Over My Garden Gate: Beach Time

Friday, July 12, 2019

Beach Time

Sunrise on Lummi Island...shot thru the window, then back to bed.
Because sunrise comes pretty early in the morning.

Now that my fence is in and the ravenous elk are safely thwarted, slugs have stepped—slimed? —up to be the new bane of my existence. The dahlia bulbs I was so proud of myself for—both remembering to dig them up in the fall AND remembering to plant them again this spring—have thrice been eaten all the way down to stubs. My “organic, safe for children and pets” slug killer –and I use that word ironically as I don’t think the “killer” gives them so much as a stomachache—has proven to be less than affective.

For all I know, “Organic Slug Killer” is the slugs’ new favorite seasoning, goes great with delicious dahlias, and pairs delightfully with the shallow pan of IPA I placed out to drown them in. (What? Doesn’t everybody drown their garden pests in small batch, artisanal brewed beer? What are we, heathens?)

Hoping that the fourth time would be the charmed number for dahlias regeneration, and that the fence would hold, I packed my bags, engaged a cat sitter, and a plant water-er, and headed off to the San Juan’s with a friend and her family for some much-needed Beach Time.

Mt Baker as seen from Lummi Island

Beach Time is some how better than regular time; time seems to slow down and kick off its shoes. The day unfolds at an unhurried pace—walks become more meandering. Pebbles and shells and bits of beach glass are examined and collected. Meals are lingered over, sunsets are observed, and conversations are unhurried. And even though July 4^th was a week ago, we can still see “the rockets red glare” across the water to the mainland, as some firework “enthusiast” continues his celebration on the shoreline. From an island, this behavior seems amusing rather than annoying.

What was it that wise Beach Philosopher Jimmy Buffet once said? “Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude”? I think he got it right.

Beach Time is transformative.