Swimming

For the past month or so, my husband and I have been swimming almost every day. Sometimes, we even go two times. Usually, we begin by strolling down the walkway to our beach (I like to think of it as "our beach" even though other people use it, too).  Before I have a view of the shore, I am anticipating the waves.  Will they be big?  Or small?  I am happy either way - body surfing or just floating. 

 

I never intend to get my hair wet but I always do.  Over the years I have learned to dive into waves to keep them from crashing on top of me.  The salt makes my eyes burn a little but I like it.  It feels like Florida.  I remember spending the entire day at the beach when I was a child, swimming with my family and spending hours in the water.  Now, after just 15 minutes I feel completely refreshed and like a new person.  I am reminded of the important things in life.

After the beach, we walk back to our condo property and stop to wash the sand off of our feet.  Then, we take a dip in the pool.  Our swims in the pool can last an hour or more.  This morning, I did handstands in the shallow end.  At the moment my feet are directly over my head, I feel completely connected to my body.  My mind, body and soul are one.  I'm not doing some physical activity while my mind is somewhere else.  I realize that I don't feel this connected often enough.  I think too much.  I need to let go and float more.  It really does make everything better.

Nine Days

Nine days of vacation. It was amazing. One of the best vacations of my life. Nine days was long enough to:

• Swim: in the ocean, the intracoastal, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs and a pool. I spent about four hours in the water today. Not only did my husband and I swim but we also grilled burgers in our canoe while standing in the water. It was awesome.
• Canoe: three different times. I love beaching our canoe, making sandwiches on a sandy bank, drinking margaritas and exploring hidden creeks.
• Cooked really healthy meals: I made gluten-free flaxseed bread, pizza and cinnamon rolls from scratch. I also cooked homemade chicken broth without the sodium and preservatives that are found in the store-bought brands.
• Eat lots of wild-caught sockeye salmon: grilled with fresh lemon and dill.
• Walk around our flea market: twice we went to our town flea market and bought cool movies for really cheap prices. We found Spaceballs, Stand by Me, Raising Cain, a Halloween collection, the original House on Haunted Hill, Fear and a serial killer trilogy.
• Spend time with friends: we've made new friends and went to the First Friday Art Walk with them and also the Wednesday night concert at the Pier. Both were very good times.
• Be with my husband: the time we spent together was totally amazing. Enough said.
• Celebrate my dog's 16th birthday. I am still in awe that he is so healthy and happy after all these years. Instead of cake (because cake is bad for dogs), Floyd got a can of tuna for his birthday dish. He LOVES seafood.
• Soak up the sun: I mean really soak it up. I'm a couple shades darker than I was nine days ago. I actually look like I live in Florida.

Now I know why people need to vacation. We need to clear our heads and our souls. Vacations are times to connect with our loved ones, ourselves, nature and the important things in life. I feel completely refreshed.