Ancient Roots

With last week's minus tide, beautiful roots appeared. Covered with a mossy seaweed, they define tide pools with their outstretched tentacles. The tree is long gone, but the roots appear to have been preserved under the sand.

It is trendy now to look for your "roots" and ancestors who came before you. I will skip the search and claim these as mine.

Fine Dining

Whether it is a basic sandwich or an extravagant feast, this table is where I want to enjoy all of my meals until the end of time. Amen.

Getting Unstuck

Whenever I have found myself stuck in the ways I relate to things, 

I return to nature. 

It is my principal teacher, 

and I try to open my whole being to what it has to say.  

--Wynn Bullock 

"Keep Netarts Weird"

Today, I am passing along this article written by a Netart native which talks about locals, tourists and travelers.  I share it with you so you understand when I post these silly blogs describing life on the Oregon Coast, I am not making it up...

http://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/riprap-and-riffraff-and-other-common-tales-from-the-coast-tourists-versus-travelers/

Somehow the Coast's wild, untouched beauty makes up for the crazy human antics that cause me to shake my head in wonder.

Pelican Poetry

'Twas the morning before Labor Day, when all thro' the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sandcastles danc'd in their heads,
And Bob in his 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a mid-summer's nap-
When out on the Bay there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a flock of pelicans, so close and so clear,
More rapid than eagles those pelicans they came,
And I whistled, and shouted, and wished I knew them by name.

Okay, I do get extremely excited when the pelicans arrive each September.  There is nothing more fun than watching them filling up at this bountiful buffet before completing their migration to points south.  The pelicans are so awkward and gregarious as they dive for food.  Sometimes they float along with the tide and nod as they go by, giving the impression they are simply good-natured visitors who stopped by for a long holiday.

And then in November as if they heard a whistle,
Away they will all fly, like the down of a thistle:
But then I’ll exclaim, as they wing out of sight-
Happy Trails to all, and to all a good flight!



Note:  Thanks to Clement C. Moore who helped with this poem and the returning pelicans for inspiration.

Moments in Summer, Moments in Time

In our family, summer wouldn't be summer without days spent in the sand and water. While avoiding the city heat was the goal, we were actually pausing our lives to spend time together, listening and learning,  

It is this unstructured time which allows us to tell stories which otherwise would be lost. We come to know each other as individuals who had a history long before our first meeting.  We hear about experiences which shaped each of us and come to understand the unique perspectives we offer.

The sea and sand cast a magical spell, opening us to a deeper connection with those we love.

There is nothing more precious than these moments in time.  

Coastal Navigation

“Turn at the goats.”  That was it, the complete driving directions we received when calling the Quilt and Textile Center.

“The goats?” we asked.

“Yes, the goats,” which was repeated three more times during the conversation.

Finally giving up and hanging up, my front seat navigator turned to me perplexed.  “What goats?” she asked me.  I shrugged.  In my eight years in this coastal community, I have never seen a goat.  Plenty of cows, but no goats.

It wouldn’t have been quite so frustrating if we hadn’t already…

… been traveling back and forth on the same six mile loop for over an hour looking for the Center,

…stopped at the Visitors Center which was closed on a Saturday during the busy tourist season providing no help,

…followed the attraction signs which pointed us in a different direction altogether,

…or, learned the GPS system directs to you the fairgrounds on the other side of the city.

So we abandoned our plans to see the Quilt and Textile Center and headed back home to Netarts on Hwy 101.    A mile down the road we come upon another sign to the Center and decide on one, last ditch effort to find the place.  A few blocks past the sub shop and car wash, we see the building.  Hooray!  As we turn in, off to the right there is a house with a play structure in the yard and, imagine that, a couple of goats lying down in the tall grass.  We can just barely see their ears sticking up and it's not a herd of goats or a landmark by any means.

When we finally walked in the front door we were greeted by the Center Staff who were completely unfazed as we described our journey.  Without even a hint of concern that visitors might not be able to find them, they simply stated once again, “Well, we told you to turn at the goats.”

Note:  We were the only car in the parking lot.

November Sunset

“There are those who fear the sunset, worried they will never see light again. 

There are those who ignore the sunrise, squandering dawn, believing they will never run out of daylight. 

And then there are those who have learned to live in the sun's warmth, 

gauging time by its positions, 

thankful at night that the day happened. 

Be aware of time. Use it wisely. 

Be thankful for the light allotted.”

--Richelle E. Goodrich

Half Past, High Tide

When you no longer schedule your day by the clock, but instead use a tide table to make plans, you've gone "Coastal."  Coastal is probably the polar opposite of "postal" because your stress level is so low, it is impossible to even imagine committing a violent act.

Let me explain.  We spend copious amounts of time in September at the Oregon Coast, as the winds die down and the sun is still nice and warm.  During this time, I began to noticed myself arranging plans according to the tide...when to walk the dog, the best time for boating, and when to manifest fresh crab for dinner. 

Then the kitchen clock stopped and, while at first frantic to find a replacement battery, I quickly adapted.  By the time new batteries were purchased, it was obvious the clock was no longer necessary.  In fact, it is still on a shelf.
 
On Sunday, when I looked outside, quickly checking the bay, to decide if it was time for an errand and knew the transformation was complete,  I had gone Coastal.  So if you are trying to schedule a time to get together, consult a tide table and then give me a call.  I will be available at half past, high tide.

Splash!

Credit: This refreshing pause in a long, hot summer brought to you by the Pacific Ocean.

Ahhhhhhhh...

That's just what I needed to replenish my soul.

Now I Remember

Sometimes I lose my way and wander off down the path marked, "Not Important At All, Follow Closely," spending time and effort on stupid stuff.

Then the Universe sends me a clear sign (like finding this video today while searching for an unnecessary photo) and I step back on the path marked, "The Important Things in Life."

Do you ever lose your way?

Let's Take a Walk

 

 “Let's take a walk. 

You can show me some of your memories and I'll show you some of mine.”

--Adam Berlin

Words Not Required

There should be a beautiful poem or inspirational caption to this 

photo taken as the sun rose over Netarts Bay on Sunday. 

However, Mother Nature was doing the talking 

and I have nothing to add.

What Doesn't Knock You Down, Will Bring You Closer

Four brothers came together at the beach last weekend drawn by the love of family and each other.  It had been years since all four had seen each other.  The time was designed as a chance for them to reconnect with one another, their mother and family.

The weather had been glorious all week leading up to the event, so all sorts of activities from crabbing and kayaking to hiking and beach combing were on the docket.  Instead two "unseasonable" storms (according to the weather forecasters) hit the coast bringing winds peaking at 83 mph.  The first storm started early Saturday and reached a crescendo that rattled windows and literally shook the house.  Rain slammed against the windows in sheets and the sea birds took cover to ride it out.

The activity schedule changed to sitting inside, cozy and warm.  Convened in one room, they shared stories of their lives past and present.  They reminisced about places, people, and girls whose hearts they had broken. Occasionally a huge gust would hit the house and conversation would stop as everyone took a moment to acknowledge the beauty and fury of the storm.  Then back to the reflections and storytelling.    Meals were made together and enjoyed after giving thanks for this precious time and the storm which made it more intimate.

When a nice walk was suggested, the brothers and a nephew suited up in every available piece of rain gear and headed out.  However, the more adventurous of the siblings turned the walk into a hike to the point of Cape Lookout.  The din of the storm, shear power and exhilaration of the near hurricane force winds had them all whooping and hollering like young boys.  The decades dropped away and they were playmates again.

Later, safe and sound back inside with the storm on the outside, it was time for hot tea and dry clothes.  They had new stories to tell about their latest shared adventure.

All agreed, Mother Nature's fury had conspired in their favor to provide them with an unforgettable weekend of love, laughter and memories.

They were very grateful indeed.

For a peak into the storm, here is a video that doesn't quite do it justice, but you get the idea.

Balance

Life is a balance of work and play.  

My simple and elegant philosophy of life. Whether that means playing by being creative at work or taking time out to laugh, take a walk, have lunch with a friend.  Conversely working hard to complete a personal project during vacation is also very satisfying to me.  When I am not watching a clock and I play with all of the details to my heart's content.  Both work and play are woven through my daily life whether it be a weekday or weekend. 

If I get out of balance, I usually know immediately (right after my husband tells me).  Over the years, I have learned to watch for indicators if the scale is tipping in either direction and can correct the balance myself.

Indicators are sometimes subtle and internal or other times have to be a little more obvious.  During this vacation, we worked pretty hard on changes to make our beach home a comfortable, inviting and healing place.  The sense of completion and transformation felt wonderful to me even though my body was aching. 

One afternoon, I quit working on the house and played on the beach with the dog.  I was walking along thinking how much I loved the balance of this life when I happened upon these rocks.  Perched upon a piece of driftwood, the rocks were perfectly balanced to avoid dipping into the stream.  Not a very subtle sign, but certainly one affirming I am on the right track.

Happy Hour at the Pelican Bar

After a long day of fishing, the pelicans hit the sand bar.  Friends gather, stories are told, and there is a little good-natured chasing of sea gulls.  The sun sets on another perfect day!

Early Bird Gets the Moon

The Harvest Moon was my gift from Mother Nature for getting up at sunrise this morning.  Grabbing my camera and running out into the dew covered grass, I captured the moment just before it dropped into a marine layer of clouds over the Pacific Ocean.

It is now my gift to each of you.

Beach Lily

The salt air, mist, and spotty sun breaks seem to make Calla Lilies spring forth everywhere at the Oregon Coast.  Their flowers embody grace and simple elegance.

On Gardens and Books

If you have a garden and a library,

you have everything you need.

--Cicero