From the category archives:

Beach love

Campfire Tales: Changing My Mind

March 6, 2010

My mom always says “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.” And I do, often. Just ask my husband.
What if changing your mind is more than just a fleeting thought? More than just choosing spaghetti over a hamburger for dinner. What if you actually change the way you think about the world? Change the [...]

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Watch More Sunsets: Eleven Down and Thankfully 354 More to Go

January 11, 2010

“Watch more sunsets” is my 8 year old son’s goal for 2010. Along with “play outdoors more” and “read 1000 books.” Man, how come I didn’t think of those?
Contrary to what you might believe, we don’t talk too much about play. We just do it.
So no one was more surprised than my husband and me [...]

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Beach Berm Play for California Winters

December 29, 2009

Beach berm play is a joy of the winter beach. Berms can be man-made, but in California they occur naturally during the winter months. We made repeat visits to a small 2-3 foot berm at Oxnard Beach Park over the holidays (above and below).

Last year, we played on the berm at Aliso Beach Park where [...]

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ocean love

August 28, 2009

Ocean Love
I stand on the bluffs
Intent on the view
Waves from far away.
Big nature places
I treasure
For making me feel small.

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Ocean Kids | Playing at Catalina Island

August 2, 2009

I’m an ocean kid.
My dad was a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Marines.
My great grandfather engineered steamships on the Great Lakes.
To quote Jimmy Buffet, “the sea’s in my veins.”
The experiences most kids have while camping, I had on a boat:
Family time.
No TV.
Fishing.
Swimming.
Nature hikes (on the Channel Islands).
Reading lots.
Playing cards and board games.
Cooking outside.
Limited resources (if [...]

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Beach Lovers: The Next Generation

June 7, 2009

Yep. That’s me. Am I digging for treasure?
The next generation.

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Playing at the Beach: Ode to the Biggest Sandbox

June 4, 2009

Ode to the Biggest Sandbox
I grew up by the beach.
I’ve lived away from the beach.
Now that we’re back near the beach.
I visit as often as possible.
Before kids, I’d go for sunsets and leisurely walks.
Now I:
Get dirty.
Sit in the sand.
Play.
Build things.
Throw rocks in the ocean.
Dig.
Relax.
Watch for dolphins.
Turn off.
Listen.
Hold hands.
Create.
Just be.