Writing is still very new to me and starting each day playing around, crafting a post is still a unique experience. Sometimes an intimidating one being I read quite a few very talented blogs and know I’m nowhere close to the skill in crafting a story, poem, observation, or topic that is really good yet.
Choosing a photo is much easier and helps me sometimes ease into a train of thought or observation or feeling that day.
Sort of like this image toasting a sunset last month. Kind of brings calm to my less-than-perfect day and leaves me to hope that tomorrow is better.
So a toast to today and looking forward to the warmth of another summer day ahead.
We are soon to run out of summer days so I had better get busy and get my behind to the ocean in the next few weeks or I’m going to beat myself up all winter long, wishing I had hopped in the car and just headed east till I hit the water and couldn’t go any further.
So I had better change the oil and check the fluids and pressure on the tires so we are good to go on a trip. Some say I’m nuts for just taking a day trip and doing that much driving in one day. It’s only about 6 hours even if I hit some traffic but that isn’t likely during the week. And I might even do an hour or two of cruising while there between some beach time and meals.
I have pretty clear recollections of past day trips to the ocean. There is something to be said for a little solitude time. Just the music or wind, sand, and water. The miles melt away on the trip down and back. The smile as I enter the town limits. The smells of all the local food establishments calling me and trying to decide all the places I want to stop at. The sounds of the waves as I approach the dunes crossing. The sun baking me till I have to hit the water.
But the alone time in the middle of a crowd is interesting. I might chat with the waitress or a passing hello to people coming and exiting the beach. I used to enjoy saying hello to some of the old locals who manned the parking pay booths but they took that out years ago. Sometimes meeting fellow bikers in town and short rides together.
A stop at Fagers Island to watch the sunset and listen to the 1812 Overture as the sun slips below the horizon before heading out of town.
The time for thought and reflection is there to make your way through and adjust the attitude and priorities. To know and refocus on what is important. To have an appreciation for much that has been given. And to pass along and help those less fortunate. I notice the fewer days like this I take the more out of sorts I am. There have been some years where I haven’t taken a day for myself and that isn’t smart. It’s not like a need a ton of them to right the ship but one or two a year really helps both my outlook and probably health physically and mentally.
Random Thoughts of the Day
- My instincts are still working. I was up working last night when that earthquake rumbled for a few seconds. And after a minute I figured out that was the only thing that could have produced that noise at that time.
- So many serious problems facing the world. So few willing to do the hard work to turn things around.
- This decade will define how this country moves forward together or backwards apart.
- Does ice cream taste better during the summer?
- Looks like we pushed mass homelessness 60 days down the road.