Zeke’s Basin

Path winding through a maritime forest leading to Zeke’s Basin, Fort Fisher, NC.

New Friends

 

Fort Fisher 2015

One morning I woke early enough to grab camera, dog and coffee and drove down to the end of the island for a different perspective.  Sunrises are normally just a walk across the street for me.  While fun, it can get predictable. How silly!  Predictable sunrises!  How spoiled am I?!

Just as Baylee and I pulled up into the empty parking lot another car pulled up as well.  Damn, I thought.  Solitude is my morning meditation.  Baylee is my only exception this day and now I have to share this moment with someone else.  No help for it I leash Baylee, sling my camera over my shoulder and head off onto the path.

Walking past the other car a lady exited her vehicle, her own dog leashed and ready for a walk.  We stop and laugh, and let our dogs get acquainted.  She also has a camera.  She also was looking for solitude.

Instead of solitude we both made a new friend.  Heidi hails from New York and was a first responder on 9/11.  She lives at the beach now, her lungs nearly destroyed by the fumes and harsh chemicals she breathed in on that fateful day.  We shared tears and stories, she more than me, and at the end we hugged and vowed to always stay in touch.  We do, too.  We have different politics but that will never stop us from being friends.  Well, I say “friends,” but that as you know is always a work in progress.  We are Becoming.  And it’s all because we put aside our quest for solitude aside and shared our morning “space,” embracing the opportunity.  The photo above is one I shot that morning.

There’s no moral to this story.  It’s just a story.  One of millions and millions around the world.  I’m grateful for everyone I’ve met in person and online for you help me grow.  All of you, each of you, individually and collectively you help me grow.

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Grandfather

 

Cochina Rocks at Fort Fisher, late afternoon

Look at our brokenness.

We know that in all creation only the human family has strayed from the Sacred Way.

We know that we are the ones who are divided and we are the ones who must come back together to walk in the Sacred Way.

Grandfather,

Sacred One,

Teach us love, compassion, and honor.

That we may heal the earth

And heal each other.

Ojibway Prayer

Live Oaks in Black and White

Natural Topiary

Gnarly Canopy.

Palisade

Salty Winds

Lonely Gull

Salt Marsh

Beyond the salt marsh lies the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean, dunes, salt marsh into maritime forest. This tiny sliver of land houses so much wildlife. Hawks and wading birds, fiddler crabs and songbirds as well as the occasional curious human being. Heaven.

Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”  (Melanie Beattie)

I am forever grateful, thankful for my family and friends each of who contribute to my life in their own unique and wonderful way.  Embrace this holiday, and every day, with gratitude.

Fort Fisher Ferry

The ferry arrives to take us to Southport, North Carolina, south along the Cape Fear River. The salt marsh has turned a luscious golden color and the grasses are amazing!

Coquina Rocks

Coquina rocks at Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Coquina is a sedimentary rock that is composed of either whole or bits of shells. It is quite hard, and one can find whole shells nestled in among the bits. A bright green moss cover most of the rock shelf.