Theme Thursday - Wind

I live by the ocean in a Summer resort. Oceans generate wind, and wind has several recreational uses, but the most important recreational use here in Newport is - sailing. So my post this week for the "wind" theme is sails filled with wind and speeding the boats through the water. Aren't these just lovely ladies?

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

– John Masefield, Sea Fever

This week's video takes us back a way. Since the theme this week is "wind", I immediately thought of Ian and Sylvia Tyson and Ian's classic, lovely song "Four Strong Winds". Here they are singing it on a Canadian television special, and joined by some special friends on the last verse.

Photographs © 2008 & 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger