Monday, March 10, 2008

Stormy seas

There was wind. There was rain. But nothing like the storms in the south-west. The most damage I saw around here was an upturned wheelie bin. The sea, however, is making itself at home in people's living rooms down south. I live in a place which is possibly the furthermost point from the sea. This is convenient today. Usually, I wish we lived closer. We have electricity, unlike some. So we had a lighter encounter with the big storm than others, and for that I am thankful.

I love the sea. Like fires, and mountains, I never tire of watching its moods. The sea is so immense and so powerful, almost elemental in a way. I have sailed on calm seas. Stormy seas and excessively stormy seas. The kind where you curl up in a ball in a corner and start reviewing your life. I have watched dolphins, and porpoises playing in the bow waves. I have seen whales and flying fish. I have swum under water, catching crayfish and watching this other world go about its business. I have jumped over waves. I have paddled. I have swum at mind-boggling speed when someone yelled "shark". I have NO desire to meet a shark in its natural habitat. None at all. I have been on big boats, small boats, huge ships and small ferries. My feet have been in the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Pacific Oceans. They have been in the Mediterranean and North Seas. I have body surfed, and most of all, I have walked along the beaches, and watched. I have sat on rocks and watched. Ever changing. I love the sea.

I just don't want it in my living room.

11 comments:

Linda said...

I'm glad your living room is dry Linds - and that you escaped the worst of the storm.
I have not had nearly the experiences with the sea that you have, but I love it too. It somehow makes me think of eternity - the way it just seems to stretch out forever. I am longing to see it again.
Have a blessed week Linds. I pray you are all feeling a bit rested and at peace.

Pam said...

So glad you are safe.

This was a beautiful post.

Praying for you.

Susan said...

Did realize your area was dealing with a bad storm. Glad you are uneffected.
Susan

Needled Mom said...

We had heard about the record storm in England and I thought about you. I am so glad that you did not have the bad effects where you are.

Vee said...

Yuck, storms all over. Crazy weather times.

Glad that you are high and dry today.

Loved your writing about the sea. So when's your book coming out?

Carole Burant said...

Oh dear, I'm glad that storm didn't overly affect you but I feel so sorry for those people living closer to the sea...as you said, we may love the sea but we don't want it in our living rooms! lol I've only ever seen two oceans...the Pacific Ocean when I went to Vancouver, BC to visit my two older brothers and the Atlantic Ocean when I went to Atlantic City, NJ with a friend. I've always loved the water though and every summer would spend my days swimming in the many lakes we have around here:-) Stay safe and DRY! xoxo

Barb said...

My word, Linds. It's been just long enough since I've had time to catch up with my friends, I had no idea you were going through this.

I'm so, so sorry about Jono. So sad when someone that young dies in such a way as this.

And you know, of course, how I share your love of the sea. But like you, I don't love it enough to want it in my living room.

I'm glad you weren't greatly affected by this storm.

meggie said...

I am a lover of seas & oceans too. Like you, would not want one in my house!
If you visited any west coast beaches, you would probably have dipped your toes in the Tasman Sea too, whilst in New Zealand!

Dawn said...

I had not heard of the storm - even from my British family members! Well, American/British!

Flooding is not a fun thing - we have been through 2 around here - I have blogged about both. It is a very destructive "act of God."!

Susie said...

Dear Linds,
So glad to hear that this storm did not cause any harm to you!
The sea can be so wild, and that's one of the things I love about it. I also would not want it in my living room!
xo

Barbara said...

Your time at sea in capsule form, maybe some day we will get the details.

The storm was pretty bad around here and on and off for two days, but we personally did not have any damage, just some flooding in the garden. A friend had trees down though.