During a recent Saturday morning cardio walk, I noticed an elderly gentleman in my neighborhood removing from his SUV and placing in his garage items which tots or young school age children might use to clutch on to when in the water, such as a pool or even the ocean.
Obviously, since school had started a few days earlier, remnants of the summer were returned to storage until the next Garden State shore season returns. As I walked, I pondered what that meant to me. I have always welcomed the off-season beach trips where oppressive heat is no more and chillier temperatures and sometimes gusty winds reign. Partner that with absence of crowds, and an opportunity for true peace enters the picture. Regular readers of the "Some Thoughts This Week" blog -- this version and its predecessor from 2009 - 2015 -- know I value that peace and all it encompasses: vegetation, whether in fall or winter bloom or off-season decay; birds of all colors and sizes, and anything else that falls into the category. You see, I am not the type to embrace the summer season, heat, crowds and all; I prefer quiet and space, freedom to roam the dune trails, stand at the shoreline and watch the waves crash and recede with a rush from whence they came, the screams of families and children absent. All are entitled to the joys, and their parcel of beach sand. If frolicking in surf during the tourist season finds your favor, I won't be at your elbow. Value is find during all seasons, all relative to the individual, and I certainly respect the choice to tan in the heat. But there's something special about a brisk, cold wind in your face, and sharing it alone with a shore bird, its plume blown in beautiful disarray. Steve
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Steve Sears is a New Jersey based freelance writer
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