Rockin' and Rollin'

That's what I was doing Saturday at 2:37, according to my digital clock.t It didn't have anything to do with dancing, either.

I was reclining on the bed and looking out the doors at the ocean in anticipation of a siesta. Breeze blowing, softly. Lovely. Then all of a sudden it felt like someone shook the bed, hard. This bed is a cement platform, not a four legged bed. After the shake came a rumbling sound and then a sudden jerk.

WOW! It was so cool. Since I have no means of communication where I'm staying, it was today before I found out it was a 6.1 off the southern coast of Chiapas and 44 miles down in the ocean.

I'm sure all of you in Mexico must have felt it also since I'm a darn long way from Chiapas and on the opposite ocean. That to me is the truly amazing thing. How far away it was and how strong it felt here.......

Nature at work in another way.

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

I wondered when this stay at the beach started on December 27th how I would feel without a TV, a radio, a telephone or a computer. Although I do confess I come to town every few days to check messages on the computer.

What I've discovered is that my music is the sound of the surf, morning and night. The sound of the birds, the whinnying of the horses, the tinkle of the goat's bell and every now and then a four wheeler or car. That's it! A true symphony of nature's sounds. The view of the goats, the ocean, the fishermen, the horses and the sunrises and sunsets are my TV screen. Not knowing the news has been magical. Not knowing about Mitt or Newt has been a blessing. In other words, NOT taking in all that day to day drivel makes life much better.

In the meantime I've read five or six books that I brought; I've done a little sketching; I've walked and sat in the sun. I LOVE BEING RETIRED!

How long would it take for me to get tired of this? Only time will tell............

One's significance on earth

Being at the sea always give me a perspective on how insignificant one human is in the scheme of things in life. For me, that helps me to get things in perspective. It helps me in decision making and planning. It helps me to realize that it will all go on after me as it did before me.

I, as I'm sure we all do, worry about little and big things. I want to fix things and a few times in my life I couldn't. It was bigger then me and everything else around me. I refer to my husband's death, my daughter's illness and death and now my son's catastrophe that he is going through. Of course as a family we are all going through it with him and hope and pray that it all works out.

I was in such a state of anxiety by the time I left San Miguel and arrived where I am staying that I couldn't even turn my head because my neck was so tight. It took a few days of sitting and looking at this serene view to get my neck unkinked and my head back on straight.

Thankfully to a dear friend I had this opportunity to be here. Where oh where would I be without the dear, dear long-time friends that I have!

Actually I think I could sit and enjoy this view forever as there is no one around, literally, and although in the photo it looks like the view never changes, it does on a minute by minute basis.

It reminds me of a time when I went to see my Dad at his beach house in Galveston. He was ALWAYS out on the deck watching the Gulf. I commented about that fact. And way back then when I was in my 30's he said if you are quiet, you'll see that it is always changing. By darn, he was right!

I'm glad I'm having this opportunity.

The Beauty of Nature

Even back in the days when I was designing interiors, I always liked to use natural materials and textures as accessories.

Besides enjoying the ocean, the swaying cocoanut palms, the multi story bourganvilla, I've also marveled at the palapa roof over the living room of the house I'm staying in. It is called a palapa real versus a palapa rustica which is just palm fronds layed on a substructure and trimmed and tied.

This palapa to me is as beautiful as the Sistine Chapel ceiling. It certainly is a work of art in my opinion. I've watched men making these roofs many years ago. It is like watching a ballet in motion. Each person has a task and they work in rhythm with very precise methods.

This roof withstood the direct hit of Hurricane Jova in October of this past year and held without damage. It's a testament to the workmanship of the many men who built this impressive structure.

I've been spending my days in reflection and contemplation. I'm either watching the ocean, the fishermen or the surfers. Or I look up at this magnificent palapa and know that all will be well again, some day.