Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Periwinkle Patience



The world was filled with a fragrance of fir-balsam and the faintest flavor of seaweed from the ledges, bare and brown at low tide in the harbor. It was so still and so early that the village was but half awake. I could hear no voices save those of the birds, small and great,- the constant song of the sparrows, the clink of a yellow-hammer over in the woods, and the far conversation of some deliberate crows.
~ Sarah Orne Jewett
The Country of the Pointed Firs

There is something all together different about living on the coast of Maine, if only for a week. Time is gauged by the tides. The sea, the shoreline and all it's mysteries beckon.  Crabs hidden in the seaweed, sea glass sparkling in the sand, stones rubbed round and smooth, wild roses, high bush blueberries, lobster feasts, and clothes sun drying on the line. And, through it all I feel the tug of the tide on my heart.... I always find such great opportunity for emotional healing in the sounds of the waves.

We kept a keen eye out for animals. One harp seal in particular used a rock near our cottage at low tide to stake it's claim and take a well needed break from seal responsibilities. 


Lobstering is serious business in Maine. We watched the boats come in all day long and pull the traps, choose the catch to keep, throw the old bait to the hungry sea gulls, add new bait and drop the trap again. Old men and young, women too. Boats with names like the Redeemed or the Available.


We did a lot of collecting. Rocks, shells, sea glass, and favorite memories.


What child wouldn't want to explore on this beach?? What adult wouldn't, for that matter??

Suddenly, as we looked, a gleam of golden sunshine struck the outer islands, and one of them shone out clear in the light, and revealed itself in a compelling way to our eyes. 
~The Country of the Pointed Firs

One could learn a lot about patience from a periwinkle.



5 comments:

  1. I like the settings of all your pictures. I haven't taken pictures in a long while.

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  2. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL VACATION. IT IS A DREAM OF MINE TO WALK A BEACH COLLECTING SHELLS AND SEA GLASS AND ROCKS...IT MUST MAKE THE WORLD SEEM ALL RIGHT FOR A WHILE.
    I LOVE THE PICTURES YOU TOOK...ESPECIALLY THE THE ONE OF THE FEET IN THE RUBBER SHOES.
    YOU ARE AN ENCHANTING WRITER.
    THIS IS MY FIRST TIME TO YOUR BLOG.
    HUGS
    SIMPLY DEBBIE

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  3. Lovely meditations on what sounds like a wonderful retreat for your family.

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  4. When I think about the beach in Maine I think of how cold the water was up there when we would visit as children. My sis went water skiing off of a dock and one time she fell in the water (she would never fall...but this time she did!)--you could hear her scream all across the bay!

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  5. One of the most exquisite pieces of Homewares is the Cavallini Pouch in the Tropicale pattern. It was a present from a friend, and I've been using it religiously ever since. With each usage, the tropical paradise is ushered into my mind by the vivid colors and floral pattern. It's the ideal size for carrying my daily necessities on trips or errands around town. As soon as you put the high-quality bag in your hands, you'll notice the meticulous craftsmanship and exquisite attention to detail. The Cavallini Pouch in Tropicale is the perfect accessory to incorporate a little bit of the tropics into your existing home decor.

    ReplyDelete

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