I have spent many a summer on the beaches of Nova Scotia over my lifetime. That’s just one of the amazing things about living here! Fabulous beaches abound! However, I can not walk along a shoreline and not look for beach glass. I just can’t.
There is just something about finding those tiny treasures that have been worn smooth by the rolling tides and sandy shores. I have left the beach with sand between my toes, my pockets filled with fragmented bit of glass and a smile on my face. There is something so healing and relaxing about wandering along the shore, keeping an eye out for the special simmer of glass.
I think I really got addicted to it when I lived not far from the water, not right on the water, but close enough to hear the waves and the fishing boats. It took maybe 5 minutes to walk down the cottage lane across the road to the beach and most days, I had my faithful four-legged companion with me, Micky Finn, and we’d have the entire beach to ourselves. That used to be my weekend treat, wake up early and head down before anyone else was up. And look for glass. Mick would run and explore, usually not going too far from me, while I’d stroll along with my head down, scouring the water’s edge for glass.
And then kids came along which meant my attention needed to be on them at all times if we were at the beach. But as they grew up, I was able to leave them to play in the shallows or the sand while I’d wander a ways up and down the area, looking for glass.
And then this summer happened. And I really spent so much time on the beach, looking for glass. I’d specifically go to certain beaches because I knew they were good for glass. Or I’d want to go to beaches we didn’t usually go to just to see if they had any glass. The girls favourite beach wasn’t a good one for glass, but loads of fun, so we’d try to compromise and go there often, too. 😉
It’s fun seeing the different colours of glass out there. I’ve found bottle necks, bottle bottoms, marbles, some black glass which we are certain is pirate’s glass!! I’ve found a fair amount of blue, a few bits of red and even some yellow. Of course, green, white and brown are the most common, which is fine by me, I’m happy to find anything! Even the tiny little pieces that aren’t much bigger than a piece of sand, I’ve taken to calling those pieces ‘crumbs’.
Because I’ve been collecting for so long, I have so much beach glass. I had little bits in this container, some in that bowl, some on my dresser, a little collection over there and more in jars there. Everywhere basically. So this summer I gathered up some of my antique jars and divided it up by colour. My white jar filled right away, as did my green. The brown jar is almost full and I have a smaller jar for blue and other special colours that is getting close to being full. All my pottery and dishware pieces are in a blue glass bowl. I love the glass, but I have to admit that my pottery pieces are my favourites.
There is something so special about the smoothness created by the force of water and the constant rubbing of the sand. The ocean takes a jagged, sharp, dangerous piece of garbage and through time and patience turns it into a work of art. I often think of myself as a piece of broken glass. Life’s hard knocks taking the fragile glass, breaking it up into tinier pieces of the former whole and then the rhythmic consistency of the ocean smoothing off the hurtful edges and creating a softer, weathered version. The ocean is healing. I know I’m not the only who finds being on the shore therapeutic. Janice and I have spoken frequently about wonderful it was to be able to hit the shoreline throughout 2020 and soak up the healing power of the ocean. I can’t imagine being landlocked. I realize how fortunate I am to live a very short drive from the ocean.
I will continue my search on gorgeous winter days, sunny summer nights, alone or with good friends.
Do you love beach glass? Are you an avid collector?
Warmly,
Lori
