Seasonal sweet spot
We have safely arrived at another seasonal sweet spot on the island. It is that precious time after Easter and before the summer madness when the population of the island swells out of control. During those busy times I retreat to my wee corner of the island or wander deep into forests. However, about now we are in our sweet spot when we can wander along the shore pretty much undisturbed. Joyful.
Inhabiting the seasons means we notice all sorts of tiny shifts and moments. My morning walks takes me down to the shore through beautiful corridors of cherry blossom, gorse and bluebells. In the language of flowers bluebells give us humility and gratitude and, as I leave them behind and step onto the pebbled beach, I am mindful of the importance of these qualities in life. I am grateful for my existence on a small Scottish island away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. I like quietness and I get that here in spades. So, I am making the most of my seasonal sweet spot and exploring the beach for treasure. I am so good at treasure hunting that I need to remind myself to look up and take in the stunning view as I wander.
My beach treasures are tiny fragments of sea glass and pottery that are scattered around our shores. Technically litter, I feel the need to tidy up and take pocketfuls back to my creative space and there the journey begins…. As a textile and mixed media artist I am curious about the stories that tossed around the waves turning useful things to fragments. Each fragment is completely unique and to be treasured, always. Mine are on display and also tucked away in wee boxes in a cupboard resting before I decide their next chapter. It is the well worn pottery pieces that I love the most and so find these very difficult to part with. Occasionally, I find a couple of pieces from the same original plate, bowl or cup. It is all I can do to contain myself as fellow dog walkers look on in amazement at the level of excitement. I care not.
During this relatively quiet time on the island I mavel as more and more beautiful seaweed swirls its way onto the shore resting quietly before seeping away again. This is the turn of the vivid green coats that cover the rocks on the shore and make walking particularly tricky. More than once this innocent looking seaweed has dropped me on my bottom with a bump that reminds me of my age. I suffer these moments in relative silence accepting that the odd tumble is OK when surrounded by such beauty. I walk on……
As I am walking my hands are often plunged deep into my pockets as I turn my new finds over and over learning all I can about how they feel. By the time I have them home my creative brain has switched on and, after a rather large mug of tea, I am ready to settle into yet another creative project inspired by a tiny fragment I have collected from the shore. If you want a wee glimpse into one of these creative journeys I have a new film on my Youtube channel.
I am mindful that this seasonal sweet spot will end and fairly soon so I am making the most of it. However, the joy of living in the seaasons is that this time will return and when it does there will be many more beach fragment stories to tell.
