Izumi Tanaka

Every morning before the sun-seeking crowd gets here, there are these trucks that scan the beach to clean and level the sands.  They are a part of the familiar scene I encounter when I I do my morning bike ride.

So far we’ve had three days of glorious sunshine in the morning this week, and the temperature is comfortable enough to ride my bike without a jacket.   And I see “regulars” on the bike path — they are the “characters” in the scene that I would miss if I don’t see them.  As I’m on the path at least three times a week between 7 and 8 in the morning,  I wonder if anyone notice when I’m not there, or everyone is just into their own morning rituals…

While the rest of the world seems to be smothering in heat, it’s been more gray and cool in my neighborhood.  The marine layers stay around throughout most of the days and keeping the temperature unseasonably low. Then we got these glorious sunny morning a few days here and there.  Still, gray or blue, I’m grateful to live here as it is indeed a paradise.

It was just another day at the beach except the dolphins were out there having lots of fun out in the ocean.  Instead of those little fins peeking out of the water surface, I got to see the whole bodies jumping out….  I wish I could go in to swim with them….

The morning glory was back this morning.  The same spot, the same ocean, the same time… basking in the morning sun.

Even though it was gloomy this morning as it has been so far most of the summer, the ocean beckoned me. So there I went — riding my bike to the beach to my usual spot in Santa Monica.  When I come to the sea, I am easily convinced of God’s presence.  As of late, I have been pondering a lot on my own understanding or definition of God. As I watch the waves come and go, I am reminded perhaps it doesn’t matter.  All I know is that there’s definitely something greater than I can fathom beyond my capacity to understand and that’s comforting.

It was my first day this season to get on my bike to the beach.  I heard it was sizzling in other parts of town, but it stayed pretty foggy all day in Santa Monica, and the beach was fairly grey, too.  But there were lots of people on the beach, even in the water. some sailing boats….

Came out of a meditation retreat and got back on my bike to the beach with my husband.  What else can I ask for to celebrate the arrival of the new year, new decade, and new attitude.  Feeling truly blessed…..

It was a glorious and balmy Sunday on the beach