Beaching It

This Thanksgiving broke beautifully clear with swirling breezes, ample sunshine, smells of the salt marsh, and the patter of much-adored toesies.

So of course we adorned ourselves with swimsuits, baby carriers, snacks, sacks for shells, and the all-important shovels. P.S. How do you know when you’re a grown-up? You no longer have a plastic shovel at the ready. That would be me.

But we’ve got the sacks and we’ve got ample cooperation from the sea, stretching out into the lowest low tide I’ve ever seen here. It’s a bit daunting — the possibility that the sea can just turn her back and walk away when she and the moon get a hankering, but we roll with it and begin the journey to the breakers by crossing a medley of tide pools alternating with sandbars. It’s quite amazing, actually.

My first treasure was a perfect hermit crab shell, and I was surprised to see it happily occupied, just as I was with the next twenty or so we spied and examined. Back they went into the sea.

I’ve collected shells over more years than I care to admit, and the change in my focus over time charms me. I might pick up a perfect shell here and there, but it doesn’t hold much interest. I lunge for those that have spent a lifetime tumbling through capricious tides, pockmarked and holy, or conchs that have given up their fancy fairy tale covering and continue to ride the waves naked, exposing that spiral twist of backbone that stays strong. Like me. Like you.

16 thoughts on “Beaching It

  1. Echo Cathy’s comment – great description! Photos look like you had good weather; grandkids perhaps?
    Based on the writing, I presume that you did as the towel under the shell display proclaimed, i.e., you ate, drank, and rejoiced! Keep writing and posting – we love to hear from you too!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, grandchildren! Two of the soon to be four. It was bliss to be with them — all well-quarantined. I was a bit worried about you when I didn’t get a Christmas letter. Hope all is well!

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      • Things are fine here, barring the COVID-19 precautions that have come to be a common theme in almost everything we all do these days. Have bitten off a bit more than I should have in my semi-retirement and, as a result, am a little behind in the communication department. Will get an update out sometime in the not-too-distant future; hopefully before the new year gets too far along! Stay well, E

        Liked by 1 person

  2. “the possibility that the sea can just turn her back and walk away when she and the moon get a hankering,” what a beautiful line. Thank you for sharing your journey.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Awwww….beautifully written…what great memories~~~

    On Thu, Dec 31, 2020 at 10:49 AM Pam Goode Writes wrote:

    > Pam Goode posted: ” This Thanksgiving broke beautifully clear with > swirling breezes, ample sunshine, smells of the salt marsh, and the patter > of much-adored toesies. So of course we adorned ourselves with swimsuits, > baby carriers, snacks, sacks for shells, and the all-i” >

    Liked by 1 person

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