Magnolia River Archives - Page 5 of 7 -

Afternoon on the River

By Simone Lipscomb | May 19, 2013

My SUP boarding workout is usually early in the mornings. It is like meditation and a core workout at the same time. For some unknown reason, I decided to paddle this afternoon amid boats and boat wakes and loud music pouring from large speakers aboard boats. What was I thinking?

But after over three miles downriver with chaos, I decided to paddle upriver from my launch beach, where motor boats cannot go.

It was the right decision. Calm water, warm afternoon light, not a human around….no houses. Just me and my board and a pair of wood ducks.

I felt myself open to the beauty of the quiet part of the river. It was magical and delightful. The only thing that could have made it not so great was seeing a big alligator. I have seen small ones downriver where it is wide and there is plenty of space for us all. But up here in the very narrow part it might present a problem. So I am practicing my scary face just in case. Do you think it will scare them away?

Seek ‘Til You Find

By Simone Lipscomb | May 16, 2013

Last week I noticed a bit of an oily slick on the Magnolia River. It wasn’t big and I thought perhaps it was fuel/oil that was leaking from boats along the river. Not that I think it’s okay for boats to leak but it happens.

I also noticed a large floating yellow bucket upside down but it was in a particularly snaky-looking area so I left it alone. When it looks safe to remove trash, I’ll do it but if it appears to be nestled a bit too close to potential ‘gator territory or snake homes, I allow it to remain.

Two days ago friends of mine from Asheville came over to paddle. They enjoyed the kayaks and I took a SUP board. It was a lovely morning and perfect day but the slick was now up river where I live. Again, not really a ‘bad’ slick but bothersome.

Then today I went to paddle and smelled a very slight petroleum smell and the oily sheen was still present with even more coverage of the river. I had to explore and see what I could find.

My walking buddy, Felicity, decided that swimming behind me would be fun so I went upriver to encourage her to stay on the beach rather than follow me. In choosing this direction, I discovered the origin of the sheen: A five gallon bucket of hydraulic fluid floating upside down with a rusty cap and side that was slightly split. Same bucket I saw over a week ago down river. It had lodged in a snag of roots. I carefully maneuvered my board close enough to push it out and on to our beach where I dismounted the board and carried it far away from the water.

5 gallon container of hydraulic fluid had been floating and leaking into the river

I was saddened to realize that oily fluid had been leaking into the river and bays for probably weeks. It wasn’t that much…but still. It was a good lesson in seeking the source of a pollution source until it is found. And then taking action to remove it.

The Creative Process

By Simone Lipscomb | May 3, 2013

It’s messy, never linear, filled with interruptions and unexpected flashes of inspiration. And unexpected help…I cannot forget his help or Stanley would protest. My orange tabby friend is negotiating co-author status on the new book in process.

Today’s substantial rainfall prompted me to hunker-down and bring the outline of my book into form and to set up the ebook formatting…not my favorite part of the creative process….but a necessary one. The energy of this project is pushing me to create the form that will contain it. I got a good lesson in that ability last night.

I sat on the front row of an intimate Ben Taylor concert and marveled at his talent…not just his songwriting, singing and guitar-playing but the ability to create through electronic gadgetry. Observing his process inspired me to move forward courageously. He balanced the music flowing through him with knowledge of how to operate his toys. It seemed a perfect balance of passion and flow.

And speaking of flow–during a break from the torrential water pouring from the sky, I needed a break so took a walk and saw the river near my home flowing wildly. If I wasn’t concerned about high bacteria counts that comes with flooding, I would have been tempted to don a life vest and take my SUP board out for a ride. And while I made the correct decision for safety, a girl can still dream of racing downriver using her paddle only for steering. Alas, my project called me back home and I resisted the temptation to allow distractions to change my focus.

*a little friend greeted me on my walk to the river*

During this rainy day, fits of writing and organizing the project were interrupted with much-needed breaks such as my walkabout. These times of movement and stimulus, away from the computer, kept the process fresh and exciting. And while assistance is always appreciated, I must say that it’s not always helpful. And yet having my arms filled with a loving little helper, the creative process was boosted to greater levels. Stanley approved of the music and dozed happily as I engaged in the process of birthing a new book.

Morning Courtyard Dance

By Simone Lipscomb | May 1, 2013

Warm air, heavy with the scent of jasmine, wrapped around me as I entered the courtyard. It had only been four days but during that short time so much had changed.

The wall of jasmine was the most obvious change as its delicious smell mixed with gardenia created a mood-altering experience through scent. And as much as I wanted to explore, communion with the river came first.

Layers of humid air hung heavy over the water as my board sliced through the mirror-slick surface. My body longed for movement after traveling and sitting so much over the long weekend. I amped up the pace and had a great workout, during which I discovered the osprey babies I have been monitoring had hatched. Mama Osprey was feeding them as I paddled under their nest atop the high pole. This morning my river prayers were of thanksgiving for these new lives.

Upon returning home, I walked out to my garden and saw baby jalapeño peppers, baby tomatoes, and baby satsumas hanging green and full of potential. Growth was the theme of return to my beloved home.

After communing with my plant friends I turned on my favorite classical music in the speakers outside and glided around the courtyard greeting the beauty exploding everywhere. Such life!

The grandmother oak tree in the center stood watching and when I finished, she called to me. I laid my hands on her rough bark and felt her strength as I offered up a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the day with a morning courtyard dance.

Effort Versus Payoff

By Simone Lipscomb | April 18, 2013

I drove over the Fish River high-rise bridge today and could see over Week’s Bay and out into Mobile Bay. I longed to be out on the water. It’s not like it is inconvenient for me to find water to launch my SUP board. It’s a matter of putting on my board shorts, surf skin top, hat, sunglasses, waist PFD, walking out to the garage, strapping the board onto the SUP wheels, grabbing my paddle and walking less than a quarter mile to the river.

The problem isn’t lack of water access. There are two main reasons I haven’t been boarding in a week.

First, I’ve been working very hard in my yard– garden, courtyard and shrubbery. Second, the wind has been screaming here. Even on the river, paddling hasn’t been especially welcoming with chilly (at times), strong wind.

I’m no paddle wimp though. I paddled all winter. Then March arrived. Twenty mile an hour breezes aren’t so fun. Stand-up paddlers become human sails catching any wind that is out and about. I’ve really been a bit spiteful towards the wind lately but it sure felt great as I raked today.

But the salt breeze is calling. The smell of salt marsh is a balm to my soul, a call to the home within myself. And so tonight, as I drift off to sleep, I will be thinking about a morning paddle in those 15-25 mph winds and will embrace the blow with appreciation that at least one direction will have some seriously great downwind action! Sometimes the effort is worth the payoff. Ya HOOOO!!!!