Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Beach Week 2017




The ocean is a lure like none other.  The waves are intoxicating and calming to my soul.  It would be a very strange year indeed without a visit to the ocean.  Our family gathers by the ocean every year.  It's a wonderful time to enjoy each other and be enveloped by the power and the glory of the ocean.






“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi








The grand's excitement over the ocean reminds me of times with my own cousins when we all gathered at the ocean.











  My siblings and I and my parents all piled into our family's car packed to the gills with all that we needed for a fun week at the ocean.  It was the highlight of my summers growing up and has continued to be exciting to me.  Even though I no longer ride the waves in with my siblings and cousins, I think of those precious times spent long ago.





  One of my cousins that I rode many a wave into the shoreline is now in the end stages of MS.  He lives by the ocean and I visit with him when we take our annual trek.  

We experienced a couple rainy mornings followed by sunshine that allowed us to enjoy making a puzzle supplied by our daughter and son-in-law.








  We even sat under the umbrella in the pouring rain. It's not the first time we've done it and Lord willing it won't be the last.  We are serious beach lovers.  Bocce Ball occupied times in the sunshine and in the rain.








Fireworks over the ocean are especially beautiful in the evening.








The beautiful Green Corn moon lit up the sky as well.




As darkness fell it really took on the likeness of a Harvest Moon.






  Our family surely is blessed to spend time together by ocean.  Do you enjoy the ocean?  







42 comments:

  1. I could not agree more, Martha Ellen. The sea calms me, even when it is a raging, boiling mass during an Atlantic storm, like nothing else. I love the ocean best of all, and in all it's moods. I have never lived more than a mile from the sea, other than six weeks I spent in Idaho. Lovely photos of your family holiday making memories at the beach.
    ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, I'm quite envious of you living so close to the ocean. I've often wondered if I would feel the same if I lived nearby. I'm always in awe and inspired by its beauty and power. You are so fortunate to have its glory so close. Have a great week. xoxo ♥

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  2. Martha Ellen, I didn't realize you loved the ocean so. Although I'm more of a mountain person, I long to see the ocean sometimes. Jess lives about 5 minutes from the ocean, and I get to see it when I visit her. What a wonderful family get together you had at the ocean. The grandkids look like they are having a blast! I love this old picture of your siblings and cousins, what a treasure. That's so special that your parents took all of you to the ocean every summer. The fireworks are beautiful. Wishing you sweet end of summer days, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

    ps...I like the puzzle you put together. I always think some of them should be framed. : )

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    1. Oh Sheri, I love the ocean so much. It has a draw to me like none other. I was a lucky one growing up surrounded by cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles that loved the water. The mountains are wonderful. We love visiting them when the leaves are changing. Summer is waning and it won't be long before we enjoy beautiful fall. Enjoy the last of summer, my friend. ♥

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  3. Yes.
    We love the ocean.
    It is my Madison's very favorite place on Earth.
    Such beautiful photos of the wonderful memories.
    And that moon!!!

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    1. Billie Jo, the moon was just exquisite this past week. My grandson pointed out the orange one and told his Daddy to tell me so I could hopefully capture it. It was magical. Have a wonderful evening. ♥

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  4. Great sea views! I also love to go to the sea, it is not very far from here but yet we only go there about four times a year. When I see your photos I intent to go more.

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    1. Janneke, I do hope you take a ride and see the beautiful ocean! How lucky you are to live close. We are about 3 hours away. Have a wonderful evening. ♥

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  5. There is no better vacay than a family beach trip..thank you Martha Ellen for sharing...we leave this week for ours....everyone is ready..looks like a grand time!

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    1. Betsy, I hope you enjoy your family beach trip! It's so relaxing and laid back. No excuses are needed to sit back and gaze at the beautiful ocean. Thank you for stopping by this evening. ♥

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  6. We are usually mountain and lake people but we had our first beach vacation with family this summer and it was enjoyable. Your photos show a wonderful time for your family. The ocean photos are amazing--as is the moon image. Well done and I'm glad you had such a good time, complete with warm memories of the "old days."

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    1. Thank you, Dotsie. I remember your lovely photos of your trip to the ocean. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I think the things I did as a child have taken on great importance the older I get. My cousin just recently sent this photo to me and I do love it so. Having knee issues I thought of you as I walked in the sand. Sending best wishes for a quick recovery. ♥

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  7. Lovely family photo from childhood, treasure to cherish..

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    1. Thank you, Krishna. I had not seen this photo until recently. I'm so happy it was shared with me. It is a treasure. Have a lovely week. ♥

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  8. Beautiful pictures and memories. I live too far from the ocean to get there easily but we live right near Lake Michigan and it's relaxing to watch the waves and there are plenty of beach areas too. Admittedly I'm not much for hanging out at the beach though. As kids we got to play at the lake my grandparents lived by. It was so much fun to go there and all our cousins would be there too. Don't you just love the old photos that show a place in time that bring back such good memories!

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    1. Liz, the older I get the more I enjoy seeing the old photos from the past. My siblings and cousins had many happy memories growing up and the photos bring them to clearer view. Lake Michigan looks like the ocean in its great vastness. I remember you mentioning going to the lake with your granparents. They are precious memories to treasure forever. Have a good week, my friend. ♥

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  9. Oh, Martha Ellen! I knew that you were enjoying precious beach time with your family and I thought of you each and every day! It's so lovely that you carry on this tradition with your grandsons. Watching the waves wash in always soothes the soul and lightens the heart! Your photos are just beautiful!

    I have been so blessed to enjoy a few walks along different oceans in my lifetime. Here we enjoy walking along the beaches of Lake Michigan. I always come home with a few smooth stones or beautiful shells to remind me of those magical moments at the beach! Sending sunny thoughts for a wonderful week! ♡

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    1. Thank you, sweet Dawn! Lake Michigan would be a wonderful place to enjoy the majesty of such a wonder of nature. I often collect things that wash to the shore as well. I have a lamp that I filled with shells that we picked up on the beach. It is a happy reminder of times by the ocean. Ocean walks are especially calming to our souls. Thank you for thinking of our special week. I hope your days are full of joy, my sweet friend. ♥

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  10. Great photos of an memorable vacation! Your grandsons are growing up so fast...and handsome!

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    1. Susan, I can hardly believe how grown up the boys are now! They are kind and thoughtful children that give us so much joy. I am thankful beyond words. Have a wonderful week! ♥

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  11. What wonderful captures of family, beach, and moon. Makes me happy to know that I will have some ocean time soon. I am wondering if you are among the cousins and trying to figure out which one you might be.

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    1. Vee, I'm happy to hear you will be going to the ocean soon! I hope you find it restorative. I know I do. I'm the dark haired gal in the upper left half of the photo. I'm one of the older cousins so it's easier to tell, although the little ones still look like their baby photos! Have a nice week.

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  12. Wonderful photos of the ocean. Where did you go? The few times we've vacationed at the ocean it's been great!

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    1. We go to Va Beach every year, Cathy. It feels like home to me since I've been going there for so many years. When I was a youngster there were no high rises there. Just cottages and inns. It's also fairly close for us to travel as a family. Although our daughter and son-in-law do have to fly in. Enjoy the rest of the week, Cathy. ♥

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  13. Oh, we love the ocean..when all our grands were little bitty, we all went to the beach at Aransas Pass, Tx every summer for several years..loved it all

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    1. BJ, the beach is a wonderful spot for families to enjoy each other. Your family beach time sounds great. Have a nice evening, BJ. ♥

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  14. Martha Ellen, your beach vacation sounds like the best of times! Doing a puzzle together on a rainy morning sounds like the perfect way to make the most of the weather. And I love that you even enjoyed the beach when it was raining!

    Old memories and new ones . . . beautiful!

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    1. Cheryl, we do have wonderful memories to cherish. We're kind of crazy beach folks that try to make the most of times, even if it's raining. Of course, it's not our preference that it rains! Sending you sunny wishes, my friend.♥

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  15. Martha Ellen, that looks absolutely fantastic to someone who is an inland dweller and has never spent time at the ocean, except for a tiny stop when we were in New England. But nothing like a whole day or days there. It looks absolutely delightful! What fun memories you have of you and cousins spending time there, and what fun memories you are building for your family.

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    1. The beach will always hold a special place in my heart, Judy. The activities we do as a child (if they are pleasant) surely want to be part of our adulthood. I enjoy seeing the memories you are making for your family. I hope your week is full of new memories, my friend. xo ♥

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  16. Martha, I love the ocean and all sorts of bodies of water, though I only like actually getting in a nice pool! I love that visiting the ocean has been your family tradition.

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    1. Jean, I grew up swimming in all sorts of rivers, lakes, and pools. My parents loved the ocean best and so do I. Thanks for stopping by. ♥

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  17. Such happiness!Great photos.I love the ocean too!Hugs,Maristella.

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  18. Such memories made! Looks like all had a great time! I love the ocean, the water lapping up on my feet as I stand on the beach!

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  19. Oh, what a wonderful tun post filled with summer fun. This makes me realize fall is just around the corner. Thank you for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Summer is waning and fall will be here before we blink, Shelia. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by. ♥

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  20. Oh my...there is no place I would rather be! Sometimes...many times I wish we had moved closer to the ocean. I always feel rejuvenated when I spend time there. Love your family photos and fun memories. Enjoy your afternoon sweet lady!

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    1. Thank you Diane. I figured you loved the ocean. It is so restorative and peaceful. I hope your week is off to a grand start! ♥

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  21. Your family is indeed blessed to have the opportunity of spending time together at the ocean.
    Such wonderful photographs, time like this makes such precious memories.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Yes, every moment is precious. Have a great weekend. ♥

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