Beach Finds

After complaining the last couple of summers of never getting to the beach, this year I am changing my tune. Happily. I've been spending lots of time at the shore this year and it is absolutely glorious. Any kind of beach is available on PEI. The beach can be secluded or out in the open, small or huge. The bottom can be sandy or rocky, and the water warm or cold. It can be crowded or you can be the only human in sight. I've visited all kinds of beaches this summer and have experienced each aspect at one or another.

The spot I visited on Sunday had fabulous rocks because of a lot of oyster drills in the area. My companion and I are both avid rock people so were happy as could be. There were only two other people at the end we were beachcombing. The water was very warm, like a bathtub.

I'm feeling so mellow from all this beach-going, that I'm going to play music to match. Not many are more mellow than Iron and Wine. Here is Sea and the Rhythm and Naked as We Came. I love singing along with these songs. They match my voice.

Still July

Life has been very busy. My two youngest and I have been on a road trip to visit my dad and brothers and sister and their families. It's not often we all get together without a wedding or funeral being the occasion. We had lots of fun and the kids did the driving so it was wonderful to be the passenger for a change.

Iron and Wine bring the music today. Here's Such Great Heights to reference crossing the Confederation Bridge that links PEI to the mainland and Sea and the Rhythm.

• JibJab
• Art For the Sky
• Strange Statues
• Pixdaus
• Mosaic Generator
  

Seaside Sitting

I am one stuffed woman. We had a potluck staff party this afternoon and let me tell you, the food was fantastic. I feel like I won't have to eat for a week. It's neat how it all works out at potlucks. No one discussed what they were bringing but everyone brought something different and all courses were covered. I brought appetizers. We had ribs, lasagna, a rice dish, cheesy scalloped potatoes, a taco salad and three desserts. We had drinks too so I feel like having a nap.

The party was held at a summer cottage but it was rainy and windy so not a day to walk outside on the beach. I ran down to the edge to snap a photo of the three colourful chairs facing the bay.
The temperature is supposed to improve by the end of the week with 20 predicted for Friday. I had to add a blanket to the bed last night.

Here is today's music. The title, This is the Life by Amy MacDonald is how I feel about having some down time that I sorely need and House by the Sea by Iron and Wine is for the beautiful cottage I visited today.

Summer Sleeps

Would you believe I am just waking up from a nap? Its a very hot and humid day and it was a hot and humid night. I had been out and about all day after not sleeping well last night. I was so sleepy I had trouble driving home so a nap is just what I needed.

Speaking of sleep, I had a strange dream the other night where Robert Downey Jr. was my boyfriend. He and a friend's brother who struggles with alcohol had broken out of rehab by jumping into water a hundred meters below the rehab which was on the edge of a cliff. They were taken to hospital and my friend and I went to visit them. It took us a long time to find them but finally did with the help of a child-sized nurse. We found them counting how much drugs, alcohol and cigarettes they had between them, planning an escape. The sad part of the dream was that if Robert Downey Junior were your boyfriend, you'd expect some benefits - which were not forthcoming. Darn!

Sleep and dreaming has turned out to be the theme and I've got the songs to match. Go To Sleep by The Avette Brothers and Crazy Dreamers by Ray LaMontagne fit quite well. I had first thought of an Iron and Wine song but that can wait till another day.

Ok, the day has come for the Iron and Wine song as the Avett Brothers is already in the files. I didn't find it the first time because I spelled their name wrong on the previous post. Here's The Devil Never Sleeps. I really like this band's style. According to their website they have their live shows available to download.

It looks as though we may get a thunderstorm. It would be good it it clears the humidity but I hope it waits till the steaks are off the barbecue.

Thank God It's Friday and Thank You Nurse Jackie

Good Friday. In my opinion every Friday is good. Friday has always been my favorite day of the week. When I was young I was the oldest and had to babysit......a lot; every Saturday for sure as that was my parents night out. Friday became mine and my friends' night to do whatever we were going to do that week with the promise of getting to sleep in on Saturday. This night has stayed with me as a celebratory night and Good Friday is the epitome - the end of Lent. I don't give up anything specifically but still practice it to an extent somehow but not in a Catholic way. Hard to explain but it's part of me. Good Friday.

I just telephoned the nurse who was a personal angel to me, to thank her for being an excellent nurse. I had several complications after my surgery that weren't dealt with until I figured it out myself or she did. She was humbled by the call but I believe she was the best nurse I encountered during my visit and deserves to know this. She lives in my community though I didn't know her. I know her husband who is very good in his trade as well. I always believe in letting people know when they're doing a good job. It's always been a practice of mine.

Music: For Jackie: Calling All Angels sung by Brandi and Tiffany Carlile and Thank You by Dido, Woman King by Iron and Wine and The Quality of Mercy by Michelle Shocked. She was a really good nurse.

Long Day - Short Year

Would you believe a friend called and asked if I'd like to go skating. A laugh is always a good thing to have and a friend who brings you a laugh is even better.

There is talk of a storm tomorrow for New Year's Eve and they're already asking people to stay off the roads. We are expecting 30 cm. of snow. I hope people heed the warnings especially since there will be drinking drivers out there.

The last two days have seemed to be very long. I'm going to try to get out for a walk tomorrow before the storm hits. I didn't realize how much you use your arms for balance. I keep wobbling to the right so I will have to be very careful outdoors. Actually it may be safer as there are no door frames to keep bumping into.

I've just heard the forecast and the storm is starting early so the walk may be postponed. Good thing my appetite seems to have dwindled along with the use of my arm. I was worried about gaining weight with the reduced physical activity.

Innocent Bones by Iron and Wine is the song for today. I am celebrating my strong bones as the Dr. told me that the injury I received usually breaks some bones as well but I was spared because of my strong bones. Take your halibut liver oil, People. Another one of Iron and Wine's songs, Such Great Heights seems appropriate too.

I Wish You Could Smell This

I was just out shooting some echinaceia flowers then remembered I was going to put up the lily. You'll have to go here and maybe here ( possibly won't work as they're postdated- let me know) for the echinacia. I had unexpected company for the afternoon, a friend who is into flowers so we had a pleasant time out in the gardens, promising each other plants this fall and spring, each carrying a camera. Nice. I disturbed a spider she was about to photograph. I felt terrible. Just trying to help by pulling out a weed in front of it.

I can't remember if I told you that I've lost my stereo since the big thunderstorms when my relatives were here. Anyway, I'm using an ancient stereo that I replaced - with my broken stereo, in '96. Not my favorite choice for listening to music. I need excellent speakers. Anyway, music..... something my friend and I were listening to on the shitty stereo from recent playlists I had made. Boy With A Coin from Iron & Wine has the greatest, catchy rhythm for me with a whiney guitar that is perfect here. Too Hot To Sleep by Eilen Jewell is a song that's got some sexy lyrics and has been perfect for the weather lately. I like this song a lot. Hot for those hot days of August. I've got another hot August song that I'll possibly put up next post. The playlist is called An August Shoreline.