I Am A Day-Tripper – An Afternoon in Malaga Cove

Jay and I enjoy our little home in PV Shores so much that we can easily stay within the park for days at a time.  So, yesterday with a shining sun, a beautiful ocean and a gentle breeze, I convinced Jay we needed to go on an outing to Malaga Cove!  As we drove along the coast, the streams of people hiking along the trails were a testament to the Palos Verdes Peninsula scenic beauty. 

I have been attending a weekly gathering of artists and heard of the Summer Art Show at Malaga Cove. My plan was to go, to look and to learn from the art of others.   

I was excited to find my new friend, artist Georgeann, displaying many of her wonderful works.   

Jay was not as excited as I, so I released him to go find a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich while I continued to browse.

On our way back to the car, we spotted a sign and Jay’s breathing began to quicken. A Book Sale at the Malaga Cove Library!  

 So we browsed and he bought.

 

On the way home we stopped by La Venta Inn for a moment of silent pause as we remembered our wonderful wedding here 16 years ago. (sigh)

 

We both returned home quite satisfied with our outing.

TOPIC SHIFT!

I have just finished reading the book, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.  

It was not a fun read, to be reminded of my ultimate mortality and the reality of aging.  But interestingly enough, I was so glad I read it and was left with a sense of optimism, increased understanding and acceptance.  

One quote that resonated with me was “how we seek to spend our time may depend on how much time we perceive ourselves to have.”  When was young and in my prime, I felt like I would live forever.  There was plenty of time to do all the things I wanted to do.  But now, while I still enjoy an active life, I am aware of my horizon.  As I attend funeral services for my peers, I hear the bell tolling.  While I truly hope I have many more years to enjoy life, I am aware that my future is finite and it is uncertain.  Life can change in an instant.  

There is good news in this!  My perspective is shifting; my focus and values are realigning.   

I cannot waste precious time being upset, carrying a grudge, nursing a perceived slight.  

I cannot waste precious time proving that I am right about every little opinion.   

I am learning that “no” is a complete sentence and I do not have to DO everything.   

I give myself time to just BE rather than Do.  

I find I am choosing differently…focusing on the here and now, to everyday pleasures, doing things that I enjoy and being with people who fill my soul, my family and friends, the people closest to me.

Everytime I write a blog post, I am amazed at how it writes itself and where it takes me.  This was to be a post about a short outing and it ends up being a philosophical blurb about life.  In the end, it doesn’t even matter if I actually post it.  Just writing it has been a gift to me.

Now, I think I will pick up my paintbrush and see if I can add to that view of Catalina Island from my deck!