I like walking the beach as it is good for the body, mind, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.
The sands display a myriad of shells. Different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. Although they now lay idle on the sand, each was once a home for something alive – a clam, oyster, scallop, whelk, conch, or other Molluscan relative. Home for a comparatively simple life – a life born to eat so it grows and survives so it can reproduce then die. A life aiming at perpetuating the species so that species can fulfill its niche in nature.
A life with a collection point of nerves serving as its neurological center – but not a center of with emotions, intellect, problem solving, and complex communication. But a simple brain – one geared for operating body functions, movements, sensing, and responding. Sensing the presence of food or predators, the current’s direction, the water’s temperature, and more – to sense to react.
The numerous shells I see tell only a fraction of the story of what life in the water must be. All those shells contained a life – a life starting as a simple cell floating free in the water. A life that developed into a free-swimming larva or served as food for something else. A life that continued to develop into a young shelled organism or food for other organisms. Finally developing into an adult that can reproduce, yet also be a food source for other life.
No wonder adults release so many eggs as not all will get fertilized. Not all will survive the free-floating stage or as free-swimming larvae. Not all will develop into reproductive adults. No all will live a full adult life.
That’s the life of a mollusk – a clam, oyster, scallop, whelk, conchs, and others. Compared to ours, a life that is simple, but one that is ecologically important. Each fulfilling a niche in the intricate web of life on our planet.
This is what I ponder as I see the shells on the beaches that I walk. After all, walking is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.
Oh, I agree. Walking on the beach is good for the soul. You have seen so much as the sand refreshes your feet. I must walk on the beach more often.
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CC,
Glad to know this post stimulates your thoughts about walking on the sand near the waves. Oh so relaxing … but I believe you are much closer to it that me, so go for it … and my time will have to wait until next time.
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Your walks sound wonderful. I like being near the water when my mind is feeling heavy.. it somehow lightens it! Nice to read your new post here, Frank 🙂
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Christy,
Agree … walking is a rhythm … the sea offers a rhythm … and then those rhythms get in sync with the mind … and the thoughts can flow. Glad you enjoyed this … and I’m sure a poem is in there. 😉
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That was quite a long walk — 7 posts worth!
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Elyse,
And more posts to come … of course remember that I walked many times during the month of January.
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I know. Just giving you grief. That’s my role here.
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And you fill the role well.
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Great post! Beach walks are so great. The specifics of such a walk connect us to nature through all of our senses, but the beach also connects us to the bigger systems as well, such as the tides and power of nature. Simple and complex all at once. Lovely!
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Patti,
Knowing how much you love nature, I know you realize about the significance of your “simple and complex all at once” comment. Wow … that’s a perfect line! Thanks for walking along!
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Wonderful pondering Frank! ❤
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Pauline,
Thank you … and as I know you realize, there is much in the world to ponder if one takes the time to look.
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I always enjoy your walks, Frank. Thanks
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John,
Thank you …. and I envy you having a chance to walk whenever you want.
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I grew up at the beach and collecting shells was my favourite hobbie.
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Debra,
Therefore you have many, many memories of beach walks. Good for you! Now you have me thinking about the differences in shells in different parts of the world.
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I love walking on the beach, too–though I haven’t done it in a while. I don’t know why I never think to walk along the river beach here, but we haven’t made it to the ocean beach in a while. I’m hoping sometime later this week.
And you know, I love tales of Selkies, Frank! 🙂
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Merril,
I’m imagine that wherever you walk, numerous thoughts in a poetic style pass through you mind! Enjoy your walks!
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Thanks, Frank! 🙂
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So what got me hooked on visiting your beach next Feb.? Definitely the walking and the shells, but also the rhythm thing you talk about. I also can’t get out of my mind in the movie “The Insider” the panorama of Lowell Bergman (played by Al Pacino) standing small and alone in the ocean surf pleading on the telephone to whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) to not give up his battle against Big Tobacco.
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Tim,
Beach walking allows time for many things to contemplate …. and I can honestly say that Big Tobacco didn’t cross my mind even once for a split second. Then again, that’s not to say that it couldn’t.
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I like the things you and Darwin and Thoreau have in common.
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Tim,
Now that is an interesting comparison, so many thanks … so what are the commonalities?
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Love the way you went full circle on this post. Turned it into prose, lyrical, even!
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Dale,
Wow … thanks for the high praise. As you can tell, my biology background kicked in.
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😘
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Love beach walks. It’s lovely being here just a stone’s throw from my favourite beach at the moment. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Your location is one of the best … although your home in SA was in an awesome spot. Which beaches are better for walking: SA or South Florida?
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A beautiful song Frank. and walking on the beach is something I love to do when on holiday . And collect sea shells.. around my garden I have many some have got broken over the years, while others remain in little boxes of remembered treasures..
Loved reading and reflecting on the Aquatic life of molluscs. and other ocean life.. Must be wonderful to be able to walk frequently next to the waves 🙂
Happy sea shell hunting.. 🙂
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Sue,
Not only thanks for the kind words, but thanks for watching (and enjoying) the video because I’ve carefully searched for a song & images to go with this series.
Unfortunately, the ocean isn’t close for me. I wrote this entire series in January while spending a month on the Alabama coast. We walked a lot, and my mind did a lot of thinking … and I tried to draft my thoughts after returning to the condo. So this is the 7th in the series (and more to come) …. but if you want to see the others, here’s the link to the collection. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/beach-walking-thoughts/
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I suppose our ocean is much nearer than yours, its about 90miles away.. And i know 90 miles the way you travel in the USA is nothing.. But then you do have lots and lots of straight roads lol..
here there are twists and turns every few hundred yards if not on the motorway 🙂
We really must make the effort and get to the coast more often.. But the stress of driving on the congested roads here puts us off often during holiday season . Thank you for the link Frank.. I will return later once I am all caught up to take a longer look my friend.. 🙂 Enjoy your day .. Sue
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I understand your journey of twists and turns. Even with our interstate highway system, the beach is still have 10-12 hours of driving. …. 😦
Meanwhile, I’m confident you will enjoy the other beach walks when you get a chance. After all, I don’t want to take away from your gardening or grandmothering time.
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LOL.. too right dear Frank.. They are precious moments indeed my friend 🙂
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I went walking on the beach just today, Frank. I think the beach is the best “thinking space” for me. Our Southern California shorelines don’t have as many shells as they did when I was a child, but mollusks are plentiful. I liked your reference to the walk being refreshing on your feet! Isn’t that the truth! 🙂
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Debra,
You are one of the lucky wins with beaches a short distance away … so that also means I await my next trip.
It is interesting that the number of shells present varies from beach to beach. Meanwhile, cheers to the thinking space!
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Beach walks are just awesome ! 🙂
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Cristina,
Welcome first-time commenter. Beach walking is enjoyable, therapeutic, and more. We spent a month at a beach along the northern Gulf of Mexico this past winter, so that’s where I wrote this series. Here’s a link to the other 6. Enjoy! https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/beach-walking-thoughts/
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I agree with Dale. You took a refreshing beach walk, combined it with biology, and it turned prose. It’s my fave beach walk, so far. Especially after this lesson in shellfish, I’m ecstatic that I don’t eat seafood, except seaweed, of course.
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Resa,
This post is an example of my biological side coming out … and I tried to do it in a conceptual way that was easy to understand. Similar thoughts could be written about seaweed! Thanks for the kind words!
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Great walk Frank. Thanks for taking us with you.
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Gabe,
Not only thanks for walking along, thanks for not walking naked.
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I do what i can…
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AFA:
I have been giving some thought to both “On a Blog-Break Reflection” and “On a Beach Walk.” As you know, thinking hurts my addlepated brain (what’s left of it) but there is a theme in the longevity and nature of your blogging. Blogging, like writing in general, is a time-consuming and focused activity. As you noted, a number of fellow bloggers – for various reasons – are no longer active. There is a point of mental exhaustion that requires rest, reflection and renewal before starting afresh. I admire the fact that you not only have been able to do this but continue to do this and keep a flock of regular and steady followers (me among them) who would be sad not to have your steady stream of positive reflections and insights. Keep going AFA, while I will continue to grouse, moan and complain.
Your buddy,
C-a-L
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Mudge,
Wow … many thanks for the kind words, support, and understanding. I totally agree that thoughtful posts require time and energy … thus the need for breaks, random posting, or even (by some) walking away. ‘
And yes – (although fewer in number) my steady stream of visitors keep me going – and for that I am grateful!
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That is a beautiful video!
And speaking of religious experiences in the simple things we do, a beach walk is right up there indeed. I love running on the beach first thing in the morning. And walking back, I look out over the expanse and think about the swim I’ll take later. Good stuff.
Great stuff Frank
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Cayman,
Your beach run followed by a slow walk seems to hit two birds with one stone. Excellent choice …. For the record, I’m not a runner, but my walks typically have a good pace (as opposed to strolling).
Glad you enjoyed the video. It took a bit of work to find a video to go with my written theme. Thanks for watching!!!!
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Good Friday Morning, aFrank,
I don’t have to tell you about my love of my beloved peaceful respite – the beach. I speicifcally moved to Florida to go for beach walks. Blessed to live a stones throw away, I recently joined a beach yoga group. Not being a morning person – 8:00 a.m. – it can be a bit of a push but once there the salty ocean air revitalizes all those tired muscles and bones.
I agree with Dale. I enjoyed the way you brought your love of a beach walk back to the beginning. A stellar piece of informative prose.
Happy weekend fun …
Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
I know you are a beach walker and cherish the experience. Whereas you are very close to the beach, I am double-digit hours of driving away … thus one of the reasons why I’ve written this series.
Meanwhile, you have been around here long enough to realize I my preference of writing nonfiction … and in this post I tried to blend feelings and information. Glad you enjoyed this walk!
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Oh my, I would miss my beach so much. I’m there before my air conditioning kicks in – 5 minutes. In NY I lived the same distance to a state park that gave me the same peaceful feeling while walking the trails and feeding the sawans and ducks. One must seek a soothing place for a quiet respite in order to revitalize an energized life. 😎
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Whether on around the neighborhood, to town, or on a nature tail – we walk a lot. But none of them give me the feeling of walking on a beach.
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Very possible I may have missed something, but what beach is this? I thought you lived in Cincinnati.
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Betsy,
Good point. I write this post (and all in the series) this past January as we spent a month on the Alabama coast. Here’s the first one … https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/on-a-beach-walk-no-1/ … 🙂
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