Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Key West Sunset

It was settled then. The winter gloom had taken it’s toll on all of us. We needed time away from the things that drag people into the slush and the cold. So we made a plan to change the weather. Who says you can’t, if you really need to? We made a plan and that was exactly what we’d do.

I packed my stuff in an old case. I didn’t need much—my jeans, a couple of t-shirts, some socks and underwear. I’d wear my shoes and jacket there and once I took them off—they’d be off. I put my wallet in my back pocket, my journal in my pack, my keys in my jacket, and I headed out the door. When I reached the first floor, I asked the guy at the desk to flick the taxi light on. I watched it blink with my heartbeat.

I thought about my credit card that didn’t need the weight of one more charge to take me anywhere. Then I thought about my soul that didn’t need the weight of staying here. That second thought brought a smile, just as the shiny new taxi that drove up. How a new taxi came to be in the city in winter, I’m not questioning. I took it as a sign—like a red bird, or a shooting start—that I was on the right path.

In almost no time the taxi became a jumbo jet. Hardly seconds later, I was on my way into Key West just in time for a late lunch. I checked into this little hotel. It was more like a bed and breakfast with a restaurant, and called the folks to tell them where I was. They’d be showing up in the next day or so. I dropped my jacket on the bed and took up my journal. I grabbed a sandwich at the restaurant. I went looking for some story, some thought I hadn’t thought yet. Maybe I'd find a special rock.

I must have walked for miles around, and in and out again, until finally I settled on this one secluded spot on the pier. There I sat and wrote and ate my sandwich until I saw the Key West sun set gently on the water. Then before my eyes a sailing ship came to take my cares out to sea.

The world is made in exactly the right proportion for living in. I just need to remember not to stay in one corner of it. My soul is so joyful when it gets the slightest glimpse of what’s real.
—me strauss Letting me be

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

ah Liz, I love Key West, I'm right there with ya my friend :0)

sunset in Mallory Square, nothing better :0)

hope you are having a great evening (hugs)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi mergrl,
I'm delighted that you're with me. I thought we ought to keep this vacation going for a little while. Don't you think?
Huggs

Liz

Anonymous said...

at least until spring :0) or the temperature gets above freezing whichever comes first LOL

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Yes, I think a good vacation until spring is exactly what we all need. The neighboring states are good ones. They won't mind.
Liz

Anonymous said...

I catch the train around 7 each morning. I'm thinking that today it will turn into a jumbo jet and I should land in Key West just before 8 a.m. Turn the coffee pot on, Liz, this girl is ready for some sun and sand and soul-time.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hey Dawn,
Come on down. The sun is waiting for a Dawn just like you. There's lots of room here for the soul to breathe and lots of real things to see.

Anonymous said...

Ah, living vicariously through you right now....


(I have to keep correcting my spelling because my fingers are shivering - LOL)

Anonymous said...

I might take a trip down there with you. To find just the rite spot to go write...nothing better...

:D

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Jennifer,
Find a spot and go write, or for a while maybe find a spot and go write nothing . . . :). Then write for a long, long while.

GRIN.
Liz

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Marti,
You come down south with us and blog there. No shivering fingers in the southern sunlight. I promise.
Liz

Anonymous said...

Liz,
I'm really beginning to enjoy these descriptive Zen trips that allow me to vicariously experience new places and events. The trip to Key West is the perfect getaway for a few moments to what has been an extraordinary momentous winter of wild fluctuations.
Scot

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Scot,
Thank you for stopping by for this little trip. It started yssterday on a whim and I think it may go on for a while . . . until we see the sun again.
Liz

Anonymous said...

My plans are almost in place. On March 26 at 6am we will pile into Oprah (my beautiful black car with a nav syst. that gives me advice and direction)

And we shall drive South. Lunch in Kentucky, a sleepover in Chatanooga. A short hike through Ruby falls, and on to FLORIDA!

Where the Sun will melt away the Meloncholy Grey.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Kelley!
Sounds like a perfect plan to get there! I can wait to see Oprah. What a nice ride that should be. I can't wait to see you there.

Liz

Anonymous said...

Lets swim with the dolphins when we get there, and visit Papa Hemmingways old haunts!

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Marti,
No shivering fingers in the warm sunshine. Come on down with us. You can blog there.
Liz

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Kelley,
I'm ready to go visit Hemmingway's haunts with you. Do a few of the nicer things he did too. Nothing too taxing, of course.