I am normally a meticulous planner, scheduling things to take place, and ensuring completion. However, I'd never deny the fact that life occasionally tosses a wrench into the best of plans, causing them to go awry. Rarely is this ever a joy. On the flip side, though, is the "friendly interruption" of a self-imposed reprieve which takes one away from current busyness. Most welcome, it is. This past Tuesday, as I continued to recover from a recent illness and edged along, doing the few writing assignments I allowed myself during this period, my wife Lucille text messaged me during a shopping trip, desiring to get away for a brief few hours and take a day trip. We both decided on the shore area, which we knew would be somewhat devoid of lots of people, and we could venture to spots where just she and I could and would walk with nature. Also, I thought the shore air fed by the saltwater sea might help clear my congestion. So, after a trip to Long Branch, New Jersey's Wind Mill Hot Dogs for a mid-afternoon lunch (blog to come this Wednesday), we drove to Sandy Hook, parked the car, and strolled. Call me crazy, but I believe that foliage, left in its natural state -- many times succumbing to the seasonal elements or passing of time -- is sometimes just as lovely as a full bloom of springtime flowers. Partner with both any accompanying silence, and this is the perfect time for contemplation and reflection, creation, and most of all, some sort of peace. Yes, cactus lives in some spots along the coast. While at the Hook, we visited the Halyburton Memorial monument, itself a bit hidden as one drives by on the neighboring road. The story behind the memorial may be found online. Our final stop during our 45-minute Sandy Hook visit was the very familiar Beach D. Nearby is the sad wreck of the popular Seagull's Nest restaurant, closed since 2012 when Hurricane Sandy rendered everything inside inoperable. Lucille and I sat in the car, looking through the opening in the dunes and out at the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. We were the only people in the area, but not the only living thing. The gull pictured below was quite picturesque and not shy, posing for me as I drove the car slowly towards the exit and took a few photos. Our trek home along busy Routes 36, 35, and the Garden State Parkway were a complete contrast to the serenity, but irreplaceable were the memory and happiness created during our shore sojourn.
Steve
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It hasn't been the healthiest two weeks. Late in the first 7 days of April, I came down with an illness that forced a physician to place me on bed rest and 10 days worth of antibiotics. So, I notified all clients and editors that my writing assignments had to be placed on hold temporarily, or else would be worked on at the "Grandfather of a snail" like pace. This isn't easy, especially if you're like me, constantly marketing and working, nary a free moment Monday - Friday. The above being said, I did yesterday venture downstairs to the basement library to fetch my computer, bring it upstairs to the bedroom, and work while resting, if that makes sense. While downstairs, I did as I always do, no matter the weather: I removed the curtains and opened the windows to let in fresh air. And this greeted me. I hear the shouts now. "That's what did it to you -- the change of weather, and all the pollen in the air."
That may or may not be true, but there was something special about this lone visible growth rising above the window pane, peering in at me as I gathered what I needed. Most of the time, specimens like this are trampled underfoot, ignored in the realm of busyness I and many allow to consume our days -- even if those days are supposed to be off days. I'm trying to gather the true message here, the "take away" from this moment of discovery. I'm pondering this. Will this dandelion be here, standing at attention, "sun" meeting sunshine, when I recover and return full-time to my desk? Steve Bombarded.
That one word says it all. I use it to describe the amount of news that we hear and see daily. That includes advertisements that get us thinking, bad news that angers or saddens us, celebrity news and maybe sports news that tires us, and even good news that is a bright spot. All of the above is not going anywhere, and if you find favor with any of it, that's your ball field. Tend to your turf. But for the rest of us who need an escape, somewhere or something we can turn to for refreshment, look for something. Perhaps not a daily thing, but an occasional may be all you desire to reconnect with an inner, what should be more peaceful, less cluttered world. Our family recently started a twice a week scripture reading and discussion period two days a week for 30 - 45 minutes. It doesn't eliminate problems, nor extinguish the flame of media showing up, but it encourages coping, but more so putting things in proper order. Reading an inspirational, nature rambling, or spiritual book is another step I often take move my soul to that better place. Tired of being bombarded? Do what's best for you. Steve I took last week a reprieve from my "From My Seat" and "Some Thoughts This Week" blogs in order to "swallow" a large influx of article and corporate work that came my way.
I told myself that I would take on a "lighter" workload, but did I? If I had written the three blog posts, certainly my work week would've been busier. However, it was extremely so nonetheless, so what did I really gain? And then there's this. When you work any job, you're often encouraged to not "take the job home with you." Wise advice, but how easy is it to adhere to? I'll remain here and now in my realm of writing. No matter when a writer unplugs, there are always the whispers in the ear of, "Has my editor responded to my email from earlier today?" or "Man, I wonder what he\she (the client) thought about the project? Have they looked at it? Should I turn on my phone and check my email?" More often than not, I do turn on my Smartphone to find not one email from a party I was concerned about. I often consider taking a day or two away from my desk, not look at email, nor do any writing. Embark on a peaceful recharge. Then again, with my phone "attached" to me, how realistic is that? The choice has been made. The week of the 16th, I'm exiting the basement for a few days of "me" and "they" (family) time. The work will (or maybe won't) be there when I return. Steve |
Steve Sears is a New Jersey based freelance writer
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