35 Comments
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MedicareMermaid's avatar

What a lovely way to share a smile today.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'm so glad to know this made you smile! I appreciate your presence here.

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Sandy Lawler's avatar

Beautiful Elizabeth. I too have a Florida trip coming up and shall take the time to slip away... finding the quiet is a daily goal. Thank you

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, Sandy. Not sure if your destination promises to be as...erm...colonized as ours, but if so I wish you all the daily quiet you can claim! The water on the Gulf coast was crazy-refreshing.

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Plugging Along here my friend! You certainly do have talents. Thanks for sharing.

J

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Grateful you're here to read and support, Janice.

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

A lovely (albeit thought-provoking) read. Thankfully I’m in far-off Australia keeping myself delightfully busy, sending good vibes to all. Take care dear Elizabeth. 🤗🤗😘💕

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Beth, I'm not sure I'm capable of writing without the thought-provoking bits, mostly because there are always so many unresolved questions in my head. 😅

We'll take all the good vibes you can release! Thank you for that, and for spending a bit of time here today.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

I enjoyed this Florida walk vicariously, remembering past winters in the state. Along with many other Canadians, we have sworn off American vacations. Love the “peacock-blue” water.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I can't say I blame you, Rona. Breaks my heart what's happening. It's going to take a lot for us to find our way back into something that feels more balanced, but I faith that we will! Then, I'll invite you to visit me in Maryland!

Always great to see you here.

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Amy Cowen's avatar

I love the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie format to your post! I hope you enjoyed your getaway.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Such a great series of books! Definitely among our favorites.

I can't say it was "our kind of place," with the total disregard for what must be a very fragile natural environment. But we enjoyed spending time with family we don't see often enough, and it was good to be outside in the sun more than usual, especially in February. As they say, I shouldn't complain. Really appreciate you being here, Amy.

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roe squire's avatar

an absolutely lovely distraction today. thank you

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

My pleasure, Roe, thank you. And now we're back to snow and rain. 😅

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Jaihn's avatar

Hello ~ 'precise pretension' conjured worlds for me, instantly. A duet-word poem! Thank you for these glimpses. My most recent post has 'especially now' as semi-title - also concerned with current connectivity. Perhaps you'll enjoy that, as I have enjoyed this. All good wishes, J.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

So appreciate the comment, Jaihn, and thank you for pointing me to your page. Like you, I am fascinated by watching my garden and the birds in the yard, even when I'm doing so from indoors. I'm delighted to hear that some of my word choices brought new ideas and pictures to mind for you. You have such a strong creative calling, perhaps some of what you conjured will end up flowing out of your brush!

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Jaihn's avatar

Ahh, thank you for taking the time, making the visits, and these kind words too.

We conjour along, encouraging each other as we go.

Blessings to you.

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prue batten's avatar

How absolutely perfect.

The protagonist is just how I want to be when I grow up - drifting on a fragile cloud of hope because to paraphrase: 'where there's hope, there's life.'

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'm not sure where I'd be without it, Prue, even as there are forces at work that seem to want me to abandon it. Thank you for your steady, calming presence in this community.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

As someone who has had many a dawdling day in the Sunshine State, this gave me a lot of knowing smiles. Especially the drink you wouldn’t ordinarily have. Delightful 😘

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Dawdle: That's a word my parents used to describe my actions (or lack of) with some frequency. I seem to excel at it! After my big, recent proclamation about not being a day drinker, I may need to be a bit more careful with my absolutes. Appreciate you, Eileen.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Appreciate you more ♥️

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Susan Baker's avatar

" So many unresolved questions"! I find my self shaking my head in disbelief and horror, muttering expletives I haven't used in years! And then...I sing "Resilience" with the women's chorale at Otterbein University and notice snow drops blooming in the cold, grey afternoon and feel both supportive and supported, a glimpse of hope .

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

What a beautiful comment, Susan. And I think you perfectly capture what so many of us are experiencing, the recurrent pendulum swings from deterioration to recovery. I'm sure singing in that chorale is so restorative, and I can't think of any better way to resist the persistent emotional drain of these times. Well done, you!

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Susan Owens Bernhardy's avatar

A good one and especially since we’re currently on a 6 day cruise to Mexico!

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Ooohh! So many connections for you. Enjoy the time away, and thanks for sharing "your" [former] sunshine with us for a little while. Good to see you here, Susan.

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Rita Ott Ramstad's avatar

Being a mother of a certain age, I knew your inspiration source immediately! I hope you got what you needed from your time away.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

It is a rather ubiquitous series from our kids' generation, isn't it?

Our primary purpose was to spend time with family. My in-laws (now just MIL) have had a multi-week timeshare there for 30 years, as well as an aunt. It's long been a winter "snowbird" spot for them, their kids and grands. But our lives just weren't lined up that way, so we've never made it down for a visit. Despite being past due, extenuating circumstances made this trip feel almost imperative. So, yes, we enjoyed seeing folks we see too little of, enjoyed beach walks, and sun, and shell finding. Thanks for commenting, Rita, as always.

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Tara Penry's avatar

I'm glad the girl found hope and peace. Love the title, subtitle, and format. There is something especially diplomatic and protective about this form, just rolling right over the potential friction points to tell the story just so.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Tara, with what I know of your experience around the written word, this comment is truly meaningful. I love your observations of diplomacy and protection. I hadn't thought of it until now, but I suppose framing the tensions with something easy to receive is akin to what many comedians do, weaving touchy subject matter between the funny and familiar. Thank you for sharing your wisdom here!

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Tara Penry's avatar

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

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Shifra Clara Wasserstein's avatar

Thank you for sharing

I love how you left us with that beautiful last line ❤️

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, Shifra. The thread to hope is thinner, some days, but strong as rope others. I appreciate you being here.

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Shifra Clara Wasserstein's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words 🙏

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Really made me think, Elizabeth! Super post. Thank you. x

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