Monday, June 20, 2011

Scenes at sunset


It has been a dangerously hot day here. We stayed inside for much of the day to avoid the 105 F heat index.

Tonight I sought some refuge at the waterfront. There is a good breeze blowing as the sun is going down. I am splicing some new dock lines. The old ones are stiff and hard to throw on a cleat.




The cargo ships are steaming in and out of this port city. Now there are huge passenger ships coming to dock as well. I wonder where they are bound. The life of a merchant seaman is no doubt interesting at times, but the monotony of endless days at sea must be difficult. I don't think that I would want to give up being with loved ones by choice.



I like the quiet of this time of day. The wind blows through the rigging and makes a howling sound. In the winter it is ominous, but tonight I welcome a strong breeze. The flags are standing out straight. And as night falls, I can feel the heat of the day lessen.



Soon I will go back home, read a little, exercise, and finish up another day. My mother had this poem hung near her bed as long as I can remember. It seems like a good thought to end with:

A PERFECT DAY

When you come to the end of a perfect day,
And you sit alone with your thought,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay,
For the joy that the day has brought,
Do you think what the end of a perfect day
Can mean to tired heart,
When the sun goes down with a flaming ray,
And the dear hearts have to part?
Well, this is the end of a perfect day,
Near the end of a journey, too,
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong,
With a wish that is kind and true.
For mem'ry has painted this perfect day
With colors that never fade,
And we find at the end of a perfect day,
The soul of a friend we've made.
By Carrie Jacobs-Bond

11 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're on the coast and can get some breeze at night by the water. No such luck here. Just solid, unremitting heat.

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  2. nice...that is a gentle verse to end the night on syd...thank you...got a downpour for about 5 minutes this afternoon...coolest part of our day...

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  3. I've been having perfect days. Could not ask for more.

    It's so pretty where you are.

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  4. I worked offshore (on a seismic boat) for 3 years (way back when). We worked 4 weeks on/2 weeks off. Absolutely loved it.

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  5. I can almost smell the sea from your photos. Thanks.

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  6. It is good when you can recognize a good day.

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  7. Love your perfect day. I think the blessing of living on the water is one of life's greatest. I'm glad you love it, too.

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  8. It is raining here so much and it is still cool. Our turn for the 100+ weather will be in a month or so.

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  9. I like to appreciate my life in simple ways sometimes.
    Appreciating and gratitude lists
    In the past I got caught up in what I didn't have...
    negative attitude kept the addiction alive.

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  10. My step-father was a riverboat engineer for 30 years traveling up and down the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Oh, the stories he would tell.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.