Something to ponder: What does “Lights” mean to you? What ideas would you include if you were writing an essay about lights? See the Lights! page to submit your ideas.
Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.
I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.
I like it here. The soft, fine sand is commonly firmly packed along the waterline, so it is easy to walk a long way. The ever-present breezes occasionally gust into a stiff wind. The winter temperatures can be cold, cool, mild, warm, or hot. But no matter how cold it gets here, it is warmer than at home. These are some of the reasons I feel connected to this place.

Yes – connected. A connection is a union of related items. People connect with a place, another person or a group of people, an event, a time, a place, a family, a birthplace, a heritage, and more including pets. Connections are something that most people want – actually crave.
Connections can be physical, mental, emotional, biological, intellectual, philosophical, historical, psychological, and interpersonal – through family, friends, community, spirituality, and work. Interpersonal connections can be platonic, romantic, or professional. The bottom line is that interpersonal connections are an important part of being human.
Yes – connections focus on personal encounters, but today connections are also made through social media as people from all over the world connect – and many yearn for what will probably not happen – that is, meeting. Social media also allows past connections to sustain from a distance – or even reconnect.
Connections are contextual relationships and associations. Thinking about a vacation reminds us of the people we encountered on that journey. People we may never meet again. Although our time together was brief, the trip served as our connection.

Connections are like a tree with its branches going in many directions. However, all branches connect directly or indirectly to the trunk. In life, sometimes that trunk is me. My tree intertwines with branches of other personal trees. Another thought is that we are all leaves of the same tree but on different branches.
Some connections are like pieces of a puzzle. Pieces going smoothly together as if they are meant to be -and then clicking together as one.
Connections are a means of communication. From handwritten letters delivered by a rider on a horse or by a traveler to a postal service. From the wired telegraph to the wired phone. From space satellites to cellular towers. From wireless device to wireless device. Communication has served as humanity’s connection.
Today we think about the connection between each of us and the World Wide Web – yet we seldom think about all the connections between databases, servers, and terminals that give us accessibility to seemingly endless bits of information. No wonder many people panic when they lose that connection.

As a social ballroom dancer, connection has a special meaning. Beyond the personal connection involved, dance partners communicate through a physical connection.
It’s his left hand and her right hand with the corresponding arms having just enough tension/rigidity – but not too much. His right on her left shoulder blade. Her left hand on his right shoulder. Each requires a certain amount of touch. Again, not too much. Other times, the hips or legs are in contact – and those connection points are also communication lines.
Yes – the best dances involve the best connections – and the best dancers clearly communicate and respond together seemingly as one. Their Tango, Waltz, and Foxtrot are effortless as they act out what they are – one. Good music can enhance their connection.

Connections also relate to travel and transportation – especially in mass transit systems such as planes, buses, and trains. Travelers are often transported to another location to connect to their final destination.
Artists use art to connect others to a time, a place, an event, or other people. That statue in the town square carries a message that people should not forget. Yet to many, it is a nice statue because viewers do not know its significance. But many locals connect the significance of the past to the reminders of the present. Because they understand, they make a connection.
People connect by being in a community with one another. Common terms like people, villages, neighborhoods, towns, cities, and nations are about connections. Global connections are more difficult, but what if we acted more like one?
Connections are the feeling of fellowship through common attitudes, interests, and goals. The same is true for the like-minded around a common interest such as bloggers, photographers, artists, coin collectors, British car enthusiasts, ballroom dancers, and more. These connections bring about a place for kindness, learning, and respect.

Everything in nature is connected because our planet is a world of many intertwining relationships and interactions. Through carbon-oxygen cycles, our carbon from the dinosaur age, plus the oxygen we breathe, may have been in the breaths of people long ago that we don’t know. The water that falls on our heads as rain may have splashed the face of someone famous in a distant land so long ago.
The reintroduction of wolves into an area does more than control the deer population. It also changes deer behaviors, vegetation growth, forest development, beaver activity, and more. All those factors are about connections.
Whether a union, link, association or relationship, a personal tie, a means of communication or transportation, the Internet, logical sequences, or even a contraband source as in The French Connection, all are connections. Do you remember Rube Goldberg machines – those wild, complicated, but funny contraptions of many events sequenced together to complete a simple task? They are definitely about connections.
And here – here – this beach is a place where the sea meets the land – another connection – and a wonderful place to walk. After all, I like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.
See what other bloggers have posted about Connection
- Deep connection (a poem)
- Laughter connects us to each other (a poem)
- The importance of connection (a personal essay)
- Broken connections (a poem)
- 40 animators around the globe “Pass the Ball” (an essay with a great video)
- 3 ways to inspire and connect (an essay)
Next Post: Key – Saturday 14th May @ 1 AM (Eastern US)
We are going to be in Cincinnati on 19 July. Got time for fun?
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Ray,
That’s wonderful! I’ll send you an email very soon to the email I see on my dashboard. … if you don’t get it, send me one.
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Yes. Connection is living God.
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Cindy,
Hmmmmm ….. a theological connection between people is worth pondering. Thank you!
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Thanks for sharing my poem’s link.
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Sadje,
My pleasure … and thanks for writing the poem!
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Thanks
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What a great post!
Another connection I thought about is how my father was able to make all the tiny parts in a watch connect together with cogs and wheels and spindles, so that it would connect a person wearing it to the cycles of the day, ie: time. (Somehow we have lost that connection to our timepieces by using battery-operated watches or none at all because we can see it on our phones…
And now I have just made my own connection to my past!
When I do my work, and meet a new resident, I often am able to connect with them through verbal or non-verbal communications…and the more so with their families! That keeps my work all the more rewarding.
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Ingrid,
I’m a blogger who greatly enjoys comments. These essays spark personal stories and thoughts that add to my experience. This walk focused on personal connections – yet it sparked a memory of a personal connection with your father dealing with the physical connections within a watch. Love the way you linked old-style watches to the electronic ones of today. However, you followed with the importance of personal connections. You have said enough about your job that I’m not surprised that you mentioned it …. a good for you for making those connections at an important time for the residents. Thanks for sharing!
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You’ve made some great connections here, Frank. How sad it is that, connected as we all are, a situation like the Ukraine exists? We feel the pain but are impotent.
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Jo,
Thank you. Yes, we are very connected, but you are also so right. I still recall a scene in one of the early Star Trek movies. The Vulcans first trip to Earth – and they criticized humans for choosing to solve problems with violence – not with their minds. Humans are a selfish lot who crave power …. and with power comes the imposition of values. So it’s Ukraine today. Sadly, somebody else tomorrow – and somebody after that.
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Sorry to be negative, Frank. I just popped back to say that I took time to explore a few of the links this morning. I very often don’t…time and all that… I enjoyed what I found. Hope your week is going well?
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Jo,
Ukraine is on our mind, so your comment was very appropriate because we wonder. Yes, how can it happen within a group that is so well connected. Thanks for visiting some of the links. I always try to find something that is tied to the topic … and there is interesting stuff out there!
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When I started out I only followed travel blogs but these days it can be anything that takes my fancy, but time is always an issue. 😟💟
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I’m right with you regarding time. Being an active blogger is time consuming – let alone preparing at our end.
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Visibly or not everything is connected. Beautifully written, my friend.
Yamas to our connection, Frank!
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Marina,
You are so right because many connections are subtle or beyond the obvious. And to think I primarily focused on human connections in this walk. Hmmmmm …. Maybe physical connections are a future walk. 🙂 Yamas!
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Yamas to that!!! 😉
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Connections of all types are meaningful….it’s when things are “disconnected” that problems occur. Honestly the first thing I thought of is the human body and how important all those minute connections are – it only takes one to become disconnected to cause havoc. Same with the world we live in – those disconnections are painful either way. As always, lots of things to think about here Frank!
Hugs, Pam
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Pam,
Great points …. Not only are all types of connections meaningful, many are subtle – therefore easily ignored. The connections in the human body are beyond numerous. In general, connections also center on learning. That is, the more connections the learner makes, the more apt learning has occurred. Thanks for sharing.
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I cannot tell you the number of jigsaw puzzles I have connected – 100s for sure. If we sit and think about connections we realize the subject is overwhelming. Great post Frank.
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Peggy,
Cheers to your love for jigsaw puzzles. As you know, some puzzles have many connections – and can be very difficult. Then again, so can human connections (sadly). Nonetheless, connections in our life are more than we realize.
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Good morning, Frank! As you know, I love to find connections between all sorts of things–physical objects, ideas, dreams, etc. 😊 There was a British TV show many years ago called “Connections,” that my husband and I loved. A science show that also connected ideas and history–from what I remember. I suppose one can find connections to anything.
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Merril,
Thanks for reminding about the PBS show “Connections.” A fabulous series linking connections through a historical perspective. Personally, I think historical connections get lost in the shuffle – therefore a reason why humans repeat the same mistakes. Thanks for sharing and reminding me!
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Nicely done Frank!
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Fraggle,
Thanks for walking along and thank you for taking us into the world of connections through photographs.
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Hi Frank, love the comparison with the tree branches. Trees stand tall and grounded but still need the connection with others trees, birds….
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Elizabeth,
Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed my tree analogy. One can discover many connections just be looking and thinking! 🙂 Thanks for walking along.
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So many good points here Frank… The art of letter writing I miss… as we want everything in an instant these days..
And yes the Eco system with Wolves, changes with and without them..
Here when they hunted foxes, then rabbits got out of control.. Wolves play an important part, as do foxes..
Its only when we think we know better imbalance occurs for everything is connected… Everything.. So very true.. 🙂
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Sue,
Glad you saw this post because so much about what you write is about connections …. especially those within and between humans! … let alone among the plants in the garden, the soil, and you.
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Another fascinating discussion, Frank! “Connection” is a word that certainly has a variety of meanings. As a musician, it’s wonderful when a song/piece a band plays strikes certain emotions in the audience’s heart. Same goes for writers, who strive to pen just the right words so their readers understand what they’re trying to say. Lots of meat to chew on today!
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Debbie,
Great points about the connection been the music, musicians, and the audience. It’s also interesting how the conductor must also serves as part of that connection …. and some conductors work hard at also connecting with the audience. Connections between music and people is magical and done various ways. Meanwhile, connections between people are done in many ways and for many reasons. Thanks for walking along and sharing your thoughts!
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Connections are the threads that wind through our lives to keep us from falling apart.
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Pam,
Oh my …. connections as support systems for individuals …. oh, I like that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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I love these reflections on the threads that are connection! I believe connections can be both realized and subconscious, and love that often we do not know the full reason for a connection, only that we are connected. 🙂
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Jaya,
Brilliantly said …. and that’s the point I was making about sometimes things just click between two people. Threads as connections is a very good metaphor! Thanks for sharing.
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You have connected so many webs of interbeing here, Frank. I believe we are all more connected than we usually imagine. Perhaps the world would be kinder if we but realized that.
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Kathy,
Thanks for the kind words about this essay. Human connections are in so many forms and done in many ways. After all, we are quite social beings. However, our complicated ways have a way for getting in the way. However, I continue to being that the majority of the world is good. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi
So cool – I liked this comprehensive list:
“Connections can be physical, mental, emotional, biological, intellectual, philosophical, historical, psychological, and interpersonal –”
And the puzzle analogy was a good one – it reminds me also of how some pieces just don’t go together and we can’t force it (and some connections we want to happen might not because the chemistry is not there)
—
Cool symphony of science song at the end
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Yvette,
All we have to do is thinking about the different ways we connect with others. Whew … oh the number of ways and the reasons …. and the situations are also different for each of us! You mentioned “chemistry” – and I think that is a good word for this essay. 🙂 Also, thanks for watching and mentioning the video. I had it tagged for a long time, but thought it fit this essay very well!
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Good work Frank
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Thank you, Yvette!
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Everything is indeed connected to everything else. We tend to forget that, though. It’s still a struggle to remember to always obey the golden rule – essential in a connected world.
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Eilene,
I agree – there are simply so many connections. I wonder if the selfish nature of humanity gets int eh way so we don’t see the connections. Hmmmmmm ….
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Sometimes it’s like we are more connected and less connected, both at the same time. I’m glad and sad. I do enjoy connecting with people all around the world, I like to learn about what I do not know, and what I will never experience. …and I think your video is quite fascinating, Frank!
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Lisa,
I’m with you … their are more connections than we realize and many of them involve us. Then again, humans are so social, connections are a given – and like you state – the more and the less – the glad and the sad. Glad you enjoyed the video, which is one that I’ve had tagged for a long time. I wonder if the video help inspire this walk.
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As much as some would like to deny their connections – it is there in our DNA which connects us with the past and ancestors as well as holds us in the presence and points to the future!!!
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Murisopsis,
There is no doubt in my mind that DNA is what connects our past, present, and future. After all, we are human! Thanks for walking along and sharing.
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What a unique topic and so many relevant ways of describing connection. Everything is connected, yes truly. I loved the pictures you chose.
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PD,
Thanks for the kind words … and I know connections are important for you through yoga.. Cheers for that! In this walk I focused more on the connections between people, but with so many connections, I’ve got the feeling I will revisit this topic in the future.
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You continue to light our page with connections and thought provoking and insightful posts Frank and I’m most grateful! Not sure if you saw me in reader Monday it’s been a huge debacle.. let me know if you have if you have time.. thanks so much 💖
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As a writer, connections are usually uppermost in my mind: What connects my characters, or the plots across my several books, or the end chapter to the opening chapter
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Crispina,
That’s huge for writers. I imagine this is one point that distinguishes actors.
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A good actor must know the plot from start to finish, must know the arc. I’d say in many respects a good actor equates on these levels to the writer. But I wouldn’t say all actors are *good* 🙂
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Wow! You nailed it, Frank. I am drawn to helping children make connections as they make sense of the world and themselves. They are saplings that will become trees. I must water and feed the saplings.
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Jennie,
Thank you. As we both know, the more connections students can make in the classroom, the better the learning! Maintaining focus on making sense of the world makes more sense to me than how much material/stuff can we cover.
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Yes! YES!! Best to you, Frank.
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Hola aFrank,
I believe connections broke down during the pandemic.
There were many who never got back to reconnecting once they could.
It became hard for them or felt such a loss from being alone they could
not begin again.
Hubby and I danced a lot during those two years, watched Ted talks and Gaia programs
to keep up with things. Movies and music concerts streaming made the time alone bearable.
Yet, we can all say we felt our connection break down. Even idoelgoies about the virus broke
down people in families, some taking one side and others digging the heels down in the sand.
Yes, connection are important. Do we have the emotional strength to start to connect again?
Let’s hope so … have a nice weekend, Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
These are great points about the loss of connections during the pandemic. I also add that the number of divorces also increased. However, the pandemic also strengthened connections and formed new ones. During the early pandemic days, I met many new people walking in the neighborhood, which established new friendships. We weren’t dancing, but dancers bonded playing pickleball. In some ways, the pandemic established a new equilibrium.
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Ah yes, too much togetherness can bring to the forefront many things you may have ignored in your marriage or it could have brought you closer because you could enjoy the person who you loved when it all began. This could happen with friends or family members too. Changes aren’t always a bad thing.
Finally, I will be dancing on a real dance floor when we travel on my special birthday cruise at the end of May. (my birthday is in July – lol) I’ve missed the salty air and dance floor. Cheers 🍷🍷
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Cheers to the upcoming cruise, dancing, and birthday!
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😊 👍🏻 🤩 💃
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Great post, Frank. I am presently reading a series of books on kinship, specifically how we’re all connected with Nature & each other & a sense of place. And I love Carl Sagan. Enjoy your weekend! 🌞
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Lisa,
Connections between people can be an endless topic … and people connecting with their physical surround is another good one! Enjoy the book. I see Carl Sagan as a wonderful cosmic philosopher. 🙂
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I tell you what Cincy, the world would be a lot less complicated if certain “celebrities” didn’t have social media with which to forge their connections. Just saying.
As for the Reds, they connected this week! I think the ’62 Mets record for futility is safe.
I think . . .
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Marc,
That’s an interesting dynamic. At one end are people establishing a connection with someone famous. On the other end, the famous use a pseudo-connection for personal gain. Meanwhile, the Reds are playing well right now. Then again, too bad they can’t keep playing the Pirates.
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As Cat Stevens once opined, it truly is a wild world.
Break up the Reds! Can they make a miracle run to the pennant? Is Charlie Sheen still available to close?
The Yankees win streak was snapped by the White Sox last night. Chapman’s roller coaster arm went off the tracks. Oh well.
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One thing for sure – when Chapman is on – he’s tough ….. and when he’s off … well, that too. I recall spotting that very early in his Reds career.
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I’m surprised he’s still kicking it at this point. I really didn’t expect the Yankees to get more than two or three years from him.
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“Connections” is a great topic, and you have explored it beautifully, Frank. Connections are essential to our mental, and probably also physical, health! I enjoyed reading this. have a great weekend! ❤
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Cheryl,
Thank you for the kind words. Connections are important to our species because we are social beings. Plus, humans also rely on learning, and the better the connections, the better the learning! Enjoy your weekend!
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All the connections behind the scenes of any type of network, are simply mind boggling, Frank.
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Dan,
Given your background, thanks for mentioning this. I’m sure it is off-the-charts mind-boggling for we novices – yet mind-boggling for those of you in the field. Simply amazing!
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Lovely post, Frank, on one of my favorite musings. I’m very aware of connections and the way we interact as humans, as well as the connections I see between ourselves and the natural world. I naturally gravitate to seeing patterns in behavior and deciphering meaningful connections. It’s sometimes difficult for me to be so sensitive to this because when others don’t see or experience the connectedness in the same way as I do, I have to learn to be patient with that. I do think there would be more synchronicity in our lives if we slowed down to experience the connections that offer us support.
And I’m writing this from the beach. 🙂
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Debra,
Alright now …. you are commenting from the beach on a beach walk I did from the beach but I’m answering you miles from the beach in Cincinnati. I hope that came out right. 🙂 …. I know you like connections … and I easily recall the connections you did about history in your area – especially about water. I also understand a bit of your connectiveness with nature. To make deep connections, I think one must think beyond the obvious …. so cheers to those of us who can. Thanks for walking along and sharing.
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Connections are the weft and warp of life among all creatures. Happy to see you back, Frank.
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Monica,
The number of connections around us is overwhelming and inspiring. Glad to have you back! 🙂
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Love all of your connections on your post Frank and grateful to our blogosphere and you for weaving this so beautifully!
💕🙏❤️
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