Have the time change woollies ditched your life yet? Even after practicing for a couple of weeks before the change, it still hit me hard. Thankfully, I’ll be taking a vacation soon. I’ll spring the clock ahead another hour – closer to beaches and sunsets. My anticipation is building.
A story in your head isn’t a story. It’s just a daydream until you actually write it down. So write it down.
Andy Weir
I’m imagining how the shoreline here looks different after Ian. Here’s my memory of it.
I’ll dip my toes in the sand and waves and all the feelings of needing a wool sweater to keep warm back home shall disappear. We haven’t had much snow this winter, looks like March anticipates going out like a lion. 🙄🤔
Where were my thoughts going…
Oh, yes, on the beach!
As much as I love sunsets and the beach, I must wait a few weeks for beach time. I’ll never tire of anticipating beach time.
My other favorite beach memories were shared on Jamaica’s seven-mile beach with our family.
In the mornings it looks like this, with very few shells, and raked to peaceful perfection. Ah. . .
In Florida, the beaches are covered with shells. Could you imagine trying to rake all of them up?
In our hometown, the sunrise on the marina looks like this on a calm summer morning – no sea shells here. This photo, with a stretch of imagination, reminds me of Andy Warhol’s 1962 Do It Yourself (Sailboats). Did you Google it to find out?
Looking back through pictures helps get me excited about my trip. I haven’t traveled with my dear friend since 2021!
Having something to look forward to lifts my spirits.
The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting.
Andy Warhol
Until then, I’ll dream and work to clear my work to-do list and set up my future out-of-office message. Pressing that button is fun to do.
Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work’s important, the family’s important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You’re cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what’s coming.
Nicholas Sparks
LOL the boss in me has always been a morning person.
I like to watch the traffic flow as people head to/from work. I wonder how many of them are drinking coffee too? Working from home lets me see the sunrises often.
Our sunrise views have their spectacular moments. A sunrise with bright red clouds, even if they mean storms are to come, is one of my favorites.
Same view on a different day.
I can’t help flying up on the wings of anticipation. It’s as glorious as soaring through a sunset. . .almost pays for the thud.”
Lucy Maud Montgomery, ‘Anne Of Green Gables’.
Being a morning person, I don’t capture sunsets as much. But, digging through archives, I found a few. This one from November of 2023.
Another one from winter 2017.
And a summer one from that year too.
Nature, even in the act of satisfying anticipation, often provides a surprise.
Alfred North Whitehead
In 2017, I took a lot of pictures. We also moved our youngest home from her 4-year adventure in Chicago. We joined her for St. Paddy’s Day in Chicago, months before graduation. That was the weekend my wooly hair was sprouting gray! When in Chicago, any hair color goes. A month later, I chopped the faux woolly brown off. The dream of and freedom from coloring my hair is such a cool feeling!
Our adventures in Chicago went from views of the busy city life.
To views of our quaint little hometown.
Sticking close to home feels great. Before I know it, though, I’ll be up in the sky filled with anticipation of the new adventures that await.
Post Inspiration: Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “wool.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills: Mar 17 Sunrise or Sunset? Patti for Lens-Artists #291: Cityscapes
PS – What are you anticipating to happen this spring? Any travel plans? Are you doing anything special for St. Patrick’s Day? Are you a sunset or a sunrise fan, or both? Where were you when you saw a magical sunrise/sunset? Are you a fan of city life or rural life?
I’d like e a trip to warm. It’s a perpetual 68 degrees in my husband’s hospital room. We’re on day 3. Maybe some answers tomorrow.
Oh, no, Dawn, I’m so sorry to hear that your husband is in the hospital. I hope you’re able to get answers soon. You’re both in my thoughts and prayers. 🤗🙏🏻
Sunset, sunrises, you have them all, Shelley, and quite gorgeous, too! I didn’t realize you are still working, but getting up with coffee follows us into retirement, trust me. I get up by 6:45am most days and right now the sun rises directly to our east out our front door–walked out in my PJs and phone and snapped away!
Anticipation of a warm trip always creates a balm of healing winter woes. Your weather outlook looks like our late next week. Ours may hit 70 today which is WAY above average, but hey, I’ll take it for a couple of more days. I can hear the March Lion roaring already 🙂
By the way, I love the shot of your little town. We have a lot of those around here, but ours isn’t that quaint. Have a wonderful week and enjoy what sun you can get!
Thank you, Terri, I do love looking at our skies here. Yep, still working full-time. Oh, yeah, I’ll be drinking morning coffee if/when I retire. Not quite ready for that yet, though, but knowing a warm cup of coffee is still a thing when retired makes me warm up to the idea. 😉
I’m jealous of your warmer weather. Last year at this time we had that and then it snowed a foot on 4/1. Roar, roar, roar!
Thank you – it is a quaint little town. The businesses are proud of how they keep the town looking so great.
Same to you – have a great week and stay warm!
Hello Shelly, I enjoyed your post, and I did not Google the Andy Warhol (1962) Do It Yourself (Sailboats)- but I did Duck Duck Go it and found that your photo was truly in sync with his painting. How cool when that happens.
It was fun to see various photos from your archives and fun to share a bit of the trip anticipation with you
🙂
Hi Yvette, it’s so fun to hear from you. I use Duck Duck Go too! My photo is a fun connection to Andy, thanks for concurring with me on it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos from the archives too. With the 29 degree weather that feels like 17 I’m even more ready to experience some temps in the 80s! 🌴😎🌞
I hope you can holiday soon Shelley to get the itches out and onto the sand 🥰
Thank you, Brian! Yes, the itches need to be worked out in the sand and the sea shells! I hope to catch a beautiful sunset like the ones you shared in your post. 😍
I sense your excitement for your upcoming time at the beach. I’m lucky that during my 2 months, I get sunrises and sunsets over water … well, not all sunsets. Plus, I’m happy I don’t encounter that glut of shells! Meanwhile, enjoy!!!!
Thank you, Frank, YES, I’m excited. It was 31, with a feels like 17, as I wrote the post. 🥶🧊
You are fortunate to have the 2 months to get a break from the cold.
Those shells were fascinating, but hard to walk on. I prefer a beach without so many shells too!
Duck Duck Go? I heard that they track you like Google does. I use startpage.com Great photos, Shelley! I remember your trip to Florida and understand why you want to get back there! I will be in Florida from the 21st to April 2 with dad and sister. I hope your trip is fabulous!
Yes, at first Duck Duck Go didn’t, but I understand they do track too. Ugh. I’ll have to check out startpage.com. Thanks for the tip.
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. You’ve seen all of them before, I think. 😂
I hope your trip is another great one with your dad and sister. I’ll wave to you from the plane!
Thank you for the travel wishes! Ditto to you. 😊
I’ll be watching for you waving! You can customize the way Start Page looks. It’s always good to see dad, he will be 96 next month!
Wouldn’t that be cool to wave to a fellow friend on a plane crossing in the sky?! I’ll check it out.
That’s wonderful and he’s still full of spunk. 🥰 I hope you have a great birthday celebration for him.
Well, if an airliner is going 500mph that means you would pass each other at roughly 1000mph so that could be difficult. 😂 Dad likes a peaceful birthday, no party!!
🤣 So true! Aw, a peaceful birthday is a wonderful way to celebrate 96!
Yes indeed!
Great photos, Shelley, and lots to look forward to. I will be away from blogging next week. If I don’t see you before you go, I hope you have a wonderful time.
Thank you, Dan. Thanks too for the heads up that you’ll be taking a blogging break. I hope you have grand plans that will lead us to another enchanting post at the SoCS bar!
Two days ago the sun was warm and shedding hope for an end to cold weather. Yesterday the wind came up, a cold wind and blew in some snow. All that makes the trip we are starting after Easter. To Texas to visit son and family to watch the eclipse. I can’t wait to get on the road and meet up with friends and family. I am sure it will be warm where we are going. 60 years ago we were married in a small church in Elizabeth Town, Ill., oldest church in southern Ill. We are planning a visit to where our marriage started, should be fun and lots of good memories. we have not did any travels exept to a funeral a few weeks ago for over two years. 2023 was full of hospital stays and trying to recover from some bad health issues. the only place we traveled to was doctors, hosptial, therapist. Enjoy
Hi, thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. We had that whiplash weather here too. UGH!
It’s nice to have a trip to look forward to. It helps endure the cold snap.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. That’s a wonderful accomplishment to celebrate. I hope the church is still enchanting like the day you were married.
Your plans this year sound better than all the hospital visits, I hope your trips this year take you to making happy memories instead.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts!
I enjoyed this post, Shelley! I truly believe anticipation, planning and dreaming are a a big pat of the fun! I’ve been planning a complex road trip and I love it! …although it won’t include much beach. We do have a plan in the fall that will include some beach. I hope you have a fabulous time!!
Thank you, Lisa, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Yay for a fun and complex road trip. I remember the trip you planned where you had to take detours to the hospital, (right?), I hope this trip doesn’t involve a trip there! I admire you for being able to plan longer trips and carry out those plans too. Some day…maybe we’ll do that too. 🥰
I intend to have a wonderful time, thank you for the well wishes! 🥰😍
Yes, you are correct! …and I will be a bit nervous as we head out on the next one, but I’m also excited! …enjoy your BEACH! 🏖️😊
Yay, I’m glad I remembered correctly. I’ll be a bit nervous too, but all that will wash away at the beach! 🤗 Safe travels to you too!
There are beautiful photos in here Shelley – I am envious of those glorious skies that you have seen and photographed. I have no clear vista from where I live and you will see that Wednesday in one of the photos I took in the ‘hood; having the wires in the photo takes away from the intended view. You have used some great quotes as well – I like the ones about the anticipation for your trip, especially the quote by Nicholas Sparks. He is one of my favorite authors. Sometimes the anticipation of something special is better than the actual experience of that something, but this is different. You’ve been there before and know the joy it will bring you to see it again.
Thank you, Linda. I wish I could send you some sunrises and sunsets so you could experience them in person. I remember that you like Nicholas Sparks, so I’m glad you enjoyed the quote too.
You’re right, I’ve been there before so it feels different in the anticipation, I bet we’ll discover some new things to spark joy! 🥰
Yes, wiggling your bare toes in the sand and writing a message in the sand are two things that are sure to spark joy on this trip Shelley.
Yes!!! 🥰
Such lovely photos!
Hi Laura, it’s great to hear from you! Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Enjoy staying clear of wool and embrace the sunshine moments of your spring!
Fun post as always Shelley! Having just returned from wet and cold NY to the warm sunshine of home, I feel your need for the warmth!! Come July I may be looking for a different climate LOL
Beautiful photos. Like you I rarely take a sunset photo, but sunrises I’m there for. I like the bike with the planter in its basket in the last photo. People do that around here, too, and it is charming.
I can’t wait to see pics from your trip–enjoy!!
Thank you, Rebecca! I’ll do my best to enjoy the trip 😉😎😁
As you look forward to leaving your wintery weather and enjoying warm days at the beach, I am doing the opposite- eagerly awaiting a short trip out of the unusually warm March in central Florida and enjoying cold weather in the Grand Canyon. We may even have some snow! What a thrill that will be for me.
Thank you for the reminder about the importance of anticipation. My husband and I tend to be last minute travel planners leaving us at most 6-8 weeks of anticipation. Not nearly enough time to truly savor the pre-trip excitement. But there are other smaller things in life I could be enjoying the anticipation of – a nice dinner out, upcoming birthday celebrations with my family, a random day off of work. Anticipation prolongs the joy of the actual event.
Enjoy the sunshine, warm sand, and ocean waves.
Thank you, Lisa. It’s funny you’re leaving FL to get cooler temps and I’m going there to get warmer temps. It’s nice that we can trade spaces.
You’re welcome for the reminders. Thank you too for the reminders of all the smaller events that are big in our hearts to treasure.
Enjoy the cooler temps and the opportunity to see some snow. 🌴⛄
Loved your skylines and the whole post was refreshing, Shelley. I can’t get enough of beaches either. Shells or soft sand, I love it all. And Chicago is supposed to be a fun city. I wonder if your daughter misses it? Honestly, I love your quiet little town, and your photo today with the bike on the corner was so picturesque. Enjoy your upcoming trip. We will be traveling to Utah for our annual trip, soon.
Thank you, Donna, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Chicago was a great experience for all of us, and she went back with her roommate last year and they both said, “Been there, done that, and don’t really miss it anymore.” But, she says the same thing about going back to Jamaica. 🤣
Thank you for the travel wishes, ditto to you! Have a blast in Utah!
ha. sounds like your daughter might have an adventurous spirit. And she has found a traveling companion in her friend.
Yes, and she married her high school sweetheart that loves to go on hiking adventures so she reminds me of you and your hubby too. 🥰
Great minds think alike. lol
🥰
We have no travel plans. If I’m lucky, I might actually get out of the house by June.
Last magical sunset I saw was on the beach in Los Angeles (actually south of Santa Monica Pier). It’s worth flying out there to see.
Maybe the est way to put it is I’m a fan of suburban life: not too city, not too country…
I hope your June plans work out for you.
That sounds like a wonderful sunset photo op. I’ve never been to that part of the USA.
Suburban life is a nice balance, I can see why you like it. 😊
I hope so, too. My life has been one room for the last almost a year…
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you! 🙏🏻🤞🏻
Look at all those gorgeous shells in that one photo. wow! I loved all your photos. Your town looks very quaint and cozy.
Thank you, Kirstin. I was amazed at all the shells. The whole beach was like that. I’m guessing when I return there it’ll look much the same. 🤔
Our downtown businesses take good care of how the streets look. 😍
I’m so glad you’re getting to go to the beach again Shelley! I’m looking forward to some beautiful photos from your adventure. 🙂
Thank you for the travel wishes. I hope I get some fun photos to bring back and share. 😍😎🌴🌞
There’s nothing like anticipation for an upcoming trip! I hope you have a wonderful time on the beach. 🙂 We had snow last week too – what a bummer! At least it has melted now and the temperature is rising again. As a night person, I see a lot more sunsets than sunrises, but they are both beautiful. Love your photos! 😍
Thank you Debbie, you’re right! We’ve had snow and quite chilly temps, winter is giving me a party to send me off on my trip. The snow at this time of year doesn’t stick around long. I hope your spring weather is delightful.
Good luck on your travels!
Thank you!