Saturday, January 03, 2015

A Walk Along the Shore



Just before Christmas I was out and about, buying groceries, running errands, and the sun beguiled me into taking a walk along the shore.


The temperature hovered just around freezing and in the tumbled hollows of driftwood, bits of ice lingered.
 

Grasses stood sere and golden against the hard blue sky and steely sea, rustling in the chill breeze.
 

A few ducks paddled in the ocean, but the usually plentiful gulls were absent, perhaps hunkered down in some sheltered spot.
 

Rich red Hawthorn berries added welcome colour to the scene.
 

Waves ruffled along the shore and the plentiful debris bore witness to the wild winds that pummeled our island several days previous.
 
This bit of solitude was just what I needed before the festivities began. I read the poem again more recently and thought it appropriate for January when life seems to settle into quiet.

Linking with Sunlit Sunday, hosted by Karen, and tomorrow I'll join Mosaic Monday, hosted by Judith. 

39 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures and poem....
    how wise of you to be proactive and take a restful and restorative walk....
    I am looking forward to the slower pace that January will bring.

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  2. I have walked in many places and under many conditiona and o don't believe there is any walk as restorative as one along the shores of our own island on a middling blustery day.

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  3. A very lovely walk on the shore. So much drift wood has come ashore in our winter storms. Lovely photos. It is good to rejuvenate before the big day's celebrations.

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  4. What a wonderful poem Lorrie, I must keep a copy of it close by. I had that feeling the other night as I walked in our winter wonderland up here late at night with the pups, it was so quiet and peaceful. Your beautiful pictures compliment it perfectly, thanks for sharing.

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  5. Beautiful photos and quote! I need a walk by the sea--it never fails to refresh my soul.
    Blessings, Aimee

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  6. Beautiful!! Gave me a peaceful & serene start to my Sunday morning. Thanks, Lorrie!

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  7. Sunshine and solitude sound wonderful to me. GREAT combination. :)

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  8. Beautiful! A wise woman to take a break.

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  9. We took a hike yesterday and it did me a world of good. Clears your mind and soothes your soul. Sweet hugs, Diane

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  10. Walking on the beach is so peaceful. I always find my inner peace by the ocean. Such a nice poem. Thank you for sharing.
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog

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  11. I fully appreciate the restorative power of a quiet walk. For me, there is rejuvenation to be found while walking through a forest of fragrant pines. I enjoyed the poem you shared and your own reflections, Lorrie. You have a beautiful way with words and when I'm next by the water I'll think of how the waves "ruffle". Thank you for sharing your post at ☀Sunlit Sunday.

    Karen

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  12. Walking on the shore is my way of restoring my balance and calming my mind, thank you for sharing these calm moments. Your mosaics are beautiful and the poem makes sense of life's turmoil.

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  13. Solitude, especially out in nature, is so restorative.

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  14. Beautiful, soothing photos and poetry!
    Have a nice new week!

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  15. Lovely, and your photos match perfectly. Best wishes, Tammy

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  16. Comme ce poème est beau, et reflète totalement ce que j'aimerais (mais malheureusement, après des vacances en famille où tout le monde reste à la maison parce qu'il fait froid, demain je reprends l'école où je vais revoir des élèves des collègues et beaucoup de monde...) J'espère que pendant les prochains congés je pourrai avoir ces moments de solitude qui me ressourcent !
    Tes photos sont magnifiques, comme toujours.

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  17. It is just what I need in every season. But for the past few years I have made it my priority during the November into December holidays to spend at least an hour outdoors in nature...walking beside the water keeps me calm and allows me to contemplate the beauty of the day. Such a lovely walk you share here with us. Thank you.

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  18. I desperately require some 'restorative walks' and hope to head out in my warm clothes as soon as the weather improves - I don't walk in the rain even though it's very warm today (72F), but with thunderstorms.
    I would also love to have a little snow this month - I want to take pics - last year we had to wait until Feb.

    Lovely words - 'January when life seems to settle into quiet'. I'm in total agreement.
    Happy week ahead Lorrie - Mary

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  19. Happy New Year, Lorrie! When I lived in NY I liked to walk along the shore in Winter. There was a definite peacefulness about it Now I find looking up at the snow capped foothills bring me that sense of peace.

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  20. That poem is just right for January. Lovely pictures too.

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  21. I love the pop of red in the Hawthorne berries and yet each of your images shows much charm~

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  22. Lovely photos and poem! Looks like a nice peaceful walk! Happy New Year to you and yours! Have a happy week ahead!

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  23. A walk in nature, especially if you're able to be by water can sure give a weary mind a boost.
    Clever idea of photo and text for your collages - I may have to try this myself.
    Thanking you now for linking to Mosaic Monday Lorrie.

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  24. Beautiful images. A nice brisk walk along the beach is cleansing. Have a great week!

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  25. Anonymous5:57 PM

    What an inspiring poem! I love "the garment of silence"... And your pictures are beautiful - my favorite is the one with the berries.

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  26. A beautiful poem enhanced by your matching photos.
    ...waves ruffled along the shore...a perfect description Lorrie - I've seen those waves so often!
    I too enjoy the solitude of a walk in the fresh air - the sounds of the sea and gulls is music to my ears!
    Happy New Year!

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  27. I had to chuckle at "Garment of Silence" which is what I wish the three grandkids that are here would wear for a bit, ha ha. They are too noisy and happy this early in the morning even though they are also coughing and hacking from flu recovery ! :)

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  28. Lorrie that is just the perfect poem for January....wishing you a restful, contemplative, peaceful New Year!

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  29. That is simply beautiful. Have a wonderful 2015, Lorrie.

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  30. A dash of red always brings a spot alive, be it a room or a collection of wonderful mosaics. A walk along a beachy spot in the cold must certainly bring clarity to the chores ahead. Looks like it worked.

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  31. A wonderful post with a lovely poem to go with those beautiful photographs.

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  32. Beautifully captured!

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  33. Lovely. The high tide mark has frozen over on our beaches and the wind chill tells me it feels about 12 degrees out. I think I will sit inside and watch the beach out the window for now.

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  34. These are some of my favorite pictures!! I really like how you put the group of common ideas together and that you found just what your heart needed in some solitude along the shore!

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  35. Oh how lovely! January does bring its own quiet reserve after the activity of Christmas. I am certain that such a walk would be head clearing. Of course, here today, it would be mind-numbing with the cold. This quote reminds me of another I have read recently. Hmmmm...I need to read blogs more often. It often sparks a thought or two.

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  36. such a lovely post. You have given us time to stop and just be still. Thank you.
    and thank you for stopping by my blog this week. I hope you are feeling much better!

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