Recreation Archives - The Aging Artist

Hi! I am back to blogging after a summer break. I promised myself to have a carefree summer, and I did.

Summer Holidays

Nova Scotia is a land of lakes and ocean beaches. On the hot sunny days I took quick trips to a lake for a swim or paddleboard.

The ocean beaches are more dramatic and spectacular but also colder than the lakes. Ocean swimming is a braver and briefer experience for me. Despite shaking from the chills, walking in wet sandy sandals, and feeling sticky from the salt, I loved the whole experience. I needed to give up comfort in the quest for fun. I may have looked ridiculous but I was happy.

My paddleboard allowed me to quietly mix with lily pads, sitting ducks and swimming geese.

Port Bickerton Lighthouse

The highlight of my summer adventure was a week at an insular lighthouse on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. Port Bickerton is a wonderful place to experience true solitude. The coast is rugged and dramatic, the forests are deep and dense, and the meadows and marshes lush with flora and fauna.

The isolation was compelling as the beauty. I spent days walking along spectacular rocky or sandy beaches, all alone, with no people, houses or roads in sight. The forlorn foghorn pervaded the thick morning fogs. At night the deep black sky was filled with millions of stars.

The solitude of Weeks Pond and the Atlantic Ocean, Port Bickerton

This was an artist retreat. My intention to ‘capture’ the scenery with pencil and brush, conflicted with my desire to have fun and new experiences.

Make life simple and relax!

Eventually my outlook was altered. Rather than impose my notions and opinions on Port Bickerton I was slowly overwhelmed by the immensity, variety, and wildness of the place.

Why not allow myself to be part of the scene. When I put away the pencil, I started to see more things and I began to hear, smell and touch my surroundings: waves breaking, frogs croaking, clouds scudding, feet on hard pebbles in icy water.

‘Bee’ing Present

While observing bumble bees pollenating flowers, I wondered if the goals in my life were any more significant to the universe than the work of these bees.

Life in the Moment

Did I waste the summer? By economic measures it was wasted time, since I did not produce any goods or services.

I feel younger. I enjoyed more moments because I was less preoccupied with future goals. Like the bees, I let myself live moment by moment here and now.

My habit to be future focused and productive diminishes the value of the present and all that it offers. My small vivid moments this summer showed me that wonderous interactions happen every day if only we stop, observe and marvel.

Carefree Memories

I have a longing that grows every June. I want to go back to my boyhood years when school ended and summer holidays began. I have happy memories of lakes and swimming. I remember warm summer days with no plans, few duties and no worries.

I don’t remember what I did over July and August, but I felt carefree and full of dreams. The potential for adventure was invaluable. Summer was a time where work and study gave way to play and fun.

Work or Play?

Over the years I feel like I lost something in my pursuit of achievement. I lost the ability to play.

I want to feel that again. I want to loosen up from my disciplined routines and have fun. I want to change my attitude as much as I change what I do. For example, I love playing hockey- but I play seriously and purposefully. I continually think about tactics and technique. I practice and study. I replay the game in my mind to figure out how to play better.

I also do art in a similar goal oriented manner. I want to continually improve.

I have a long list of things I want to learn. I push myself is to progress the list every week. On the list is my ‘aging artist’ blog . I want to add more features, but I need to learn so much more about WordPress.

My list is infinitely long and could last decades. Each accomplishment adds a new item to the learning list. It’s WORK that never stops.

Ostrich Emulation

Whether it’s summer or any other season, the world carries on with crises and conflict: Russia, inflation, migration, climate change, mass shootings… How can I feel carefree?

Am I choosing to put my head in the sand and be oblivious to the pain and suffering? Maybe.

Is there no place or time anymore to laugh or relax? Does it do any good to bear the burdens of the world in my mind while being helpless to affect change? If I were refreshed, I may have energy help when I return.

Re-create Recreation

June is almost over and July is only a week away. Summer is calling. I have to ask myself how many summers do I have to enjoy? It’s definitely a small finite number. What kind of summer do I want?

I am choosing to have a summer holiday! It’s a holiday away from my to-do list. It’s a break from trying to continuously improve myself. It’s a break from lamenting the news.

I will play at art and sport rather than work at art and sport. I will have more fun. With a ‘summer’ attitude I will play hockey for the joy of playing. I am going to swim and paddleboard, ride my bike and have picnics in nature.

I want to lighten up. I am going to take an artist retreat at the Port Bickerton Lighthouse on the Eastern Shore. I will do messy experiments with new materials. I will paint mud pies and sand castles on the beach.