Monday, June 22, 2009


Another Summer

Darkness came late last night, as though the entire hemisphere was too excited to sleep. The skies stayed awake in celebration of another infant summer, with its happy row of terracotta days stretched out as far as the eye could see. Morning’s pink and glistening dawns, lemonade dew shimmering on the garden floor and towhees splashing in the warm stone baths. Noontimes of warm breezes, long hours spent beside an open window with a beguiling book, hopelessly lost in the words on the page. Chinese lantern evenings, honeydew melons on tuberose tables and strains of Gilberto on the honeysuckle air. And the beach. Forever the beach, with its tropical zephyrs known to whisk away all serious thought leaving only the sweet repetition of wave after wave of smiling joy.
May we all make it to the beach this summer.

Beach Sand
by Raymond A. Foss

Maybe it is the memories
the change of pace that brings us there
the sense of vacation
maybe the smell of the place
the sights of the gulls, the dunes, the grasses
but oh it is the feel of it,
the crunch and slide of it
the feeling of beach sand
so different from dirt, soil, loam
no, not earthy, moist, rich,
but oh so granular and gritty
even when wet,
moveable paper spreading under toes
sliding beneath the soles
smoothing my skin
clearing my mind
unburdening me of the rest
drawing me to the tactile, the feel
of beach sand



Painting at top, The Beach by Peder Severin Kroyer

47 comments:

  1. A photo to treasure forever.

    much love Winnie D, Susan, Bleet, Oliver & the rarely seen Lil' Man.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful words to welcome Summer!
    Does Edward have a new running buddy?
    Have a wonderful day!
    Enjoy the ocean breezes!

    xox
    Constance

    ReplyDelete
  3. beautiful photo. What a big, wonderful, fluffy ball of love Edward is. Do you have troubles keeping sand, dirt and grass out of your house?:)
    WE do!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. great words, and isn't sand just that way too ?

    i adore the pic of you guys.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. The three of you look very happy on the beach! Happy summer to everyone at The House of Edward.
    Catherine

    P.S. Not majolica. (I wish.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are so beautiful and lovely both at the same time.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous words and painting and photo! Yes...welcome to summer, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful photo with your doggies! And isn't the beach just the best? Nice welcome to summer! :) Silke

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the idea of endless terracotta days. Lovely photo of you and Edward, he looks very dignified there...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your description of summer - truly magical!

    Lovely photo. Hals our Neckshund sends his regards to Edward and Apple!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely picture of you and the dogs Pamela. The writings about the beach were lovely. Everyone loves the coast. It is quite magical with the gulls, the eternal sound of the sea. Sadly I live in the middle of the country and don't get to the sea very often....sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You look fabulous! I love the sand on the beach...AAAHHH!!! My favorite place to be!

    ReplyDelete
  13. beach sand is better than any pedicure ever!!!! loving the picture of the 3 of you!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely Pamela, enjoy your magical seaside summer.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Not only beautiful words, but a very beautiful photo of you and the pups. I love it! It for sure is a framer. Enjoy my friend! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love your descriptions! and thank-you for this poem... So far this year it hasn't seemed like summer here yet...too cold and rainy to be summer yet!

    Love the photo of the gang at the beach:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pamela..great photo of you and the royalty! No beach for me sweetie,
    I'm looking fro SNOW,Cold Wind or cold rain! LOL! I'm cooking in the South!

    ReplyDelete
  18. oh wow, Edward and Gus could be brothers. Beautiful photograph.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Everywhere I read the most beguiling descriptions of summer....I wish I lived where everyone else does, because it is miserable here already! Five minutes in the sun this afternoon and the sweat was pouring down my face!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Aww what a lovely photo. Now we live by the sea, there isn't the same excitement that there was when I lived in Oxfordshie- about the furthest point from any coast, in England. From there, going to the sea involved getting up at 6am as a child and going on a coach trip for the day. The sea was so strange, almost alive and far noisier than the rivers of home. Sand was exotic, and the shells treasure to be hoarded and traded with those less lucky that Summer. That 1st sight of the sea, and not having legs fast enough to run the length of the sand to jump in. Gulls, and chips sprinkled with more sand than salt. Oh such happy memories. I hope you are enjoying it all.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello P&E,

    Another poetic description of summer. Now, if we could just get the weather to match the words!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lovely way to greet the solstice. What a lovely family photo!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Aaaah, I enjoyed that. You describe things so beautifully, Pamela. And, yes, that is a lovely, happy photo.

    Happy midsummer to you both (and thank you for the lovely comment you left on my page). xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely photo Pamela. Love the writing too and hope I may make the beach this summer if only in a metaphorical sense!

    ReplyDelete
  25. the photo reeks of pure joy - you look like a very young girl! loved this post :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. The smell of sea air and the feeling of shingle and beach sand under bare feet.....Heaven!
    I love the photograph!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beautiful, beautiful picture.
    The trouble with summer is that it makes me reckless!!I just want to give up work, swim in the sea, and eat peaches......your beautiful words have only encouraged me....
    Hugs Lynn xx

    ReplyDelete
  28. "...strains of Gilberto on the honeysuckle air"

    How evocative, I am pleased to come across this literate blog.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh, I just love your writing. You are my metaphor fix. Thank you - I can relax now.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Look at you with your big beautiful beach buddies! I am envious. Of the beach and the companions.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Patricia is a treasure, isn't she? I'm so glad you stopped by. Your blog is absolutely stunning! The images and words just sweep me away. I will surely be back.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Here's to happy beach days - this is a great pic of you enjoying the sand in your shoes (and paws).

    ReplyDelete
  33. The story goes, "We arrived at the beach, my Aunt and my Mom inspected the place, there was sand in the sheets and it was a bit run down, but I proceeded to climb atop the commode and look out the window and "give thanks to God for the stars and the sand and beach and that vacation." I was a wee thing and it touched my Aunt and my Mom.
    They never gave the condition of the shabby chic place another thought. We all had a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  34. A lovely poem.
    I adore Edward!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've enjoyed this post as I so long to see the sea and walk on a beach soon! Lovely words and a great photo of you, Edward and Apple:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. That's a lovely post and a beautiful picture :) I feel the need to go to the beach, thank you :)

    Kim x

    ReplyDelete
  37. Merci for the great book recommendations. xo S & the Gang

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi!
    I think you have a nice blog, beatiful photos and smart posts.I'm wating your visit.
    kisses

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ah, the beach. I wish I wasn't so land locked. Sigh.

    That picture is priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Lovely painting --even lovier photo Pamela! I enjoy the ocean beaches year round, but summer is always the best!

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a wonderful description and what a fantastic photo of you and the dogs. Brilliant. I know Edward but who is the other chap?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your blog is soo cute & nice & very tasty!! Your dogs.......love love love!!

    Regards from Agneta in Sweden

    ReplyDelete
  43. You three look so happy! What a wonderful way to start the summer.

    xo
    Brooke

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love the dogs in the picture. Bob.

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!