Sunday, August 10, 2008

A Day at the Beach

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon
is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing
was not boring - it was peace.
~ Milan Kundera

We spent a couple of hours this afternoon at the beach. It was our first visit to a spot that allows dogs so of course, we took our "grand-dog" Jenna.

We don’t have grandchildren yet. But we do have three pets that once belonged to the kids, all of whom felt the animals would be better off staying with us when they moved out. So we started referring to them as our "grand" animals: Jenna, an almost 100-pound lab mix, and Boo Boo and her daughter Buster, two black and white 'cow' cats. Those three live with us, but we have other grand-animals who live with their owners, our daughters. Hubby and I are affectingly known as Grandpa and Grandma.

Yeah, I know: it's a little odd. But we love all of our four-legged family members. I do sometimes wonder how confusing this might be when the actual grandchildren come along!

We had a great time at the beach. The weather was beautiful; the skies were blue as can be. Our middle daughter brought her dog Lady, and her friends had their dogs, too. At one point, there were five happy dogs playing in the sand, chasing a tennis ball through the waves, and making friends all up and down the beach with the other dogs (and their humans) who had come for some fun in the sun.

We don’t get to the ocean very often, and every time we go, I wonder why we don’t do it more often. We're only about 15 minutes away. But something else always seems to be more important. Isn’t that how it goes: it's hard to take time away, just to relax and enjoy friends and family, to take advantage of the incredible weather and the beautiful setting.

The dogs certainly had the right idea. They played long and hard today! Jenna's snoring soundly on the couch as I type this, exhausted from her day in the sun. And the cats?

They're wondering why they weren’t invited to go to the beach. But they would have hated it there today: too many dogs!


Until next time...

17 comments:

Kathy said...

Loved the quote...I think the art of doing nothing has been lost in America. A shame! What good looking "grandkids" you have!

jovaliquilts said...

Oh, I miss the ocean! Please, enjoy it enough for both of us. Leaving ocean and hills was very difficult when we moved to the midwest.

Manuela said...

Cute dog and kitty!

You should totally make a point of going at least once a week weather permitting.

I mean, isn't that the point of living in California ;) Breathe in some of that salty air for me next time you go.

Lora said...

Oh if I lived only 15 minutes from the ocean I'd be there ALL the time! I am completely at peace waking along the shoreline...listening to the surf and smelling the salty air....

I grew up less than 10 minutes from Lake Ontario - but it just wasn't the same. I did spend a lot of time there though. Now I'm a 1/2 hour away and rarely go.

Nonnas News said...

I know what you mean about grand dogs! We have one too, but my son finally took him to live with him and his wife once they got married!

Beautiful quote and picture!!

Anonymous said...

The beach looks so inviting, I think I will suggest the beach for our next vacation. When you do have grandchildren they will understand completely that the grand-dogs are part of the family. At least that is the way it works in our family.

Roxie said...

Ah, the fine art of doing nothing! It's something that I have to work hard at!


Sounds like a wonderful day at the beach. As a former Pacific coaster, I miss it terribly!

jillytacy said...

I love the ocean! It looks like a good time was had by the doggies. And even if the kitties missed out on the beach fun you can always give them an extra pat and some treats to make up for it. Four legged friends can be part of the family too. When your grandkids come they'll think the same thing.

Kathy said...

Pattie...thanks for playing Memory tag! Actually, I remember the first time I went to your Profile page and saw all your interests and thought to myself,"Hmmm...She likes Jan Karon's Mitford Series! I'm gonna like her!" and subscribed right then and there! And I've never been sorry. I love people who are self-aware and have a great sense of humor. It is all about the attitude! I'm happy to count you among my cyber friends!

Unknown said...

Why is that? We live so close to the beach but I to never go! It's a shame, I should make it a point to go more often, I love the beach! Animals are defiantly part of the fam.

JC said...

Great pictures. Sounds like a wonderful time.

I did the Google Needs thing and have them posted on my site if you want to come for a visit.

Grace and blessings to you.

Deborah said...

What a peaceful day you had!

Good grief I miss the beach. If I lived that close, that is where I'd take my walks every day.

I have a "cow" cat too! His name is Sam Holstein.

grammy said...

Pattie, Pattie, GO TO THE BEACH! OK, so I don't know you well enough to be so bossy. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE, did I say love...to be on the beach. Last year I got to go and I couldn't see it, touch it, breath it enough. Want to trade? Go to my blog and see the moose we saw in the mountains a few days ago.

ptg said...

Ha! Reading your post made me giggle a little bit. My in-laws refer to their two dogs (a rat terrier and a Toto-breed dog) as their "kids" and my husband, their son, as their brother.

Seriously!

But they feel very strongly about their "kids" that live at home and I know they love our pets (two cats) too. They treated the "grandkittens" to treats and whatnot on the holidays and such. So I can definitely understand where that comes into play!

Taking the time off to do "nothing" is huge - and I'm immensely jealous that you live so close to the ocean. Please enjoy it for me as well!

carla said...

no grandchildren?

PLEASE
TO
COME
HERE
AND
BABYSIT :)

Miz.

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

Sounds (and looks) like a divine day! I'm so glad you enjoyed the day!

Susie said...

Patti,
I just love the ocean too! If I only lived 15 minutes away I think I'd be there every day. Life does seem to get in the way sometimes, doesn't it?
Loved your photos..
xo