Clouds and the beach

"Clouds", 22 x 30, watercolor painted several years ago

At the beach this week:

This week I met friends of mine at the beach, something I rarely do even though there are 5 different beaches in town, all of which are picturesque and inviting. I have always thought about the sand, the heat, and the sweat, and for me my summer pleasure has been more attuned to swimming in a 25 yard pool (swimming is my meditation and exercise; I swim all year long). I have to admit, for the first time since I moved here over 20 years ago, I enjoyed listening to the sounds; the waves hitting the rocks, the seagulls begging for food scraps, and the wind almost howling in the warmth of summer humidity. After my beach visit on Tuesday, I went to town hall, got a recreation sticker so I wouldn't have to worry about getting a ticket when I went back the next day (another thing I never bothered doing in the past because going to the beaches has never been on my summer activity list. A town parking sticker is required for residents to park along the beach).

I guess all of this lead me to realizing that what I liked most about going to the beach this week was that it forced me to sit still, enjoy the company of my friends, and pay attention to what was right there in front of me. The photograph I took of the clouds reminded me of a painting I did years ago. To me, there is something quite beautiful in it's simplicity and I am inspired to paint clouds again.