Thursday, June 17, 2010

SCENES FROM AN ISLAND

If you follow this stone pathway.... It will lead you to my childhood home....An Island home....where my parents still reside, a home which helped form the person that I am.
I feel so fortunate to be able to return to this place that I love, where the taste of salt is in the air and the fragrance of Island roses softly permeates everywhere....

A place where the water is blue....
and the sand is white....and sings to you as you walk along....

If ever you've lived on an Island

If ever you've lived by the sea:

You'll never return to the mainland

once your spirit has been set free.


If you have ever smelled the ocean

or tasted the salt in the air:

You'll know you've discovered a haven

that is uncommon, precious and rare.


If ever you've seen the whales play

or watched the eagles in flight:

You'll remember, again, why you live there

and why it feels so right.


If ever you've seen the sunset

as the ferry passed the shore:

You've seen the beauty of the Island

that will be with you forever more.


If ever you've heard seagulls

the waves, a foghorn, the wind:

Then you've heard the song of the Island

and the peaceful message it sends.


Indeed, if you live on an Island

If you're lucky to live by the sea:

You'll never return to the mainland

as your spirit has been set free.

J. Earnhart

And let me just state right here and now the water is COLD, but man my pedicure is holding up quite nicely!

22 comments:

from me to thee......... said...

beautiful.............in every way......

Unknown said...

I may love being in the country, but if I could live by the sea, I wouldn't think twice about it. I think it's something that's either in your soul or it's not, and it's definitely in mine. What a wonderful spot, thanks for sharing.

Be well ~Andrea~

Linda said...

My husband and I grew up in the same town on Narragansett Bay, and seeing the salt water was taken for granted. When we moved to Maine, the thing we missed most was the sea air smell!

That looks like it was a great place to grow up. Nice pictures.

Kathy in KY said...

Julie - I love your post. I'm from SW OH originally, and now live in KY - I must say, for me, KY is the best place to be, but your place sounds wonderful, and has a type of mystery and awesomeness to it. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Take care, from KY.

Anonymous said...

Such a cute island home! Life in Maine is good, we are lucky! Thanks for sharing.

A New England Life said...

What a charming place to grow up! Your parents take pride in their home and it shows.

Looks like there's a newer resident now, the black cat!

Does the house have ocean views?

Kim said...

Beautiful and such true words. The sea salt does seem to get in your veins. I cannot imagine living too far from the ocean - the sounds, the smells, the calming waves.
Kim

Eve said...

Thank you for bringing all my memories of that house and that island to me Julie. I know that beach very well. I also know what you are doing!!! hahahaha...yes my heart is pulling at me to come visit you. Someday. If I win the lottery (which they don't have in Alabama) I'm going to spend my summers on the Island with YOU!!!!

The poem is perfect and THAT is exactly what it's like if you've lived on an Island!

Rural Rambler said...

Beuatiful Julie, just beautiful! Fun learning things about you :) Your parents home is lovely! I could be very happy there in those pictures, I miss the ocean. Love the last picture, painted toes on the beach!

Rock River Stitches said...

What a cozy little home to grow up in. I miss the beach. I visited my grandparents every summer in Florida growing up and loved going to the beach.

Tammy

Farm Girl said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. I have always dreamed of a island just like the one you grew up on. I always wanted to be on one when a storm came in, I bet it is wonderful. It would be so nice to wake up every morning to that and the smell of the ocean. You have been so blessed. Thanks so much for sharing.
Have a lovely time on your island.
Your book could be called Julie of the Island. :)

Birgit said...

Beautiful poem and pictures as well. thanks for sharing your little corner of the world where you grew up. Just beautiful!
Hugs~ Birgit

Finegan Antiques said...

What an amazing place your island. I can see the magic that fills the air you breathe and paints the sunsets for you to see.

How fortunate you are to have grown up it such a wonderous place.

Donna

Ginny said...

Simply Beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Genny said...

Your childhood home is beautiful and how wonderful that you still get to visit there. I love the salty smell of the ocean and the sound that the waves make. It's comforting. Thank you so much for sharing those pictures and that beautiful poem.

Brenda's Arizona said...

How lovely, how beautiful! I can see how the beauty always stays with you. Your photos show paradise!

Peacemom said...

the place where my soul resides, even if my body can't right now. Lovely! and how lucky you were to grow up there, it's cunning!

Missouri Gal said...

Wow! Gorgeous place you live in and around!

Pondside said...

Those of us who live on islands are all nodding and saying - 'exactly!'
Your childhood home looks just like the picture in my mind when anyone says East Coast Maritime House - gorgeous!

Together We Save said...

Amazing pictures!! Thanks for sharing!!

Gail said...

Great pictures. How could you not be the special person you are, having spent your formative years in paradise??

Flat Creek Farm said...

Seriously..
I must stop now, and catch up more later. I adore your blog. This was such a beautiful post.. about a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing! -Tammy