Yesterday, walking on the beach (*) got me thinking a bit again. We decided
to walk to a certain point and then turn around. At that point , in an area
of a square metre, were 4 pebbles. Walking back I noticed that that was the
only spot where I could see 4 pebbles together in such a small area. The
rest of the beach was just sand, and a shell here and there.
I picked up the 4 pebbles, because they all were very beautiful, and then
the think thing in the brain set in
The beach is the newsgroups. That small square where I found the pebbles
were 40+
The four pebbles - all very different - had one thing in common - they were
all smooth from friction in sand and sea.
The first pebble was flat, rectangular, with holes in it. One hole right
through near the top, so that one can use it as a pendant. I could also see
a number of faces in the combination of holes. A smooth, imperfect, many
faceted,interesting, very useful and beautiful pebble.
The second pebble was near to perfect. White with yellow markings, it was in
a perfect teardrop shape, about 2.5 cm in length and across the widest
point. I can only marvel at this - the perfection, the beauty, the perfect
sculpture by sand and sea. The yellow markings in it made it an imperfect
white stone, but at the same time a much more interesting pebble than it
would have been if it was pure white.
The third pebble is a biggy. Pebble too small a word for it. Sea stone a
better description. Oval and round, it fits so snug in my hand, so
comfortable. A nice pebble to have around and to hold and think of the
sea.
The fourth pebble my favourite. Round ( but with a kink in it) and flat - it
shows it had deep scars - but this scars, although still showing in the
lovely coloured stone, are completely smoothed out. Of the four stones -
this one is the smoothest, and still shows the colouring best even when dry.
Now what is the rambling about? We here are the pebbles. Some imperfect and interesting, others near perfect and to be admired, some comforting to talk to, some with deep scars that has been smoothed out or are in the process of healing - but we all are here, talking, comforting, teasing and listening to
each other, because we landed together here on this little spot.
Sometimes one only wants to read posts and don't reply. Other times one
wants to reply to each and every post. Some times one feels that not all the
posts appear, for there are answers to original posts you never saw. But
whatever the reason why we here contribute or read in this ng, is because we
feel comfortable with each other. And like good friends, one does not have
to talk/reply to each other all the time - just to be quiet but be together
or here is good enough - for me anyway.
This was my serious piece for this year.
(*) A perfect day - warm sun, clear blue skies, small white feathery clouds,
a light breeze. Friendly people and playful dogs on the beach.
annette
In October, 2000, Annette took the time to reflect on the people who spend time contributing to this newsgroup. Her reflections provoked a big response and it is worth reprinting the original article here.
Stop drooling all you lot
in the rain and the cold.
Red wine lover.
