Faces of Winter

Skies and waves take on hues and textures inspiring awe

The sea creating an illusion of softness from

chill, raw power of coastal waters.

Harsh and ever changing, the winter winds 

scour the sandy shore...

Winter Break is Almost Here...

 As I look forward to a two break from work, this week feels long. Every year brings its new challenges, this year being no exception - a welter of unspoken, only-to-be-guessed at expectations, the annual Christmas program, and staff breakfast/mug exchange have left me feeling rather jaded. Of all the people on staff to get the actual Christmas mug (it's been nearly 20 years since I celebrated this holiday)... and who thought it a good idea to have the program on a Tuesday so our Wednesday felt like a Friday? Conversation causing me to ask why some people think their way should be imposed on all, not even caring that some do not share their view - can anyone say white privilege? And, I have a cold... Enough kvetching already.

Yet, as I begin to practice mindfulness and delve into the practice of meditation, the tools I have found are a treasure trove of strength and awareness. Breathe. In. Out. Deep. Slow. Calm. Ease... This too shall pass. All is impermanence.

So, we managed our mostly monthly beach clean-up today as we were in need of a diversion from the usual routine.  Scouring through the beach grass collecting 66 lbs of flotsam on a nearly windless day was fun for us all (despite the frozen landscape and faces). Well, except for Mary who cut her hand on the beach grass. She was doctored up by my cohort in crime and felt better with a tootsie pop in hand.

On the way home (I managed to leave before dark today - a first in several weeks), I got to experience this amazing display going through Copalis Beach! And, the roads weren't icy as they have been the past couple of mornings!

Agates

I am continually drawn to find agates whenever I walk at Damon Point. Why, and what are they exactly?

"Most agates occur as nodules in former cavities produced by "Volatiles" in the original molten mass, which were then filled, wholly or partially, by siliceous matter deposited in regular layers upon the walls. Agate has also been known to fill veins or cracks in volcanic or altered rock underlain by granitic intrusive masses." ~ Wiki

So, they're made from molten, gelatinous mineral that filled in empty spaces in volcanic rock.  The predominant mineral in them is chalcedony, a microcrystalline type of quartz. Wiki goe on to say that agates are often pitted on the outside due to the original outer layer being removed. For the full article, read HERE.

One source  spoke specifically about the AGATES common to the Damon Point area, here on the Washington coast.

Apparently agates have more properties than I realized... maybe those that I've collected are what caused the imminent 'storm of the century' to pass by us last month! Haha!

Prevents insomnia Promotes pleasant dreams Makes you more persuasive Helps you to be less disagreeable Helps cure skin diseases Protects from danger Promotes good agricultural crops Diverts dangerous storms Helps predict the future Keeps the blood healthy Relieves thirst Helps you to be truthful

Encourages a broader perspective Attracts good fortune Increases concentration Promotes good will Is an aid in overcoming flaws Helps eliminate bad luck Calms fear and stress Provides a sense of strength and courage Stimulates fertility Helps bone marrow Relieves allergies Enhances creativity

Autumn at the Beach

 A few snapshots of our  October weather at the beach...

Some feathered visitors took refuge on our canal on the stormiest day. It was supposed the be the storm of the century, but failed to live up to its name, fortunately.

This guy is representative of the many deer wandering around our area. One very like this rubbed branches off and broke two newly planted trees...

 

January Beach Walk

Feeling inclined to walk the beaches this weekend, I took my camera and had a great time snapping shots of some of the locals who joined me.

At Damon  Point on Saturday

On the ocean side on the sunnier of the days (Sunday) - it was beautifully warm and bright:

The Olympic Mountains in the distance.

There were dozens of these little ones feeding in the sand as the waves pushed them into formation over and over.

I think he's glaring at me...

 As I walked, I remember the words of a dear friend that she penned on her Facebook wall this morning:

"Breathe in beauty and peace... Breathe in all that is good, right, and lovely... Breathe in the calm presence of the moment... Breathe in the life energy that flows in and around you..." ~ Hendel D'bu

Her words inspired me today, may they inspire you, too.

Another Beginning

This month starts a new chapter of my journey. I've officially moved to Ocean Shores and am settled in my 'happy place'. I've had a glorious Summer enjoying the beach, working with Liz in her beautiful, beach-friendly gardens, purchasing all I need (I hope), riding mopeds (Liz and Chuck were very patient with me!), crashing said moped, sharing much laughter and new ideas from our Summer reading, visiting with family. 

Now it's time to really feel like I live here as my new job officially begins tomorrow - a week's worth of meetings and training and getting the finishing touches completed in my classroom. I am really excited! I'll be teaching a 5/6th split class and am looking forward to meeting 'my kids' when they come next week!

So, as the Summer winds down, I've put together a few random pics of the last few days of vacation:

Random little ones running along the beach always make me smile.

My new miniature garden

Fog

 As I drove up the coast yesterday in the bright sunshine to spend some time prepping my new classroom, I noticed a dark fog bank hanging out on the northern horizon. On the way back, I stopped at one of my favorite spots to walk... The fog bank had migrated south, apparently!

The fog was so thick that I couldn't see how far out the tide was until I walked quite a ways. I shot into it hoping to get something interesting. However, I had to tweak the next two on my computer to even see what I had gotten.

My favorite pic is this little sanderling:

And his buddies:

Birds and Waves

A few shots from my walk at Damon Point yesterday. I'm pretty sure these birds are red-throated loons, male and female.  The sun was shining, the breeze cool as the tide rolled in. 

This brown pelican looks like he's swallowing whatever he ate. Odd pose to catch, but interesting.

Time for More Gratefuls

Tonight, on this erev Shabbat, I want to express my gratitude:

I cannot find words enough to express how grateful I am for the job that I was offered this week! To think I was so upset when I didn't get the job at the school where I am presently working! I know now why that did not work out.

I am grateful for a job that will not end in a year but will continue to provide for myself and my family till retirement in a few years.

 I am grateful for the support and encouragement of dear friends - Liz for her constant love, encouragement, the gentle nudges needed. Kris for speaking out supportive words to a prospective employer, the years of friendship we've shared, the listening ear and insight. Kevin for always offering a real perspective and validating my feelings. Chuck for his few words that go right to the heart of a matter and the consideration he always shows.

I am grateful for a feeling of deep happiness I have not felt in many, many years, if ever in the pure form I feel tonight! It's really okay to be happy and to respect myself! It can last. These last few months have brought me a knowledge and acceptance of myself that only intensive time alone can do.

I am grateful for this sanctuary we call 'the beach house'. It's been nearly a year since Liz first got the idea, and now I get to move to my 'happy place' for reals!


I am grateful for the froggy voices outside my slider door. I think they're announcing that it's about time the travelers return.

I am grateful for the not-soon-enough return of my dear friends from faraway Greece.

I am grateful that there are only 5 weeks of school left with much to occupy my time as I move all my teacher stuff to the beach house. Then it's off on a road trip with my friends! I can't wait!

Nearly Forgotten Splashies!

I forgot to post my favorite splashy pics from last weekend!

This cutie was fearless approaching the water - Dad was right behind her, so don't worry!

Ocean City Beach

I ventured further up the coast a couple of miles pulling out at Ocean City just for some place different than my usual rotation. 

From a distance, I saw this large group of birds that drew my attention - there must've been at least a hundred of them all together. It looks like we have a few black-bellied plover, some who still may have their winter plumage, and what I think are Western sandpipers, or maybe Rock sandpipers...

Personally, I think it's very hard to tell some of these birds apart when they change color according to the season and all hang out together.  They look so funny all standing on one leg, like little puffballs on sticks from a distance.

These gulls looked enormous after seeing the others. Again, I can never be sure what kind of gull I'm seeing as they seem to change color depending on their age.

This part of the coast was littered with literally hundreds of thousands if not millions of those velellas I saw further south earlier in the week. The provide food for the birds if nothing else. The smell of decay was pretty strong back from the current.

This one was much larger than any I had seen, measuring about 4 inches, the others I'd seen being around 2 inches or so - here they varied in size from this large one to many only a half inch or less. As you can see, I think they're really interesting!