Lone pelican
When you’re surrounded by people and beautiful family members for days…do you sometimes feel the need for solitude? To be alone with your thoughts and feelings and to watch the waves roll in and out, in and out?
Rise ‘n shine, Morning Glory on the beach!
I am always one who loves being with others…but needs many moments of silence and aloneness. It feels like a fierce need, to experience solitude. After moments or days of “otherness” it feels so important to nourish the “innerness”. As important as eating or drinking or sleeping.
Shadows on the dock
It’s good to live among folks who understand this. Folks who cherish their own alone-time. Today my daughter sought her own quietness by the pool, and Mom wanted to go grocery shopping rather than stroll along the beach.
I hitched a ride with them to the Publix supermarket (2 1/2 miles north) and slowly (oh-so-slowly) meandered back down the beach toward home.
Anhinga with outstretched wings
It is a special solitary walk when you connect with your deepest self and feel joy fill you. Sometimes that happens simply being in nature. Other times you feel blessed with insights. Sometimes you feel so present, so content. The crazy-thoughts and indecision and judgments lull into the background, suddenly not as important.
Empty beach chairs
When you return to other people, you’re filled up with your own spirit once again. You have so much more to give. Your cup overfloweth with contentment and peace…you can share from the fullness of your gift of solitude.
Vibrant hibiscus
As for the rest of the day, does anyone want to know? It’s been a quiet day. We haven’t been gallivanting anywhere, at least yet. We’ve read and napped and relaxed by the pool. My mom prepared Red Pepper Soup (for tomorrow night’s dinner). Kiah brought this recipe for her grandma. Sorry I don’t have time to type it out for you.
We’re heading off to the Dinner Theatre tonight. Anyone want to guess what musical we’re attending? This is a long-standing tradition–attending the Dinner Theatre–when we visit Mom and Dad in Florida.
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you what Kiah and I did last night. We walked about a mile to the theatre on the island and saw the new “Alice and Wonderland”. Kiah and I LOVED it. I had to write an itty bitty blog on Simply Here this morning, giving voice to the creativity this movie sparked. Click here if you want to read “When You Visited Wonderland”.
Here are some of our favorite quotes from the movie:
Alice: Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.
The Mad Hatter (to Alice): You used to be much more…”muchier.” You’ve lost your muchness.
The Mad Hatter (to Alice): Have I gone mad?
Alice: (repeating what her father told her as a child): I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
Lake Superior Spirit 
When I first met you the thought of becoming a photographer, that would have been tops on your list of impossibilities. Look at how you’ve taken the impossible and made it possible. You are an artist! You have an eye! You’ve done the six impossible things…..just like that! 🙂
(My favorite is your picture of shadows on the dock…..very well done!)
Sue, that is the most wonderful compliment, coming from a great photographer like you. You are right; it was impossible. And now it’s one of the most fun things in my life–taking pictures!
Kathy,
Lovely pictures…loved the shadows on the dock & the morning glory in the snow…and yes solitude is definetly refreshing for the mind and soul.
Cheers
Suja
Suja, that dock photo is one of my favorites of the Florida trip. Thank you!
I too love the picture with the shadows falling just so on the dock, but I also like the green chairs under the umbrella… I think they’re waiting for me to arrive on the beach with a good book to read, and something cold and refreshing to drink in the warm sun. And of course the other chair is there and waiting for any visitors who might feel like popping in for a chat, inbetween scampering around on the beach, taking beautiful photographs!
Reggie, don’t those green chairs look inviting? A book,a drink, a camera, a chat…what could be better? You had better book your flight!
Kathy – You’ve definitely gone down the rabbit hole — I LOVE IT! It’s deep, rich and exquisite.
The “Shadows on the Dock” photograph is my favorite in this post.
Laurie, isn’t it fun to go down the rabbit hole? Life is so magical. Exquisite. Thank you for being you.
I wondered where the “six impossible things before breakfast” came from – the other quotes are fabulous, too! Another movie to add to my list.
I know exactly what you mean about solitude – even when you’re with loved ones. The older I get, the more I seem to need this and having always been a social being, my mom doesn’t quite understand it and worries I’m becoming a Keweenaw Bay hermit!?!?
Yesterday on my tramp in the woods, I grabbed a pine bough for balance and came away with sap on my fingers. It made me chuckle out loud when I remembered your tasting of it last spring. Laughing aloud in the sunshiny spring woods is a crazy, good thing…thanx! 🙂
Cindy, we even momentarily suggested going BACK to see Alice in Wonderland a SECOND time. (But opted for the whirlpool instead.) I am laughing about you & the sap. Actually, can’t wait to get back in the spring woods. Barry said a lot of the snow is gone. Missing our dear UP woods now…
The pelican is a fine fellow. He appreciates solitude, too. And a good fish.
The pelican was waiting for a fishermen who was cleaning his catch. Let’s hope he got a bite!
Great minds…I considered writing about solitude as well today. I’m living alone for 3 weeks in a house on a lake…well alone except for the cat and the few days the husband will visit. I think I love solitude! I remember when I was single how much I enjoyed living alone, and living alone in this beautiful place is wonderful.
As for six impossible things before breakfast? Hmmm…will have to work on that!
Dawn, you are having a vacation for THREE WEEKS in a house on a lake…how awesome. Can’t wait to read about your solitary adventures. You’re having a retreat… Actually I started thinking that we only need to BELIEVE six impossible things before breakfast. (Maybe we don’t actually have to DO them until after lunch. LOL!)
Kathy, I need that alone time too. I absolutely love being around people but because I take in so many details about my surroundings and my interactions, I need that time by myself afterwards to reflect on what’s transpired in order to digest it all.
Your images of white surf and sand, pelicans and hibiscus flowers remind me of my last trip to Florida back in the spring of 1985. It seems like yesterday.
Yes, Amy, it almost seems like when you’re in the middle of being with people you’re simply living it. The alone-time helps digest it. Glad to bring back some memories of your Florida trip. Time to come back?
Dear Kathy Lady – you already know how I feel about solitude. Biggest Fan. Just want to thank you for pictures of the dear pelican and the Hibiscus. Got such a longing for things in Florida that I love, love … including you 🙂
Susan D, bet this did bring back memories for YOU. You actually lived ’round here in the old days, didn’t you? and, yes, I know you are another fan of Blessed Solitude.
Glad you took some alone-time while still having happy times with your family. Your photos are super – I’ve enjoyed your vacation!
Glad you’ve enjoyed the vacation, Barb. I have loved sharing it with you all.
More LOVELY views 😉
I shared a series of photos of a colorful WEST COAST pelican at Small Reflections on March 17th.
Hugs and blessings,
Small Reflections
Your pelican (in his–or her??) many views is wonderful! I just left a comment on your blog saying you are lucky to live in a place where pelicans exist.
We took the kids to see Alice as well. We paid the extra to even see it in 3D. It was a wonderful movie but I am a big fan of all Tim Burton’s work, especially when it involves Johnny Depp. 🙂
Jessica
Oh good, another Alice fan! I am glad you enjoyed it. (And I know what you mean about Johnny Depp.)