I stare at the flames
And think of long ago.
I love the feeling down inside me
That says to run away
To come and be a gypsy
And laugh the gypsy way.
The tangy taste of apples,
The snowy mist at morn,
The wanderlust inside you
When you hear the huntsman's horn.
Nostalgia - that's the Autumn,
Dreaming through September
Just a million lovely things I always will remember.
-1943

Of course, the only thing missing from my weekend was my horse. It would have been a complete experience to be able to walk alongside my horse on the beach, leaving hoofprints beside my footprints!

"This bird hovered directly over my head for quite a while and posed for the camera"

 

 

 

 

 

 Until next time

Quote for Today
Now the great winds shoreward blow
Now the salt tides seaward flow
Now the wild white horses play
Champ and chafe and toss in the spray.
    - Mathew Arnold

Maine-ly Monday

Maine-ly Monday
 

We have just returned from a long weekend in Maine.  I try to visit the ocean as much as I possibly can. Since moving from Long Island, where I grew up, the ocean is one of the few things I miss.  I’ve always lived near water of one kind or another and have many happy, sun- filled childhood memories of riding the ferry to spend the day at Fire Island beaches. Occasionally, when we skipped school, we would always wind up at the beach. Did I just admit to skipping school?  oh my, I hope it doesn’t go on my “permanent record.”

You could say I have salt water in my veins. Simply hearing the crashing ocean waves and watching the surf roll in as you walk along the edge, letting the foam lap around the ankles, reinforces how small and insignificant our problems are when looking out over the vastness of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.  Life seems to take on a more peaceful, introspective attitude as your toes dig into the wet sand, and discovering seashells and sea glass is always a treat.

Here are a few pictures of Penobscot Bay and the Rockland Lighthouse. During our one sunny day, I took advantage of it and actually walked that entire stone pier to investigate the lighthouse.  Each way is about a mile long, so I did get some exercise in to offset all the lobster, crab, scallops, mussels and shrimp meals.

The second day it rained and at night, looking out from our balcony, the fog was so thick the lighthouse beacon was totally obscured. The lighthouse sounded alerts to possible incoming ships every few minutes. Not a fog horn, exactly, but what can only be described as tones, sort of like the ones in Close Encounters. It was somewhat eerie, but I decided to find it charming and stopped myself from making lighthouse sculptures out of mashed potatoes.

Hope you enjoy the few pictures I managed to take.

Until next time

Quote for Today

“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and to have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult” -E.B. White

Summertime and the Living is...

Summertime and the Living is…

Busy. And so I’m taking a break for a while. I know it’s not as if I post every day but for now, there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. I won’t bother to give you a lengthy list of tasks that need to get accomplished around here, but trust me it’s impressive to say the least. I’ll do the best I can to keep up and visit as many blogs as possible. And should I get a flash of inspiration, I may do a post or two but no promises…

Because when I get some free time I think I might read a book from the stack that’s waiting for me, take a ride on Dusty or Blue, hang out with the herd, bury my toes in a sandy beach or .... I’ll take a nap,

Have a great summer everyone. Stay safe and have lots of good rides.

Until next time

Quote for Today

There is one respect in which beasts show real wisdom... their quiet, placid enjoyment of the present moment.
- Schopenhauer