Whatever Floats Your Boat...

That's what the theme seemed to be this past weekend, while celebrating K's birthday. Saturday, we went to brunch with the fam, then decided to drive down to the beach - which seemed to be a popular idea with pretty much everyone else in Southern California, that day. But oh, how I love the beach! It's worth the long drive, all the crazy traffic getting there, the crowds once you're there, even the parking meters that eat quarters like you'd eat a  bag of popcorn at the movies - by the handful.

Living out here in the inland valleys at the edge of the desert, catching that first sight of the water at the fingertips of the bay, always feels like a delicious sip of a cool glass of water, on a hot summer day -

and I have to take a picture of it, even if it's while K's trying to negotiate driving us through the crazy traffic.

Our first stop was in Newport. We had an important mission - stocking up on the breadsticks from here. (I had to swipe these next 2 photos from a previous visit - I can't believe I didn't take any photos of it this time). Though I didn't have this on Saturday either, this is also the only place in the world where you might ever hear me order clam chowder, because they're not kidding when they say this...

because I don't even like clam chowder. Except for theirs.

And if you don't like clam chowder - or maybe breadsticks or shrimp cocktail even, then maybe it's only because you haven't had theirs.

Or maybe that's just not what floats your boat anyway...but if you're ever around this place, you might want to try 'em. just sayin'...

 After stashing our new supply of prized breadsticks back in the car, we mostly walked around the bay while in Newport, watching the boats go by...  

or just bob up and down... They do that a lot.

Other people seemed most impressed with the big, new boats. You know, all sleek and shiny, the ones with galleys and gizmos and what-not...but this is the one I fell in love with...

Isn't it cute? I love it's free spirited look.

It even has tiny spirit houses on top of its canopy or roof, or whatever it's called...Do boats have roofs?

After boat browsing, we braved the road again, and made our way slowly down Pacific Coast Highway, to Laguna - where we'd forgotten that Pageant of the Masters is at its peak season right now. Eventually, we found a parking space, and we strolled the boardwalk just in time for the sunset. We had the beach pretty much to ourselves, as most everyone else was either packing up to go home, or else going clubbing or to the pageant. Sitting quietly on a bench by the beach in the twilight was all we wanted to do though, and we did it well.  

The next day we saw Julie/Julia - K's choice (I love a man who loves cooking). Not watching TV, I lead a somewhat sheltered life- till we saw it, I hadn't realized how much of the movie they had interspersed scenes from Julia's 'My Life in France,' with  the story of  'Julie/Julia' - and I'm so glad they did. My favorite parts were the ones with Julia (Meryl Streep) Not only because Julia (and Meryl) were/are fabulous and I love the vintage fashions -- but also, because of how it strengthened the movie's message... of Julia searching for her passion (as she discusses what she might do in France -take a hat-making class? 'I do like hats.' Or maybe take French-cooking classes, 'I do love to eat!')... How she finally found her passion and worked for it, till it worked for her. That clarified something for me, that I've struggled with for years...I do like writing, especially the afterwards, the having written and gotten it done...but I love making art, even if I'm doing it not-so-fabulously. I love the process of it - and that's what makes it all worthwhile...It sounds a bit cliche - but it really is the process, even more than the product, that I love so much...

It also made me wonder...imagine what the world might be like, if we all found out - all knew for sure -- what really floats our boat, and just swam for it...

I gotta hurry up and get this hand back up to speed -- I've got a whole lotta 'swimming,' I want to do!

Comments

[beryl singleton bissell]

It is so great to get back to you, and discover why I so enjoy your posts. They have such spirit. As you so warmly express it, may everyone find what "floats their boat." Truly, that would make for a delicious world.

[somepinkflowers]

yes
yes
yes to the photos
but
more YESes
to this--->
the process of your art!

:-)

i am so with you
on this front...

take the photos
FOR YOURSELF
write the story
FOR YOURSELF

how indulgent art can be,
should be, really...

{{ that is my take on it:
Show your passion ♥ }}

[Caroline]

I love hats too... and to eat... and to see your photos and to read your writing...

mmm...

[miss*R]

what a fantastic post! I wanna find what floats my boat too and I want to swim for it.. pretty much what I said in my post also.. funny we think alike !!
if you buy that little boat, I promise I will come with you on river cruise picnis.. we can make bunting to hang around and lots of baubles too.. a little picnic basket full of goodies and our toe nails painted bright red, peeking out of our sandles..

[pam aries]

I heART clam chowdah!!!! Have you ever heard Lyle Lovett;s song..If I had a Boat? it is a fave of mine. Did you get the wand yet???

[pam aries]

Yay..I saw on the GPS that you got your wand!

[Judie]

I like that little boat with the canopy too. I think I could take a nice nap in it...bobbing up and down.....and listening to the water lap, lap, lap up the sides, and snoring....oh, sorry, I dozed off there. Nice sunset pic you took! xoxoxo