Beach Sandcastles
One thing I used to love to do at the beach was build sandcastles. When my kids were young, we would often build sandcastles. Well, actually they would start the sandcastle and then I’d finish it.
This is because I wasn’t content with the castle being a one turret deal. Nope, I liked it have a strong foundation and an impenetrable moat around it.
I would make sure we built the castle far enough away from the tide line so that it could survive the oncoming water. They did survive, at least the day.
Destroy the castle
After that, the efforts to destroy the castle began. They’d come from different directions — a dog running playfully, a speed walker who didn’t look down and sometimes my own sweet little girls, who believed strongly in “reconstruction.” I sigh at this memories of castles falling:~)
This sandcastle began with a dad and his young children. Needless to say, the dad eventually completed it with the children checking on his efforts every once in awhile. They did such a good job, I couldn’t resist taking pictures of it.
The Challenge
When you look at this sandcastle overlooking the water, what do you think of?
While you’re thinking, here are some questions to consider. Remember, you don’t have to answer them all. Just leave your thoughts in the comment box.
- If you built sandcastles, what do you remember most about the activity?
- How long did your sandcastle last? Were your castles elaborate or simple?
- If you never had a chance to build a sandcastle, what did you build when you were little? Was it fun?
- What’s the question I didn’t ask that you want to answer? Be sure to include your question with your answer!
The Special Challenge
It’s back…are you ready for it? The special challenge today is to make up a brief story about this castle. If you decide to do this challenge, I will include your name and a link to your site in next week’s Story Photo Challenge.
Rules to Follow
I’m giving you no hints for this special challenge, but there are some rules — fewer than the last time, fortunately:~)
1) You must include “Special Challenge” in your comment.
2) Keep the story to no more than 150 words
Have fun, be creative and enjoy:~)
In my previous Story Photo challenge post, I asked you tell me whether or not I had altered the picture. I left a comment with the correct answer at the post. If you missed it, however, the answer is that I did not alter the picture, except for the size.
This was all done by Nature and thankfully, she doesn’t need Photoshop:~)
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
They always called me a “Special Challenge” and I guess I still am. Now of course, they say I’m challenged because I never know what day it is, I sing all the time, and I often forget to wear pants.
Back then I was dubbed Special Challenge because I’d run away to the beach to sing with the gulls and build sandcastles every chance I’d get.
Chores done, I’d be found at the beach.
At midnight there I’d be.
First thing in the morning? Building castles.
But you should’ve seen my castles! One was 14oo square feet with a microwave oven, a bowling alley and a ballet studio.
Well, not really, but almost 1400 square feet.
And the sun did cook our eggs on our rocks.
And we danced like we’d never stop.
(Was that less than 150 words?)
xoxo
Jannie Funster´s last [type] ..Angel Of Delight In The Garden
@ Jannie — You should be pleased. You gave me my first real laugh of the day. I’ve been cleaning house and not in the best mood. Reading your “special challenge” was delightful and fun.
Yes, you met every rule…the word count was actually 133…just in case you want to know.
Thanks for participating in this challenge:~)
The Challenge
1. Not a lot of sand did I get to play in
No water and shores around where I lived
Not a lot of sand did I get to play with
It was too far and dads beer wouldn’t stay cold
2. I only dug caves in the sand piles I know,
and they never lasted long.
The builders would dig them up to make
their mortar strong.
3. I built a reputation of being a bully you see.
No it was not fun.
Because of all the black eyes, the other kids gave to me.
The special Challenge
Long time ago and not so far away
A castle was built where giants did played
Walls were constructed with towers all around
Hoping the giants would not knock them all down
A family moved in to this great castle by the sea
To raise many children and a lot of sand fleas
A school was soon built and small homes all through out
And a few beach homes for those who had money and clout
But at last the giants came with ball and net to play
After ten twelve-packs of beer and eight ball games
The castle walls, school, homes, and those giants were wasted away.
The moral to this story.
The next time you build your castle walls,
fill them full of nails,
so when those giants come back,
your castle walls, they won’t scale.
desk49´s last [type] ..Missing- Short Story Page 1
@ Ellis — This is very, very clever. I always enjoy when you take on the challenges. I loved the idea of “giants” and the moral of the story was great…that might stop a few giants from playing ball on top of the castle.
Thanks for participating in this challenge:~)
I can remember going to the beach with my family as a very wee girl, but not building castles in the sand. Surely there must have been some digging with a pail though.
Lynn´s last [type] ..Not in Macon anymore- fixed and shadow
@ Lynn — I imagine there was some digging…it’s hard not to dig in sand. I get the impression going to the beach wasn’t something you did regularly. My boyfriend is like that..he only remembers going to beach a few times and when he was older. Living where I live, the beach was a regular part of my life, as were sandcastles.
Thanks for the visit and sharing your thoughts:~)
Lol. special challenge.
Check it out.
.
The last of the fortifications were built.
The good king looked out across the barren wasteland he ruled.
The sea was the only source for food and trade.
A commercial nation he had forged.
The sun was beginning to set on his castle
The natives were beginning to get restless.
He always began to worry at this time.
Fires were ignited, wild shrieking carried itself aggressively across the plains.
The castles residents locked their doors.
The guards kept an intent watch of the highly dangerous mobs.
Larry, who was guarding the northern tower heard a thundering noise.
He looked up fearfully.
Splat.
The two drunken fornicating giants destroyed the kingdom in a heart beat.
The dead lay strewn in the sand.
Larry opened his eyes for the last time.
“Quick, take the bra off already” the female gant roared.
Seriously what a horrendous way to go.
.
I hope i did this right. lol
Arts web show´s last [type] ..Disappointments in drawing and sore losers
@ Arts web show — You did this right. Somehow, your story reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode, only slightly x-rated:~) I agree with you…”Seriously, what a horrendous way to go!”
Thanks for participating in the challenge:~)
Sara, I never did build a sandcastle. I once wrote a poem using a sandcastle as a metaphor for life, but that’s it. I was always the little kid that was looking for strange rockpool creatures in the shallows. There was always an abundance of wonderful oddities there, I can tell you.
SPECIAL CHALLENGE
The aliens were getting ready to land when they realised that some total and utter noob had gone and built a centre tower where their spaceship was supposed to sit. They fired off a warning blast to the local council as incentive to fix this sorry mess. Needless to say, the council did not reply. They were all off vacationing elsewhere on alien planets.
And this is the kind of nonsense that our tax dollars are funding. Regrettable, no?
@ Tony — You should share the poem…will it fit in the comment box? You know me, I love to read whatever you write! I sometimes forget that not all bodies of water have sand. When visiting my daughter in England, she took me to a beach that was made of rocks…actually river rocks…go figure. Making a sandcastle on that beach would have been tough:~)
I had to look up the word “noob” because I’ve never heard it before. Thank goodness for Google! I liked your story. It does make me wonder if the aliens just a wee bit tempted to just blast the centre tower with a battle cry of “Take that, you noobs”
Thanks for participating in this challenge:~)
My younger sister and my younger brother and I used to spend hours making elaborate sand worlds. We always built them close to the water’s edge (a lake, not an ocean) so that the moat would fill with water. Thanks for bringing back fond memories, Sara!
Talon´s last [type] ..Little things
Hi Sara – When I first glimpsed the photo, I had an immediate thought: “sand castles are just like life, beautiful but impermanent.” I think Tony was on to something when he used them as a metaphor for life. I’m sure we’re not the first to say that, but it resonates for me today. And yes, we did build them when I was a kid. As I recall, we weren’t very good at it, but we had a ton of fun.
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last [type] ..Meaning Mondays- The Smallest Things
@ Talon — That’s the idea of building a sandcastle….have fun. Even if the kids went off to do other things, I think the dad who built this castle had lots of fun. I got to watch him and he seemed a child in a grown man’s body:~)
We lived in Southern California for the better part of 25 years, and Sunday visits to the beach were commonplace. We would time the castle building so that as the tide rose, the sand castle would fill with water. We’ve since moved to Washington state where we live on the bank of a river, so sandcastles are gone, but all sorts of fun water stuff has replaced them.
Colleen´s last [type] ..City of Pasco WA Parks and Recreation Sports Clinics and Classes
@ Colleen — It sounds like you had lots of fun building the sandcastles. I imagine living on a river gives you lots of water activities. I used to fish with my family on rivers. I ended up always catching catfish. I still remember my dad cursing up a storm as he tried to release the hook. Catfish aren’t very friendly to hands:~)
Sara, I unfortunately don’t have time to write a story about this lovely castle today. But you can be sure I’ll be daydreaming about it and fleshing out the details sometime during the long drive ahead.
As for my history, I was not remotely interested in building sandcastles — not when the ocean was nearby! I would contribute a few half-hearted pailfuls of sand, and then off to the water with me.
My dad usually went with us into the water, and Mom typically didn’t stay out long (redheaded, with easily burning skin), so our half-finished castles were all quickly devoured by the ocean.
Strangely, we thought that was part of the allure, that it would all get washed away soon. In fact, I remember Dad once giving a lesson to that effect: that everything changes eventually, and everything being destined to die or disappear at some point — although when the tidal change was scheduled for each thing or animal or tree or person or empire or era wasn’t necessarily as clear as the chart in the tides brochure.
Meredith´s last [type] ..world’s shortest self-help manual
@ Meredith — Is just me or does it seem like time is flying:~) Don’t worry about not writing a story. I realize August can be a challenging month for challenges!
Regarding building sandcastles, you remind me of my girls…they were the same way. I like your dad’s lesson…it’s a good one and the beach always reflects the life cycle.
Thanks for the visit and the nice comment…have a safe trip:~)
Hi Sara, here goes the special challenge (fiction).
It was another sunny day at the beach with puffy white clouds drifting lazily overhead, and gull diving for their lunch. I watched as two little twin girls toted buckets of water, and scooped up the sand with their plastic cups, probably from some fast food place, building their castle carefully and with great purpose.
They were so engrossed in their work they hadn’t noticed the water was running closer and closer to their castle. They had nearly completed one side when the water rushed up in a hurry, further and faster than the ones before. The wall crumbled, leaving rounded mounds of wet sand.
Instead of crying or giving up, the twins simply picked up the cups and buckets and moved further up the beach. The resilience of youth and optimism was alive and well on the beach that day.
@ Linda — I like your story and when I was a child, this is what happened frequently to my sandcastles. Good for the twins to just starting building all over again:~)
Thanks for visit and taking the challenge. I really enjoyed your magpie tale, The Beach Cottage. You are doing some fabulous writing!
Hi Sara! As a kid, I had no beach. I did build things all the time though, my favorite was my tree house tho my grandpa helped me a bit. I created (rather than actually building) a basket pulley system to haul my pet duck up to the tree house. Quite hysterical listening to him quack at the birds!
hugs
suzen
suzen´s last [type] ..The Sum of Summer
@ SuZen — Wow. I never had a real tree house. I love that you had a pet duck and that you pulled it up into the tree house. That must been really cute. I imagine there were quite a few birds who got a fright when they flew by the tree house. What fun:~)
Thanks for stopping by. BTW I am getting better with lowering my soda consumption…thanks to you:~)
Hi Sara,
It’s been years since I built a sand castle, but do remember I had difficulty getting the sand to stay in the shape of the pail – too dry, too wet, who knows? It certainly was fun. Unfortunately like you said, they don’t last long. *sigh*
Barbara Swafford´s last [type] ..Turn Your Blog Into A Book
@ Barbara — I understand how sand can be difficult. There were some beaches we’d visit, and we’d make drip sand castles, instead of the ones like in the picture. These worked really well in wet sand, but not so great in dry sand:~)
I think when things don’t last long, we sometimes grow to appreciate them all the more.
Thank you for stopping by. I always your visits, Barbara:~)
Sara this was fun! Thank you for the opportunity. I love this picture because it brings back memories for me. We used to build sandcastles when we were young and I have one photo of my grandmother and my two sisters that I just adore. Thanks for the memory. I have chosen the Special Challenge and what a hoot this was!
150 words exactly.
Raymond and Karl, two young gulls were casually flying low, practicing their flight formation for the upcoming show. It was a beautiful sunny day, the air currents were playful. They were having a great time on their adventure away from the flock. They did a couple of fancy dives to please Sara, the photographer.
Then, something distracted Karl. He lost control and went into a nosedive tumble towards the beach. The glint of the sun blinded him as he tumbled downward. There was a flash as Sara caught a photo of his freefall.
Plunk! He landed headfirst into the sandcastle, rolling a couple of times before coming to a stop.
“You idiot!” squawked Raymond. “Look what you’ve done!” He fluttered to a safe landing on one of the towers.
“Don’t you know what this is?”
Karl, still dazed, laid there covered with sand.
“It’s one of those crop circle thingies.”
Davina´s last [type] ..New Reality Show Coming to a Tree Near You
@ Davina — Oh, I love that you did the “special challenge!” LOL this is a great one…I love the “crop circles.” Also, using seagulls is great, too. I have the wonderful picture of seagull hoarding his “catch” over this other gull…you can hear him going, “nah, nah, nah,…nah…look what I’ve got that you don’t.”
Thanks for participating in the challenge. It was great:~)
Hi Sara .. everyone’s imagination shows through here .. lovely stories in 150 words. We made sandcastles when we came down to Sussex to my father’s mother’s house .. but I don’t remember doing so in Cornwall with my mother’s family.
We did do little empires of sandcastles .. and I seem to remember trying to make them – so they were on the edge of surviving, rather than being washed away – but loved seeing a wave gently push its last few drops into the moat .. before shortly after another wave would do more damage than just breach the walls!
I don’t think we had buckets to make them out of – we used our hands to fashion blobs etc .. I was envious of others with castle like buckets!
Now we have those wonderful sand sculptures that sand artists create around the world .. we have them here in Brighton .. amazing how real they are & all sorts of creations .. let alone the butter or Ice Sculptures .. so artistic .. I can’t even begin to think how they’re created ..
Thanks .. my story -I wasn’t going to write one – but I can tie it in with my post ..: The Challenge:
Sara and Hilary rock in their rocking chairs on the porch reminiscing of their play days in Sussex, when as children they went to the beach … where they would play happily in the sand forging little worlds … Hilary working away with the sand, Sara off a little way, cupping her hands and viewing the picture – as she does now, when she wants to take a photograph.
They chattered away remembering the funny names their parents talked about .. the TomPot Blennies, the Devonshire Cups – what were they? – the Piddocks … some they knew .. the flint – those sharp stones .. there was talk of axes – but that seemed strange to two little girls playing in the sand.
As they grew and were dressmaking they found the chalk from the cliffs made a good white marker on the material, that they could cut along – rather than free cut …
Now years later Hilary’s memories have been recorded in her recent post – and Sara brings out some pictures of the sandcastles they might have made together …
… they rock on .. memories flooding in of the rock pools, the sea, they comfortably chatter on .. smiling at each other, delighted to recall times gone by.
The sun slowly sets .. they remember the sun sets over the water … the night air draws in … and they retire inside, happy and contented with their worlds.
The End
The Challenge x 2 – one for Sara and one for Hilary = 245 words!
Thanks .. bye .. I enjoyed that .. Hilary
Hilary´s last [type] ..Under Sea Sussex – Tompot Blenny- Piddock- Devonshire Cup Corals and Jewel Anemones
@ Hilary — I loved your story, even if it wasn’t 150 words. I like the idea of sitting in rocking chairs on a porch remembering beach days. Somehow, when I read your post, I missed the TomPot Blennies and so, I went back and checked them out, as well as the Devonshire Cups coral and the Piddocks. I recently saw a TV special on Cuttlefish…they are so cool!!!! I can’t believe how they change…they are the underwater “transformers.”
It was nice that you included in the story and I absolutely adored the ending….”and they retire inside, happy and contented with their worlds.” That’s a perfect happy ending for a story:~)
I read about sand castles but we didn’t go to the beach. Instead we tried to build one at the park. Unfortunately, all they have is dirt, but well, I was a kid didn’t know better anyway. But I did use a toy shovel and this little filter thing to break dirt into fine pieces and attempted to build “sand” castles out of those. Of course, that didn’t work out.
Kelvin Kao´s last [type] ..New Business Cards
@ Kelvin — Yeah, I don’t dirt is quite as easy to work with as wet sand:~) BTW I loved your post about your business cards. They are so cool and so unique:~)
Hi Sara,
The first thing coming to mind while looking at this picture is children playing in a summer day by the beach.
I didn’t build sandcastles because I hate imperialism, so instead I built “sandapartments” (just kidding) But I never built a sandcastle, I just wasn’t interested, honestly I don’t know why, instead I spent the time at the beach watching birds flying and people playing, running and laughing, and eating the picnic sandwich with sand from the wind (maybe that’s why it is called SANDwich)
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
@ Alien Ghost — I think sand apartments is even better than a castle. Since you brought up the origin of the word http://www.wordsources.info/words-mod-sandwich.html” rel=”nofollow”>sandwich, I had to look it up. Turns out it’s even funnier…well, to me, that is. There was actually an Earl of Sandwich and a town, as well. I think it sounds like more fun, however, for it to have originated from beach picnics:~)