I’ve been sequestered happily in my island home, puttering, clearing the top of my office desk, marking papers, filling out travel grant applications, writing course proposals, reading poetry, baking cookies, stitching up knitted dresses. . .
Pater headed to Vancouver Sunday afternoon, so I’ve had more than two days of complete solitude, and I’ll admit I’m not quite ready to have it broken, as it will be tomorrow when I head back to campus for meetings, meetings, meetings. . .
The other day, we had seven bald eagles sitting together on our rocky beach. You can see four of them in the top photo, but by the time I’d grabbed my camera and run outside, they’d begun to disperse. We speculate that they’re around for the herring that are moving in to spawn.
That’s probably the draw for these sea lions as well. For all the photos, clicken to enlarge will let you see that I’m not lying . . . those really are eagles, not seagulls, sealions, not logs . . .
How long can you stay content at home with only your own company? I’ll admit it’s one state I suspect I’ll never get enough of. I had to get pretty creative with what was left in the fridge and pantry so that I didn’t have to head to town for groceries. . . .
Ah, I'm so envious, not only of your beautiful vista and ocean wildlife, but of your few days of solitude. That's my ultimate luxury.
Yes, that's exactly how I see it — pure luxury!
I've just come off of a life of 60% solitude. I can say definitively that for this partial-extrovert that was too much. For down time I love nothing more than solitude. But for work, for processing information, and for warmth, a little company is important.
It's the balance, definitely. In my work, I'm so "ON!" that when I've got down time, I love to have some of it alone.
A colleague of mine once went to the highlands of Scotland and camped for two weeks without seeing anyone! He confessed it was not much fun but yet he gained a lot from the experience. I prefer to be alone in a crowd if possible, I do get stir crazy if at home, but if I were to be marooned in Scotland with paints I could probably last for a few weeks. Enjoy reading week!
See? It's the having something to do that you love to do on your own, right? I've got stacks and stacks of books I want to read, writing I want to get to, knitting projects. . . I could easily do a 4-day stint on my own, perhaps a week . . .
Wow — it is so beautiful there. I'm fortunate to live in a somewhat natural setting, too, with woods behind us and a certain amount of wildlife around. I find it very soothing, and I can easily spend 2 days at home enjoying the peace and quiet. But like you, after that I want to get out! (faculty meetings wouldn't be my first choice, though!)
The recharging is so important, isn't it? Again, a question of balance. And yes, the faculty meeting has me needing to recharge again, on my own. . .
Enjoying solitude in a beautiful ocean setting with sea lions and bald eagles sounds perfect. After a few days I would probably get antsy.
Your hand-knit sweater dress is the previous post is beautiful. Nice work!
Thanks, Susan. . . and yes, I do get antsy eventually, but it takes me a while to get my fill of solitude.
A couple of days of solitude are my limit. There's something very centering about being alone for more than just a few hours.
Gorgeous scenery. Don't we live in a beautiful place?
I got very used to living on my own (during the week) when my husband worked in another city for many years. Not having those big chunks of guaranteed alone time anymore means I really savour them when they come 'round.
Can spend a week or so contentedly alone, though if a friend drops by unexpectedly by day 4 or 5, am delighted. A few days alone is a nice break.
That sounds very similar to me — a week of my own company is generally quite manageable, yet I can be delighted with the right company partway through.
We are all to familiar with Cooper hawks lingering in our vicinity–they like to make meals of the pigeons my husband keeps, but the eagles are truly awesome to my eye.