Lure of the Ocean

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun." - Sandy Gingras

Sunset Beach, Cape May, 2026

Last Sunday, my family and I drove to Long Island, New York and midweek to Cape May, New Jersey. The ocean was calling us to enjoy its seaside beaches. I was inspired by the first line of Sandy Gingras' quote and made the decision to push grief aside and let nature nurture life. Below you will discover the golden shovel poem I created with the first line of the Gingras' quote, "At the beach, life is different."

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August's dog days call me to vacation at

shimmering shorelines that bring the

breath of breezy ocean winds to the beach

I walk on heated sand pondering my life

style, from a harried year and a half to what is 

needed for a pathway that is different

©CVarsalona, 2026, Golden Shovel

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For fifty years, my summertime days rested on nature's shores. There was a lure about the ocean. I recalled the glorious vistas of Long Island and Cape May beaches with the sun's awakening rays and billowy clouds layering a blue-toned sky. Early on the first by-the-sea-day, the brilliance of the ocean was inviting. The beach was a calm place for rest, recovery, and renewal on summer days, so this morning, I paused to remember the golden days of past summer excursions to the beach. Memories of family vacations brought images of soft, warm sand, and seagulls swirling above rushing waves, seeming to be free and unburdened by life's challenges. Small seashells and smooth rocks road through sea foam back to the shore as tides rushed in. I heard the squeal of my grandgirls, as they searched for ocean treasures that nature offered. Their excited glee blended with the swooshing sounds of the sea from Long Beach to Cape May. It was a time to relax, reflect, and recharge!

gateway to peace

golden sunrise, rushing waves

sunkissed moments rise

©CVarsalona, 2026

Sunset at Cape May, NJ

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at

Denise Krebs' Dare to Care blog.

Denise is today's Poetry Friday host who has been writing poetry and reading throughout August. The Roundup of poets and their writing begins tonight.

Looking Back on a Special Summer Day with a Midyear Pantoum

Friday, July 31st is a revered day in my home. 

On this day in 2026, I remember excitedly peeking through the doorway of the church to see my husband-to-be. "I love him so much, I blurted out to my uncle. Time passed. Each decade brought joys and challenges. Five years ago, Richard and I decided to commit to a renewal of vows at the beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Northern Virginia. Little did we know that our dream would not come to be.

Over the years, I have learned that life is fragile and uncertain as  it continues through seasons of change. I did hope for my Golden Anniversary to be a celebration of love and enjoyment, not to be spoiled by the hands of grief. Two weeks ago, my family gathered at Girasole, a countryside-garden restaurant for a celebration dinner of authentic, regional Italian cuisine. The beautiful country restaurant was the site my husband and I chose to have our anniversary dinner a few years ago. This year, I wished to have a special family gathering and my family agreed. A beautiful summer evening became the site for a quiet, private remembrance of what was in life.

It just so happened that the Poetry Friday Roundup was scheduled for July 31st. I started to write my blog post on Thursday with a thoughtful intent to join the August Challenge created by the Poetry Sisters', Tanita, Mary Lee, Laura, Tricia, and Liz.  The prompt for creating a pantoum poem was selected from Padraig O Tuama's Poetry Unbound challenge in January. Padraig introduced a Midyear Pantoum on where you are now, and where your hopes take you by the end of the year. He noted that the first step was to write eight lines that would fold into a pantoum. I always enjoy the writing of the Poetry Sisters and Poetry Pals, Michelle K Patricia F, Denise, and Margaret. who contributed to the challenge. Because of the family weekend, I never was able to submit my post so two weeks later, while on our family vacations, I pause to finish what I started.

Midyear Thoughts regarding a pattern of life changes. (Instead of eight lines, I clusted my thoughts under three ideas: the past, present, and future.)

• How did my life move forward after April 2, 2025? For a year, I passed through seasons of change without my husband. I listened to Earth's movements, especially at night while I was alone. Throughout the first few months, sleeping was erratic. I felt broken down as tensions stormed like rainstorms. I grieved, held on to faith through the storms, and prayed in the stillness of night, noting that changes needed to unfold.
• Where am I now? I hold on to faith and hope, like my Nonnie and Mother did during trying times. I listen for the call to mingle beyond family life, open my heart, not be frightened by the darkness of grief, and step forward to seek bereavement counseling. Tears still appear like rainstorms when I feel the loss. Coldness at night brings back memories of the past, when I had more than just a heating blanket to keep me warm. I watch the transitions of nature's seasons and write when there is time.
• Where will this journey take me? The petals of springtime, the variations of summer sounds, and the shore melding with swooshing ocean waves are nature's way to nurture my mind, body, and spirit. I am eager to feel the soft sways of the sea bringing me to a calmer me. On the summer vacation, I will dig deeper, pausing to meditate what will come next. With two more seasons ahead, I trust that my mind, body, and spirit will feel the power of faith growing while I hold on to the hope of joyful tomorrows. Little, watchful steps is what I need and the transitions of season will help me find deeper ways to move forward.

Passing Through Seasons of Change

darkness covered the path

one life passed on

nighttime sounds began to echo

tensions rose like April storms

one life passed on

nature changed seasons

tensions rose like April storms

grief found its nesting spot

nature changed seasons

wisps of springtime air moved through

grief found its nestling spot

as sleepless nights brought prayer

wisps of springtime air moved through

slipping loneliness inside darkened spaces

sleepless nights brought prayer

summer shared joyful memories

loneliness slipped inside darkened spaces

sun's rays reached out

summer shared joyful memories

family life moves onward

Draft, CVarsalona, 2026

morning gull observes

sea-sparkling foamy tides

swooshing through life

nature's meditation time

shares sunkissed peaceful moments

Draft, CVarsalona, 2026

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Poetry Friday logo by Molly Hogan

Thank you to our wonderful Poetry Friday host, photographer/poet, Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. Her blog shared Georgia Heard's and Irene Latham's workshop, "Words that Sing and Soar: The Joy of Words in Poetry" followed by her own poem,"Still".

What's On My Heart and In My Spirit!

Prompt for August's Spiritual Journey:

What is on your heart and in your spirit?

Linda Mitchell, the host of August's Spiritual Journey Thursday, invited the Spiritual Journey community to reflect upon what we felt today. Since my life is still unpredictable, I will start with what happens in my real world. I often need to juggle my thoughts based on issues, challenges, or appointments. Let's start with the:

Evening Disturbance & Morning Thoughts

 

While reading this morning, I discovered a light on the virtual path. I would like to say that I tossed grief aside, but in reality, grief never goes away. With my one word, "restore," on my side, the Bible verse below confirms that my broken heart and spirit will be restored in my spiritual journey.

DailyVerses.Net

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What's On My Heart and In My Spirit!

On sunkissed days

I breathe in summer air, 

Pause, then listen to the call

Of my grieving heart and spirit.

I breathe in summer air and 

Clear what's causing confusion within.

My grieving heart and spirit

Accept the challenge to let go of fear and doubt.

Clear what's causing confusion within.

Divine Truth will restore my life in every part,

Accept the challenge to let go of fear and doubt.

With this, I shall walk a renewed path.

Divine Truth will restore me in every part.

Calmness will bring a crown of peace.

With this, I shall walk a renewed path,

On sunkissed days

©CVarsalona, 2026, Pantoum

Photos at Adler Hospice Center, A Place of Peace

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evening light glows

layered in peace

tranquility speaks

©CVarsalona, 2026, haiku and photo

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

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POETRY FRIDAY

Off to the Beach

Ruth at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town is our host from Uganda where she teaches. She shares a cheerful poem, For the Bird Singing Before Dawn by Kim Stafford.

My timing is off these days, so excuse my late entrance.

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Sea Scattering Remembrance

"To the waters and the wild-I leave you not in sorrow, but in love." 

Sea Scattering Remembrance

on a sunkissed day of memories

tiny feet mark morning sand

seawater sparkles in sunshine

little grandgirls quietly wait  

tiny feet mark morning sand

a tranquil ceremony begins

little grandgirls quietly wait 

gentle waters offer solace

a tranquil ceremony begins

seasparkles illuminate the ocean

gentle waters offer solace

our heavy hearts sigh

seasparkles illuminate the ocean

peaceful waters move closer to shore

our heavy hearts sigh

tiny hands watch and wait

peaceful waters move closer to shore

grandgirls tiptoe forward

tiny hands wait their turn

on this sea scattering morning

grandgirls tiptoe toward the tide

light sweeps across the ocean

on this sea scattering morning

we honor Grandpa's endearing love

light sweeps across the ocean

in tribute to what was

we honor Grandpa's endearing love

his story remains in our hearts

©CVarsalona, Summer 2026

"Let the gentle rocking of the ocean carry you away. You are loved, you are cherished, you are deeply missed."

Note: The above quote and the opening one are signed anonymously. AI states that the first quote "adapts phrasing from W. B. Yeats' poem, "The Stolen Child".

The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Tanita S. Davis, who is enjoying the excitement of new publications and a reminder that the Poetry Sisters will open the door to a new challenge for next week. Click here to read her blog and many others in today's Poetry Friday. 

Light on the Pathway

On one specific night when a torrential rainstorm arrived, my landscape lamps froze and stopped shining.  The darkness was overwhelming, not just in its reality but in the emotion that I felt. Grief rushed in as rain poured from the darkened sky. I sat inside writing, remembering the stillness of sunlit afternoons and the beauty of nature glowing against the light. The darkness was haunting. The discomfort of grief created a dark moment. I needed faith to calm my soul. One Bible verse from John 1:5 offered solace. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." With this thought, I leaned on faith, remembering that God's light has led me through many darkened paths, providing hope.   

be of good faith

in life's darkened corners

thy Light leads me on

©CVarsalona, 2026

This blog post is an extension of last week's Poetry Friday blog, Light Unto My Path, based on Kim Johnson's prompt. Due to the hectic weekend, my post with two poems ended being shared on Saturday morning. Below you will find my digital art pantoum poem with a sunrise photo captured by my son from my blog.

This week, Jill Dailey, our host of Poetry Friday is inviting us to her creative Summer Camp. I enjoyed watching Jill's video on how to create a zine. Since I never worked with paper to make one, I am eager to do so.

A Light Unto My Path

On the first Thursday of each month, the Spiritual Journey writers gather together to compose their thoughts on the prompt of the month. On this Thursday, the teacher-poet, Kim Johnson, is hosting with the theme,  A Light Unto My Path. I have reflected for several days on how I should create this blog post. I poured through several homilies and podcasts of Father Mike Schmitz, a devout and energized priest and speaker. I also searched songs related to the spiritual journey and light. The reflective times I spent reading opened a path of peace. 

There are many aspects on how Christian singers, songwriters, clergy, and writers form their offerings but one photograph captured by my son, Derek, provided the start I needed. Within his photo, I not only found the beauty of dawn but observed angel formations fluttering in the clouds. This gave me pause, as did the songs that I gathered, poems I read, and spiritual leaders offering their input on Psalm 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and alight unto my path." 

As I turn my reflections into poetic thoughts, I listen to Amy Grant's beautiful song of praise, "Thy Word." It is a soothing, lift-me-up song that you can listen to by clicking here. With songs of faith and hope, I find myself in a calming state.

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illumination

on my spiritual journey

a pathway to peace

Divine Radiance's gift

"Let (the) light shine out darkness"

©CVarsalona, 2026

(last line is from 2 Corinthians 4:6)

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Thank you to Jan Annino for hosting Poetry Friday at Bookseedstudio. Her blog shares an interesting title, Chill, and showcases a gorgeaous photo sharing a moment of cool pool indulgence. 

A Slice of the 4th of July

We owe our independence

to others who paved the initial way:

heros,heroines,Founding Fathers, and patriots.

LET'S CONTINUE TO↓

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July?

My family

CELEBRATES independence each year

in style with homemade cookies!

This year the chocolate chip cookies are colored blue with chocolate frosting. The house is decorated inside and outside.

You may ask how my little grandgirls celebrated while at my house?

They enjoyed swimming in the pool.

They met new children who were with their grandparents.

They had a delicious barbecue,

and sang a song they rehearsed the night before,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

But there is more:

they wished for ice cream

at the new ice cream store.

Each child, plus adults tried different yummy flavors.

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My Wish For All Children and Students:

To grow into honorable citizens who uphold the Constitution,

create plans for a better tomorrow, and memories for the future.

So, let's ignite the

American Spirit 

Authentic voices 

Make noise as they

Embark on

Roads ahead-

If freedom devotees

Commit, they will rise

As responsive Americans ready for 

    Next Steps 

Positive approaches that

Inspire students to

Reach out 

Ignite the flame

To make more noise

draft CVarsalona, 2025-26, acrostic poem 

Two Writing Teachers