Early morning ocean energy soothes and invigorates my soul. Yes. Both.

I finally (after five days) ventured in the pre-dawn darkness to the beach. What took me so long....?! The last time I arrived in Santa Barbara (pre-Covid) the first thing I did was walk to the beach. Almost burned my Montana mountain white flesh as I forgot sunscreen in my eagerness (November 2019). Each morning during the month-long residency, I’d bike a few blocks to the ocean where I walked and meditated beneath impressive sunrises. This round , my second residency here, I realize just how much COVIDness encouraged my hermit tendencies. Lordy the adjustment from my studio at the end of a road near the top of a mountain to the hustle and bustle of city-life is an overwhelmingly bigger leap than usual!!!!! Frankly I find myself overwhelmed by SO MUCH civilization outside my door and between the ocean and me. Goodness the first time I visited the beach this trip was upon the invitation to a silent disco where my ice-climbing un-boot bound bare feet joyfully danced on grass next to the sandy beach. Headphones silenced the ocean while strangers’ smiles expressed unmasked joy on gyrating bodies (socially distanced) but so many peeps.

Thank you Ocean, for calling me out, inviting me IN -giving me strength and comfort, inspiration and recognition. Gratitude.