31 Days in which I Am Saved by Beauty – Day 15

So there are some days in which
beauty takes you by surprise.
I had a doctor’s appointment today –
not usually something that comes
even remotely close to being beautiful.
But for just a moment,
I spotted it.
“You look really good today,”
the cardiologist told me
when I went in to see him 
for follow-up to a change
in blood pressure meds.
“Your numbers are exceptional. 
I’ll see you in a year.”
That was a spot of unexpected 
beautiful news. 

And I had about one hour
after that appointment,
and before my next one.
I chose to spend it
in my second ‘office,’
reading through a couple of days
in a new devotional guide,
recommended by my friend, Nancy Franson,
and prayerfully pondering future writing
themes and projects.
This is “my” spot on the bluffs, overlooking Butterfly Beach.
From the front of my traveling office space,
this is the view.
Shifting just slightly to my right,
brings in this one, which is a little bit less dramatic.
And this is the view to the rear of my work space.
Not too shabby.
We have been blessed to see some of the most beautiful
coastlines in the world –
the Garden Route in South Africa,
the Amalfi Coast in Italy,
the Italian Riviera,
the north Atlantic seaboard,
from Connecticut all the way up to Nova Scotia,
the Caribbean shores of St. Thomas and Mexico,
the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Baja,
and the entire Pacific Coast of North America,
as far as Alaska and the Yukon.
And this right here?
This is at the top of the list. 

And I can drive here in five – count them FIVE – minutes.
Thank you, Lord. 

I will admit this about being surrounded by such beauty –
I can easily be distracted.
Take today, for example.
This was a day for boats,
a subject about which I know very little indeed.
though I doubt these photos will give her enough
info to identify what type of boats
I was watching today.
This one was very purposeful,
heading toward waters down
the coast. (You’ll note that I did not say
heading south down the coast. That is because
our funny peninsula here faces south
rather than west, so it gets a little weird
if you say you’re heading ‘south.’)

This tiny guy, however, was content to just drift a bit,
taking in the sights,
enjoying the beauty of a suddenly balmy day
after a tender taste of real fall weather late last week.

 Then a bit bigger boat came into my sight line,
looking sleek and intentional.
Again, he was heading down the coast.

Suddenly, the meandering mellow guy
began to rev up the engine, 
and before I knew it,
I had an interesting shot –
the islands in the distance,
the oil derricks in silhouette,
and two ships, passing in the daylight.

And just before it was time to move my office
to a parking spot in front of a favorite restaurant
(yes, lunch with a friend is an appointment, right?),
one final flourish from a small craft heading up the coast.
Perhaps this was the first guy heading home?
Perhaps this was boat number 4 in 40 minutes?
Perhaps it was time for me to put the camera DOWN,
and write a bit? 

I did grab a few ideas here and there,
and quite possibly some of those will 
show up here or at 
A Deeper Story/Deeper Family/Deeper Church.
Who knows?
All I know for sure is this:
today’s office visit(s)
were rich with reminder
that I am – truly – 
being saved by beauty as I walk through each day.
O Lord, may I have eyes to see!


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Comments

  1. Hi Diana, your photos made me feel relaxed and peaceful. The ocean does do that to you right?! I love love your photo through the side mirror. Really cool 🙂
    God bless
    Tracy

  2. Thanks, Tracy. I always appreciate your stopping by! Yes, the ocean does that to me – for sure. It makes me breathe more slowly and deeply and that leads directly to a feeling of well-being.

  3. Glenda Childers says

    So happy you got a good report. Who needs a first office when that is your second office? 🙂

  4. Hooray for a good report!!! And you are certainly blessed! Love, Patricia

  5. Thanks, Patricia. Now I’d like to read about a good report for you, friend. Love to you.

  6. Yes, indeed. And these days, it is my ‘first’ office. When I was working, I had one at church. And I have a small study here, too – but I use that one for spiritual direction. Most of my work is done where it’s been done since I was about 12 years old – on my bed! Thank goodness for laptops.

  7. Linda Chontos says

    Okay, I confess – I’m totally jealous. I love the ocean Diana. What a precious blessing to live so close.

  8. Yes, it is a blessing, Linda! But each geographical reason has its own unique beauties, don’t you think??

  9. Snoopy spin cuz you are exceptional!

    And love spending a little quiet time in your office.

  10. “Snoopy spin??” Whatever it means, thanks for the compliment. And yes, I do enjoy my office – a lot. Just don’t go there as often as I once did.

  11. Well no wonder you do such terrific writing–with an office view like that! I am desperately in need of second office space in order to step away from the things that tempt and distract me.

    Thanks so much for the shout-out and for sending me the link 🙂

  12. Fishing boats. That’s what kind.

    Just kidding. 🙂 My husband could probably get more specific. Thanks, Friend! Your office is gorgeous. Just.Like.You.

  13. Thanks, Sheila! I do think 3 of those 4 were likely fishing boats – commercial style. And the little one? Probably pleasure fishing – so yes, I’m betting they are all fishing boats. You are SO smart!

  14. Nancy – according to disqus, you are not here. But Blogger dropped your note into my inbox – so thank you for coming by. And thanks for the info on SOLO – I am enjoying it.

  15. Looking again with some sleep under my belt, I would say the first three are definitely fishing boats. That last one, maybe, or maybe just a pleasure cruiser.

    But is there a 5th vessel? Look on the horizon, just to the right of the oil derrick, in the last two shots.

  16. Yup. Just didn’t seem fair to ask about that one – so far away!