Category: Solitude - A Cottage by the Sea

Alone and silent among the icons

2/2/2019

I posted the following on ‘A Solitary Traveler,’ but I want to say a little more about the silence and solitude I experienced. Being the only person among the second floor icons was awesome. If I had come with a friend, that wouldn’t have happened; silence and solitude would have been compromised.
I understand that not everyone desires to travel alone the way I do, but if you long for silence, solitude, and simplicity, I suggest that you spend a morning by yourself at a museum. You may not have the floor to yourself, but you can wander about silently in your own little world.

Today I took a solitary trip to the Museum of Russian Icons, in Clinton, eighteen miles and thirty-five minutes from my house. I had planned to take pictures, but upon arriving I discovered I had left my phone at home. What good news that turned out to be; no distractions. I was free to look. And since I was alone, it was just me and the icons.
More good news: I had the entire second floor of the museum to myself for the entire visit.

Snow day in retirement

1/21/2019

Cold here: 12 degrees at mid-day. Our driveway is icy, although it was plowed. I’m enjoying my second snow day, recalling such respites when I was a teacher. Admittedly these current ones are more satisfying because I don’t need to make them up during the last, hot days in June. And, I was paid for them—no furlough.
In retirement I fill these snow days like any other day when I stay home in the winter. I read, cook, write, work on a jigsaw puzzle, and sit in the silence, solitude and simplicity. I stay in the house; taking is walk is not safe option.
Lately solitude has been taking center stage for me, pushing silence and simplicity to the role supporting cast. I prefer to do things alone—travel, go to museums, shop, eat, do a puzzle, walk. Perhaps I prefer solitude because I have family and friends as a balance. When I’m not alone, I visit people, which I certainly can’t do in solitude. Hmm, just thinking—the yin and yang of life.

Alone but not lonely in Florence~

12/3/2018

It is misty and cloudy this morning so I ought to be a little down, for that is what ‘they’ say is supposed to be one’s mood on such a day. But here I am, wandering about alone, feeling peaceful and very grateful that I made the trip.
     My usual café is packed with American students; not a seat in the place; so different from when I was here in 1959. I was one of the first of the junior year abroad students to walk the untried territory. How do I know this? Because I had no American friends the entire year I was here. My college and I were making it up as we went along.
    As a result, I learned to be on my own, to be independent, to not be lonely. Solitude became my preferred way of being, which may surprise those of you who know me because I can be extremely social and gregarious. Meyers-Briggs tells me I am right in the middle on the introvert-extrovert continuum.
     From time to time, especially when I come back to Florence, I ponder what effect that year so long ago had on me. Maybe that’s why I keep returning. I want the answer incised in my mind/body/spirit just as dates are chiseled into the stones of Florence.
    My answer on this misty, cloudy morning is the gift of being at peace with myself and very grateful for my life.

Evening stroll~

9/16/2018

Solitude at its best.

Solitude and community in Vermont

8/15/2018

Today I want to talk about solitude (not politics). To do this, however, I also must mention family and friends. You see, I can’t have my solitude unless I have other loving humans in my life. Without them, I would be lonely and loneliness isn’t included in my definition of solitude.
We spent last weekend with family at Lake Dunmore in Vermont—a flow of community was solitude. Take a look.

A Thin Space at Lake Winnipesaukee

7/28/2018

Here is a ‘no words necessary’ slide show of my visit to Lake Winnipesaukee. A thin space where concerns and mental chatter float away. Be still and know that I am God.

Simple and profound

7/11/2018

     I’ve had a few days of relative solitude since the active July 4th week. For me, I don’t crave solitude because I need to get away from it all, although that is sometimes an added benefit. I need solitude because it restores me so I can get back into it all. Too much of a good thing, be it time alone or time in community, and it becomes not a good thing.
     What I’ve just written sound simplistic, you might say, and I might agree. Nevertheless, I seem to need to clarify that for myself, and so I do, here in public. Sometime I can’t tell the difference between my simple thoughts and ones that might be profound.
     Back to my reading, both simple and profound.

Solitude rides with simplicity

6/4/2018

     You know me, I search for solitude, but I don’t want it all the time. Good thing because I couldn’t have it, no matter what. Even those self-proclaimed hermits who try to live silently in the woods can’t attain the goal. In fact, their entire existence is about getting away from civilization, which undoubtedly encourages them to think disapprovingly of society--everyone gets in their way.
     I don’t dwell on solitude very much. Maybe that’s because I have enough or know how to get it when I need it. Different life stages offer different kinds and amounts of solitude. When I was ages 3-12 (they used to call it ‘latency’) I spent hours in alone outside in the woods. I have so many memories of making little forts, packing my ‘stuff’ and heading out to play by myself. When my children were young and I was working, I longed for and worked hard to attain times alone.
     So what do I think of the huge trailer parked on the street in my daughter’s neighborhood? Lots of work before getting on the road; it can’t be simple to drive the thing; expensive to purchase, maintain, and fill with gas. Not my idea of solitude, but I understand the sentiment.
     For me, solitude is connected to simplicity--simple to slip into, like my Angel Room. I walk through the door and sit down.

Searching for Solitude in Florence

4/15/2018

    This cottage-by-the-sea blog is about “silence, solitude and simplicity, and for people who sometimes like to be alone.” I chat about what’s On My Mind and when I’m traveling, well, travel is on my mind. Sometimes I post on, Solitary Traveler, which usually features lengthier travel articles. Although the two topics are somewhat interchangeable, I try to keep them separate: On My Mind, for general comments, Solitary Traveler, for travel. Sounds simple and obvious, but it ends up pretty random where I post.
     Today, what’s on my mind is solitude and as a solitary traveler that’s what I’m always searching for. This trip I’m finding the crowds more exhausting than usual. I don’t need to be completely alone, but being in a pack crossing the Ponte Vecchio does me in. Morning and evening will be my times along the Arno.
    Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed a sandwich in the garden of the Casa per Ferie Suore Oblate dell’Assunzione, the peaceful convent where I’m staying. I was completely alone. Blissful. Then I walked to Piazzale M.D. Azeglio to be alone in the presence of walkers and bicyclists, dog owners and friends playing soccer, and with the noises that accompany them. I don’t have to be alone in the garden to feel solitude; I just need space.

This morning I was back at the Café Red in the Felletrini bookstore on the Piazza della Republica. For years I’ve been coming here mid-mornings to write and fuel up on a cappuccino and brioche. Nothing much has changed. Folks are writing, reading, chatting with friends, and attending study groups.

Outside the old men continue to take over the tables for their morning socializing. I recognized a few of them from years past. All this makes me another one of the anonymous individuals that feels at home here.

Morning walk in Florence

4/13/2018

Ah, the early morning in Florence, especially on a sunny day. Life is vibrant. Vendors are replenishing tourist supplies of water, wine and gelati; artist are setting up stalls to sell their paintings; street repairs continue.
I took one of my favorite routes through the Piazza della Signoria, along the Arno, over the Ponte Vecchio, pass the Plazzo Pitti to my go-to early morning writing bar. A perfect way to start my day.
When I leave here I have no idea where I’ll wander. That is one of the benefits of solitary travel.