A friend was house-sitting near a beach a few weeks ago. It was winter. (It still is.)
I’d been in my house for days. If I’d been lucky, I’d been out for a grocery run or two. Or for a quick breeze through express browsing at the library where I could scoop up a few books in 15 minutes or less.
My friend sent photos from walks on the beach. I was always in my enclosed porch with the heat cranked high.
She sent photos with envious views. I was sitting in the same spot in the middle of my couch that looks out at a couple of neighboring houses and a leaning telephone pole.
She was obviously inspired and energized. I was most definitely, uninspired and lethargic. Sleepy, in fact. Trying desperately to avoid a mid-afternoon nap.
When her latest image arrived one morning showing a 6:30 a.m. walk for sunrise on the beach, I was still sitting in that same spot on the couch.
Finally, I turned the radio onto 99.5 FM, WCRB where they play classical music all day. I heard the comforting, friendly voice of DJ Laura Carlo. She played some beautiful piece, one after another.
I reached for my iPad.
I looked long and hard at that sunrise on the beach. And for an hour or two, I lived vicariously.
Deb Hemley | Multimedia Artist 