My day begins with a four mile run/walk along the beach. For two decades I have been a regular on this beach. I am rarely alone. The same faces whiz past me and Good Morning's are exchanged and many regulars I know by first name. Bill who has a larger than life personality and represented a famous American singer is a regular and his humour and smile lights up the coastline.
This day he stops me and I am invited to join the beachwalkers for lunch in a local restaurant.
I enquire if there is a purpose to the luncheon. In his booming tone he responds: "Helen, we have absolutely no purpose other than to have a good time"
My art partner Mary Rose, also a beach walker, and I have a delightful lunch and enjoy hearing more about our fellow runners/walkers.
A cardinal has nested, again this year, at my door, in a ficus tree, and has two extremely fat babies who seem reluctant to leave the nest. The brazen, law breaking father keeps a watchful eye as we enter and exit.
My 'COMMENT' button is working again. Yeah!
Nice photos. Those clouds are magnificent! I think the cardinal was waiting for your camera. Four miles! WTG!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful post
The cardinal is a very good father. He constantly brings food for the fat babies. He guards from the "Parking Sign" when their mother is hunting.
DeleteHe then tries to hide in our ficus tree and with his red coat he is like a Hunt Master in hiding.
Helen xx
Dear Helen, you must know that I am insanely jealous about the cardinal and her fat babies coming to live at your door! I have never seen one, despite many trips to North America, and I think they are magnificent. I walk daily too, but beach walking sounds quite wonderful - I'd love to do that. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Patricia
DeleteThe cardinal is a beautiful bird and their song is melodious too. This was their third year, in the same nest and we love having them. They are often seen in April/May in our area.
I am sure you also enjoy your daily walk.
Thanks for visiting and wishing you a delightful week
Helen xx
Darling Helen,
ReplyDeleteWe cannot believe it....four miles.....gosh! We are in awe, we are astounded, we are impressed. Seriously impressed.
However, we quickly skipped on in this post to matters more in line with our own lifestyle. The topic of lunch. How wonderful we imagine lunch to be on such a day as your photographs show. A tiny restaurant with the sound of the sea. Fresh fish on the menu. A glass of crisp white wine in hand. And, perhaps, lazy eyes gaze towards those beach runners.......
Dearest Jane and Lance,
DeleteThanks for your encouragement.
We had a delightful lunch with freshly caught local fish just as you suggested. It was also interesting seeing the beach walkers dressed in their finery and hearing their stories.
Hope you have a wonderful week
Love,
Helen xx
That's the life, Helen!
ReplyDeleteHello Christa and how lovely to hear from you.
DeleteI raise my glass in wishing you "A great life" too
Helenxx
You're making me long for the beach! I would love to live close enough to walk every day. It's my dream! The weather has been glorious! Happy Sunday my friend!
ReplyDeleteDear Diane
DeleteYes the weather has been wonderful and the sandy hard packed edge by the shore makes it perfect for running/walking.
Hope you have a wonderful week
Helenxx
Four mile--good for you It sounds like you live in such a friendly, beautiful, happy place. With cardinals too!
ReplyDeleteHello Jen
DeleteIt is indeed a very friendly community at Indian Rocks Beach. Many visitors return year after year and spend time here. It is a very different community. There are no highrises on the beach and as one drives along Gulf Blvd can glimpse the ocean and of course the palm tress.
Hope your week is special
Helen xx
I envy you living so close to a beach that each day starts there; when we are home our exercise is done in a non-descript gym that is reached by traveling a bit of freeway. Sigh. . . a beautiful post, Helen.
ReplyDeleteHello Jackie and Joel
DeleteWe are very drawn to water. I think that my very first memories were living of our farm on the west coast of Ireland and heading to the beach first thing each morning.
I love following your travels
Helen xx
Oh to have a beach to walk. Your day sounds perfect from beginning to end. Love the photos! Bonnie
ReplyDeleteHello Bonnie
DeleteIt is a wonderful way to start the day and I find it energizes. Thank you for your compliment
Helenxx
That sounds like a wonderful way to start the day - and then to have it topped off with a lunch invitation - perfect.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the beach and neither have I seen a cardinal. Here are both in their beauty.
ReplyDeleteI find this very interesting and now I wonder where you live? The cardinal is a beautiful bird and we frequently see them in Spring time in Florida.
DeleteHelen xx
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteBill sounds like a man who is full of joy! What a delight is must have been to have lunch together.
The beach looks lovely. Ah....a morning walk....that sounds like a perfect way to start the day!
Happy week!
Madelief x
Hello Madelief
DeleteBill has a kind word for everyone he meets. As Mary Rose says "He scatters flowers" It was a very interesting lunch with walkers from many countries and quite an international group.
Hope your week is special
Helen xx
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like every morning is a fun adventure! Four miles, wow!!
Hope all is well with you, and glad to hear the comment button is working again!!
xo
Louise
Helllooooo Louise
DeleteLife is great right now, thank you for asking. Being on the beach early in the day cures all.
Hope your week is exceptional
Helen xx
What a delightful day, but I can't get over the 4 mile walk/run daily…so impressed!!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you here. I could walk for an entire day if my schedule permitted. It is a great time to create and plan
DeleteHope you have a joyful weekend
Helen xx
Ahhhh, the fresh salty air! What an invigorating way to start the day. Life is good, Helen! xo
ReplyDeletePS - We also have cardinals nesting nearby!
Hello Loi
DeleteThe fresh salty air is so envigorating. You know the joy of the cardinals and their song.
Have a wonderful weekend
Helen x
Hi Helen - thanks for finding me again .. good to see you. What a great idea gathering the walkers for a lunch - sounds a fun time .. and as you say a great way to find out more about the faces behind the walkers.
ReplyDeleteYour beach area looks wonderful and I too would love to see a cardinal - and enjoy your cardinal family in the coming weeks ... cheers Hilary
Hello Hilary
DeleteI lost some blogs from my sidebar and must install you onceagain so I do not miss your posts which I find very interesting.
All it seems to take is one person to organize and Bill is one such person. The cardinals bring us great joy
Helenxx
Lovely to walk the beach every morning! It puts one in the right mood for the day, not to mention good health!
ReplyDeleteSo true Becky and I take it you also walk.
DeleteHave a great weekend
Helen xx
Dear Helen, What a beautiful beach to walk on. You are good to keep such a regular exercise, Too often, I make excuses and can be dreadfully lazy. I'm glad you had such a joyful lunch and I'm happy to have seen a Red Cardinal- what a colourful bird! With love, Jane xx
ReplyDeleteHello Jane
DeleteThe beach is spectacular and each day the ocean is different. I find going first thing in the morning is best as later is becomes quite hot.
It was an very enjoyable linch
Helen xx
So gorgeous! And your finds! Ah!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the law breaking cardinal, we have them here too and they are wonderful! I love their calls in the morning!
Thank you for your kind words! <3
Hello Victoria
DeleteThe male cardinal like to sit on the "No Parking" sign. He has a clear view of the nest and is ready to dive bomb our dog, Spice Girl, who pays no head to them whatsoever.
I love your blog and also your exciting project.
Helen xx
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteAh, those walks on the beach, so refreshing and revitalizing, salt in the air, splash in the sea, are always a joy and inspiration for so many things in life. How wonderful that you know so many of the local people who share the same sentiments as you!
Happy weekend!
xx
Poppy
Hello Poppy
DeleteI totally agree with you when you say walking on the beach is a joy and inspiration It is the perfect way to plan one's day/projects. I believe Bill brings out the best in the runners/walkers. He volunteers in the town and many know his face. He always has a kind word and can coax a smile
Wishing your the joy of the weekend
Helenx
Hallo Helen,
ReplyDeletethanks for enjoying the "Italian View", really appreciated...
you have a nice blog which if you don't mind will follow !
cari saluti
Hello Massimo
DeleteA warm welcome to my blog and thank you for following my blog. I shall look forward to reading about Italy, a country I absolutely love.
Helen
Dearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful long stretch of beach to walk on, to meditate on the surrounding beauty and to make observations on the passers-by. I've just been out for a walk on the beach (like you, I simply adore rugged and simple, natural and peaceful beaches) but oh my dear, I would never be able to walk on the beach wearing sandals and shorts as even in the springtime, the weather in Scotland remains frightfully cold in the evening and one shivers in the wind as one walks on the beach under the layers of coats. But whenever I go there to get away, I am always in awe of how beautiful the beach is. I usually go there by myself with a book and a flask of hot tea. I would sit, read or observe the people who are walking on the beach...to watch the world goes by, as they say. I usually go to a quiet beach where not many people choose to go. I keep it as a little secret, a wonderful escape to retreat to when I need peace.
Your bright cardinal in his red coat reminds me of the dust-jacket of two of my favourite Irish writers - Somerville and Ross and their famous novel, "The Irish RM" which shows a man in red hunting coat!!
I'm very sorry for not written to you before, dear Helen. It has been quite hectic spring lately for me. But you are often in my thoughts and I hope to update you with some news soon.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend & the peaceful beach.
With warm wishes,
ASD
My dearest ASD
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to hear from you and thank you for thinking of me. That gives me great joy.
I would also love your Scottish Beach and how delicious that cup of tea must
taste in the salty windy misty weather. The ocean on such days is like a study in grays.
The cardinals give us great joy and we are always a bit saddened when the babies leave the nest. They are so vulnerable and must face the world at such a young age. We have it so much easier than the birds.
Looking forward to your next post and wishing you a joyful Sunday.
Helen x
Hello Helen, it's lovely to get a little peak into your life, it sounds pretty laid back and idyllic. So sorry it has taken so long to visit you. Thank you so much for your visit and kind words. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, with much love, Linda xx
ReplyDeleteHello Linda
DeleteLovely to see you hear. I adore the solitude of early mornings on the beach and the I can face the day and what it offers. Glad all is going great with you
Helen xx
How utterly marvellous to begin your day on those beautifully gorgeous gulf coast sands Helen, I am mighty jealous. The salt water and sand is so good for the feet and walking it out is great way to stay sharp and positive for the day ahead.xx
ReplyDeleteHello Paul
DeleteYou are so right about walking being a great way to commence the day. I find it definitely energizes and I am more productive. No matter what the weather is it always rewards
Hope your week is special
helen xxx
Dear Helen, what a wonderful day you had, and what better reason could there be to get together than for enjoyment! I am amazed by your brilliant red cardinal. I thought Australia had some colourful birds, but that takes the cake!
ReplyDeleteHello Jane and thanks for stopping by. I thought that the walkers might have a special charity which they supported but as Bill said "just enjoyment".
ReplyDeleteYes the cardinal is brilliant and yes you have spectacular coloured birds in Australia. I lived in Sydney and Canberra many years ago
Helen xx
Sounds like Bill was spot on, Helen.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of the cardinal. It must be a propitious omen. :)
Hello Helen,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great lunch. Sometimes I wish I lived by the beach-side but the mountain-junkie in me soon pushes that thought away. But every time I visit your blog and my hometown, the pull of the beach is hard to ignore.
Cardinals are so stunning! I remember how this couple would frequent a dogwood tree in front of our patio when we lived in Charlottesville. It was great fun watching them hop from branch to branch. The fat babies sound adorable. :)
Hope you have a good day.
Suman
How glad I am that your comments are being received again.
ReplyDeleteAnd how glorious to have Cardinals nesting each year. I regret that I have to deter birds from my garden. My Abyssinian cat would not share the space peacefully.
Your beach and social life attached to it make me envy it all so much. Our beaches are gorgeous but the weather is NEVER like yours.
Cheers Gillian
Hello Helen, thank you so much for your visit and kind words, and hug for Lois! I can only do very simple upholstery, but it does come in handy now and again. Wishing you an enjoyable Sunday, with love, Linda x
ReplyDeleteHello Helen...happy May!
ReplyDeleteI love the beach, wonderful to walk beside the sea. Love your red cardinal. We have one in the rose bush on the side of the house. Wish they were where I could see them.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend.
Hi Helen, it sounds a wonderful way of life to be able to start each day with a run along the beach, and with good company too.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Gill xx
teeehee....I love that cardinal, and the fathers are so attentive! Those fat babies need to get out and fly into life! teehee
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely notion, to "have no other purpose but to have a good time." AMEN.
So nice to see you today Helen! I am back in the saddle after a period of vertigo that has lasted about 2 months now, but I'm much better. I can see the computer screen!
How nice to belong to that kind of community. And I thoroughly approve of the motto!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen,
ReplyDeleteAwwww! Thank you so dearly for supporting all I create over at my place, because of bloggers like you that inspire painting it's taken me back to my art picking up brushes several at one time in a hand and placing that brush stroke at a time to anything that gets in the way :)
I am enjoying painting again, for a time there I had to put the brushes down and set it aside and create other pieces, art I'm so many forms always brings me back to painting. I so wish I could paint those paintings you do in the effortless feel you paint in.
I hope to see a new post from you, I stop in from time to time in hope to see something new! So girl get busy here, we all love seeing the beauty of your beaches, your art, and all that you entertain us with.
Thank you dearly for all the grace and beauty you so me when you visit, and best is you comments that always encourage who and what I create.
Lots of summer love your way.
Xx
Dore
I love the cardinal picture!! That's actually our state bird of Kentucky :)
ReplyDelete