Month: June 2017

#theoceaniscalling 

/ dianemazejka / 1 Comment

I am sure you have seen this # as a running theme through my blog. The ocean is in my blood. Even as a small child, I loved the smell of salt air and the wildness of the sea. This is not to be confused with being a beach person. I hate the idea of laying in the sun, slathered to the gills with sunscreen, and slowly being grilled with the help of an ocean breeze. Oh no. My ocean is the one at sunrise- wrapped in a blanket with a nice hot cup of coffee. Or the after sunset stroll to the jetty on Wells Beach. I have spent many gorgeous October days, sitting on a sparsely populated beach- watching people and their dogs, kids flying kites, and people enjoying the slower pace once the crowds thin out. Steve and I make a point of arriving very early for a day trip – coffee and chai in hand- parking our chairs on Long Sands before most people are up for the day. One of the most special memories of the beach goes back a way. I was a single Mom with a small budget. The only time we could afford “the beach” was in the dead of winter when absolutely no one else wanted to be there. I tried to convince the kids that walking the sand, collecting shells in 20 degree temperature was good for the soul. What their souls really wanted was hot chocolate and a warm room. One night I went out walking on Wells Beach on my own, and in the moonlight mistook a giant tide pool for some shimmering sand…… started walking across and….. well after that, they didn’t let me out after dark.  Old memories and new, I cherish all of my days by the sea.

#theoceaniscalling 

For the love of books

/ dianemazejka / 1 Comment

Are books becoming things of the past?  So much is available on line now, that books, magazines, and newspapers are not as popular as they used to be. There are some who would argue that books take up unnecessary space – that libraries are dusty morgues for obsolete paper and cardboard. Not me. I don’t want to look at a tablet. I want to hold the book, mark the pages, and occasionally spill a spot of tea on a particularly interesting paragraph. I have a whole library upstairs containing  books from my childhood, decorating, philosophy, essays, gardening, mountaineering – you name it – I have the book.  Novels I pass on to friends. Once you have read it, it’s over. The ending isn’t going to change the next time through. Essays I can read over and over. My favorites have frayed pages, and yes, tea stains. They are as comfortable as old shoes. I love browsing the shelves and pulling out a volume to read for the 5th time. There was a woman named Jo Northrop who used to write a column for Country Living magazine back in the 80’s and 90’s. She has long since passed away, but I have a volume of her essays I never tire of. And speaking of magazines – ah, I should just leave this one alone. I can never get rid of a good magazine. Even pinterest doesn’t replace the warm fuzzy I get thumbing through an old Country Living from 1982. One of these days I will clear out the shelves and only keep my very favorites. One of these days.