words from the sea (four)

the sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. one should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.

words from the sea (three)

the sea pronounces something, over and over, in a hoarse whisper; i cannot quite make it out.

words from the sea (two)

for whatever we lose (like a you or a me)

it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.

words from the sea (one)

i read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. it never crossed my mind that that person could be me.

independence day

we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

the united states declaration of independence was an act of the second continental congress, adopted on july 4, 1776, which declared that the thirteen colonies in north america were free and independent states. the declaration is considered to be the founding document of the united states of america, where july 4 is celebrated as independence day and also as the nation’s birthday.

happy 232nd birthday, america!

six word memoir

so the story goes, ernest hemingway was once asked to write a story in six words.  he accepted the challenge and often referred to it as his best work. 

his response?  for sale: baby shoes, never worn.

building on the six word theme, SMITH magazine has asked its readers to compose a memoir in exactly six words.  in fact, they’ve already compiled the memoirs into one book and are currently accepting submissions for another. 

it’s not as easy as you might think.  here are a few i came up with:

• never stopped wishing on falling stars.
• tried not to disappoint, especially herself.
• ran when she should have walked.

give it a try…

missing

amelia mary earhart

(24 july 1897 - missing 2 july 1937)

during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937, earhart disappeared over the central pacific ocean.  she was a noted aviation pioneer and author.  her disappearance remains a mystery.

please know i am quite aware of the hazards… i want to do it because i want to do it.  women must try to do things as men have tried.  when they fail their failure must be but a challenge to others. (a. earhart)

ocean city

this thursday, i leave for ocean city.  i’ll be there, along with my family, for ten days, and i cannot wait.  the salty air, the sun, the sand, they are all calling me back.

for as long as i can remember (and even longer, according to the photo albums), my family has vacationed in ocean city.  in fact, it is such an important spot that my parents bought a house there a few years ago.  it’s our home away from home, complete with bikes and screened porch and sandy carpet.

i go there this time to recharge, to refresh and to relax.  i don’t have a schedule or an agenda and i’ll be armed only with a few books and my cameras.  the sea will do the rest, smoothing out the rough edges of my life, putting things back into perspective, filling me with peace. 

i can’t wait.