Lighthouse Keepers

A bit of a rainy day here.
definitely have that rainy feeling.....

It's a Big Sit weekend.
I wonder who knows what I'm talking about.

busy days, busy weekends.
life is again, passing me by.

I need to put on the brakes.

I've just finished reading a book about a Lighthouse Keeper.
It was an excellent book.
I find when I read a book I enjoy, my interest peaks about the subject.
And I started looking up info about Lighthouse Keepers.
What type of life they must have led...

And it got me thinking.
About Isolation.
And Loneliness
Which led me to Solitude.

Solitude, I believe.
Is different from loneliness.

What Is Solitude?

Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. Solitude, on the other hand, is a state of being alone without being lonely and can lead to self-awareness.

As the world spins faster and faster—or maybe it just seems that way when an email can travel around the world in fractions of a second—we mortals need a variety of ways to cope with the resulting pressures. We need to maintain some semblance of balance and some sense that we are steering the ship of our life.
Otherwise we feel overloaded, overreact to minor annoyances and feel like we can never catch up. As far as I'm concerned, one of the best ways is by seeking, and enjoying, solitude.
That said, there is an important distinction to be established right off the bat. There is a world of difference between solitude and loneliness, though the two terms are often used interchangeably.
From the outside, solitude and loneliness look a lot alike. Both are characterized by solitariness. But all resemblance ends at the surface.
Loneliness is a negative state, marked by a sense of isolation. One feels that something is missing. It is possible to be with people and still feel lonely—perhaps the most bitter form of loneliness.
Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with oneself. Solitude is desirable, a state of being alone where you provide yourself wonderful and sufficient company.
Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching or growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature. Thinking and creativity usually do too.
Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner richness. It is a means of enjoying the quiet and whatever it brings that is satisfying and from which we draw sustenance. It is something we cultivate. Solitude is refreshing; an opportunity to renew ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us.
Loneliness is harsh, punishment, a deficiency state, a state of discontent marked by a sense of estrangement, an awareness of excess aloneness.
Solitude is something you choose. Loneliness is imposed on you by others.
We all need periods of solitude, although temperamentally we probably differ in the amount of solitude we need. Some solitude is essential; It gives us time to explore and know ourselves. It is the necessary counterpoint to intimacy, what allows us to have a self worthy of sharing. Solitude gives us a chance to regain perspective. It renews us for the challenges of life. It allows us to get (back) into the position of driving our own lives, rather than having them run by schedules and demands from without.

Solitude restores body and mind. Lonelinesss depletes them.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/what-is-solitude?collection=64396

We all need a Keeper of the Light......

Tuesday 9/29/15

I got my flu shot on Friday. It's funny because I had the flu years ago and since then have always gotten the flu shot.
And I generally give people who don't get it a hard time, most think they are going to have a reaction or get the flu....
I always said to them, don't be silly....

Well, naturally I had a bit of a reaction on Friday night and pretty much felt lousy all weekend.
It was weird, I had the chills and I've been aching all over.

We had also decided to have a tag sale on Sunday, so I spent Saturday lugging stuff around.
We are having some company stay with us soon and we really need to cut down on the clutter in the house.

So, out to the garage I lugged 12 boxes of books and the spin bike and milk crate of weights.
My back was not feeling great on Saturday night and in the back of my mind I knew we would be just lugging stuff back after the sale.

Not too far off, though we did sell the spin bike and weights. A few books.
basically, we can't give this stuff away. and then certain neighbors brought some stuff over for us to sell.

Then there were the shoppers who showed up and had no problem with their child throwing rocks into our neighbors yard...who barely speaks to us, we know not why... Amy got the job of going over there and telling them. We got our rocks back.....

All in all, it was a busy, tiring weekend. We did decide to just donate everything that is left. no lugging it back in. Now, just need to get the futon back downstairs and we are all set.

We took Monday off, we knew we wanted to go to the beach and watch the eclipse.
And we did. it was chilly so we didn't stay that long and ended up watching the rest of it from home, where it was warm...

But while we were there.

It was a beautiful night and there were quite a few folks down there.
Many were sitting in the field with lawn chairs, others on the beach.

We managed to get a bench overlooking the sound.
peaceful
dark
waves crashing
people chatting
a family walked out onto the sand all carrying pumpkin globes that lit up.
it was fun. pretty in the dark.
did I mention it was chilly......

And the moon, though so high up in the sky, shone brightly on the water.
and we watched as the eclipse started and it looked like small slices were disappearing from the moon.

Did I try to capture the moment?
yeah I did.
but I forced myself to just take it all in.
not just the eclipse itself.
Everything.
It was so clear there for us.
and it was another starry, starry night.

I love the moon and the stars.
I love seeing people there.
Wanting to experience nature.
Experience life.

It's all around us.

XAVIER LEOTY / AFP / Getty


I know I haven't had much to say lately, it's because, well - I haven't had much to say.... kinda busy, kinda down. nothing major. Just sometimes words pour out of me and sometimes I feel I have nothing worth saying.
I'm in that stage right now. Nothing worthwhile to say really.
Hoping to see some light at the end of the tunnel soon....

Starry, Starry Night....

...well, the way it ended anyway.

We had a really great time on the river cruise.
The dock is about an hour away from our house and we needed to be there by 5pm.

We picked up some sandwiches and cupcakes, (hey, this cruise was Amy's birthday present) and we got there in plenty of time to sit at a picnic table and eat while we watched the crew get the boat ready.

It's a little boat, I thought....

We ate and walked around a little until they were ready for boarding.

I think we got the 2 best seats, there was room for 6 up front in the open.
About 30 maybe inside with large windows and maybe 12 seats out in the open in the back.

Some folks were running late and so, as it happened, a bald eagle flew right by the boat as we were sitting there waiting. I mean, a mature, bald eagle.
Six feet away.
It was unbelievable.

And it flew by and was heading towards down towards the water.

I looked down to grab my camera.

And missed him plucking a pretty big fish from the water.

Why? Why do we all do this?
Instead of just looking and enjoying the moment.

I tried to make it a keepsake, a permanent moment.

And missed the moment.

Oh well.
I will remind myself again to enjoy life in the moment.

It was a great trip.

Breezy and cool.
Lots of wildlife.
Great scenery.

We saw about 10 bald eagles total.
Lots of Osprey
Great Blue Heron
Peregrine falcon
Great Egrets

The cruise.
Peaceful.
Gentle rocking of the boat.

The crew was great.

And the Tree Swallows...
The tree swallows showed up in swarms.

And rained from the sky to roost for the night.

There were oohs and ahhs from everyone, then it changed to awed silence....

It was an amazing experience.

We headed back in, under the moon and the stars.

It was so clear out....
With 4 of us and one of the crew picking out the constellations.

We drove home.
A little bleary eyed.
Well, blurry when you see that last picture :)

Happy Birthday Amy.

I got something right :)

Video......
http://flipagram.com/f/cXbEwu749I

Deep breaths....

I went for a walk at the beach tonight, with Amy and my sister.
I'm reminded how lucky we are to live by the water.

We have several choices when we go for walks.
3 or 4 different spots by the water.

My favorite is in a neighboring town.
Though still close by.

It seems we always choose the right spot to fit our mood.
Some times we are a bit loud and chatty and a certain spot is right for that, by the ball fields and skatepark and drive in.

Tonight,we chose Anchor Beach.
I've mentioned before it's my favorite walk.
This is the spot where I go when I walk alone

Tonight the 3 of us went, with some teasing about our latest fitbit challenge.
I'm in first place today, but that wont last.
A desk job makes it difficult.

Gorgeous out.
Perfect temp.
Quiet, like my mood.
Not very crowded.
Some folks fishing, others walking their dogs.
Cute puppie.
And lunkheads :)
I got to pet one...
Don't tell Allie.

We stopped at the midway point and sat on the rocks for awhile.
All 3 lost in our thoughts.
It was peaceful.

And my mind wandered.
Contemplated.
Pondered.
events of the day....

First, work.
Am I handling things ok?
I think I gave out some false hope today that I could release product and I wasn't able to.
It's a learning curve, isn't it?

I'm also working hard to let work go at the end of the day.

I was feeling pretty good sitting on those rocks.
Looking out over the water.
Listening to the gentle waves slap against the rocks.

I took a deep breath and connected again.
With the community I had been missing.
Missing having an actual conversation.
That give and take.
That ebb and flow.

I'll promise myself here to do a better job of staying in touch.
With the people there who make me feel wanted.
And missed.
And cared about.

We are all human and even if some people don't realize it?
I can't be the strong one all of the time.
And maybe I don't understand what I write here?
But I do know, it's all from my heart.

We all, at some point in our lives.
Need that hand on the shoulder.
That smile.
From friends.....

Thank you.

Lake Bethany - A walk around the lake

Great time yesterday. Just a snippet, 2 hours captured (sort of) in 2 minutes.

A Walk in the Woods....

Go take a hike.

I'm used to hearing that from people...or at least in my mind it's what I hear them say.
And I'm not talking about going out to get some fresh air :)

Though...that's what we did today.
Go take a hike.

Peaceful.
Quiet.
We walked around the lake, binoculars in hand and had it all to ourselves except for 2 old gents who were hiking with their walking poles.

I wish you could have been there.
To hear the silence of the woods.

The silence of man made noise.

Just us and nature.
The birds flitting around.
Softly crunching on pine needles.

The crickets and cicadas for background noise.
The babbling brook we walked by.

The intoxicating smell of wild grapes fermenting.
I didn't want to leave that spot.

The birds were flitting all around.
A huge hawk flew right past us.
Chickadees and Tufted Titmouse.
Robins and Blue Jays.
Butterflies.
Dragonflies.
Getting excited watching little Sunnys swim by.

Why do we whisper when we are in peaceful surroundings?

We whispered....

Excellent start to the long weekend.

I took a lot of pictures as we sauntered.
Slide show soon.

Keep calm and let go.....

Photo by Randy Heinitz
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rheinitz/8578335823/

Friday night - a walk at the beach

A beautiful night at the beach.

It's getting darker sooner....but, oh, what a gorgeous night.

Breezy and cool, high tide.

The sound of the waves crashing.

Gulls squawking, looking for fries and seafood fron the drive in ob the beach.

Lots of folks out walking. Biking. Walking their dogs....

Swimming.

Kids at the skateboard park.

Others playing softball on the field across the street.

I love the way the wind feels.

It takes my breath away.

Long holiday weekend ahead.

I'll enjoy and try to decompress after a long work week.

We skipped the ice cream spot.

Home now and enjoying a last cup of coffee at 8pm.

After all, I can sleep in tomorrow :)

Trees....

So....we have new neighbors....our backyards meet.
And it seems our new neighbors don't like trees.
All weekend, they have had a crew here.
Cutting down every tree in their back yard.
About 20 so far have been cut down.
Huge, tall, old, trees.
Trees reaching for the sky.
It's sad and depressing.
Their choice, their perogative, I know.
But still, sad and depressing.

The view has changed in our backyard.
And they aren't done.
The lush green, the shade...
Sunlight is now streaming in.

I'm hiding in the den.
Door closed.
Music playing.
(Ironically, you've got a friend right now)

But I'm hiding.
From the sound of the chainsaw.

The birds are confused.
Gonna need to buy some more birdseed.

Don't want to be a downer....
I'll focus on the sunlight streaming in.

Think Like a Tree
Soak up the sun
Affirm life's magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling.
~Karen. L. Shagg

Today's Bounty

Just today's bounty. 
Might need to learn how to make fresh pasta sauce, and a pumpkin waiting to be picked....

Rain and Sunshine....

Rain and Sunshine....
A beautiful rainbow last night. It started to pour as we were getting ready to head to the beach for a walk.
I tried to talk us out of the walk, it's raining, I said. The sun is also out..she said.
Ok....
It was actually a beautiful night (ok, a little buggy), as we headed down, it poured and the sun was shining.
People scrambling from the beach, as we drove to our walking spot.
We started looking.
then we saw it.......

What is it about rainbows that makes everyone stop and look? Natural beauty...it feels like there is hope when you see a rainbow. The combination of a summer night, rain and sun and color.....
We drove into the parking lot. Usually pretty empty, but so many people were pulled over, just staring or trying to get that perfect picture. Somewhat surreal.....we got out of our car. My sister was already there and she was smiling, ok laughing. Someone was blasting Over the Rainbow.

We started our walk, away from the rainbow....and though we spent that walk talking and venting over work....we all were in a little better mood.....At the turnaround, we headed back, still watching the rainbow, changing color....slowly drifting away.

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.Gilbert K. Chesterton

The beach.....my favorite spot
especially early morning. Quiet and Sleepy.
I park my car and walk down the hill towards the water, stand and watch for a little bit.

The water is calm, like glass  but it's quiet and peaceful,
the water slowly lapping, towards me.
It's sunny and just a little cool. Sweatshirt and shorts work just fine.
Gulls flying lazily above my head, squawking a little bit.

I gaze out over the water.
I want to stay and lose myself, lose myself in the sounds, the smell of the ocean.
But I remember I'm here to get in a little much needed exercise, so I head down the sidewalk, with the water on my left and the beach houses across the street.

I wonder what it would be like to live down here, seems so quiet and peaceful.
To enjoy a cup of coffee and have this view every day.
I bet those that live here are less than thrilled with those of us coming here seeking the quiet, seeking the stress relief...

I turn up a side street away from the beach and walk a little faster now.
Just want to get back to the water. I pass a jogger or 2, a woman walking a greyhound, so timid they seem....
5 or 6 houses down, I take a left and see the beach again. Keep walking, slower now.

I see 2 kids out on the rocks, fishing.
My thoughts stray to wishing I were young again and could do some things differently.
I shake my head though and chase away those unhappy thoughts.

I focus on the water, the waves, the birds.

I stop thinking and just walk, to the turnaround point and then follow the same route -
back to where I started.

I check the time, and decide I have a few minutes to spare before work.
I head down the stairs towards the water and my feet hit the sand and it gets just a little harder to walk, I head closer to the water.
Just stand and watch, not really thinking, but feeling...

I feel at peace this morning, for the first time in a long time......it's a nice feeling.
hmm...maybe I should do this more often...

Finally - I head back to the car, to a shower and work.

But I keep that good feeling within me, knowing it will always be there.
The ocean, the sights, the sounds, the peaceful feeling, it will always be there......