"Washed by the Sea"

The sea is calm and unimaginably blue~~




The waves are small and rhythmic, soothing in their repetition as they quietly and softly roll ashore. The sea is powerful and unending - it's waves rolling again and again and again. Reminding us that it is both a treasure and a threat - it can feed you, it can kill you, it can create beauty, alive - but still only drops of salted water. Reminding us also, that when small things stand together they can create power.




The glass washed by the sea, is shaped by the waves that come again and again. For me - it is a visible proof that we should never give up - that if we consistently focus on things that we want to change, that after a while, - we will finally shape it.


The Gardener and I just returned from a wonderful (and romantic) cruise to Bermuda. One of our primary tasks - to find out if the legend of the "seaglass" beach was true~~

We had no idea what was awaiting us as we climbed down the crooked little winding stairs that led from the top of the hill to the beach below. Some creative person had embellished the stone walls and staircase with bits of seaglass and pottery. That someone would take the time to create such artistry was a delight for me. It was all sort of "corny" - and yet - I so loved it ! Taking these photos was such fun!

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We had found a seaglass lover's paradise! The most amazing sight - the entire beach was covered with bits of seaglass - in a variety of colors like we had never seen. Frosted whites, dark green, teal green, light green, brown, frosted brown, amber, yellow, pink, and a few precious pieces of that elusive blue!

My goal was to fill 2 gallon size zip lock bags. I could have filled 2 dump trucks! And at the shoreline, as the waves gently rocked against the sand - I listened to the constant jingle, jingle, jingle of the glass as it tumbled against the rocks and shore.

The first day that we visited the beach - we stayed there and played for over 3 hours. At one point we were trapped in a late afternoon rainstorm - so we donned our Gortex jackets and huddled under a tree against the hillside. When the rain was done - and we returned to the glass - the beach shimmered in that wet glow that makes the seaglass so beautiful. The colors were more vibrant and each piece seemed to shimmer and shine - saying "pick me - pick me"!

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We carefully selected each piece of glass that we chose - finding something special about the way it looked, and curved and shined~~

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Along the top of the beach - the glass was several inches thick in places. (good thing I brought those brand new water shoes!) This was one beach that you really did not want to walk on with bare feet. The glass was all tumbled and not sharp - but there was so much of it!!!

True seaglass collectors know that blue is one of the most desirable colors to be found. When you are lucky enough to find a piece of blue - it is often tiny - like this one above. (I brought home a nice bag of little pieces like this.) Those little treasures are headed to the "shorebird nests"!!

There were also bits and pieces of broken pottery - an amazing asortment of colors and designs. Can I just say that this still seems like a dream that we had really found such a place as this!

This view is of the "other side" of the seaglass beach. As you climb down the stairs - you can see that there is a beach on each side. We had to come back on a second day to scour this side of the beach. And when we did - the first thing I found was a beautiful piece of sapphire blue glass laying right at my feet!

See our happy "seaglass" smiles! Don't you love my fashionable pink water shoes! When we returned to the ship - don't you just know that I washed and examined every piece of glass - still unbelieving that we had found such treasures.

Legend has it that a kiss under a moon gate will bring you "forever love" and make your most secret wishes come true. This beautiful Moon Gate was not far from one of the seaglass beaches that we found. Bermuda is famous for their novelty Moon Gates. I will tell you more about this very special moon gate in a little bit when I post more photos of our wonderful trip.

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As summer draws to an end here for us all - I hope that you have enjoyed the bright and sunny days. Fall is in the air - I can smell it, I can feel it, I can sense it in the wind. Visit with me on October 1, if you can, for a special welcome to the Autumn season. And if you are waiting on those "shorebird nests" - they will be coming up soon!

Vicki