the sea is my siren

Because I have never had a middle name, (Isn't Shuna enough?!) I have, throughout my life, chosen one to fill the space. For a short time it was Nus, (I can't explain this, nor can my family), a slightly longer time, Snoopy, and now, for the longest time, it's been Fish. This could be because my mother and father used to put me between them and say, "we are making a Shunafish sandwich." ( I found out when I was about 30 that Shuna was the name of an island off the Northwest coast of Scotland, and even had a Shuna Sound.) And it could be because I am a Pisces and have always been obsessed with the sea. Anything Maritime, in fact. I like sailors, Poseidon, boats, islands, fishing, the Coast Guard, anything that swims, sea birds, watching diving on tv, swimming, you name it. I collect water inspired art and am an amateur water colorist. I learned how to drive a boat first and love the feeling of salt water that has been battered into my hair by the wind.

My last full day in Portland was spent on the beach with my extended  family. I love that beaches and coastlines everywhere are vastly different and reflect the ocean that borders the land in a myriad of ways. We have a steep dramatic coast here in Northern California and the whole of Ireland is like this but more craggy and dark. The beaches I grew up on in NY were long and sandy, tamed, and snaked with boardwalks and dotted with old ghost ridden amusement parks. I have swum in the Caribbean and Hawaii, waded into water just 100 miles north of Cuba, sailed for days through treacherous storms and snorkeled past barracuda. I miss living in a place where I can swim in the summer.

But even to be by the sea satiates like making love or exquisite eating. I fear the ocean and I desire it. It understands me, silences me and humbles me. It is where I go when human rumblings are too much or confusing.

Comments

[Rachael]

I love that post. I love your writing. I feel transported. Thanks!

[sam]

I am with you - but I couldn't have explained it so well. I just came back from 2.5 weeks living with the sea, a beautiful warm sea, and I miss it already.

[Dad]

Simply gorgeous water photos and ocean evocations!! So great to come to eggbeater and get such well-expressed life-love!! Thank you!

[chronicler]

Excellent illustrative Shuna. I live 1.5 hours from the beach. That does not keep me from being at the coast at least twice a month. There is something about the smell of the ocean that has such a calming effect on me. Wonderful pictures too!

[Dr. Biggles]

Hey, that answers where your middle name came from. Very cool. My father gave me a nickname, but I'm not going to utter it on the internet. No ma'am.
I love the ocean, but I have a hard time with sand. I seem to drag infinite amounts home with me, in everything. Clothes, car and then in the shower. The bed and my floors. I just can't deal with sand, too gritty. Maybe if they made the sand a little nicer to deal with, like maybe Nerf Sand? Now that I could get in to, Nerf Sand would be far easier to sweep up and get out. Your hardwood floors wouldn't get marred and would feel funny between your teefs. Imagine how nice an entire beach of Nerf Sand would feel between your toes as you strolled along.

Biggles

[haddock]

I am so with you on the sand Biggles. The sand sucks. Fortunately I live where the beach is essentially rock. Not that I'm ever on the beach mind you. I'm more of a creek/river person myself.

[farmgirl]

I don't know what is more lovely--your writing or that wonderful set of photographs. Oh how I miss the ocean!

[cookiecrumb]

Shunafish! Cute. (See, I thought your middle name came from that old saying about the fish and the bicycle!!)