161 – White

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like to walk on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

Today I’m thinking about white. I got the feeling the topic may overwhelm me and my thoughts.

The water here is emerald green. But like the waves in the blue waters, white appears when the waves break and then eventually washes across my feet. I see white in the wave foam, seagulls, sanderlings, seashells, and streaky and puffy clouds.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Many people consider this beach to be white. Compared to other beaches, they may be right – but the color is more of light cream. Whitish sands are typically high in tiny bits of seashells and certain minerals.

I know white is the color of milk, salt, flour, sugar, coconut, marshmallow, numerous dairy products, chalk, onions, styrofoam, rice, beluga whales, albinos, and much more.

I know white is the color of traditional wedding dresses, symbolic doves, and the limestone faces of the White Cliffs of Dover. Depending on the culture, white may be the color for cleanliness, purity, sacrifice, perfection, simplicity, peace, neutrality, a fresh start, and even mourning.

I know white is the color of chef hats, aprons, lab coats, togas, karate jackets, and tablecloths at classy restaurants and banquets. White is also the color of ghosts and white horses in dreams.

I know white is the common color for appliances, toilets, sinks, golf balls, baking powder, and baking soda. White is also the color of dandelion seeds, many flowers, cauliflower, polar bears, swans, arctic foxes, skunk stripes, pearls, a bald eagle’s feathered head, and bird poop.

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative on Pexels.com

I know white is a typical background for many signs and print paper to easily contrast lettering and images – the color of light bulbs, flickering stars, and the light marking the end of the tunnel.

I know white is the color of summer because its reflective property helps keep us cool. That explains why I see many homes here with white roofs, which is something I seldom see in my northern home. I also recall the past when competitive tennis players only wore white.

I know white is the color of falling snow that provides a beautiful temporary coating on trees and the land. I think snow-capped mountain tops add to their majestic value. It’s interesting how snow gathers and becomes glacial ice displaying a brilliant blue hue.

I know white buildings of white marble are elegant, and that reminds me of the pieces of white marble I saw on an Italian beach near Carrara. Thinking of buildings reminds me that some offices use white noise to minimize sounds, but their walls are a shade of white leaning toward brown, gray, blue, or other colors.

I know white is the unseen color of light entering a prism, but the same light exits the prism as the visible colors of a rainbow. ROY G BIV enjoys working himself into these essays. We see white when a color wheel spins fast. We see white objects not because they absorb white or all colors, but because white objects reflect all colors to our eyes.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I know white is the color of cleanliness with a white glove test. We also rely on bleach’s whitening power, whitening agents in detergents, and ingredients to whiten our teeth – but not all of us have pearly whites.

I know some people dream of a white Christmas, which is also a time for white elephant gifts, but I wonder: Why Snow White has black hair?

I know a woman in a white dress can be a beautiful and elegant sight – but she may be waiting on her white knight.

I know people trusted Betty White, so she could tell a little white lie. I still believe that most Americans want the occupant of the White House to wear a white hat.

I know we of a certain age grew up with black and white televisions that gave way to brilliant colors, but photographers continue to use black and white to touch our souls.

I know some of us read white papers, buy at white sales, and may even be a white-knuckled flier – but hopefully not be considered white trash. American history teaches not to fire until seeing the whites of their eyes, so beware of turning as white as a ghost.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I know white is a common color on many flags, including surrender and truce, but in NASCAR races, the white flag designates the race’s final lap. I also know there are many more white phrases, but I worry about the men in white coats coming to take me away ho-ho he-he ha-ha to the funny farm! Do you remember that song?

The bottom line is that I still don’t know what to write about white because there is so much to say. Any ideas? Meanwhile, I need another walk to think about this because I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about White

• A Bit of White (a photo essay)
• Off-White (a poem by an occasional visitor here)
• Monochrome Madness: Waterfalls in Black and White (a photo essay)
• A Little White Lie (a 99-word story)
• White Sands National Park (a photo essay)
• The Sound of White (a poem by an occasional visitor here)
• White (a photo essay)

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