Monday, November 21, 2016

TWTW - the one with the serenity now

Last week was rough. I left at 4 Friday, spent a few hours with the fabulous Lola Jean, then picked some turkeys, stuffing, and gravy up at Target to donate to our local food pantry. Dinner was fresh black sea bass caught by MFD last week, couching, putting laundry away, and packing a bag. 
Saturday morning and early afternoon were spent at funeral services. MFD went home to go to a peace rally and, wrung out, I headed to the shore for a night of solitude. As soon as I got there, I went and sat on the beach for two hours. No book, nothing but phone as camera. I just sat there with some coffee and let it all hang out. Salt really is the cure for it all. 
Saturday night I ate Wawa in lounge attire, then drove over the bridge to hit the Dollar Store and Pier 1 for a few Christmas items. I was held hostage by a millennial cashier in Pier 1 who wanted me to buy Unicef cards and cut the design out and paste them over the personalized cards already in my possession. Girrrrl. I also watched Overboard and Walk the Line and totally vegged and really enjoyed alone time in a quiet off-season shore town. 

Sunday morning I took a cold bike ride to the beach. The wind was insane and you can definitely see the erosion that's been present since the failed Labor Day weekend hurricane. 
A lot of people like a clear horizon for sunrises. I prefer a cloudy horizon. And as I sat there watching the light peek through I was reminded of the Leonard Cohen quote, "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." I've been thinking a lot about how polarized we are after this election. Some of my compadres are in a bad spot and feel hopeless. I was reminded that sometimes you just need to find the crack to see that there is light. And sometimes you need to be the crack for others to find. And still again sometimes you need to stand next to people and bang on the crack until it busts a big hole for the light to rush through.
I did some shore Christmas decorating since I won't be back until after Thanksgiving, drank a pot of coffee, did some online shopping, and addressed Christmas cards. See this tree for why I have not decorated a tree in 14 years. 
I hit a few of my favorite small businesses before I left to do some Christmas shopping. It was windy as hell. 
Sunday afternoon we celebrated miss Amelia's first birthday. Such a sweet, smart, pretty little lady. Insert heart emojis. 
I was just done when we got home. I finally finished the book I started last week - it's been an eternity since it took me a week to read a book - and started another. 

Ix-nay on the ood-fay ep-pray this week. I'm only working two days so I'll have breakfast burritos and spinach muffins out of the freezer. 

How was yours?






Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending


20 comments:

  1. Your photos on instagram over the weekend were beautiful and these ones are equally wonderful. I like sunsets with clouds too, I think it adds more interest to the sky. It sounds like you had a lovely weekend! Enjoy your short week and thanksgiving celebrations!

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  2. Spiritual chills. Dream come true for you to have a haven in our beloved OCNJ ! Happiest 🎂 To Amelia. She's a sweet little pixie girl! God and Goddess speed to all for a grateful and kind and happy Thanksgiving week ! Love. Your. Momma 💖✨😇☮️🦄🦄🦄

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  3. You need some clouds for the best sunrises/sets!

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  4. I'm loving those christmas decorations! So cute! I swear I think nature is the cure for everything. It always makes me feel better to just breathe in fresh air and look at the horizon.

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  5. Your Saturday evening/night sounds heavenly. That kind of solitude is SO perfect sometimes. I'm also jealous of your solo shopping trips and small-shop options. I love browsing around small stores all by myself around the holidays :) Hope your two days go quickly!

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  6. I prefer the overcast views too, whether it's at the ocean or looking down from a mountain.
    Glad you're reaping the benefits of off-season...that'd make a property like that sooo worth it.
    Curious about what book took you a week to finish!

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  7. Your time at the shore looks so peaceful and perfect before the rush of the holiday season. And loving your holiday decor at the shore house!

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  8. Loving all the shore pictures, it looks so peaceful! And I love that you decorated the shore house for Christmas too. That is one thing that makes any home, some holiday decor! Overboard is such a good movie, I just love Goldie!

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  9. As always, I love the sunrise pics. I never thought about clear skies versus cloudy but I love your rationale for preferring cloudy skies. And this "I was reminded that sometimes you just need to find the crack to see that there is light. And sometimes you need to be the crack for others to find. And still again sometimes you need to stand next to people and bang on the crack until it busts a big hole for the light to rush through." YES! Happy birthday to Amelia - she is adorable!

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  10. The wind yesterday was brutal and it isn't much better today. My dogs have forgotten what cold weather feels like and have been giant babies the last 24 hours - which is OK with me because I'm the same way. I love the Santa has gone to the beach sign and as usual, your beach sunrise pictures make my heart happy. Glad you got some alone time - Overboard is the best way to spend a Saturday night :)

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  11. It sounds like you had quite a reflective weekend, and it sounds like it was much needed. That sunrise was gorgeous, and I love the sentiment about the cracks.
    Hoping this week starts off smoothly!

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  12. Sometimes you do just need to sit on the beach & take in the surroundings. Breath in life.
    I know you are a friend that will totally knock the crap out of something to get a crack of light ;)

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  13. Sometimes all you really need is some alone time at the beach or your happy place to get back to a happy place! I can't believe that cashier held you hostage at Pier 1! I would have been so frustrated!

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  14. Glad you had some alone time and really were able to disconnect and relax! xo, biana -BlovedBoston

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  15. Those pictures of the shore are beautiful. So peaceful. Glad you got some time to relax and just sit at the beach. I too love being the beach in the off season, I love to just sit with my thoughts. Oh and my phone to take pictures. haha

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  16. we got snow this weekend :( it's cold and windy and the opposite of what you got down at the shore.

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  17. I'm glad you were able to have a calm, relaxing weekend. Sounds like it was just what you needed. Enjoy the short week!

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  18. It sounds like you had a lovely and restful weekend. I'm so glad-- you deserve it!

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  19. Salt, Sea & Scenery can certainly replenish the soul, if you allow it. That's my happy place :-)

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