Cannon Beach Archives - Nancy Wesson Consulting

Cows, Tsunamis, Sneaker Waves… and Magic

Nancy — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:46:00 +0000

Reports of my being swallowed up by the sea have been greatly exaggerated… However, as a low-tide sneaker wave at Hug Point came from behind me, wrapped its watery tentacles around first my ankles, then my calves and continued to slurp above my knees – I did wonder for a moment if this is how it happens. I read a story about a woman walking her dog along the water’s edge and being hit by a sneaker and sucked out into the surf. When her husband tried to help her, he was also knocked down and began being sucked out by the undertow. They were both rescued by a pair of passing runners, who initially thought they were just having a tumble in the surf. Now I see how this happens! I was a good 40 feet from the water at low tide when this wave came after me and I now fully appreciate why they are called “sneakers.”

To the left are the Hug Point Falls I was headed to see. It was worth almost being swallowed up, but maybe I should invest in a pair of waders. Next time I may venture into one of the caves, but I’m rather a wuss on that point. I’m not sure how it is that I birthed a son who thrives when diving into small dark spaces, because it gives me the willies.

Every day I see the most amazing scenery and wonder what took me so long to get here – but of course everything has its season and it just wasn’t time. Some surprises however, are not scenery… A case in point: this morning I heard some commotion out side. Opening the door to find out what the racket was all about, I heard cows – first one – then a whole herd. We’re in a Tsunami zone here, so a good neighbor had warned me about the Wednesday morning test broadcast, but ….. cows? In a word: yes. Not a siren, not a horn – many moos. I’ve apparently fallen down the rabbit hole.

So I’m wondering why Oregon went to the effort of legalizing marijuana when the city fathers must already have been stoned. I can see it clearly: they are sitting around passing the bong, wondering what sound wouldn’t scare the tourists unnecessarily. Someone said “COWS,” and policy was made. Congress will be next – maybe it will help. In their defense, apparently this is only used for the practice, the real deal is a scare-the-daylights-out of-you siren.

Other oddities: a few days ago, I looked out and saw beautiful blue sky with a few wisps of white clouds and thought: “a good time to take my walk.” By the time I’d garbed myself in boots, hat, gloves, smart-wool base-layer, vest, and rain coat (never leave home without several seasons of clothes on) and got to the beach (a 5-minute trek) a cloud had slipped through like a thief, stolen the sunshine and replaced it with a fierce pelting of sleet. Once everyone had cleared the beach (a matter of minutes) – the sun and blue sky were back, the squall having moved on down the beach. This is what they mean by “a maritime climate.”

These unpredictable weather patterns produce some breathtaking waves and sunsets and with rare exception there are always people with tripods waiting for the perfect shot. And of course there are birds – lots and lots of birds. Where is Hitchcock? Seagulls have never excited me that much, but when you have hundreds of gulls, pelicans and ducks all taking flight from a small estuary it takes on a level of drama all its own. Haystack Rock is home to Puffins in nesting season and I can’t wait to see that.

In Austin and so many other places, a forecast might read: “Sunny with a chance of rain.” Here

it reads: Cloudy with a change of sunbreak. This is an actual word… See? I am learning how to speak Oregon-ese, which includes conversations that easily drift toward the ups and downs of growing pot, which varieties produces what effects, etc. No – I’m not considering this as my next career move. I think the market may already be saturated.

The unexpected abounds. A few days ago I took a long walk – mulling over a decision having to do with pursuing training in Hypnosis Therapy and Regression. I’ve had some amazing and mystical experiences with that and it allows peeks into aspects of the self and the psyche typically not accessible in normal waking life. Some experiences are downright magical and I was asking for a “sign” when what should appear in front of me but a white rabbit… What could be more of a “sign” of magic than a white rabbit? I looked around for either Alice or Jimmy Stewart, and since neither of them were around to claim ownership, I took this as my sign. Of course, I’m taking the course.

The day was finished off by this gorgeous sunset. Against the backdrop of epic sunsets, white-rabbits and warning-cows the presence of magic and synchronicity are palpable.

Permeating this surreal beauty and a level of serenity that is somewhat new in my life, there remains the connection with Uganda – still trying to help one young man pursue his dream of medical school and getting another to understand that school is not just a way to be “off the streets.” In the process of making these opportunities available via funds from friends, I underestimated the importance of having the confidence and skill to be able to grasp the prize when it’s right in front of you. It has again underscored how much of daily life and the way we are reared prepares us for making decisions and grabbing “a chance” when it comes our way. From infancy we are bathed in a sea of possibilities, immersed in pastimes that build skills we take for granted as every child birthright. Coming from a culture where a sense of entitlement is more common than one of gratitude or lack, it’s has been a wake-up-call to witness how a lifetime of strife can thwart one into dysfunction. Sometimes the presence of an opportunity you don’t know how to claim is more frustrating than its absence. It’s heartbreaking for all concerned and has added to my own appreciation of the fact that the offer of opportunity or gift is only the spark. The real gift is in being able to accept it and receive it. Somehow this seems relevant in this “season of giving.”

At present, I’m enjoying this state-of-grace which seems symbolic and appropriate for the time of year in which we find ourselves. I’m deeply grateful for the present, for opportunities yet to be discovered and for each of you who have accompanied me on the journey thus far.

Wishing you all a time of grace, peace and gratitude in the season upon us.

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A Cottage Near the Beach

Nancy — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:56:00 +0000

One day and counting! Yesterday was lease signing, key collecting, and the start of celebrating. A friend me met me and we had a celebratory lunch on the beach. Since some of you have been asking, here are some preliminary shots. Some are of the house as it is and others of the area. More to come… but here we are.

The first is the view from the street: the three of us: me, the car, the house. Shake shingle, fun little front yard with lots of Rhododendren and other plants I know yet. Quiet little residential street a couple of blocks to town in one direction and a block and a half from the beach on the another.

Walking out the front door, turning left and crossing the street that runs through town, then following a path puts one on the beach just in front of Haystack Rock. A couple of miles through town or down the beach gets you to Ecola State Park. From that overlook with Brett a couple of months ago before, I had only dreamed of finding a place on this beach. There’s a lot to be said for “dreaming!”

And now for the house… In the back is a nice sized deck and a small storage building which I may need to put to use, but I sense another round of purging coming up. My goal is to simplify, keeping only those things that have real value (emotional or practical) and letting someone else make use of the rest. Glad there are so many Goodwill outlets in the area!

And here we are inside. Remember, I haven’t moved in and what you see is the “furnished” part. My stuff will be added shortly but there’s a small living room with the basics, a bedroom to the right, kitchen, etc. Although the owners were lamenting the eccentricities of the dishwasher, washer and dryer, given my time in Uganda I’m thrilled with even the presence of such things. No more rushing home to get laundry off the line before it gets rained on, stolen or eaten by termites; No more hoping there’s water for washing dishes. Perspective is a wonderful thing.

Left is the attic a.k.a. future meditation room, weaving studio and guest room! The two beds are included as furnishings.

As we surveyed the space, walked along the beach and then had lunch at the little place below, I was periodically amazed by the realization that this is the little place, the beach and the community I’ve been visualizing and creating in my mind for so many years – right down to the shake-shingles on the cottage.

Now to actually move in a start creating the rest of the scene!

Thanks Merrily for going with me and making it a fun day, the celebratory lunch and for your pictures! The beach in the background is what I’ll be walking every day rain or shine, warm or cold! Too bad I left those rain bots in Uganda….

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Hurry-up and Wait!

Nancy — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 21:44:00 +0000

Hurry up and wait…. So that’s what I did – hurried and hurried and hurried and now I am waiting! Karla and I hurried all up and down the coast of Oregon looking for a place for me to live, to unload my stuff, etc. Karla drove, Garmina navigated and I hoped… It was Labor Day weekend and no one answered phones or e-mails or returned calls… It’s the last big hurrah on the Oregon coast. So I unloaded my stuff – again – but you know that part.

After three years of being transient and rootless (Peace Corps plus Mexico) the need to put down roots has become almost an obsession, so this part of the waiting has become a challenge. Waiting for Peace Corps to make up its mind was practice for this part.

I finally got a call from the only place that looked promising (a cottage Karla found on craigslist) – having looked at a whole slew of places that were really depressing. On the 15th I drove the 2.5 hours to the coast and had four places lined up to view. The first was the little cottage, just what I visualized – with four other people in line after me to see the place.

No choice but the wait and see who the owners would choose… with so many people looking and so few places available, it’s a landlord’s choice. The remaining three places were like closets – no room even for my thinned down collection of belongings. The waiting was excruciating because the cottage was in Cannon Beach, my town of choice, famous for its beaches, Haystack Rock, and Ecola State Park near by (view pictured below.)

My stars must have been in alignment because I got the cottage. Again – waiting – till October 1st to move in. It’s a precious shake-shingle one bedroom with converted loft, a block and a half from the beach, a block and a half from the middle of the town of Cannon Beach and partially furnished so I don’t have to run out immediately and buy any big pieces like a mattress set, couch, TV…

In another step toward “normal,” I now have a car – 2011 Honda Fit! The freedom is intoxicating, but I have also discovered it’s a little strange… almost like driving in another country:

$500 for driving with a hand-held telephone (your’s truly opting for simplicity doesn’t have hand’s free)
B-I-G tickets for accidentally drifting into the bike lane or turning across it outside the dotted lines…
Randomly placed flashing (tiny lights) pedestrian walks: when flashing mean S-T-O-P
Against the law to pump you own gas – fines for that too! ($200)
Fine’s double in “safety corridors,” – never mind school zones!

Note: Oregon has no sales tax, so it makes up the revenue with traffic fines. At least the still drive on the right side of the road.

It’s cool and lovely, though I have discovered that November through February at lease, the coast gets about 12″ of rain per month. Too bad I gave a way my big rubber gum-boots (rain boots) in Uganda. Whodathunk I would need them here? Well I am ready for for cooler, wetter and seasons that go beyond Uganda’s rainy or dry and Texas’ hot and hotter. Loking forward to finding out how Oregon feels over the long haul and discovering whale watching, crabbing and storm watching, to mention a few new “seasons.”

Another Returned Peace Corps friend of mine (not Africa) recently sent me quote from Henri Matisse

that relates well to life or at least the life of “a traveler.” It goes like this:

“Each picture, as I finish it, seems like the best thing I have ever done… and yet after a while I am not so sure. It is like taking a train to Marseille. One knows where one wants to go. Each painting completed is like a station— just so much nearer the goal. The time comes when the painter is apt to feel he has at last arrived. Then, if he is honest, he realizes one of two things — either that he has not arrived after all or that Marseille… is not where he wanted to go anyway, and he must push further on.” Henri Matisse

I don’t know if Cannon beach will be my Marseille, or another stop along the way, but I plan to immerse myself fully, discover what we have to offer each other and enjoy the process of continued discovery. I do know, that – like a painting – I’ve been mentally painting in the details of ach room as I wait to move in. And there are certain pieces of personality that endure where ever one goes, and other aspects that emerge only when offered an opportunity that’s new enough to bring out latent talents, the shadow, or pieces of coal that needed pressure and time to become diamonds.

We’ll see what pops up and what falls away… What I do know is that I am being very selective about what I add back in to this phase of life, starting essentially with a blank canvas. Choosing a simpler way of living, closer to nature and as “off the grid” and still being able to do the consulting I love. Sometimes that’s more complicated that it should be – in the “first world.”

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