stories, photographs, adventures…the next chapter
Becky B: JanuaryLight…square photographs of words ending in light…
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A 1957 baby blue Cadillac is hibernating in the basement garage of my condo building. Safe from winter’s snow, ice and salt covered roads.
Its shiny rear bumper extends past the straight white lines marking off the designated parking spaces. Making its presence known.
Every time I walk by this blue behemoth, I feel like it is watching me.
Inspired by Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #78: Special Spot Shots
Now we are looking forward to seeing Your very special spot shots – maybe a room in your home, a garden, a mountain, a city, an exhibition, a lovely café…a place that is special to you!
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While taking on this photo challenge, I came to the realization that my “Special Spot” had changed.
At first, I thought…Coronado Beach! I have such warm and wonderful – and yes, special, memories from the half dozen times I vacationed there.
I have posted about this slice of heaven on the US west coast several times.
However, I have not been back to Coronado since 2006 and it is unlikely I will be able to make a cross country trip again.
Time for a new special place…
I live on the US east coast…relatively close to a beautiful beach. I will admit, it’s not as beautiful as Coronado…but it still ranks up there.
From October through December of 2016 we lived in a rental across the street from the sands of Hampton Beach. A temporary stint of “living at the beach” while we waited to close on our new condo under construction a few towns away.
It was off season, so we practically had the beach to ourselves.
Peaceful.
Perfect for afternoon walks.
A seat on the sand for contemplation.
Mesmerized by the waves while my imagination ran wild with plans for the future.
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Yesterday afternoon I decided to take a ride back to Hampton Beach…
Dressed in layers for a cold, windy, winter walk.
It happened to be low tide. The lowest tide I’d ever seen.
I was not disappointed.
It seems I still have a Special Spot.
Now…close to home.
BeckyB: JanuaryLight. …square photographs of words ending in light….
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Spotting daylight at the end of a tunnel can be a challenge.
However, it’s a short wait…when you’re in a carwash.
Inspired by Sunshine’s Macro Monday #23
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Root vegetables galore covered the tables at a local indoor farmers’ market a few months ago.
I don’t usually buy fresh beets at the grocery store.
However, this time I thought…why not?
Look at all those colors!
Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Retrospective
Feel free to look back across 2019 or the 2010s, or whatever comes to your creative mind, when you are feeling retrospective!
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Five years ago last November, my husband and I were still living in the home we had bought in 1980. The cape style house had been remodeled several times – adding space as our family grew larger. However, the dining room (originally an office & then my daughter’s bedroom) stayed virtually the same, with the occasional wallpaper and rug update.
I enjoyed eating breakfast in that small, yet cozy, dining room…something I had rarely done years earlier when life bordered on hectic. By 2014 our children had long since grown and moved on. I had (mostly) retired and treasured my mornings, lingering over the first meal of the day. No need to spend more time than necessary in the kitchen!
My seat at the dining room table faced a window looking out on our quiet neighborhood street. I sipped coffee with a clear view of the changing seasons…an occasional car…yellow school bus…jogger.
For some reason…I don’t remember why…I took a photograph of my window view one November morning in 2014. Perhaps it was the autumn leaves still hanging on despite the colder temperatures. Not sure, but I didn’t question the impulse.
Then…one thing led to another…
I thought it would be fun to document – on a regular basis – the changes happening outside…as seen from my seat at the table. At evenly spaced intervals of course. Not too surprising, as I am known to do that sort of thing (just ask my children…). Capturing moments.
For the next 11 months – on or about the 10th of every month at breakfast – I took a picture of that view…trying to line up the shot the same way each time.
The first photo…November 10, 2014.
The last of the monthly photos was taken October 12th, 2015.
I am glad I chronicled this evolving, yet familiar, scene. Little did I know at the time, but major life changes were on the way.
One year later – in October 2016 – we sold our home of 36 years.
I wonder if the new owner is enjoying the view as much as I did.
I hope so.
BeckyB: JanuaryLight. …square photographs of words ending in light….
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Afternoon sunlight is all this two year old needed.
To investigate a new sheet of stickers…for a quiet interlude of play.
This post inspired by Fandango’s Friday Flashback – January 3
Wouldn’t you like to expose your newer readers to some of your earlier posts that they might never have seen? Or remind your long term followers of posts that they might not remember?..Why don’t you reach back into your own archives and highlight a post that you wrote on this very date in a previous year?
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This post is from January 3, 2019 in response to V.J.’s Weekly Challenge.
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Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you are aboard there is nothing you can do.
Golda Meir
Isn’t that the truth.
Even when I want to say…get me the hell off.
I am not ready for this yet.
For the irrelevance thrust on me.
Rendered invisible. Packed in behind the younger.
Respect once earned upended in the turbulence of senior discounts…
now that you’re 50…60…over 60….doors start to shut. Deaf ears abound.
Forgetting one too many things
Which 20 years ago went unnoticed.
Or commented on.
Not now.
Mask floating down. Got it.
Pulling the life vest cords. Got it.
I tell the younger kin I am not this old inside my head.
They nod. Eyes looking beyond. Already past me.
Uncomprehending…until it’s their aged faces staring back at them.
That’s what she meant.
There will be no mad dash for the exits.
Even in an emergency.
I’m on this ride for the duration. Wind. Rain. Thunder.
Wrinkles. Gray hair. Early dinners. Early to bed.
System slowdowns. Bumpy rides. Love and loss.
Dried up everything, but oozing with wisdom.
Experience.
And ideas. Just ask.
But they won’t.
Whatever.
The longer I’m on this stormy plane ride, the wiser I get.
Not my first rodeo.
So there.
2019…more transitions…
…the next leg on my Golden Years journey.
Seatbelt fastened and secure.
Building up those frequent flyer miles.
Wheels up.
This post inspired by: V.J.’s Weekly Challenge – Transition
January marks a new squares challenge from BeckyB: JanuaryLights.
The challenge is to post square photographs of words ending in light.
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My entry for today was taken the day after Christmas in Washington DC.
On a walk back from a neighborhood park, the sun started to set.
When the streetlights came on, I was ready.
At the end of the day, your relationships with the people in your life will be greater assets than any material things. Take time. Be present. You’ll thank yourself for it later.
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Today is January 1st.
It’s also the time of year when resolutions are made…
A new year. A starting line for change…
The underlying message?
Who you are is just not good…enough.
Do more. Be more. Or…in some cases do less.
Stop eating so much. Stop smoking.
Save more money. Get more exercise.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Don’t get me wrong. These are all worthy causes and beneficial behavior changes. But they also pile on the guilt if…or when…you can’t push that plate of pie away. Or throw out those cigarettes. Or make it to the gym. You look in the mirror and just feel worse.
It’s also a lost opportunity to look at a bigger picture…
A resolution can be a serious committed decision. A pledge to work towards something truly worthwhile. That isn’t just skin deep. That actually lasts.
It can be a sharper focus on the people in our lives who have slipped to the back burner. The friend you haven’t spoken to in months or years. The neighbor you used to see out for walks. The distant relative who stopped sending holiday cards. The family member who stays hidden behind a wall of pain.
I believe that connections are what make us human. But they need our care and attention.
Another thought: Texting technology has its place, but there is no substitute for the sound of a loving voice. Or the comfort of an in-person hug.
And…there is absolutely no substitute for an actual conversation complete with eye contact.
I see it all the time…a family sitting together at a restaurant. Everyone texting with eyes glued to their phones. A forever lost opportunity. It breaks my heart.
Take time.
Be present.
Pay attention.
There is too much to lose.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 