the odd uneven time of August…

August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time. —Sylvia Plath/author

Stumbling upon this quote from notoriously depressive author Sylvia Plath seems almost eerily on target for my late summer vibe.

Looking back I can trace a lot of unique choices and unusual behaviors to the odd and uneven August(s) throughout my life. I impulsively changed colleges last minute, transferred a year later (even though things were going well), and later quit graduate school all in August without consulting anyone.

I wondered if what I’m drawn to photograph in August could offer some clues into my late summer state of mind.

MYSTERY: A few days ago I saw these coyote tracks and alongside those of a small foot. I followed the tracks as the sun rose over Cape Cod Bay…my imagination thoroughly sparked.

Is there a WILD CHILD running with the coyotes on TOWN NECK BEACH?

You have a coyote inside you, and you have to get it out.  —Chuck Jones/animator

SHELTER FROM THE SUN:

A SMALL ACT OF AUGUST REVOLUTION:

Last week I watched this young girl on vacation with her family walk up and down the beach with seaweed on her head. They didn’t notice for a long time and she was annoyed. This seems like an August vibe to me.

OUT OF THE ORDINARY:

RANDOM SPARK & MUSE:

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE:

DISTRACTION:

I looked at this art for the week while I stitched, other folks did too, funny how the brain fills in what isn’t there. I’m working on a new version now…oh, the odd uneven time of August.

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance, and none can say while some fields will blossom and others lay brown beneath the August sun. —Ken Nerburn

my nature needs nature…

As I walked Town Neck Beach this morning I felt a peacefulness wash over me even though the churn of the sea was quite wild. There was far more seaweed than usual because of the waves and storms swirling out in the Atlantic. I started thinking about nature in its many forms.

NATURE: 1. natural scenery. 2. the external world in its entirety. 3. the inherent character or basic constitution  3. the physical constitution or drives of an organism (Merriam Webster)

I know what happens to my character & constitution when I’m too emerged into the artificial world. I feel less certain, more anxious, disconnected from my inherent nature, and my struggles feel all-consuming. Being in nature makes me realize…well, good grief, it ain’t all about me.

What if we received NATIONAL NATURE ALERTS?

THIS IS A NATIONAL NATURE ALERT:  GET out into nature immediately!  This warning is in effect EVERYWHERE for the next 10 minutes. Step away from everything artificial NOW without any form of communication and just breathe.  If you have more time it is advised that you use it freely.

When I feel more grounded in nature my challenges seem like a teeny tiny portion of the hum of the whole universe and our shared human experience.

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

—Rachel Carson