One of my favorite things to do besides taking long beach walks is to sit and read at the beach. One day over the weekend, I found myself alone on the beach without a book. My husband was driving our son to the gym for physical therapy. Our son’s girlfriend had walked to a surf shop to rent a board and wetsuit.
I wanted to get back to the house to pick up the book I’m reading — Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.” But I was a good three miles away from the house. So I just sat. It was one of the most peaceful afternoons I’ve experienced in a long time. It was too bright to surf on my phone. I couldn’t even read emails.
I watched the pelicans, egrets and sandpipers. I watched the waves. I felt connected to the sea.
Here’s the opening paragraph of the Shirley Jackson book I’m reading:
My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise, I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cap mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/89724.We_Have_Always_Lived_in_the_Castle
I read “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” when I was a teenager. My mom had a copy. Then I read it again after college. It’s been at least 20 years since I’ve picked it up. It is still captivating.
But sometimes I just like to sit. I find it beyond relaxing. Watching the waves I find similar to meditation.
Do you ever find yourself just sitting? Why do you think it’s good for us to be quiet — and not be reading, on our phones or computer? Do you have a book to recommend for my beach vacation?
I try to my own mindfulness five minutes in the morning where I sit and stare. Sometimes I do like to just sit and look. But at the beach I like to read…to me it’s the perfect reading conditions if I have an umbrella
I love reading at the beach too with an umbrella. But it was so relaxing to sit and watch waves.
When I went to the botanic garden last week I only took one picture. I sat in the Japanese gardens and just stared at the reflection of the trees on the pond. It was wonderful
Those are the moments that are restorative to our souls.
💗💗
I think you wanted books…if you want light and frothy, I loved The Bodyguard. If you want to think a little…Don’t Cry for Me. Friday is my month in review post
Thank you! I was going to ask you for ideas.
Who is the author of The Bodyguard. I looked at Amazon and there are several. One doesn’t come out until 2023.
Katherine center. I thought it was a really fun. Rom com.
Thank you!
That is the one that the book won’t be out until June 2023. I read paperbacks on the beach. It looks really good!
Ohhhnn
Try things by Emily Henry. I like her stuff…light and fun
Thanks. I’ll take a look!
Yeah, sometimes I just sit and take everything in. It’s definitely very relaxing.
I tend to keep my mind too busy. I’m enjoying just sitting.
I’m the same way. I think that’s what makes those moments of doing nothing at all even more valuable.
Yes!
Men have special places they like to sit, think, read and ponder. We call those place “Sports Bars”, and we are reading box scores. Talk about clearing your head of evil thoughts and stuff! Throw in a pint, and you have nirvana.
Never thought of that, but I think that is an escape too.
When I am at the beach I cherish just sitting and watching the waves. As you said, they are so mesmerizing. <3
I am in such a better frame of mind after watching waves.
Most definitely!!
I like to sit on my Swing sometimes and just pray or Be
That sounds like a perfect place to be.