CléaLately I’ve noticed a number of strangers seeking eye contact with me, smile and say hello. Men, women, young, old and in-between. It happens at the oddest of times, and not always when I’m feeling my best. A person’s aura does not know how to lie so I’ve had to accept that what we project often comes from the heart.
I’ve become the person strangers seek then smile.
Last weekend, I was chatted up by a younger guy as I was trying to get into the surf. The water is still cold and I stood there with the water up to my hips waiting for enough courage to dunk myself in. He came on strong despite his being overly friendly. He asked a few questions, then introduced himself and we shook hands in the water. Lame, I know but stuff like that just doesn’t happen. I finally got my chance to tell him I was waiting for someone to join me and he took the hint. But it was a huge and rare boost to the ego that can only make a woman in a bikini smile for being mistaken to be his age.
And I’ve become the girl you chat up in the surf.
Two elegant birds have made my balcony their home. I now make sure I leave food and water out for them and they have been back almost daily. They peer at me from behind the glass, as if to ask permission to eat. Then they nibble at the food, peck each other then perch themselves on a chair grooming themselves while looking at me. I’ve become attached to these love birds who occasionally peck and mate in front of me.
So I’ve become the woman who talks to the birds.
On my way back from the beach, oiled, salt watered and covered in a sheen of sweat, I was stopped by a guy in his very early twenties near the car park. He asked if I had suntan lotion on me and if he could borrow some. It was a hot day and the sun was already burning so I gladly obliged. He was thrilled to bits as he poured a handful of suntan lotion into his palm. We made small talk about the beach then he wished me well.
Now I’ve become the beach bum young guys approach.
Ah…beach life. I’ll join you sometime later in the year as soon as I get everything out of the way and into old habits again…as well as a leaner body.
At least you haven’t become to woman to cackles to passerbys, stroking the cats that she keeps. Good to see that even in the midst of all this, you still know how to kick back and have fun.
Look at your new layout! I love it … just in time for summer, right?
And people want to make eye contact with you because you’re hot. End of story.
Well well well – sounds like the beach lifestyle agrees with you. Things are cold around my way, so I may need you to provide some virtual warmth through the blog.
p.s. – Love the new look. Very nice.
Kami: I know you’ve been flat chat with your thesis, so thank you for popping in and for your comment. Reward yourself when it’s done. All good work deserves beach time, and Martinis, and endless summers.
I’m trying to balance my life while keeping the priorities, so that sees me taking ‘work’ to the beach. And if I become the ‘lady who talks to the cats’, shoot me!
EM: Thank you! I was going to wait until my official return but I got excited about the sandy beachy background (all my photography, btw) and thought it might inspire me more than the red and black.
Hot? yeah… hot and sweaty!
GSR: Thanks! I admit I’m excited about the new look. Cool blues, white and neutral sands would welcome the virtual warmth. Just don’t bring rain, wind and heaters. I’ve had plenty of those of late!
Love is in the air… enjoy !
‘lady who talks to the cats’ LOL now I have this vision of you shouting unintelligably like the Simpsons cat lady!
On the beach people tend to let me be, but maybe that’s a Tinytown thing… but I always have plenty of “freinds” in the surf ( that I often try desperately to paddle away from LOL ). I’ve never been chatted up though… well actually… once by a guy… ummm… that was weird. It’s kids and animals that seem to flock to me… I have no idea why… but frequently they are not welcome!
I do miss the friendly magpies and colourful parots from my old house – we just don’t have them on the coast – you’re lucky! I do have 5 swallows sharing a nest under my verandah – they are kinda cute.
Now I’ve become the beach bum young guys approach
Well, I can think of plenty of worse vocations!
PS New template is GREAT!!!!
There’s a little Fly Finch, or something like that, who flies around our yard and perches on the patio set chairs. He’s very cute and I usually say hi and watch him do whatever it is he does, but I do not appreciate the little gifts he leaves behind on the table, chairs, bbq, ceiling fan, ground and whatever else he can find out there. For one little bird, he does a lot of damage!
Sidney: Don’t know about love, but people are certainly a lot more talkative of late!
Gboy: No no noo… I talk to birds, not cats. Ugh, this isn’t helping me, is it…:P
Hmm… kids and animals never flock to me, but adults of all ages do, you’d think I’m giving away free karma!
Nesting birds, how cute! I thought the couple who ‘live’ chez Cléa had a nest, turned out they just have sex at my place.
Vocation: Beach bum that young guys approach. Let me put that on my CV!
PS Ta very much. I’m feeling more at home with it with every day.
Mrs Mahd: I know what you mean. They love to perch and poop. If only they can be taught to clean after them!
I’m so pleased not to be the only one who says hi to the birds
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You went surfing! And had young ones chatting you up. I’m so jealous. It’s getting cold over here. Bbrrrrrhhh!
almostloved: The weather has been hot and cold here, on and off for a while so I grab the chance when I can. The beach that is, not the young ones…
You’re still the blogger we come to read too, even when you’re on a congé. I like the different look of the site. Did any of those birds speak French?
As yes, while my corner of the globe changes to hues of sienna and crimson, ushering in cooler months ahead…. yours is bright shades of blue and golden yellow. I am hereby envious.
— enjoy the beachy attention, girl…. sunny days ahead always brings out the best in us and those around us.
Luuuuuuuuuuuving the new summery look, btw! =)
Hope your sabbatical is all you hoped, the writing is going well, but that you also have LOTS of time to just … oh, I dunno… walk about.
Ah yes, while my corner of the globe changes to hues of sienna and crimson, ushering in cooler months ahead…. yours is bright shades of blue and golden yellow. I am hereby envious.
— enjoy the beachy attention, girl…. sunny days ahead always brings out the best in us and those around us.
Luuuuuuuuuuuving the new summery look, btw! =)
Hope your sabbatical is all you hoped, the writing is going well, but that you also have LOTS of time to just … oh, I dunno… walk about.
Egan: And you, my friends, are the reason I still write here even when I’m on a congé de blog. Glad you approve, help yourself to a beach chair.
Bonjour mon petit oiseau… and I’d be sent to the looney bin!
LB: You do know how to make a girl smile!
A change is good with the seasons. It brings a sense of renewal. And that’s how the beach look makes me feel. Come on over, we can share that beach towel!
The sabbatical is going well, and not wanting to jinx myself, the writing is progressing at a good pace. Fingers crossed the deadline will be met with a quality end result
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[...] Bird Sex – The birds who made my balcony their home and I recently adopted, have afforded me many chances to watch them mate. For all of three seconds. Which made me feel like a true pervert. Sadly, they disappeared for a [...]