Sunday, July 11, 2010

Sounds of silence

I know extending radio silence around here is far from unusual. But in case you were wondering, I've been away from it all, on a much needed vacation.

A large part of it was spent, sweetly, in silence. Well, not silence exactly.

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There was the lull of the ocean waves...

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and the wind in the pines...

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and the hushed turning of pages...

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and the soft clicking of needles...

No tv, no internet, no email, no music, no telephones, no clock tic-toc.

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Nowhere to go and nothing to do but just be.

That and of course my sweet husband, some great food and wine, my knitting (another Alice Starmore fair-isle), a pile of books (I read 8!), rowdy games of domino, and a shoreline that went on for kilometres on an practically deserted beach in Prince Edward Island.

And I (re)discovered something very, very important. There is not enough silence in my life. Though most would describe me as an outgoing, extroverted person, I actually crave solitude and calm. It's what makes me well-balanced, peaceful and productive.

And now the goal is to respect that. I want to find as much quiet in my "real" life as I can.

But I will be back. I do have knitting to show you.

25 comments:

  1. Oh, that does sound and look like the most wonderful getaway! Silence is so important to well-being. I read an interesting book called 'one square inch of silence' last year, about a sound engineer's journey to find and maintain quiet spaces, especially in his backyard, Olympic NP in Washington. Since I've read it though I've become even more aware of noise pollution, so I recommend it with reservations ;-)

    I look forward to seeing your beautiful knits, welcome back!

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  2. You have no idea how I've longed to be disconnected lately. More and more I think that yours is the perfect vacation. Good to hear from you again though...

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  3. Looks like total bliss! My vacation plan is quite similar - lots of books and knitting, and silence!

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  4. That looks wonderful!

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  5. I am the kind of person who gets very cranky if I can't have a bit of silence every day. there is something so incredibly and inherently perfect in silence.

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  6. Sounds like heaven...
    miss you coco!

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  7. It looks utterly amazing and relaxing! I can't get over that red beach...

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  8. Ah ouiii... I agree with you! Is this your family cabin too? This peek at your starmore is so fun!! ...I am getting away in August, can't wait! A. xx

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  9. Oh, Nicole, you were reading Nigel Slater's Tender!! Isn't it a wonderful cookbook?? And the cottage seems perfect! Mmmmm!

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  10. A slice of heaven and a bit of wisdom... lovely post indeed! Glad you had a wonderful vacation - I'm looking forward to mine next week. See ya when I get back! Luv R

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  11. Such a wonderful post. Yes, I long for an even simpler life than we already lead - however, the internet provides us with so much of our income...
    What a great vacation, though.
    I also appreciate silence and as a Quaker, weekly silent worship is so important to me.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  12. That sounds like an amazing break, Nicole! Any book recommendations for us? I've been on a reading tear lately, too. I'd recommend The Little Stranger (by Sarah Waters) and Cutting for Stone (by Abraham Verghese).

    Can't wait to see your handknits!

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  13. disconnection...the sound of silence...a dream come true Nicole ;)

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  14. I heart PEI! I live in NS and it's truly fantastic over there. I wish I could live there. I think I will now have to look into renting a cottage for a long weekend!
    Enjoy the rest of your summer.

    Catherine:)

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  15. Nicole it all looks so blissful and I am so glad you had a restful time. And I am very curious about the Starmore.

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  16. It sounds wonderful and you look so content. The rustic look of the log cabin is lovely. I was just away for two weeks and missed the internet more than I thought I would, I may be addicted.

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  17. Oh, what's there to say... I was just nodding (and sighing - Prince Edward Island!) as I was reading through your posting.
    Your getaway seems to have been truly wonderful. Hope its effect on you will last long.
    Getting disconnected can be really healing.
    Looking forward to see your next Starmore project!

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  18. I have to agree with you.
    I'll be heading to a similarly remote place next week,and I can't wait. of course, I'll also be staying with a family of 5, and bringing my own baby... but it will still be nice to be somewhere without a TV or a computer or cell phone reception...

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  19. All looks and sounds so wonderful. What a beautiful cabin in a beautiful place. I'd heard of PEI before I'd even really heard of Canada thanks to dear Anne Shirley. Enjoy the silence and the peace. And the books!

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  20. It sounds like pure bliss, and I love the relaxed photos - you look so happy and comfortable in that last photo. And eight books? I love that! what did you read?

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  21. You look sooooo comfortable on those sofas and in that chair, must have been utter bliss.

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  22. Sounds like heaven. I work in a very busy hospital so when I come home I have nothing on for a a few hours. No sounds other than my dogs and the clicking of my keyboard if I am checking my e-mail.

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  23. You are sooo lucky! I have to find a way to do this! The pics are beautiful and heaven to imagine the peace and quiet there :)

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Merci, my sweeties, for taking the time to leave a comment!