Personal

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

We had a great time at the beach! Minor and Minisculus frolicked in the waves. It was cold, but we didn't care. We took three long walks on the beach. The boys enjoyed cable TV and room service and the kind of breakfast you can only have on holiday at a hotel. Ocean view from the balcony. And it was largely a ghost town (a beach town more or less vacant, for example in the huge dining room for breakfast there were only two other guests eating). They also got to watch some surfers this morning which blew their minds. And we saw some dolphins from the balcony. Just the fins going by.

I got my feet wet and spent a lot of time picking up shells. Sometimes I think I'm not a nature-lover, but this excursion reminded me that there are some kinds of nature I like very much. The ocean is so many things, confessor, goddess, muse, wonder. I feel absolved and calmed and humbled.

Comments

[lunabee34]

I'm so glad this was a good and relaxing trip for you.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you very much!

[scfrankles]

It sounds like you had the perfect time ^___^ The ocean is so many things, confessor, goddess, muse, wonder. I feel absolved and calmed and humbled. That's so lovely.

And your photographs are gorgeous. I know I always say it but I'm always blown away by your talent for photography. I'm particularly taken with the first photo of the moon and the sea, and the one with the butterfly. And of course it was wonderful to see Minor and Minisculus doing their frolicking ^___^

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes, I think it's safe to say all the aims were achieved: we weren't here for trick-or-treaters, Minor and Minisculus got to see the ocean for the first time, it was fun, no major mishaps.

Yes, the moon was spectacular. It was cold so not really comfortable enough to stay too long out on the balcony at night even with hat and scarf but really the moon was something else. And about 30 minutes after I took that photo, the clouds came in and there wasn't any moon the rest of the night so I was so glad I didn't wait to take the photo.

I don't know where the butterflies came from but there were two. So random (I think? Monarchs go where there is milkweed, which I didn't think was a shore-line plant). And Minor had a blast. He went nuts in the water. Not swimming just sort of running and falling down. And we got to see some surfers this morning and that blew the boys' minds. So lots of fun stuff. Chocolate chip pancakes for Minisculus. Cable TV. Stuff they don't get at home.

[ancientreader]

Monarchs migrate! There's a place in Mexico, I think it is, that's the winter habitat for most of the North American population. Though it's late in the year even for stragglers, sheesh.

Apologies if you knew this already!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

It seemed a bit far east for them, and, yes, late in the year.

[ancientreader]

maybe they just wanted to get their ballots in :^)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yeah, I'm glad they made the effort, but I'm afraid it won't matter much.

[autumnia]

Lovely pics, especially that one of the moon above the beach. I'm glad you had a good time and it was definitely a better way to spend the holiday. :-)

There's something so calming about washing the waves lap against the shore and you do feel so small when you think about have vast the ocean is. Definitely humbling!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! It was an excellent moon. The clouds came in some time after I took the photo but I enjoyed every moment of the moonlight when it was out. Yes, definitely a better way to spend Hallowe'en. Who knows? Perhaps it will be a tradition.

Yes, all my anxieties about the election and my kids and my life choices and all the mistakes I've made seem to not matter so much when I'm before so massive and (as you say) vast a thing that's always moving and has always been moving and will be moving no matter what happens to me. It's comforting. And the noise itself is soothing and I like the birds and the shells and the foam and the feel of the sand.

[mightymads]

Glad that you and your children had a good time by the ocean :) The pictures are beautiful too.

Sometimes I think I'm not a nature-lover, but this excursion reminded me that there are some kinds of nature I like very much. This reminded me of Holmes. I think you and he have this in common. Perhaps that’s why he chose to live by the sea in retirement? It must have been calming for him as it was for you.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Perhaps! That's a nice thought, that Holmes and I share an affinity for the shore.

I think part of it is lifestyle and choice of life partner. If I was with someone who liked to hike and camp, that would probably be more of my life.

But I really love walking on the beach. I don't think I'd ever grow tired of it. And looking at the shells and the gulls.

[castiron]

It sounds like a lovely time! I'm glad you got to go.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you very much!

[smallhobbit]

So pleased you all had such a good time, and especially that it was relaxing for you. The boys look like they're really enjoying themselves. Lovely pics!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! We did have a good time, and nothing went wrong (so no stress) but we also didn't try to 'do' too much. Just sort of enjoyed the beach. Yes, Minor especially was very into the water and he liked playing in the waves, regardless of the temperature.

Also I brought several books along and the one that I ended up starting (I didn't read a whole lot) was The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories. I read three stories by the light of that splendid moon. So, thank you for that.

[luthienberen]

Delighted you all had such a joyful and freeing experience with your holiday!

Your photos are magical, you are so talented. The moon over the night ocean is ethereal and evocative of tranquility.

The ocean is such a calming presence, its vastness and beauty helps to soothe one and take you of out of yourself. Truly happy you found peace in it.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you very much! I am glad you liked the photos. Everybody had a good time. Hope you had a good weekend, too.

[luthienberen]

Thank you, I had a fabulous weekend x

[debriswoman]

Delighted that all went well and you found some peace on the beach. Your photos are just wonderful, too:-)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! I did think of you when I passed interesting groups of beach debris. I thought if I were you, I might sketch it or what not. I filled my pockets with shells and got my toes in the sand. And no major mishaps, so yea.

[cuddyclothes]

"The ocean is so many things, confessor, goddess, muse, wonder. I feel absolved and calmed and humbled."

I've always felt almost insanely happy in the ocean. I've spent most of my summers by the ocean and that is a lovely description. As soon as we'd get out of the car and hear the roar of the waves and the rhythmic slap of the tide, and smelled the salt air, I'd feel myself relax.

Nice photos! The Monarch butterfly startled me, too! Glad you had an enjoyable trip.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! Yes, the ocean is something else. Glad it soothes you, too.

[jesse_the_k]

I so miss the ocean, thank you for sharing these outstanding photos!

The best part is watching boats and planets and such disappear below the curved horizon.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! I am glad you like the photos. Yes, we saw a few boats, a few dolphin fins, and Venus and what not. Just a nice place to be. And mostly deserted, which was fine for us.

[ancientreader]

Your photos are lovely! And Minor and Minisculus are cute as buttons. I'm so glad you had a fun escape!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! They are pretty cute, and they had a wonderful time. It was a good trip and no major hassles or mishaps so, yea!

And I spent the whole car ride back and forth (2.5 hours) spinning my Joe/Nicky werewolf fic. It may not ever make it to electronic paper but it is keeping me happy these days.

[write_out]

That sounds like a fantastic time!! I'm so happy that it went well for you all and that you were able to relax and enjoy yourselves. Love the pictures! The seaside is one of my happy places too, so I'm living vicariously through you. :)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! Yes, it helped to ease my anxieties. And the boys had a good time.