A Summer Day at the Beach
It was hot as I lay on my blanket. The sizzling heat spreads up and down my body forming droplets of sweat.
It feels scorching hot. The way a sweltering summer day feels.
The bright sun sparkles on the blue water teasing a swim to cool off.
Afterwards, I sit and watch a few sailboats skim across the water in the distance. A flock of sandpipers settles by the waters’ edge searching for nibbles their white bodies intermingling with the blue color. Defying gravity, a few fly overhead in hope of some dropped crumbs from beach snacks. It’s a dance to their own symphony.
My eyes sweep around the sandy beach expanse. Stopping, I observe a young man painting at the peak of a sand dune mound. The green fronds from tall palm trees are his canopy. With palette in hand he is capturing the bright summer sun, the azure sky and water. His hand moves swiftly as if in fear of losing the moment he wants to preserve on canvas. I’m in the center of these dazzling visions. It’s a wondrous feast for my eyes.
Time passes.
A dark gray shadow begins to sweep over the water as the sky changes from sunny yellows and blues to pinks, reds and oranges. It majestic to witness the elusive changes the sky is making.
Nightfall is beginning.
I watch as the young man lay his first painting against one of the palm trees. I can see a figure on a blanket placed at the bottom of the canvas. I don’t dare stare too long.
Could he have added me to his painting?
Perhaps.
It has happened to me before. Once an artist captured me in a pencil drawing and gave it to me. “A just because gift”, he had said.
The young man picks up another canvas. He’s getting ready for a new masterpiece: the night sky.
The speckles of light from the sun setting on the horizon testifies to the return of days end. One by one stars begin to sprinkle the sky creating a twilight pattern.
I can see the young man, rapidly, sweeping his brush across the canvas in a frenzy to capture all the changes that are happening.
Night has fallen.
It’s time to leave.
Turning, I see the young man is gone.
I hope he was able to celebrate the miracle of this night sky in his painting.
2014©written by Isadora
Billie Holiday – Summertime
It was very peaceful
I felt free
Staring up at the sky
2014©written by Isadora
July 27, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Isadora thanks for directing me to this link. I loved your day at the beach and could see the young artist sitting there and adding you to his canvas. A beautiful day to treasure.
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July 31, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Thank you for taking the time to drop by. It’s difficult for us to catch everything posted
by the bloggers we follow. I’m just pleased that you visited and were nice enough to leave a comment.
It was a pleasurable day in every way. 😊
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July 2, 2014 at 10:42 pm
Great photo and story! We just went to the beach a couple of days ago and nearly got blown away. Not so pleasant and I’m really burned! Wouldn’t have been so bad if I had been able to get more decent shots. HA! Good videos! I like both Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin!
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July 4, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Billie Holiday has her own style as does Janet Joplin. I was having a difficult time deciding which to post. When in doubt – do both. 😃
The hot sun rays can be harmful. I don’t burn but I am still very careful. Hope you can get better photos next time. : )
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July 2, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Extraordinary descriptive, sensual writing, Izzy. I’m impressed. Just a bit of hint: watch out for past and present tense changes. I don’t know if you intended to switch back and forth, but you did. 😉
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July 2, 2014 at 6:02 pm
A million THANK YOU’s mi amiga.
I had read and re-read this post before clicking publish and could not figure out what was wrong with it. No … I didn’t intend for it to go back and forth between tenses. It’s a writing flaw that I can’t seem to get a grip on. It’s the reason I don’t write more often. I can sense when the writing isn’t correct but can’t figure how how to fix it. Any suggestions on reading material that might help with that. I would be soooo appreciate it.
I wish there were more people who would speak up with helpful suggestions on comments. You are very generous with your help. ❤ hugs ❤
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July 2, 2014 at 6:24 pm
I never know if people want constructive criticism, but always appreciate it, so I just go ahead and follow my heart. I relieved that you feel the same way that I do.
As for reading material to help you out, I don’t have anything that comes to mind. It’s a matter of paying close attention to your verbs. Is vs. was/has vs. had/do vs. did/etc. Reading aloud helps. There is a free program on the internet called Auto Crit. It picks up overused words like was. Maybe that would help. Check it out. I used it on my novel to help trim it down and make the sentences read better. Of course they offer upgrades (which I did because I’m writing a novel), but for your purposes the free version should do nicely.
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July 2, 2014 at 7:03 pm
I’m always looking for positive constructive critiques. I am here to learn the craft of writing. I have lots of stories to tell but there’s no point in confusing my readers with incorrect grammar. So advise or tell me when you see something. I am open as long as the person isn’t mean spirited which you are not.
Blessings to you for being strong enough to follow your heart. ❤ hugs ❤
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July 2, 2014 at 9:39 pm
I will. Speaking of giving advice, how do you make the heart emoticn appear? I see them all over the place in comments and don’t know how to do it!
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July 2, 2014 at 10:06 pm
You use the backward arrow that is on the comma key (you have to shift to get that backward arrow) and add 3
The heart will automatically appear on your post when you publish your post. It’s a fun emoticon. ❤
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July 2, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Thanks! ❤
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July 2, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Your musing and the image seem to flow in and out of each other. That’s magical.
Would you say that is also the reason why you blended the essence of the day with that of the night through the painter’s creativity?
Shakti
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July 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm
I did want to have the artist involved in both times of the day. Each image nature was creating was very different. The skies change rapidly on hot summer days here.
Thank you for your insightful comment and for visiting.
~~~ : – )
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July 2, 2014 at 6:25 am
liked the glitter in the water and the cool blue 🙂
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July 2, 2014 at 4:23 pm
This is an unaltered photo I was able to take. It’s unusual for me to capture such a magnificent photo. I was very, very pleased with it.
I’m glad you enjoyed viewing it, Joshi. Thank You …
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July 2, 2014 at 3:17 am
the water looks so blue and refreshing..great photo!
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July 2, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Everything was cooperating that day even my photographic eye. It’s one of my favorite photos since it’s totally unaltered except for making the size smaller.
Glad you found it to be great. Thanks ….
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July 1, 2014 at 8:11 am
Evocative imagery, Issy, accompanied by one if my favourite songs. It makes me want to pack up a picnic and take myself off to the beach, where I can stare at the sky and feel free! 🙂
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July 2, 2014 at 4:35 pm
I don’t go in the water much as I don’t swim. The edge of the beach is as far as I go to grab a few splashes to cool down.
I do enjoy the peacefulness and solitude the beach can provide if you wander off and find a desolate spot.
Time to pack a picnic, Jacqueline, and view the oceans calmness.
❤
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June 30, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Beautiful feeling… Staring at the summer sky [and sea] is a treasure beyond words! 🙂
Lovely story accompanied by to great ladies. 🙂 xx
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July 5, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Lovely summer days bringing lazy hazy dreams.
Thank you, Marina. Happy weekend to you !!! ❤ hugs ❤
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June 30, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Ah, you put me in the mood. Lovely writing and I look forward to your guest post at The Bardo Group!!!
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July 2, 2014 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Victoria, and leaving your lovely comment. I’ve edited the first posting of this story. Dear, dear, Lorna was kind enough to bring my tense issue in it to light. I felt it deserved to be corrected. It’s a writing issue I’m trying to learn to correct. I suppose that’s what writing is about – learning.
I am honored to have been asked to have something posted on the Bardo Group. I hope I do not disappoint.
Blessings to You
Issy
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June 30, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Two fabulous tunes,,, complimenting your post. 😉
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July 2, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Thanks for buzzing in, Gerry. They are 2 great songs. I adore Janet Joplin.
Gone too soon … : )
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June 30, 2014 at 7:04 pm
A really beautiful image of the sea and the sailboat, Issy. I so enjoyed the peaceful picture that your words paint here, and I love the idea of an artist adding you to his painting. What fun to receive that pencil sketch of yourself, from a complete stranger. I would find that so uplifting. 🙂
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July 2, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Iwas very fortunate to capture this photo. I didn’t have to edit it in any way which is icing on the cake. I’m glad you like it.
I was honored, indeed, to have it given to me. It was quite a compliment. ~~~ : – )
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July 3, 2014 at 7:14 am
Indeed. 🙂
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