Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Summer's End Note

When day ends and hope survives do you long for peace, the quiet of a summer's night, or the fresh breath of sea salt skies?   If so, join me on a virtual evening stroll of a historic Long Island site, Jones Beach. 

 

It was the end of a Long Island, August dog-day when the family decided to take a walk on one of Long Island's beaches.  We were longing for the calm of the night sky along the ocean since we're moving to a beautiful new build in Virginia soon.  Saying goodby to summer is always a bittersweet event but now more so than ever.  Luckily, the weather obliged and a ride to the historic Jones Beach boardwalk afforded us the opportunity to take a peaceful evening stroll.  Upon entering the parking lot, we noted the new normal rules of parking (cones marking spaces one car away from each other) and joined masked beachgoers in an exodus-style line of walkers. As we strolled, the sky opened wide with changing colors from muted, hazy ones to glowing, vibrant sun streaks of reddish-orange.  There was the low hum of beach family conversation and activity from zip liners in the massive new structure facing the beach.  It was a night to remember so a digitally-created memory was a must.

chasing serenity
eventide at the beach
sea, sand, and sky intersect
©CV, 2020

It's Slice of Life Tuesday so I will share my virtual walk
with the Two Writing Teachers community of writers.

Note:
With summer around the globe estranged in many ways due to COVID-19, I am gathering a collection of image poems for my #EmbraceableSummer Gallery Collection.  If so inclined, join in the fun of creating image poems on the topic, Summer 2020 in the Midst of Quarantine Life. I am hosting Poetry Friday at my blog on September 4, 2020 where I will share creative work to showcase the beauty of summer even during trying times.   

12 comments:

  1. Lovely images and video, Carol. It must be bittersweet to move from such a beautiful place to a new home in the middle of a pandemic. I’m thinking about you and sending Godspeed for a safe transition.

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    1. Glenda, it is a daunting task but who knew when we signed a contract to build a home 1/2 hour away from my granddaughters that the world would be bulldozed by a pandemic. I appreciate the Godspeed wishes.

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  2. What a lovely moment you captured with beauty! Your picture had me longing to visit my friend's family's home in LI. My favorite line was, "As we strolled, the sky opened wide with changing colors from muted, hazy ones to glowing, vibrant sun streaks of reddish-orange." Hopefully you are going to be somewhere on the coast of VA rather than inland?

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    1. Thanks for stopping by but I do not know whom to thank. The signature reads Unknown. We are moving inland but there is so much beauty to see within a few hours away.

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  3. You captured such beautiful moments in both images and words, Carol. Thank you for sharing. I especially loved the image of the empty boardwalk bench. I think that could be a photo that needs a poem.

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    1. Rose, you are right about the empty bench. I have another empty bench that I plan to write a poem for. Is this bench a sign of the times? Thanks for joining me on my walk.

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  4. You have th ability to find beauty wherever you find yourself, the calming sound of surf breaking on the shore or the the breeze quietly whispering through the trees on a nature walk. Your words and pictures out us right there with you. Thank you.

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    1. I'm so glad that you joined me on my walk and thank you for the lovely comments. I was so thrilled to have found this evening walk filled with serenity. Even my husband said so.

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  5. Your post was beautiful. I loved the description, but for me, the short poem at the end was perfect. I'm a native Virginian and hope you will be happy in this beautiful state. While the area I grew up in is highly developed now, there are still many wild places in the state which are lovely.

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    1. Thank you for joining me here. When I move to Gainesville, Virginia this fall, I plan on exploring the area for beautiful sights to photography and write poetry. While it will be different sights than the ocean and beach, I hope to capture the serenity of nature. (My little granddaughters live in Reston so that is not far from you.)

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  6. Sustenance for the soul Carol. Your timely presentation of words and images hit the perfect note. As we emerge from summer here in Australia, nature is awakening, so walking in our respective worlds delivers solace, no matter what the season.

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    1. Alan, it is good to hear that you too find solace in nature. Perhaps, you are interested in joining me on Sept. 4th when I host Poetry Friday with an image poem of "Summer 2020 in the Midst of Quarantine Life".

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