Creatively Unwinding

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“The discipline of creation, be it to paint, compose, write, is an effort towards wholeness.” – Madeleine L’Engle

It’s captivating to watch all the different types of creativity at the beach. Unless someone has found a way to monetize sand castles, I believe what I’m watching is some of the unique ways people use their leisure time.

There are all sorts of way to unwind, aren’t there? Here on this beach in the Pacific Northwest, building forts and sand castles top the list.

Almost nine-year-old Miss O likes to create some version of a crab café every time we come to this beach. It’s got scalloped dishes, seaweed garnish and salt and pepper (sand) shakers made from crab claws.

Others have made beautiful and intricate forts out of driftwood. Some of these structures are so sturdy that they last for months and years between our visits.

Someone else makes driftwood sculptures. And our neighbor on this trip has made a sort of hanging sculpture from the wood on the beach.

When my friend, Katie, was here, she challenged the kids to come up with their own Beach Olympics. Would their event be Shell Shotput or Beach Balance Beam?

As I jot all this down, it reminds me that writing is another activity to add to the list. Not only am I writing this down for a post, but I can also imagine all the poetry, prose, and photography inspired by time away at this place.

I’m struck by how intertwined creativity is in what we do, even when unwinding. Maybe as the quote for this post from Madeleine L’Engle suggests, it’s all part of working towards wholeness.

63 thoughts on “Creatively Unwinding”

  1. Wholeness is that thing in the air that humans pursue endlessly. There is much value — much meaning — if one has chosen something worthy of the pursuit. The Wynne family probably knows that.

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  3. The crab café is so sweet! And, is there a toy truck tucked within the driftwood sculpture? How fun! I think there is some truth in L’Engle’s words. Even when relaxing, so many of us are drawn to creative endeavors, so it must be in our nature or part of working towards wholeness. Beautiful thoughts and pictures, Wynne!

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  5. oh, do I love this post, wynne. what a lovely setting to discover and experience all of this. miss o is clearly a mermaid, the proprietor, welcoming in guests to her clam cafe. to see people embrace and be inspired, each in their own way, to create in this space by the sea, shows their respect, reverence, and awe for this powerful place.

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  6. The crab café is fun! And I like Katie’s suggestion to come up with events for a Beach Olympics 🙂 Also, your post reminds me of Vicki’s post about Kurt Vonnegut’s letter to “experience becoming” through creativity. Some of those creations won’t last (sandcastles), but they still hold the fun of making something!

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  7. Thanks for the reminder, Wynne. I think that being creative is part of what it is to be human. We all find that outlet in different ways – and providing lots of different opportunities for children is so important.

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    2. I heard a saying that went something like this “The purpose of art is to wash away the dust of daily life off our souls.” Maybe that’s why creative people some to be more alive? Maybe that’s why children who constantly create seem to have so much joy in their souls? 🙂

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      1. Oh, I love how you connected those dots, EW! I would think maybe there’s a component of creatives that have shirked the weight of judgment that helps too? Certainly that seems true with kids! Love this insight!

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  8. Oh….the crab cafe! Save me a seat…but I’ll look for alternatives on the menu as this guest and her shellfish allergies would add a little zest of a medical variety at Miss O’s restaurant. Love all the pics…and your message about creativity. So often the best things come when we keep our peepers open for inspiration. Right under our noses! (Or toes!) 🥰

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  9. This sounds so fun! Love the creativity on full display and the crab cafe sounds delightful.

    When I was in the Philippines in 2008 and 2010, we stopped by the resort island Boracay and there were stunning sand sculptures. You had to pay the sculpter money to take photos of them. So there ya go! 😆

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  15. It’s such fun to watch children pretend and create. That Crab Cafe is delightful! And look at Miss O’s satisfied smile in what she’s brought into being. I’m so thankful God gave us the ability to make something new with the materials he’s created. The process as well as the finished product do provide delightful satisfaction. P.S. We spent a week in western Washington ourselves this summer, visiting our daughter and her family. Took in the gondola ride up Crystal Mountain for a breath-taking view of Mt. Rainier, the Bird King Troll constructed by Thomas Dambo (talk about creative!!), and the Hoh Rain Forest–a perfect habitat for Hobbits! Have you visited any of these places also, Wynne?

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    1. Wow, Nancy – that sounds like an amazing visit with your daughter! I have been to all those places except the Bird King Troll – we’ll have to visit that! Thank you!

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  19. I love Madeleine! What a brilliant mind. And I totally agree, almost everything I write is a urge towards wholeness. So our creative drive might be more innate, if not, medicinal than we think. I’m good with that but I do wonder what I striving for when I write extensively about pork chops? Looks like a fabulous vacation, building memories, and wholeness. Hugs, C

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    1. Innate and medicinal – I love it, Cheryl! Aren’t pork chops cooked to perfection a celebration of someone else’s creativity? And whatever you write about it – it’s always a journey to wholeness! Sending big hugs to you!

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  20. Yay for creativity! And for using whatever you can find around you! When my kids were young, one of their fav beach toys was a whole set of toy plates, bowls, cups, etc. which they would use to set up their beach restaurant. Many ‘delicious’ dishes made from ‘local’ ingredients were served.

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  23. Pingback: Photos of the Week: August 10 – Surprised By Joy

    1. Ah, thanks my friend. Hmm, maybe the fact that it’s too cold to actually get in the water keeps people on the beach creating things in the PNW. I’m sure your beaches don’t have that problem! 🙂

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      1. I’m not sure that’s it. I think your island is more wild. Drift wood? Bit of lobster claws and shells and whatnot? Nope. Sometimes shells, but not big ones. Spitting crabs? Not even that. Borrr-iiing. 😉

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  25. There is no such thing as lost time when one is creating! Love these adventures and endeavors!

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