Saturday, August 25, 2012

the beach, good books and a WW2 painting...

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.

- Isak Dinesen



I made my way to the beach today...
is there anything better than a quiet day at the beach with a good book?

And with these little treasures i got last week from Amazon,
let's just say it was a good day. 


I am somewhat of a loner, so i much prefer a quiet beach
than one filled with noise and barking dogs
and shiny, sparkly, tanned bodies. :-)

We have several beaches around here we can escape to
when we don't feel like being surrounded by a gazillion people.



I still think that if everyone regularly took time to unwind like this, 
the world would be a better place.

I realize that not everyone has such freedom...
and almost always, whenever i am surrounded by this beauty,
i can't help but think of those less fortunate
and it's an effort for me not to feel guilty for what i have.



...a little blue ocean between the rocks...


The wharf, with fishing boats coming in and going out...


multi-colored fishing rope...


A fishing boat...

Who wouldn't love a turquoise boat?



lovely reflection in the water...



A few more people showed up, but still very quiet.
I had a wonderful few hours to myself...

I'm squeezing out every last bit of summer we have left,
although i welcome the fall with open arms.
It's my favorite season.


This was last night's work....

I have a soft spot for WW2 soldiers and stories.

Many of these men went into battle without much of a choice.
It's one thing to choose to become a soldier,
but quite another to be forced into it.

My father in law was a WW2 veteran and used to tell me stories of local men
who spent months hiding in the woods near here,
so they wouldn't be forced to join the army.

Once in a while, the military police would go from house to house,
gathering all the men to join in the battle overseas (in Europe).

When they suspected there was a man of the house in hiding,
they searched the thick woods in the surrounding areas
and often found what they were looking for.

My father in law told me of one such man who had the kindest heart,
and who had been hiding in the woods for months,
fearful of being forced into the army,
with his wife and children bringing him food.

Some may see these men as cowards, but i don't.

I think of my own father, who doesn't have the heart to discipline his dog, 
let alone kill a man,
and i understand what these men were hiding from.

They were filled with fear at the thought of war,
and the idea that they may be killed,
but more than anything,
they were paralyzed in fear at having to kill someone else.



When i saw this photo last night in one of my books, it tugged at my heart.

This police constable is consoling a man who had gone for a walk with his dog while his wife cooked Sunday dinner. His town (in South London) was bombed and he came back to find everything demolished and his wife buried beneath the rubble.  



a quick watercolor sketch with colors a bit too dark for my liking,
but i guess that was the mood...



As much as the world is filled with crap,
it's also filled with very hopeful, caring,
compassionate moments like these.

My world makes sense when i acknowledge both, the good with the bad.

Sometimes, i let myself get carried away too much with the bad
(hence, the asshole post prior to this one!)
but then i treat my soul to good books and a day at the beach
and all is well with the world again. :-)

Thank you all for visiting here.
I hope you all know how grateful i am
that we share this space together...

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
xox



12 comments:

  1. There are no winners in wars, apart from those who fund them. Every civilian has much to lose in wars. I pray that people find ways to overcome their differences without having to fight one another.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thank you for reminding me that things aren't always assholes and arguments. the insight to the men who hid reminded me of strong feelings I held and spoke during the Vietnam War. I have been utterly fascinated with stories of WWII, on all sides and from all angles. I think war is so ridiculous but that is what we humans resort to, BE it on a LARGE scale or sometimes very small. I love the story BEhind your painting and how you are always letting me peek BEhind the curtain of your thoughty little mind... it is my JOY to BE getting to know you this way. slowly, easily, taking in what I DO and in my own time. this is a gift.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, a very good place, we should not feel guilty for where we live, remember that there is always someone who lives in a place more beautiful than ours, ha ha :)
    very good pictures and very good drawing.
    good medicine is a good book and the beach!
    The weekend is going, so good week for you! :))))))))))))

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! I was truly touched by your words and artwork. I can't even imagine what it would be like to come home to find my wife or any other loved one gone. Thank you for reminding me of how blessed I am. Peace!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm glad you had a nice relaxing beach day. You have conveyed the sombre mood you relayed about the story very well with your watercolour. Great job.
    Stay inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  6. During the Vietnam War we had many protestors and some ran away to Canada. The ones I knew, it was that same thing. They weren't as afraid of dying as they were of killing somebody. Gentle souls who wouldn't hurt a fly. They were never the same...if they made it back at all. There are people who are not cut out to kill. Period.

    I also prefer anywhere in nature without other people, if possible. It refuels the soul! Wonderful pictures. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. So much I am inspired to say. What wonderful beaches you have, and the photos are marvellous.
    As for the painting it is heartfelt, and the story behind it so touching.
    This is a piece of history I didn't know about, and it gives me a whole new perspective.
    My own father was in WW2 and went down with his ship - the Prince of Wales - and survived to spend 4 years in a Japanese prison camp at Changi. He was so affected by it that it affected the lives of our family so much, and it was years before we were old enough to understand and forgive. The after effects of war go on for years and years. Thank you fou such a thought-provoking post. Sorry this was so long!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely beach you have there! That quote at the beginning of your post is so so true! And that story about those men hiding in the woods is so sad. Imagine having to go fight in a war far away and not wanting to and still having to. It chills me to think of it. Thanks for your thought-provoking posts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such beauty written... with your artwork to hold your thoughts. Well spoken!! :]
    Heavenly, Pauline.
    You always find a way to touch my soul ~xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely lovely, well written and drawn post. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm wondering if the universe has many of us on the same path. I am pondering these same feelings of late!! I started a poem a week back, of gratitude for those thing we take for granted. We are so blessed! I do feel the ocean is a conduit to creativity, healing energy, and finding resolve! I especially gravitate to it when I need solace..I can't imagine not living near it!! Great illustration. I especially love the dark tone, so much emotion expressed!! Well done!!

    Hugs Giggles
    ps I have a non violent man living under my roof, he could never imagine hurting a fly, with words or stave!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another lovely post from you, Pauline. I find that I ground myself by my almost daily trips to the beach, and every trip that I make, I'm shocked by the lack of people there enjoying what we're so fortunate to have nearby. (I'm also grateful for that!) Your watercolor is lovely, and once again I'm reminded of how blessed I've been in my own life to not know such hard times. ♥

    ReplyDelete