Sounds of the sea

To evoke the beach experience, most people, I think, will try to conjure the smell of salt air or the warmth of the sun on your face. But for me, I focus on the sounds…

Here are the best cuts of the Ocean City soundtrack:

> The repeated whoosh of the waves crashing and receding. When you’re walking on the beach, that’s almost the only sound you hear, forming a background noise that muffles everything else.

> The song of the mockingbird that has taken up residence on the boardwalk light pole in front of the house. He (or she) has been singing so loud, so long, with so many different calls in his repertoire that PJ and I have decided he’s getting paid by the Ocean City visitor’s bureau to entertain the tourists!

> The sound of kids laughing and screaming. In the height of the day, when families gather at the beach, you do finally hear sounds above the waves crashing. You hear the playful squeals of kids running into the waves. And you hear the excited conversation among new friends discovering water pools by digging down in the sand.

> Bustling boardwalk sounds. The rhythmic thump of runners getting in their exercise… the clack-clack of training wheels on small bikes… the snatches of conversations as couples and families stroll by… the slap-slap of kids running along the boards… and the gentle sound of the wind rustling through the dunes.

> Game-playing sounds. The slap of cards, the rattle of dice, the clatter of the falling Jenga tower.

> Lombardozzi banter. PJ’s tease: “When’s the last time I pulled your hair?” Patrick’s bark: “Discipline!” Emily’s rendition of “Jesus loves me; this I know. ‘Cause the Bible tells me so.” Lisa’s laugh.

> And more. On the boards: the construction sounds for the new pool up the block, the music blaring from the miniature golf courses, the chatter of families mingling outside the stores, the screams of amusement-riders. At the house: the kids running and laughing in the hall, the gentle sound of the rain, the distant sound of the TV (I’m usually hanging on the porch reading or in my room where the internet connection is strongest). At the beach: the drone of the airplanes coming by with signs or sight-seers, the shrill whistle of the lifeguards getting swimmers’ attention, the scree of the seagulls.

These are the wonderful sounds of the sea to me. Can’t you just hear it?

Our Wednesdayactivities… Rainy start to the day. Breakfast at Uncle Billy’s. Thunderstorms. Pat and PJ riding up to procure a spade for better castle-building on the beach. Reading. Hanging out. Beach time (walking, fortress-building, reading, boogie-boarding). Sausage and peppers for dinner (yum). Boardwalk walk. Pat and PJ evening beach-walk. TV watching (Wipeout / America’s Got Talent – where do they find these people?). Canasta night, part 2 (I won!).

So far on Thursday, we went to the beach early and stayed all morning.  Then we had a late lunch (of pizza) at the house. Now we’re resting in anticipation of a fun night up the boards… miniature golf, dinner, games and rides. More to come…

Sounds of the Sea