Tuesday, October 14, 2008


Call Me Ishmael

I have never enjoyed election season in my country. I find the stakes are far too high and the issues much too serious, to be entertained by the process, particularly when that process degenerates into something resembling a mendacious, hateful game played to be won at any cost and with no regard for veracity or consequence. I care, and I grieve, deeply about the place in which my country finds itself at present and, if I am not careful, these worries can grow until sleep eludes me and joy hides. But I do know of a remedy, tried and true. Like Melville’s Ishmael....”whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul...especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off - then, I account it high time to get to the sea as soon as I can.”

So, like Ishmael, we are heading to the sea. A tiny, lovely little cottage awaits our arrival tomorrow. An old wooden cottage right on the sea, with a tiny little bedroom, a tiny little kitchen, scuffy wooden floors and a big screened porch overlooking the beach, the waves and the spacious skies. Edward will be thrilled to bits for, although he is unaware of it now, both he and Apple are going along, and
they simply adore being seaside. We shall run on the beach, play on the beach, we shall doze on the screened porch - we shall eat fruit, think lovely thoughts and read lovely books. We shall fix our gaze far, far out to sea and remember all the good that still remains in the world.
I look forward to returning with a quieter mind and a renewed sense of hope for positive changes in my homeland, as well as a marked decrease in my desire to methodically knock the hats off strangers in the street!

quote by Herman Melville from his book, Moby Dick

39 comments:

  1. I so agree about the sea - I think it is the inevitability of it - the tides come in and out whether we like it or not - and it is always there - and the vistas are wide - and it gives you a sense of your personal unimportance in the big wide world. Do have a lovely time = hope Edward enjoys romps on the shore and getting his feet wet.

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  2. What a beautiful painting!!! Did you do it? It is just magnificent!

    Hope you have a lovely time.

    Patience and the whippets

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  3. Oh how perfect Pamela, Edward, Miss A and Songwriter. How long are you going for I wonder ... I do hope it's for a lovely long cottage break. Your description of the cottage is amazingly poignant as usual (I can feel the sand on my bare feet in the kitchen and smell the wonderful salt air).

    Miss Winnie D would like to express her immense envy to both Edward and Miss Apple, having just returned, herself, from her own amazing ocean adventure. Although she also wishes them only the swell-est of seaside holidays. Love from all of us, S.

    May these cottage days and nights creep painfully slowly by.

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  4. What a wonderful place you have here, and to think I found you by accident, through the comment you left. I can see that I am going to have to find time for yet another blog to read on a regular basis...

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  5. Oh that does sound lovely. Though I am quite content to be nestled at my desk by the second warm fire of the season in the fireplace, gazing out at the first snow of the season; I would temporarily trade both for a spell in that cottage you describe. I would just need to borrow sweet Edward to lie at my feet and join me on beach romps.

    The lion in the painting makes me think of regal Aslan in Narnia.

    Have a wonderful trip!

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  6. Take me with you!! It sounds heavenly and just the thing for getting away from everything. Have a lovely time, all of you!

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  7. I so agree...I think I'll take a walk by the sea this afternoon too...and I'll be thinking of your and edward on your sea walk.

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  8. The sea is so theraputic and the perfect escape from the woes of the world...A lovely seaside getaway with hubby and the hounds sounds like the perfect remedy!

    I thought of Aslan as well when I first saw this painting...Lovely ..

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  9. Have a wonderful, beautiful, restful time by the sea. Trudy and I love long walks on the beach.

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  10. Sounds wonderfully refreshing! Enjoy yourselves and tell us all about it when you return! The picture reminds me of The Lion King. ;^)

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  11. Please take many photos to share! Have a restful time.

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  12. Pamela, you are so lucky. I agree entirely about elections, they can be so traumatic.

    I'm just about to pop on a plane to come and join you, with Buster of course! If only.

    Have a marvellous time all of you and take photos.

    Love
    Gina

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  13. I know it's getting crowded in your cottage, is there one about half a mile away? Some of us could stay there. We could just wave in passing to give you space or visit now and then or have a great driftwood fire on the shore and some mulled wine and let the world sort itself out by itself for a while.
    How odd that I prepared my next skywatch post on one of my favourite ocean beaches.
    I'm sure that's Aslan sitting there waiting for you all.

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  14. Have a lovely trip! It sounds so idyllic!

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  15. I hope you return refreshed and renewed!
    While you are away, perhaps you could participate in a "tag"!
    I have tagged you. Come and visit to see what the game is.

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  16. Have a wonderful time - I know you will!

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  17. How I envy you! I'd like to be on my way to Amelia Island....Betty

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  18. Pamela and Edward
    Pop over to mine to collect an award.

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  19. Yes i know what you mean with that Hat knocking feeling..I wish you and Edward a wonderful time at the beach! Are you reading Moby Dick at this moment? I just started Don Quijote (De La Mancha)..This book was on my list for a long time,and now there is time!
    Enjoy your break!

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  20. I hope you find peace and serenity by the sea with all your loved ones!

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  21. It sounds so lovely. I hope you take some pictures. I'd love to do the same myself. My solution to all this hoopla is not watch tv (we don't have a sat. dish) or listen much to the radio. Whatever happens, will. As David Byrne of the Talking Heads wrote (though not about this) 'same as it ever was.'

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  22. Ahhh the sea, the place that Mother Nature created to rest the weary soul and lift the spirits.
    May you indulge in all its splendor, let the sand tickle between your toes and the waves lull you into restful slumber.
    And may the dogs have an absolute riot running on the beach.
    Take care my dear and enjoy.
    xo Susan

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  23. I do envy this luxury. I wish I could be with you. It sounds wonderful. I love to walk on the beach anytime but I like it when it is nippy and cold.

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  24. Oh that sounds wonderful. Its lovely to get away, especially to the sea.
    My sister has just moved to Penzance in Cornwall(right by the sea)so I'm hoping to pay her a visit very soon!

    That painting! Who did it? Its beautiful!

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  25. The painting with the lion and the sea hangs in my local art museum. It was fun to see it here!

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  26. We just got through Canadian election season, and so will you dear Pamela. I love this illustration....very mythic.

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  27. how wonderful! if i can't be there, i thank you for your words that take me there!
    colleen

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  28. The seaside is always a healing place. Your tiny cottage sounds wonderful. This is my first time visiting your place, I believe I found you through A fanciful Twist. I love the painting, your words and the sentiments. Karen

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  29. I hope you have a wonderful break and come back renewed. The house sounds lovely.

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  30. Enjoy your time away ~ a little cottage by the sea sounds absolutely wonderful!

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  31. I go to the woods to feel better about things and when I get 'grim'! Enjoy your trip to the seaside :)

    Kim x

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  32. Oh, I wish you peace and tranquility as you encounter the vastness of the ocean and the calming sounds emanating from it. There is something about the constancy of the tide that instills a great sense of "rightness" in the dependability of creation. Would you put me in your pocket?

    Blessings,
    Christi

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  33. There is something so calming about being near the sea isn't there? The gentle breathing in and out of the tide. Have a lovely time.

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  34. Ahhh. The perfect tonic. The sea, its scent, sound, strength and grace always can heal.

    The negative ions don't hurt either!

    Enjoy every minute!

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  35. I so understand.
    I hope you're enjoying the peacefulness, and that you come back refreshed and renewed!

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  36. Only too true, the Ocean has the power to heal, if by no other means than by simply calming the spirit!
    Sandra

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  37. How absolutely beautiful. I would love to stay in a house like that right on the seashore.

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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!