Weekend Links
July 27, 2008
D and I, along with the beloved maternal parental unit, or Mom for short, are on the Oregon Coast for a few days. From the desert wonder of Taos, New Mexico two weeks ago to the majestic splendor of the Pacific Ocean today. Oh, how I suffer. Pity me and the sand between my toes.
I love anything water. Rivers, streams, ponds, fountains, the bath tub. I love the ocean and am totally whacked out over the beach. Sand, surf, and seagulls. Speaking of seagulls, I’m going to go feed one a slice of bread to a couple that are lounging on the deck.
Hurmph. Apparently Sara Lee’s 45 Calorie DeLIGHTful White Bread wasn’t their cup of carbs. Snobby seagulls. So much for fowl philanthropic endeavors.
So here are a few of my favorite recent internet finds that I now share ever so generously with you.
- The best emergency remedy for just about everything from cramps to crappiness.
- When you need to get away from it all, just maximize your web browser, breathe deep, and click here.
- Okay. Pretty Yum.
- This is one beautifully moving photographic project.
- There’s an archive of a series of podcasts over at afterellen.com called Oh God, I’m Gay that feature some good interviews with all sorts of faith-based folks, and they’ve just begun a new limited video series of Oh God, I’m Gay that begins with a video interview with Jay Bakker, pastor of Revolution Church, New York.
- Write a poem smart and funny
about the ocean and beach sand,
and should your poem I find amusing,
then a sweet surprise to you I’ll send.
Use this site to create a funny poem related to the beach and post it here in the comments. On Tuesday night the cleverest poet will be chosen and receive one pound of salt water taffy made fresh at Bruce’s Candy Shoppe here in Cannon Beach and handpicked by me!
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Posted in Contests and Games, Weekend Links
July 28th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Amazing! We were down at the Oregon coast this weekend with our toes in the sand and sea! Of course, in Newport it was super foggy, so we didn’t have super visibility. Was a beautiful day!
July 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am
OK… here is my poem!
“I went to the coast with my lady,
got some sand in our toes…
the water was cool and I don’t mean maybe,
but when you go to the beach that’s just how it goes!
We wanted so much to smooch and hold hands,
cause what says romance if it’s not the water and sand!
Further down the shore we walked into fog
we couldn’t see much, just shadows and
someone else’s dog.
We took the chance to hold hands
and stopped for an occasional kiss,
eventually we headed back for land…
but it was a day not to be missed.”
July 28th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Ok, Anita! Here’s my poem!
The Sand Mermaid
Shall we use seaweed for hair
and dune grass for her smile?
Oh yes! And shells for her eyes,
and nose
and lips, and also strategically
placed for modesty’s sake.
Her tail should be longer,
with fins,
and her arms are too skinny.
Hurry! It’s almost dinnertime!
Is she built far enough above high tide?
I hope she is here tomorrow!
We’ll come back and check before breakfast!
July 28th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Two entries! Okay, now we have a contest!
July 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Anita I am a fairly new reader and I enjoy this site. This was too fun to pass up so here is my first response.
We were walking on the shore
With the sand between our toes
Wandering through the fog
Wondering which way to go
We spied a patch of sunlight
At the waters edge
Seeing gulls in search of food
So we threw them some bread
They turned up their beaks
At this bountiful feast
And flew out of sight
Back through the mist
Now I’m not claiming birds can speak
But I swear I heard a voice say
Next time bring salt water taffy
We will feast on that all day!
July 28th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
ok, i’m not so much about the poetry but just wanted to say how much i enjoy the oregon coast, there’s something very calming about being there. i go every year and every year i’m amazed.
ok, back to the contest, as you were………….
July 28th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Here is my feeble entry composed in just a few minutes.
Oceans of glory,
Sands of wonder,
Skies mysteries,
These things I reflect upon.
When God created the oceans,
Did He know how fascinating they would be to me?
Did He know how much fun I would have here,
Digging in the sand,
Riding the waves,
Watching the tidal pool critters,
Birds in flight,
Birds scurrying along the water line,
And did He know that I would leave behind
Buttprints in the sand?
July 29th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Here’s my stab…
Once upon a beach I sat and
found that underneath my hat I
furrowed less my brows and then
I found myself espousing things like
sitting
breathing
sipping
being
walking slowly, finding things like
shells and shells of castles made by
children who could teach me things like
playing
laughing
dreaming
being.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Waaahooo! Look at your girls go! Okay then, we’re packing up from the beach this morning to head back into town (with salt water taffy safely in tow) and so I’ll be checking back later this afternoon to see if anyone else has taken a stab at this before announcing who will be receiving chewy calories galore tonight. Rhyme on!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Let’s give a funny poem a try….
Sand through my toes is fine
The water in the sea is great
What do I remember most?
The sand and salt that I ate!
The waves are fine
from far away
But walk right in
and you will pay….
With sand and salt
and seaweed too
That sticks to you
like Elmer’s glue!
To all of you beach bums
who relish the sand
It’ll find places
that aren’t even tanned!
One word of caution
to all you out there
beware of the sand
that gets stuck in your hair!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Dear RhymeRats –>
Six delightful poems one and all.
Reading each one was really a ball.
Thanks to each one of you for your contribution,
For your part in the beginning of a new SisterFriends tradition.
I wish I had six pounds of salt water taffy but since a winner must be chosen I’d like to announce the winner of 1 pound of salt water taffy is Barb (wild cheering ensues) and because “Buttprints in the sand” is a line worthy of recognition, DragonLady will be receiving 1 pound of salt water taffy as well minus the three pieces I ate! So Barb and DragonLady, please send your mailing addresses in email to Anita1956 at gmail.com! (replace “at” with “@”)
And be on the lookout for more games, contests and giveaways in the future . . . just for the fun!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Yeah! And the crowd goes wild! I missed out on this one but just wanted to say congrats to Barb and Dragonlady! Funny stuff!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Thanks so much, Anita. And congrats to all who participated!! It was great fun. I know I don’t comment a lot (like once!) but I read and absorb and appreciate all the posts. Thanks to everyone.
Barb
July 29th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Anita I would really rather you donate that candy to a shelter for battered women to put just a little sweetness in their lives. I had fun enough just writing it and hearing my partner laugh. We are on day 43 or 44 of over 90 degree weather and I doubt that it would be eatable by the time it got here.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to exercise my creative side and for deeming me worthy of your personal stash. (Besides, I stole some more desktop wallpaper from you)
July 30th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
This was all very enlightening… love it! DragonLady, you really made my day. ta!
July 31st, 2008 at 1:56 am
Hey Anita did you get all shook up in the earthquake?
July 31st, 2008 at 8:51 am
I just returned home last night after nearly two weeks in Oregon and so will be catching up by posting later this evening but just wanted to give a heads-up that a sugary sweet box will be on it’s way to Barb in the morning and DragonLady, because I don’t have an established relationship with a local battered shelter they’d politely decline the contribution of candy as would other community resources as well. Understandable given the need to protect their clientele but a little frustrating when you want to help. Instead, I’ll go ahead and make a 20 dollar donation to STAND in the name of “DragonLady.” STAND is a local shelter for battered women and children, and then I’ll take the candy to church on Sunday, place it in a bowl, and let folks know it was given by a SisterFriend.
And no shaking here in our area of Northern California. The recent earthquake was in the Southern California area…another world away
July 31st, 2008 at 10:34 am
Thanks Anita! It was 106 here yesterday and may well top that today. My M&M’s even come out of the package melted. I am pretty much melted too!
The line between Northern and Southern California is rather indistinct to me. And those maps that show the areas affected are downright confusing as they are really too small to tell what I am looking at. I’m very glad that this was just a shake up as I have friends living in Diamond Bar. They are safe but a little nervous right now.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:59 am
So I missed the whole contest thing, but as an aside, I noticed you were in Cannon Beach!
Next time you make it there, Anita, grab some salt water taffee for me, and mosy on over to Moe’s for clam chowder. I have a very close friend who works at a hotel there in town…maybe it’s about time I figured out another excuse to go west for a couple of weeks.