Romancing the Rock
By Hedy-Jo Huss, Soldotna
Toddlers to teens, adults to
seniors and all in-betweeners
succumb to the rhythms of the
sea. Perhaps it is primal to
reconnect to the sea scientists
say was our Earthling birthplace.
Why, I ask you to ponder, are
we seemingly universal in this
desire, obsession to touch, examine
and collect rocks tumbled
by, twice a day, the tides.
Rocks, gull droppings, clots of kelp,
and scavenged crustaceans
signal “This beach is open for
prospecting!” “Betcha can’t help
but look down” as you walk.
Sand scouting finds that the distance
traveled exceeds expectations:
“Wow! We are already at Clam Gulch.”
“I can’t imagine how we passed the submerged
pier where we were gonna turn around.”
“Too late to witness the sunset from our deck.”
“It will be dark when we get back to town.”
Prospecting is not a prescribed
process; collecting rocks falls into
a different paradigm — yours.
Rocks exhibit realism,
expressionism and abstraction.
Like art and snowflakes,
no two are alike.
Collecting exudes an experience,
even fleeting, partly within
the collector. Stangely, but
strongly, a reconnection to
the earth is made.
Mention rock collecting to
peers, passers-by and people
who are small and — voíla —
a huge outpouring of stories!
Good luck and God Speed.
Go romance your rocks.
