Monday, May 30, 2016

A Sea Slice


I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today.


       From reading my posts, even over the years, you may or still may not know that I am an "immersion" kind of person. Whatever I do, I fill up with that topic and fling myself into it with enthusiasm. For example, when I had a horse and was riding, I subscribed to every horse magazine I could find, and hung out at every farm store that sold tack, horse "snacks", grooming tools, etc. I was crazed to learn as much as I could. When I traveled with students, I researched and had my students research many things about the place we were visiting, people and habitat stories, science concepts, history. I know that sometimes the thrill of traveling is in the discovery, but I wanted all of us to be ready to discover more than we already knew, to add more layers of expertise.
      Do you do this? Now I'm digging deeper into the sea, this particular part called the Gulf of Mexico, an island named Captiva. It's my fifth time here, and I will be alone until the rest of the family arrives later in the week. I've walked, sat, watched and sketched, photographed and read. I've sifted the sand, written a few poems, noted observations, learned quite a bit about anoles. Some of this is my fascination with how nature works. Having never lived in this habitat, I want to know how it works, and I only have two weeks to experience it. 
       I'm reading Henry Beston's The Outermost House, a dream of a book for me. I've read it numerous times. He writes: "Touch the earth, love the earth, her plains, her valleys, her hills, and her seas; rest your spirit in her solitary places. For the gifts of life are the earth’s and they are given to all, and they are the songs of birds at daybreak, Orion and the Bear, and the dawn seen over the ocean from the beach." 
        A salty slice indeed this time.




46 comments:

  1. Linda,
    This is a beautiful post! I love how you merge poetry, imagery, and your own thoughtful reflections form experience to make a very inspiring post! You've inspired me to trust solitude and the good that can come from taking time to explore our own interests and lives... and we bring that richness back to our lives with family and friends. Enjoy Captiva!!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm happy to hear your inspiration. Go for it!

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  2. Linda,
    I love how you embrace your interest and where you are. I love learning and exploring too. When I read you had some time there alone until your family arrived it sounded like a bit of heaven for you to experience this place both ways. I think your family will be very lucky to have your alone experiences to share with them. Enjoy with a full heart.

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    1. Thanks much, Mandy. I love both ways, and am lucky to be able to do both, too. It is a bit of heaven as a vacation.

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  3. Oh, I am SOOOO jealous. Looks from your FB posts and this like you are having the most amazing time. So happy for you, and I love your enthusiasm. Life without enthusiasm is just time passing. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, Laura, much fun & filled with wonder all the day and night!

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  4. I love Captiva Linda. Such a special place. I don't know The Outermost House, but am going to search for it. Enjoy your time alone and then with family. Beautiful photos. And thanks for the warm welcome to the TWT team.

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    1. Love that you know Captiva, Lisa, and hope you enjoy being with TWT. I'll look for your posts for sure! And enjoy The Outermost House, a beach year! Thanks!

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  5. Time to immerse and savor your surroundings is a perfect fit for you. Love the photos and your discoveries!

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  6. So much to learn and so little time to gather it all in, Love that you are able to capture so much and are able to share with your family and us. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

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    1. Thanks, Judy. I've having fun, and looking forward to having the family, too!

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  7. Great photos Linda. I can certainly understand your immersion into places. Kathy and I find ourselves doing the same thing with Zambia. Although discovering is part of the adventure, I feel it is more rewarding to know a bit about a place before you actually arrive.

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    1. I am excited about your adventure, too, and can't wait till you share all that you see and do. It is fun to learn ahead, filling up with anticipation! Thanks!

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  8. It's so fulfilling for me to read your blog. I am also a researcher and dig into our vacation spots. Although my husband is trying to convince me to "allow the moments" to flow. It's such a balance. Enjoy your visit.

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    1. Thanks, Maria. as I wrote above, learning makes me even more excited for the coming adventure. And while here, there's always something new to discover.

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  9. Linda, I am excited for you that you are enjoying nature and filling your bucket with inspiration. You inspired me today and closed the deal on what I want to call the next gallery (Summerscape). May I use the quote you have and your photos of Captiva with credit to you? I like to read to acquire prior knowledge on topics of interest too. Maybe that is the wonderer inside us. Enjoy your time alone. It sounds delicious and relaxing.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. So far, it's been just lovely. Of course you can use the quote. The book is full of wonderful words, too.

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    2. Thanks, Linda. I am using the first photo to accompany the quote and the last one for photo corner.

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    3. I forgot to say "yes", sorry. That's fine, too. By the end of the week, I'll have lots more!!

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  10. I will be at the beach soon; so your post is like a sneak peak for me. I love how you write about your passions and how you seek to learn as much as possible about each one. That's what life-long learners do!!! This post is fascinating. I can't wait to be a student of the beach soon!

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    1. That is exciting, Lori. I hope you have a marvelous time. The ocean is special to learn about, and I enjoy this time so much. Thanks for sharing your news!

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  11. Linda, I can't think of a more "captivating" place to spend time reading, reflecting, and investigating. Enjoy your time at Captiva. It is such a special piece of the world.

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    1. Yes, it is, and I am enjoying it thoroughly. It's even just the beginning! Thank you, Bernadette!

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your environment--and the beautiful Beston quote--with landlocked me!

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    1. I think that's why I like the book so much, Jane. It's a different way of living by the sea. You are so welcome!

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  13. I'm more of a discoverer. I am going to Africa at the end of June. Yes, you heard me. But I haven't read anything yet. I better get on it. But if I don't, I know the trip will still be amazing and full of new discoveries.
    Love the beach pictures and imagining you here. Sounds like a piece of heaven.

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    1. Captiva is a special place. I am thrilled that you're going to Africa. What a marvelous time you'll have.

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  14. I love the idea of being an immersion sort of person. That's a smart way to live.

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    1. Thanks, Stacey, don't know when it started, maybe from the earliest days? I am just so curious about things.

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  15. I always enjoy seeing your pictures and hearing about your adventures, Linda. As a matter of fact, I told my husband the other day that I wanted to go visit this area that you are in because you make it look so lovely. Enjoy your time discovering and making memories with your family.

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    1. It is a special place, Jennifer, both Sanibel and Captiva Islands. I hope you do get to visit some day! Thank you!

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  16. Your pictures are just breath taking Linda! Enjoy the time with yourself, and even more when your family arrives!

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. I am loving every bit. Being by the ocean is just great.

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  17. What a lovely time you must be having with your notebooks and books, and I know you will also love having your family come. The pictures are SO beautiful. Enjoy the immersion!

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    1. Thanks, Melanie. All the parts are definitely good ones!

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  18. What a gorgeous place. So enjoyed your post. I like to immerse myself in info about where I am visiting as well and then collect more info when I am there. Enjoy your holiday! I will have to find Beston's book - loved that quote.

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    1. Thanks, Beverley. I hope you enjoy the book. I read it long before spending much time at the ocean, and loved it then, too. I know you immerse yourself by following the wonderful art you do.

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  19. I can relate to your passion for immersion and wow what a place to enjoy solo. I came to love the beach as well but solo wasn't as good as I thought it would be. What's going on for you???
    Bonnie

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    1. I rise, do a little writing, take time on the beach watching, walking, then a long swim. Back to shower and get ready for the day, and these days I've been shopping for groceries for me and everyone, going to my favorite shops, including one bookstore, then read and write again till bed. Taking pics as you see, too. I will have less time when everyone is here to do some of this, so taking the time for myself is nice.

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  20. What a beautiful place. I also can get completely consumed by a topic or place. I would like to be able to get consumed by this place here!

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  21. We learn as you immerse and share. Just love your examples here Linda. What a gorgeous place.

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  22. Such beautiful pictures. So glad you've had wonderful, alone time. And now the fun of welcoming the family! Enjoy!

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    1. All good, Ramona. The first group arrives tonight!

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Thanks for visiting!