Not sapphires

The beach was strange this morning, threatening rain, rough seas, and more stranded Portuguese Men-of-War than I have ever seen.

The farthest point of my walk is two miles and every foot was littered with these strange and dangerous sea creatures. With a little imagination one could almost think someone had thrown sapphires all over the sand.

Some were no larger than the end of my thumb, others were a good 8 inches across and they were everywhere along the tide line. With their stinging tentacles, many stretched out on the beach, it would certainly be a painful swim. This time of year, and in this rough surf, it would probably only be surfers braving the ocean and their wet suits would help with the stings, though I imagine it would be like swimming in vegetable soup with big ol' hunks of veggies bumping into you. Yuck. No thank you.

I'll just pretend they're sapphires.

Happy Thanksgiving

What's a good way to start the Thanksgiving holiday? For me it was a beautiful walk on the beach, for these guys it was catching a wave.

There were news reports of severe weather in the Northwest US and I feel sorry for anyone suffering in the cold, ice and snow. It made me even more grateful to be wearing shorts and short sleeves. Hopefully these surfers were appreciating their advantage along with the good waves.

So, what did you do before the turkey and stuffing?

Go fly a kite

Somehow I had always assumed the phrase "go fly a kite" was a derisive term. You know... scram, go away, leave me alone. However, the young man on the beach today was having a great time flying his kite.

Once rigged and ready to go the kite immediately started flying and as he gently played out the string, I noticed that the flyer was having a wonderful time maneuvering the kite and steering it higher and higher. He was having so much fun! Just plain gleeful fun!

So today "go fly a kite" took on a whole new meaning for me. Not derisive at all. Do you suppose that the next time you want someone to go out and have some fun, you'll say "go fly a kite?"

Surf's up!

The ocean is so changeable and always interesting, which certainly is part of its mystique. It seems to draw me in and if it is calm, it calms me; if it is bursting with energy, then I feel energized as well.

Earlier this week we had some big waves and they were just plain thrilling to watch. A surfer I chatted with said that even though the waves were tall, they were a little too rough and collapsed before he could get a good run in. He seemed to be enjoying himself though. I was never good at surfing but with the waves this big I was tempted to yell "surf's up" and hit the water.

Sensibility prevailed and I just stayed on the shore and enjoyed the energy of these magnificent breakers. I always count my lucky stars to be a part of this.

Sea to shining sea

Midday beach walking certainly is opening a whole different world for me. Since I have a tendency to have songs pop unbidden into my brain, today it was patriotic with the brightness of the sun reflecting off the water.

America the Beautiful seemed to sum up my majestic mood and there was certainly a shining sea along with the beautiful spacious skies. No amber waves of grain, unless you count the sea oats. Purple mountains majesty are only here if we have mountains of dark clouds off shore. The shining seas were wonderful though and it was a beautiful day for which I, of course, am always grateful.

Tailwind

With the change of seasons I change my morning routine and instead of rolling out of bed and hitting the beach before I am fully awake (because in summer the sun is too brutal later in the day) nowadays I have a tendency to lollygag in bed. Though this is a luxury, sometimes it means I have to make myself get going and get on with my walk. This was one of those mornings. Lazing around was very comfortable and I had to invoke Nike... Just do it.

What an eye opener! It was warm but windy. Winds from the northeast not only stirred up the ocean but it stirred up the clouds. Birds were either zooming along with a tailwind or were held in place by the headwind. It was a fascinating and exhilarating phenomenon and I was so happy that I just got there! The energy of the elements was so stimulating that I came close to kicking up my heels. I restrained myself but it was tempting.

I'm so glad that I just did it... my day started a little later than usual but I felt like those birds with the tailwind — revitalized and ready to go.

Wish this photo could send you the energy, the sounds and invigorating air but this is the best I could do.

16th hole

It was so cold and windy that I skipped the beach and walked around the neighborhood instead. Fortunately most of my neighborhood is a golf course and the 16th hole is indeed picture perfect. There was not a golfer in sight and on this lovely par three water hole, at least for today there was not a birdie either.

Perusing pelican

A cold front moved in a few days ago and though it has been bright and sunny, we have had record-setting low temperatures for this time of year. I'm just not ready for winter yet but it doesn't seem to be affecting this big ol' pelican as he peruses the coast.

Though you can't see it or feel it, his flight is being propelled by a 15 mph tail wind. Great flying weather for pelicans, penetrating cold for us land-locked humans.

I'm not complaining, really. I don't have to shovel snow and I still get to walk on the beach. Bundled up but enjoying the beach nonetheless.

Energizing

Since I was renewed and energized by the sun's rays the other day, Mother Nature had to show me that she could do even better. Today's treat of the sun breaking through the clouds was even enjoyed by some shore birds.

Amazing how much fall's cooler weather and lovely sights like this can energize me. Life is indeed good!

Invitation from the sun

This morning I was frazzled and have yet to figure out why I was feeling so discombobulated. I was late for my beach walk, had too much to do before I got there but was finally delighted when the clouds parted and invited me into this lovely day.

Amazing how the jagged edges went away with some fresh air, the sound of gentle waves on the sand and the sun's rays warming me. I sometimes forget that this is a grateful blog but am reminded how grateful I am to be "combobled" again just by taking in this lovely outdoor arena.