Monday, April 12, 2010

The Passionate Sea

I am delighted to have Jaime sharing one of her passions here today. She is a photographer, a musician, a piano teacher, a poet with words and light, and my mentor in open-hearted living. Jaimie really does have a poet's heart, as you will see. She's one of my earliest blogging friends and such a blessing to me. Don't forget to stop by her house and tell her I'm sending my love. ~ Relyn


There is a mountain near my house that I climb in the mornings. I passed a man and his little girl one day as they headed toward the summit. He was telling her that when they get to the top they will see the ocean. She, very matter-of-factly replied, "And mermaids too."

I share in her wonderment. My passion for the ocean has left me spellbound countless times. For I have seen many magical creatures while diving under the wiggly surface that looked as though they came straight out of a fairy tale.


Slow moving sea slugs that look like they are adorned with frosted white glass feathers.
Multi-legged sun stars the size of dinner platters.
Colourful feather pens sticking out of the sand.
An octopus eye watching me carefully from a hole in the rock.
Moon jellies and brittle stars, wolf eels and giant crabs.
Forests of huge white billowy mushroom-shaped anemones big enough to swallow your arm.
Phosphorescence in the night waters...thousands of shooting stars firing madly all around me.

I even got to feel what it would be like to be a mermaid as I swam through a kelp forest as the sun rays streamed through the long tendrils, making everything an emerald glow.

But I didn't have to go under the surface to know that the ocean was a mystical netherworld. The rolling tides leave clues on the shoreline. Moon shells and sand dollars linger as the waves slowly retreat. Sea glass must be the jewelery of mermaids, no doubt. Those same mermaids that were spotted by a little girl who believes.


How can I not be passionate about such a vast and ever-changing entity who shares its mysterious secrets to those who go in search of magic?

I much prefer feet to fins, and lungs to gills, but a perfect day is any day spent next to the ocean... beach combing, seal scoping, picture making or listening to the poetry of the whispering surf. I hold on to its secrets most passionately.


All the images in this post are by Jaime. You can find more of her words and images here and here. Jaime adores big clumsy fuzzy bees, cozy rainy days with can't put down novels, wild natural spaces, secret hide out places, sun sparkles on the surface of the ocean, digging in the dirt, cupcakes, starfish, bookstores and of course, a good piece of luscious dark chocolate.

16 comments:

margie said...

beautiful images.

Johanna said...

being near the ocean makes me perfectly whole and happy. lovely post!

Tracy said...

Such beautiful dreamscapes... Jamie has such gifts! Thank you for for sharing, Relyn... Happy Week ((HUGS))

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

Reading this I got the same feeling I do when I am in the sea, floating, feeling the sun on my face. So happy, so salty, free.


Loved this post, thank you!

beth said...

oh that jaime....
she is absolutely adored by me !
i wonder if she has any idea ?

Andrea said...

Beautiful!!
Blessings and prayers,
andrea

Unknown said...

Hi Relyn and Jaime,

Living near water provides an undefinable something that one misses when it's no longer there. We have been fortunate to live within sight of water several times. Lovely images, Jaime.

Jeanne said...

So beautiful

Gigi Thibodeau said...

I always love reading Jaime's words and exploring her beautiful images, and I share her love of the ocean. What a treat it is to find her here today!! Thanks, Jaime and Relyn, for this gorgeous post. xo g

Gill said...

I agree with Gigi. Jaime's passion for the ocean comes through here with each shot and precious word. I loved reading all about it. The last shot is my favourite. xo

S. Etole said...

so much beauty in word and image ...

Kirsten Steen said...

BEautiful images and...yay...another inspiring blog to go to! So happy to be introduced and share photos and words.
Hugs to you!

d smith kaich jones said...

Jaime - I am sure in a past life you were a mermaid, gathering up tales to tell to us mere land mortals, and I am most grateful for that. I have a secret desire the see the phosphorescence of the sea and now a need to hold a moon shell - I don't even know what one is, but you have cast a spell, as you always do. :)

And Relyn - so generous to share others with us. Perhaps we can hold moon shells together.

xoxo
Debi

Heart2Heart said...

Relyn,

Such a beautiful and peaceful post! I too, believe in the magic of the ocean.


Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Jaime said...

Sweet Relyn...

It was so much fun writing for your blog. I have never done that before! Thank you so much for the opportunity to plant my words someplace new and wonderful. You are so dearly loved.
xoxoxoxo

Rita said...

I love the seashore. When Robert and I were young, we went every summer. They were good memories. I know that you love the seashore too!

Oldies, but Goodies