Welcome to Litsy!

Midway through this non-fiction reflective story. The author explores the things we need to feel rooted and fully expressed. Much is expressed through the basics supporting her on a solo beach retreat. So far, so good. 😊

I first read this book back in 2012 and knew it was one I wanted to find and add to my own collection. Lindbergh writes from a seaside cottage where she is on holiday, each chapter looking at a different seashell and using it to reflect on a different aspect of life. Published in 1955, it was an era where woman were still mostly home-focused, but with advancing technology opening up more time and opportunities for them. I found her thoughts on ⬇

“This is what one thirsts for, I realize, after the smallness of the day, of work, of details, of intimacy - even of communication, one thirsts for the magnitude and universality of a night full of stars, pouring into one like a fresh tide.”

#Gift #25Alive

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

We celebrated the DNC & the end of summer this week.Earlier this week we indulged in lobster rolls at Lobster Landing 🦞& today we indulged in fat bellied clams & fish tacos,🌮, & ice cream 🍦 at Sea Swirl. My twin kitties enjoyed the cooler weather😻😻🐾, & the DNC was amazing🔥🔥. I go back to work Monday. #5JoysFriday

A lovely book to read at the seashore 🌊🩵🐚

#LitsyLove
#BingoBoard
#BeachRead

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude @julieclair

I‘ve read and reread slim nonfiction book over the years. Each time I find new things that speak to me. Lindbergh compares different stages in a woman‘s life to various shells she finds on the beach. The shells aren‘t the point; it‘s what they represent that carries the weight of the work. She touches on maintaining your individuality as a woman despite marriage and motherhood, a difficult balance to find.

“For life today in America is based on the premise of ever-widening circles of contact and communication. It involves not only family demands, national demands, international demands on the good citizen, through social and cultural pressures, through newspapers, magazines, radio programs, charitable appeals, and so on. My kind reels with it. What a circus act we women perform every day of our lives.”
-1955

Wow. I read this on the beach in one sitting. I had to look at the copyright several times to convince myself it was really written that long ago. I think this might be an annual read. As an added bonus, I bought this at a used book store and it was marked up. I love imagining who/what/where about the mark ups and why that resonated with a stranger.

When we got married 3 years ago today, we got all sorts of interesting marriage advice. My advice to you unmarried littens is to marry someone who won‘t take it personally when you‘d rather focus on your book than on them. My other advice is to go follow my hubby Matthew, @GrizzVarela on the account he started after our date tonight. The tagged book is one we got inspiration from, in writing our personalized vows.

Ultimately, there were pieces of this book that resonated, carving a deep groove into my heart, and there were other pieces that felt a bit shallow.

My full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4459273958

“If one sets time aside for a business appointment, a trip to the hairdresser, a social engagement or a shopping expedition, that time is accepted as inviolable. But if one says: I cannot come because that is my hour to be alone, one is considered rude, egotistical, or strange. What a commentary on our civilization, when being alone is considered suspect, when one has to apologize for it, make excuses, hide the fact that one practices it…”

The most exhausting thing in life, I have discovered, is being insincere. That is why so much of social life is exhausting; one is wearing a mask. I have shed my mask.

“Solitude, says the moon shell. Every person, especially every woman, should be alone sometime during the year, some part of each week, and each day.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh has a wonderful way with words as she beautifully writes meditations of how a woman‘s stages of life relates to a different shell. It‘s a quick read and a great book to take on a vacation. Some of it seems unrelatable as a young woman, but it is so beautifully written.

I read The Aviator‘s Wife about Anne Morrow Lindbergh a few years ago, and this little book by her has been on my TBR ever since. Finally cracking it open. 🐚
#bookspinbingo

#water 🌊 #curiouscovers @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

On the top fave list....

https://www.mensjournal.com/gear/35-books-every-man-should-read-in-his-lifetime-...

Father‘s Day is coming up y‘all!

I‘ve read Dandelion Wine 🍷 🌼 at least 10X.

It‘s the initial attraction, yes.

#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94

“When you love someone you do not love them all the time in exactly the same way from moment to moment.
It is an impossibility. It is even a lie to pretend to.”
My husband I used this and a lot more after that line, as part of our wedding ceremony. While the rest is beautiful, this first few sentences is what I remember and reflect back to in times of struggle and transformation.

Day 4 - #Gift #SleighTheShelves
#GiftFromTheSea #AnneMorrowLindbergh

This is a very short book (143 Pgs) with lots of wisdom from Charles Lindbergh‘s wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I enjoyed it very much and even though it was written in 1955 the messages are relevant even today. As it was a 2 hour 24 minutes audiobook, I would highly recommended to all!

In March, before COVID, I listened to this. I just now finished my print copy and noticed that different things stand out to me than when I listen. I have been culling all my bookshelves and getting rid of a lot of books. I got rid of a tall, old bookcase in my office because it was in awful shape, and I replaced it with these two small ones. Yes, I got rid of that many books. Jayne is not sure what to make of the change.

Periodically I feel the need to reread this book. It wasn‘t that long ago that I listened to it, but it was pre-Covid. Right now, I need some peace and thoughtfulness. I got to swim today for the first time since December! I was very excited about it — I was able to swim more yards than I thought I‘d be able to: 1200. Still listening to Slightly South of Simple; still hating Caroline.

1️⃣ tagged!
2️⃣ nothing extraordinary - I just appreciate waking up each day! Every day is a gift 🎁
3️⃣ Summer in the City by Lovin‘ Spoonful

Thanks for the tag @MoonWitch94 ❣️
#thoughtfulthursday

Lindbergh has a #mellifluous style and you‘ll find yourself wanting to reread this one ☝️

#beautifulwords
@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Here we go! My June #bookspin
We are so fortunate that our local library has been still servicing our community, so this is a mix of my books and library books. Can‘t wait to see the #bookspin and #doublespin picks, @TheAromaofBooks

#7books7days
7 books that made an impression on me.
This book helped me one summer when I was feeling overwhelmed by family life.
Not sure who hasn't been tagged yet... @Readage want to play?

1. Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy & The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
2. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindburgh
3. www.bn.com & www.thriftbooks.com
4. Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively & The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - both twice
5. Nemesis with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple - I think the movie is better than the book.
6. How much time do you have? 😂
7. Star Trek
8. War & Peace
9. 50 books
10. Desk
11. All
12. @crazyspine

@nelehelen @LibrarianRyan @Bookishthoughts these are the two I am trying to decide between.

🐚🌊

Next

Listened to the audio this afternoon after @Butterflyamore and her husband, Josh, made a You-Tube video and mentioned this book as one of Josh‘s favorite books. It is a very short book (143 Pgs) with lots of wisdom from Charles Lindbergh‘s wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I enjoyed it very much and even though it was written in 1955 the messages are relevant even today. As it was a 2 hour 24 minutes audiobook, I would highly recommended to all!

“We seem so frightened today of being alone that we never let it happen. Even if family, friends and movies should fail, there is still the radio or the television to fill up the void. Women, who used to complain of loneliness, need never be alone any more. We can do our housework with soap-opera heroes at our side. Even day-dreaming was more creative than this; it demanded something of oneself and it fed the inner life. 👇

Such a beautiful short read

#sevenseas
#redroseseptember
@arlenefinnigan @Cinfhen

I loved this little book of essays about being a woman amidst societal and personal expectations. As with all things, some insights spoke to me more than others. But I think this is a little gem. My favorite essay was Moon Shell.

#7Days7Covers #CoverCrush Day2
No explanations.

If you are looking for a short, inspirational book this is it. Would make a perfect gift for anyone. #50AnniversaryEdition #bookstagram #5stars

For a book written in 1955 this is still so relevant. Lindbergh was way ahead of her time. This should be mandatory reading for every woman and man.

🐚 Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
🐚 Beaches
🐚 The Tide is High by Blondie

#ManicMonday
@JoScho

Wow. Just. Wow. A quick read, but a most important one for women. Such beautiful writing and wisdom. Loved it.
Letter L choice for #LitsyAtoZ
@BookishMarginalia

"The most exhausting thing in life, I have discovered, is being insincere."

My #SummerSantaGoesPostal is on its way. Luckily it doesn‘t have too far to go. @BookishMarginalia thanks for organizing this great event.

Day 3 of #bfc results:
Walking: 2.02 miles
Swimming: .568 miles
Finished 2 audiobooks: Gift From the Sea (while walking) and The Stand (while driving — my husband and I have been listening to this for awhile; we just happened to finish it today. 😊) #audiowalk

#bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn

My daughter gave me this book for Mother‘s Day a few years ago; I loved it. I listened to it today on my #bfc walk here on the Florida Gulf Coast — the same coast she was visiting when she wrote it. The section about needing to be alone resonated with me, as I often feel that need.
Results on day 2: 3.31 miles
#bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn

I am very fond of the oyster shell. It is humble and awkward and ugly. It is slate-colored and unsymmetrical. Its form is not primarily beautiful but functional. I make fun of it‘s knobbiness. Sometimes I resent its burdens and excrescences. But it‘s tireless adaptability and tenacity draw my astonished admiration and sometimes even my tears. And it is comfortable in its familiarity, like old garden gloves which have molded themselves perfectly.

Sometimes you find the right book at the right time. Lindbergh writes about solitude, youth and aging, finding balance and simplicity in a busy world, the time saving gadgets that complicate our lives more than save us time. A tiny book about contemplation, creativity and compassion in our daily lives, presented with wisdom and insight.

My favorite beer has arrived in Raleigh, NC Hanging out at #thehopyard drinking #bellsbrewery #hopslam2019 Yummy stuff! And such a pretty honey color.