I looked up from my book this evening as the light in the room grew dimmer. From the windows surrounding me, I saw the softest most alluring light emanating from the dwindling sinking sun. It was golden, spreading over all its illuminated images, draping them like gilt. I was riveted and compelled to pause and let that golden light fall over me, too.
As I crossed the room headed for the door, the clock told me it was 8:23 pm. I stepped outside onto the porch and was quickly engulfed in the splendor of the sky. Yet, it was the light that was so transfixing. It was lustrous and promising. It somehow was marked by peace and a future of prosperity. A golden opportunity.
Alas, it was fleeting as is with most illuminating events. I walked back into the house and checked the sunset guide for Latitude 27, it had the sun sinking at 8:27 pm, the clock agreed.
A friend stopped by a short while later boasting of a full rainbow over the causeway. I didn’t see it, but I believed it. Photographers call this the Golden Hour, it certainly was that!
I am fortunate to live on an island. It is about as peaceful a life as one could hope for, and I did hope for this life many times over throughout my days on earth. Regardless, I am here now and thankful. I captured this photo as the sun was sinking down signaling day’s end. It put me in mind of the languid days spent on my Dad’s sailboat in the Chesapeake Bay, but it also put me in mind of the folks directly across this beautiful Gulf who are now knee-deep in flood waters, the calling card left behind by Hurricane Barry.
The memory evoked by the setting sun, as well as the true concern I hold for my neighbors in Texas and Louisiana – all these feelings seemingly were presented to me this evening for a purpose. Perhaps to not only remind me where I came from, but to also clarify exactly where the island life I sought is leading me…
I am receiving these thoughts with a grateful heart.
Living in a tropical climate can be both deeply gratifying and down right exasperating. It seems to me the past 96 hours favor the latter. It’s been raining for days down here on southwest Florida’s Suncoast, our islands are drenched and so are my dogs. As you can imagine, even without the benefit of Smell-O-Vision, my house is pungent! There is nothing quite like the aroma of wet dogs!
I am not complaining, I never will when it comes to the Florida climate, but I do look for ways to engage and amuse myself when circumstances such as a dreary overcast and insanely sopping skies present themselves and then linger for days on end. Having reached that point last night, I started channel surfing on the ole’tube.
I landed on a channel just beginning to air a beautiful 80th birthday tribute to one of my most favorite performers, Mavis Staples. I am certain most of my readers are familiar with Mavis, her career having begun way back in the 1950’s when she performed within her family group, The Staple Singers. Her legendary career, spanning more than 65 years, lists accolades too long to mention here. But it is her indomitable spirit that is most attractive and alluring. I do not know where such benevolent joy comes from, whether her deep roots in gospel began forming it in her at a young age and now it is ripened, or no…I think not. I believe this kind of pervasive joy is one’s gift given at birth. This diva has certainly taken that gift and served it well. I felt deep satisfaction in my soul watching Mavis’ performance in this wonderful homage, I got lost in that joy she served up. For that is the best part about Mavis, she doesn’t keep the joy she has to herself, she allows it to seep out of every pore and in that regard, reach the masses. That’s the way it is with Joy! it’s contagious!
After spending an hour being mesmerized, I got up and returned to the kitchen, there was a load of freshly dried towels to be folded in wait for the next deluge of drenching rain and wet dog pelts!
Notably: Pearl Bailey is not amused by these weather events either, it puts a ‘crimp in her style’, she says! I’m staying mute on my response to that! I am keeping Joy in my heart instead!
