In the upper left corner is an image of an “in process” piece of abstract art that Gloria allowed me to use as a base for the following image I made depicting some of my life’s Blue Spaces – THANK YOU Gloria!
A STORY FROM MY LIFE OF BLUE SPACES:
My Kids and Grandkids are brightening my dreams. The Kids, looking to retirement, are moving to new homes. The Grandkids, becoming independent, are selecting new apartments and college dorms. All their moves are in exciting new environments.
That prompted me to think about the first move I made when I was 19 years old. I left the isolation of the Brethren homestead farm on the ridge which had open views of 30 miles across the next valley. But, I also wanted water views and the creek on the homestead did not offer that. It was only 2 feet wide and 3 inches deep as it started its journey to the ocean.
For the next 70 years, living near open spaces and water, was programmed into my brain. I lived on two islands, had an offices overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, had an office overlooking the harbor in Copenhagen, had an office and home overlooking the Texas Hill Country, raised a family high on a hill in a suburb of New York City, and returned to live on the Brethren homestead in Pennsylvania for two years. In addition to that I spent 70 years vacationing on Caribbean Islands, Newfoundland Island, Alpine and Rocky Mountain ski resorts, and worked in many more cities with lots of water, like Amsterdam.
A little research will show you that living near water and open space is referred to as “Blue Spaces” The research results are filled with words like calming, physical activity, sleep quality, sun light and vitamin D, and space for creative thoughts. I hope you can find time to research Blue Spaces and hope you are influenced by your findings.
Most people think about oceans, lakes, and rivers when they think about Blue Spaces. But you might be surprised to learn that just about any place with access to water and breathing room, can be counted as a Blue Space, including streams, ponds, fountains, and mountains.
As you have just read, I had 89 years of Blue Spaces. I enjoyed each and every year. That is why I wish for my Kids and for my Grandkids, as they start out on their new journeys, the same success that I had in finding and enjoying blue spaces.
Leave a Reply