The Existence of Life After Work

Walking out the door and down the steps of my sun drenched windswept office on Ocean Road in Narragansett, Rhode Island, I am drained at the end of the business day. However, as I descend the steps my nostrils are rejuvenated by that intoxicatingly wonderful, sea weedy ocean aroma. Walking to my car, which expectantly awaits me, my pulse begins to quicken. Various items are carefully stowed away, and just as quickly forgotten. Rolling down the windows and opening the sun roof, the vehicle begins to quickly flood with cool fresh salt air. An expectation and excitement begin to build within me. Driving along the sea wall, feeling like I am in a very expensive sports car, enjoying the gorgeous ocean views, the cares of the day are evaporating and falling into a clearer perspective. Continuing to rapidly shed my work skin as I drive down the highway, the greens of the trees are brighter, the colorful blue hue of the sky is especially intense, and the jet trails crisscrossing it utterly fascinate me. I notice just how much I enjoy and appreciate looking at everything.

Feeling on top of the world, I continue on to my selected destination. The car knows the way by heart and I almost believe that the vechicle is on auto pilot. Nearing it, two more miles, one more mile, I have goose bumps! Finally the sign looms up, “Belle Vue Yachting Center”, our wonderful marina. Pulling into a parking space I get out of the car attempting to keep my enthusiasm in check, by not running but walking, not too eagerly, down the ramp and onto the dock while maintaining a pretense of equanimity and dignity. Feeling like a million dollars and a small child filled with expectant anticipation, I turn the corner of the dock and come face to face with our beloved boat, “The Leading Lady”. She is a noble vessel filled with a lot of love, many great times, interesting people and enough happy memories to last ten life times. How can an inanimate object provide such joy, whether at sea or docked? Climbing on to the rear deck I sit there relishing and contemplating the beauty, the boats expertly tied up to their respective slips, the varied scents, the sights and, especially, that relaxing resort feeling just ten minutes from my office. Ah………I am so lucky!
Tomorrow I shall walk into the office with a big smile on my face, bright eyed and bushy tailed, because, I know, that there truly is the existence of life after work , to enjoy, everyday!!!

The Sleeping Porch

I loved Penny's blog about her boat. I have a boat too, I call her 'Comfort', but that's another story.........

What is the next best thing to sleeping on a boat?
Sleeping on the sleeping porch.
Lounging on a gabled portico.

In summer, I give considerable thought to dragging a bed out on the lawn some night so I can look up at the stars. Hedges of the gloriously fragrant rosa rugosa would surround me and the cool evening breeze would lull me to sleep.

I suppose I could just sleep in 'Comfort', rocked to sleep, but she may roll over and enclose me.

Heat and me have never been agreeable, especially in the evening, and I do not care for air conditioning, what I need is .........A Sleeping Porch.

A wonderful sleeping porch, cool and comfortable, on the second floor where the bugs are fewer than my back yard.

I love to see a home with a sleeping porch, especially all dressed up and ready for summer.

My friend, Paul

Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?

I don't know what more I could add to this sentiment, also the title of this beautiful painting. I find it comforting that a man who lived from 1848 - 1903 had the same questions that we do today.

Circumstances of life have definitely changed. But whenever I find myself about to become unglued, I remind myself not to sweat the small stuff, and basically, except for a couple of very specific tragedies, it is all small stuff.

As a side note, Paul Gauguin thought this painting his masterpiece and he resolved to commit suicide at its completion. Fortunately, he was unable to accomplish his own demise. Life is really too good to pass up! Enjoy yours. Paul went on to live another 7 years after this painting was completed.

Have another beautiful day in Paradise!

Laborare est orare

Newport preservation question du jour: Why has the Belmont Chapel at Island Cemetery been allowed to slip into such an appalling state of decay? Commissioned by famed 19th century financier August Belmont in memory of his daughter, and donated by him in 1886 to the trustees of Island Cemetery for use as a "public mortuary chapel", this red sandstone structure was built by George Champlin Mason, Sr., and later renovated by Richard Morris Hunt. It is surrounded by monuments created by important 19th century architects and artists such as Augustus Saint Gaudens, John LaFarge, Karl Bitter and Hunt. Elaborate memorials to Newport's social elite surround the building, clamouring for attention. In fact Hunt's own grave lies nearby, a flat granite slab inscribed "laborare est orare" (work is prayer).

If only it were so. In reality this work by Mason & Hunt is crumbling faster than a toddler's sandcastle on a rainy beach. Terra cotta relief tiles lie smashed on the floor. Polychrome flooring has been prised out of its setting. Furnishings & fixtures have long since been stripped away. The roof is partially collapsed and reveals wide blue patches of open sky, and birds fly in and out and leave droppings everywhere. A thick blanket of vines & weeds is seemingly all that holds the ediface together. The chapel is no longer a memorial to anything beyond the power of time to erase all things and to undermine our best efforts, even those of the very wealthy. Belmont's gift to us of a "public mortuary chapel" may well be beyond all saving. I suggest you hurry over there to check it out before it's totally gone.

A South County State of Mind

A funny thing happens to you when you move to South County, Rhode Island. It doesn't happen overnight. You can't see it coming, but it invariably strikes almost all residents of this idyllic portion of our state. Once we get here we have a hard time leaving. When I say leave I don't refer to moving away, this is purely about leaving South County for any reason at any time. I grew up in Providence and hear about all the great things that have been happening there with the renaissance of the City, etc. However, when push comes to shove, I am not interested in getting in my car and driving past the "Hannah Robinson Tower". The "Tower", which is located at the intersection of Route 138 and Route 1 has always served as the unofficial line which separates South County from the rest of the world. Everyone says that once they pass the "Tower" they can feel the cool ocean breezes. The "Tower" was originally constructed in 1938 and has glorious views from the top of Old Tower Hill but has always been tied to the sad story of Hannah Robinson due to its proximity to the old Robinson Farm.

We in South County find it hard to pass that "Tower" at any time. I find myself making a list of items to buy at the larger big box stores of Warwick and other places and making the 20 to 25 minute trip about 3 times per year and hating it every time I do it. Although there is great dining North of the "Tower" I am still very happy enjoying the great dining here in South County and when I feel I need something different I will go East to Newport as to avoid going North of the "Tower". For those of you who live elsewhere this all sounds crazy but my fellow Quahogs out there know what I am talking about. Come and spend some time, you will see what I mean!