July 19 words

Framed farmed


There is the sunrise over the channel, not as virtuous a sighting as seeing it over the ocean itself, but that feat would have required rising well before dawn, driving the four miles to the beach on assateague, lathering down with mosquito repellent for the pre-dawn horde, and postponing morning coffee.  How much more civilized (and in keeping with the general lethargy I felt during the entire trip) it was to just get out of bed and step outside onto the porch of the rental house!
In my ordinary life, sunrise and sunset figure in pretty much not at all, just happenings that happen every day while we're doing other things.  But on vacation, they mattered more.  For one thing, they could be seen. I live in a hollow between sunrise and sunset, so can never actually see the actual moment of rise or set. For another, since seaside vacation activity is all outdoors, the day is framed by these markers, as perhaps days were framed in pre- electric times.   Although I have absolutely no intention of giving up any benefits of electricity such as reading half the night, I still feel entitled to be nostalgic for the idea of a time I've never actually known, life without electric light.
What was similar to my ordinary life, however, was the deeply ingrained belief I have that all the moments between sunrise and sunset should be productive.  Daylight should be farmed, as it were, lived in as a fertile field, every square inch tended and planted and harvested. Or so I believe in the core of my being.  If I didn't think that so strongly, I wouldn't be so mystified at the innocuous fact that I didn't want to do anything on this vacation besides sit on the porch. If I didn't think that so strongly, I wouldn't be obsessing, seeking explanations, or feeling guilt.

[katy]

It is almost sad that somethings so beautiful as a sunrise could cause such angst! Fabulous photo

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Fav!

[Francoise]

@grammyn I might have to rewrite that. I was imagining the tone as one of wry amusement!

[gloria jones]

Lovely image

[Walks @ 7]

Peaceful

[katy]

@francoise it was thought-provoking but the last sentence is what made it seem somewhat stressful perhaps

[Kathy]

Everything in life needs a break to revitalize. Instead of feeling guilt think of this vacation as filled with renewal. I think sunrises and sunsets are beautiful whenever and wherever you see them. (mostly I don't see sunrise but often see sunset.)