It sounds idyllic! I am so glad you've had this respite, and I love the picture of the path along the ocean, and the treat you provided of the sound and sight video. How did I not know about your snake phobia? I share your reflections on the earth, its creatures and our role and responsibility. How have we gone so awry? I get those intrusions of guilt/gratitude... sigh. XO
Loved your reflections and “that’s it, that’s all I want” - I feel what you expressed so much about the sea, I don’t two weeks on the Adriatic coast in Croatia last month and it was wonderful - so glad you got to get away and convene with nature and the elemental
Following a broken heart as a young woman I spent a summer at a silent retreat house on the ocean in Gloucester where I pulled weeds in the vegetable garden in exchange for room and board. Your description of whitecaps breaking on the sea stack transported me back there. I stared into the ocean for hours, thinking nothing, feeling everything. In the bathroom of all places was a rustic sign hand-painted by the proprietor--a heretical nun with a missing leg and an eye for beauty and grief. It read: "What return shall I make to the Beloved?" The question has stayed with me. I hear it again in your closing words: "What path do I follow to add positively to this world?"
Thank you, Alice, for sharing your place, and your question.
The sea and wilderness is everything to me. I live on a lake, and that will do for now. But to live on a cliff with access to a beach would be my idea of heaven. Live lightly on the land.....I love that, Al. Much love to you and the gang ❤️
I am with you in all of your thoughts listed here so well. Seems extraordinary to be able to be amongst all this! I'm still fresh from watching the new Mary Oliver documentary at our local little cinema so this is timely to read. Thank you.
We used to spend 2 weeks on the beach every August . Been over 40 years since I’ve done it. Thank you for reminding me of how rejuvenating it was and somehow necessary.
It sounds idyllic! I am so glad you've had this respite, and I love the picture of the path along the ocean, and the treat you provided of the sound and sight video. How did I not know about your snake phobia? I share your reflections on the earth, its creatures and our role and responsibility. How have we gone so awry? I get those intrusions of guilt/gratitude... sigh. XO
Loved your reflections and “that’s it, that’s all I want” - I feel what you expressed so much about the sea, I don’t two weeks on the Adriatic coast in Croatia last month and it was wonderful - so glad you got to get away and convene with nature and the elemental
Yes to all of this, so perfectly expressed. And how the euphoria comes through!
Following a broken heart as a young woman I spent a summer at a silent retreat house on the ocean in Gloucester where I pulled weeds in the vegetable garden in exchange for room and board. Your description of whitecaps breaking on the sea stack transported me back there. I stared into the ocean for hours, thinking nothing, feeling everything. In the bathroom of all places was a rustic sign hand-painted by the proprietor--a heretical nun with a missing leg and an eye for beauty and grief. It read: "What return shall I make to the Beloved?" The question has stayed with me. I hear it again in your closing words: "What path do I follow to add positively to this world?"
Thank you, Alice, for sharing your place, and your question.
Perfect timing. We just arrived in Gualala, just up the road, and are staying in a sweet casita in the woods. I can tell it’ll be too short a stay.
The sea and wilderness is everything to me. I live on a lake, and that will do for now. But to live on a cliff with access to a beach would be my idea of heaven. Live lightly on the land.....I love that, Al. Much love to you and the gang ❤️
I am with you in all of your thoughts listed here so well. Seems extraordinary to be able to be amongst all this! I'm still fresh from watching the new Mary Oliver documentary at our local little cinema so this is timely to read. Thank you.
We used to spend 2 weeks on the beach every August . Been over 40 years since I’ve done it. Thank you for reminding me of how rejuvenating it was and somehow necessary.
uh oh, now I want to go there!
Just LOVE this ! It’s so you Alice ❤️
Beautiful words about a beautiful place.
I'm so glad you have this respite.
Beautiful.
The calm, soothing rhythm of the sea.
There is no music sweeter than the waves, no painting more perfect than the beach <3
A week or two by the ocean will cure what ails you.