State Beach, Block Island, Rhode Island: Photos by Noelle
A seagull attempted to land on it as a perch, but the top was too thin so the tough scavenger flew off. It appeared to be a marker, maybe to someone’s pirate booty, or a child’s war ship against the tide the day before. Now it stood lone and bare in the morning light. Treasure Island and Billy Bones floated through my mind, as I came upon it. As a child I loved the N.C. Wyeth paintings from the story and would look at them for hours making up my own pirate adventures.
N.C. Wyeth illustrations from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Like my fantasies of childhood I found the beach full of little mysteries as dawn came upon it. Crabs battling in tide pools, shell paintings and this monstrous sand castle still erect and undisturbed by the night’s tide. A stalwart stronghold made with little more than hands and buckets. Having recently started dabbling with sculpting SopI marvel at this structure. Created in an afternoon, with little more impetus than a laugh and no more concern for it’s perfection or durability than the time it takes to be distracted onto a boogie board. Yet in my own creative process I can ponder and obsess over the next steps in plaster as if I were working with TNT or finding the cure for cancer. I dig my feet into the sand and commit myself to remember the care-free force of a child.
Sand castle, State Beach; Photo by Noelle
Small pathways discovered through the shrub-covered embankments, now dotted in pink flowers, enticed me into small sand dells and new routes home. I picked one of the morning blooms and placed it in my hair embracing all the beach bum I could pull into my lungs.
State Beach, Block Island, Rhode Island: Photos by Noelle
I sit daily in meditation, but few things calm and bring me into full alignment with my best self so completely, as a walk on a deserted beach. So to you my dear friends I offer this call to adventure and discovery that it not die upon my own lips.
“Avast, me hearties! There be treasure here.”
State Beach, Block Island: Photo by Noelle
Meditation Travelogue 
Treasures for the spirit………
Absolutely
It’s beautiful post, Noelle. The beach has its charms – there is always little surprises 🙂
Well, you possibly more than anyone would know this well. The beach and what lies in the waters beneath.
Beautiful writing Noelle. Thankyou 🙂
You are most welcome…
That’s a pretty neat sandcastle. Excellent photos and words, Noelle! 🙂
That sand castle was HUGE! Still standing and covered in sea shell doors. Even an impressive mote. Thanks for stopping in, my friend.
Great writing, and I love NC Wyeth’s work.
I love the whole Brandywine group which is mostly the Wyeth clan and their contemporaries. Great stuff.
Yes– the museum in Chadds Ford, I never miss when I’m there.
I’ve never been. On my bucket list.
Well worth a visit !!!!
Arrrggghhh Noelle, here’s the Pirates’ booty!: Awakening and seeing the pure miracle of now v
This present moment, marvelous!
You are too funny, Had. So delighted you brought your pirate eye’d self by my place. Perfectly suited for you!
You comments about your art made me laugh and brought home to me how I take myself and my art too seriously sometimes too – a wonderful and timely reminder, thank you.
Seriously. in the next two weeks I’m buckling down and loosening up. I’m getting out my gear and putting on my best toddler outfit and just having some fun. I’m writing this to you now to commit myself to this course. Now someone knows I’m not kidding. I’m getting my hands in plaster and making it happen.
Love this one too…
That’s because you harbor a hardy sea-lass inside your modern bones, too!
😀