A Delicious Destination

We packed up the camper with the essentials - the wine, the dog and our desire.  Our desire for each other as well as our desire to be at the water's edge, feel the wind in our faces and taste the delicacies that the ocean had to offer us - crab, salmon, prawns and oysters.

Our camping spot was right on the beach with nothing between us and China but the vast ocean that soothed and thrilled at the same time.  The enormity and sheer beauty of it never ceased to awe and restore.

It poured rain but we didn't care.  The soothing patter of the rain drops hitting the aluminum roof combined with the melodious swooshing of the waves crashing against the shore lulled us into a delicious, lethargic stupor and we were quite content to wallow in kisses and caresses while we waited out the weather.

When we finally did emerge wearing yellow rain gear and utter contentment, we sipped on crisp, bubbly champagne and supped on the freshest seafood - cedar-planked salmon, freshly shucked oysters and steamed Dungeoness crab so sweet that we ate it unadorned. 

We shared our bounty with a European couple who marveled at the beauty of the spot and the exquisite taste of the food.  And we nodded - knowingly and proprietorially - because we had already claimed this place as our own.

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #8: I Need a Vacation

Write about a trip either you or a character has taken. It doesn't need to be a literal trip but can be more of figurative journey. If you're writing memoir, what do you remember most about this trip? Do you remember what it's like to go somewhere you've never been? If you're writing fiction, describe your character's trip vividly. Make us feel what your character felt, see what they saw, experience what they experienced.

I have also linked this post to Studio Thirty Plus as the prompt this week was "The Taste of Summer".

A Song for Saturday - Cool Change - Little River Band

My husband and I headed to the beach today.  We walked the boardwalk and had fish and chips on a restaurant patio.  Anywhere near the ocean is my favourite place to be and I often think of this song when I am there.  Happy Place.

Cool Change - Little River Band

If there's one thing in my life that's missing
It's the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
Lots of those friendly people
And they're showing me ways to go
And I never want to lose their inspiration
Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
And now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's time for a cool change

Well, I was born in the sign of water
And it's there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's time for a cool change

I've never been romantic
And sometimes I don't care
I know it may sound selfish
But let me breathe the air, yeah
Let me breathe the air

[Instrumental Interlude]

If there's one thing in my life that's missing
It's the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's hard for a cool
Cool, cool change

It's time, it's time, it's time
It's time, it's time, it's time
For a cool, cool change
Oooooh, I know it's time for a cool
Cool, cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
That it's time for a cool change
Yes it is, yes it is, yes it is, yes it is
It's Time for a cool change

A Song for Saturday - Into the Mystic - Van Morrison

Today is my dear old friend's birthday.  We have known each other for over thirty years and to pick just one song for her was very difficult as there are many songs that evoke countless, wonderful memories from over the years.

This particular tune, though, reminds me of one very colourful night - a night of purple houses, yellow I-Rocs and brass trumpets.  Good times!

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the
mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic

And when that fog horn blows I will be coming home
And when that fog horn blows I want to hear it
I don't have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
Then magnificently we will float into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows you know I will be coming
home
And when that fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it

I don't have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float into the mystic
Come on girl...

Sun Goddess

As we reach the sand, I automatically discard my flip flops to walk barefoot.

“It’s not actually sand,” he says, “It’s ground coral.  That is why it’s not hot on your feet.”

“Really,” I replied.  I, myself, would never thought of this detail but he is forever logical. 

I sifted the ground coral between my French-manicured toes, luxuriating in the feel of it; warm, not hot.  We find a couple of lounge chairs near the edge of the sand close to the rocks and somewhat removed from the other resort guests.  We recline our chairs and ease into them, the warm ocean breeze pressing down upon us and the frosty, watered-down resort Pina Coladas within easy reach.

“You know,” he says in his logical voice, “This is an international resort and there are quite a few Europeans here.  I’ve noticed a lot more people smoking and some of the women are going topless on this beach.”  

He had been walking this morning while I lazed in bed, tired from the flight and the weeks of wedding planning.

“Hmm,” I say, already sinking into that lazy, sun-kissed stupor that is only achieved with that delicate balance of tropical sun and tropical rum, “What are you suggesting?”

“Well, I wasn’t suggesting anything but, now that you mention it, if you have ever wanted to go topless, now might be the time to try it,” he says, logically.

Surprisingly, it doesn’t take any further prompting.  Why not?  I don’t know anybody here and we are far enough away from everyone else on the beach.

I reach to the back of my neck to undo the halter strap of my bikini top and then arch my back and reach behind me to undo the clasp.  I pull it away and drop the gauzy bit of fabric to the ground. Not too far.  I might need it in a hurry.

Then I lay back to bask in the warmth of the sun and the warmth of my husband’s gaze.  I have never before felt more at ease in my own skin as I do at this moment. 

I think, perhaps, he is a little shocked that I have actually removed my bikini top, but he goes with it.

“You are a goddess,” he says, illogically.

And truly, I feel like one.

This was the RemembeRED prompt over at The Red Dress Club:

So this week, we want you to write about sand.

Yes…sand.

It doesn’t have to be summer-related.

Girl in the Tree

I wrote this letter in response to a prompt from my IRL writing group.  We were to write a letter of advice to our younger selves. 

Recently, the younger brother of my very good friend posted this photo on Facebook.  I had never seen this photo before.  I believe we were about nine or ten years old.  Something about the photo caught my attention and I decided to direct my letter to her, the Girl in the Tree.  She's the one at the top of the tree.

Dear Girl in the Tree,

This is supposed to be one of those letters where I, your older and much wiser self, am supposed to give you all sorts of advice but I look at you and the confidence that you portray and wonder what you might be able to tell me.   

I don’t remember this picture being taken and when I first saw it I was surprised to see that you were at the top of the tree above everyone else.  This is not how I remember being but Danita (yes, we are still friends) remembers it differently.  When I mentioned my surprise to her, she just laughed and said that I was always brave back then, always the first to try new things.  Really?   I have to stretch my memory in order to remember this feeling and I am not sure when things changed.  You already had so many things to be afraid of, yet you look so happy. 

I guess if I had any advice to give you at all, it would be this:  Don’t lose that fearlessness because in the process you will lose yourself and let me tell you, you will spend a whole lot of time in the future looking for you. 

I know you have this inherent need to please others but don’t put everyone else's needs above yours because eventually you just forget your own and, again, you will spend a lot of time trying to figure this out. 

I guess what I am really trying to say is hold onto that Girl in the Tree as tightly as you can.  Don’t let her go. 

Love, Me (The girl trying to find the Girl in the Tree) 

I am sending this to The Red Dress Club for their weekend linkup. 

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June 26, 2011 Update 

I am linking this post to Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #5: A Letter to You at The Lightning and the Lightning Bug. The letter is addressed to the "Girl in the Tree" who is not sixteen, but nine or ten.  I thought that it was relevant anyway.  Please forgive me if I am wrong.

"Write a letter to yourself at age sixteen. What might you tell your sixteen year-old self? Would you warn yourself not to make a certain mistake? Would you ask yourself to treasure being young? Would you tell yourself how much you've changed? You can write the letter from your present self, or from someone else entirely. Feel free to take this in an unexpected direction. Good luck!"