I saw a man once, I waved to him and he did not wave back; I felt very self-conscious, partly because of how often I was walking this road. I walked until I got to the small cove we had driven past the first day we came here that had thrilled me so quietly; it still gave me a quiet sense of awe… And then I would walk back again.
— Elizabeth Strout, Lucy by the Sea: A Novel (Random House, September 20, 2022)
Notes:
- Elizabeth Strout’s words spoke to me, this 905th consecutive day (almost, like in a row) on my morning walk at Cove Island Park.
- Photos from yesterday’s morning walk @ Cove Island Park. More photos from yesterday’s walk here.
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
I love her books and this does remind me of you
🙂
Ohmygosh, pal, these photos are otherworldly. And love Strout’s work. Enjoy her books very much….
Thank you Lori! Me too!
And every day the cove yields something magical…
Doesn’t it though!!!!
It is exactly so magical… and you carry us into these moments too… But the passage of writer another touching into the words. So beautiful, Thank you dear Dave, Love, nia
Awww. Thank you Nia!
Exquisite photos. The fog does lend to it majestically! As for self-consciousness — nothing seems harder to get over than that.
Thank you. I so love FOG! And agree on self consciousness and its challenges.
I was thinking about you as I opened my emails this morning. Your reflection was spot on. I am drawn to your daily walk and the images you share. It continues to make an impression on me, a renewed commitment to maintaining that one thing each day that allows for insight and inspiration. Thank you.
Awww. So glad Carrie. You made my day. Thank you!
“I saw a man once, I waved to him and he did not wave back.” This is typical of the bad manners of so many people nowadays. You can be one of only two people on a sidewalk and the other person will walk past without making eye contact or saying hello or even offering a Neanderthal-like grunt. Decency and good manners (in many situations) flew out the window long ago. But, your photos are great! As always.
So agree Anneli. Thank you!
Love the spectacular drama of these black and white photos! that serene great blue heron acting sentinel! We might learn something from birds–they are NOT self-conscious, and how elegant that is!
Drama! I couldn’t put the word to what I felt but that’s it Valerie! And yes. She’s so elegant.
Some days you just take my breath away.
In a good way…
Awwwwwww
Thank you for another otherworldly ‘good morning’.
Elizabeth Strout has a way with words I live. I’m sure I have read her. She seems very familiar.
I do the same, giving a wave or a smile to ppl I meet on the street, and luckily, here where I live now, ppl are v. friendly and they smile back. It’s a wonderful experience and one I missed very much when living in a super busy area in France.
She is such a wonderful storyteller.