Jump to today and things are very different. We slather ourselves, and more so our kids, in sun-block and at the beach we take shelter under rather clever self erecting tents. These tents come in a range of rather lurid colours - ours is no exception - and they can stud the beach, looking like strange psychedelic mushrooms - which is ironic when I think about it!
This is the view from within your shelter! I can understand why all these changes have occurred, but it's such a loss for kids to look up into the sky and see an enemy, rather than a marker of long days of freedom.
You can find more shots of the sky at Sky Watch Friday. SM
PS: don't forget the factor 50+!
So true! But rather being careful than dying too early from cancer.
ReplyDeleteNice shot.
heerlijk soms willen we ook kind zijn dat heeft toch niets met leeftijd te maken.
ReplyDeleteCan't see us needing using those sun tents here Stewart but they'd sure come in handy as large umbrellas.
ReplyDeleteYellow-legged Gull is a separate species - Larus michahellis. It certainly looks different with those bright chrome legs.
Same over here but being one of those wo can't baki in the sun, I welcome the shade :(
ReplyDelete"it's such a loss for kids to look up into the sky and see an enemy, rather than a marker of long days of freedom" - I've never thought of it that way before...interesting.
ReplyDeletethank goodness we no longer cook ourselves.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonder I survived childhood and my teen years living in southern California near the beach. Nowadays, long pants and long sleeve shirt year around with a hat on my head. Well written Stewart.
ReplyDeleteI remember using baby oil as a teenager. The first burn would be red, then peel, then I'd be brown. I wouldn't dare do that now.
ReplyDeleteI was never able to get a tan no matter what kind of oil/lotions I tried, so I finally gave up and just learned to live with fair skin. Yes, I'm glad we no longer cook ourselves, too!!
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's too bad for kids. Things were easier before we knew anything ;>)(Everything sure is different since everything changed!)....
ReplyDeleteWe feel so much better here in the sun than in rainy Oregon, but it's a trade off (one my Oregon dermatologist doesn't feel is worth it!).
I shudder to think what we did as teenagers, ban de soleil in gobs, metal sun reflectors to our faces, skin the colour of chocolate...so far myself and all of my family and friends have escaped skin cancer but my face shows the abuse!
ReplyDeleteYes, I can't take the sun, and don't wish to be out in it much anymore. I received some terrible sunburns as a kid - with no sunblock.
ReplyDeleteTimes have certainly changed! We're all fair skinned and my mother thought if we stayed in the sun long enough all our freckles would merge & we'd go brown. WRONG! She is now being treated for multiple malignant melanomas, and I still burn a lobster red before my skin returns to a freckly white :)
ReplyDeleteBeing fair skinned myself I can understand the need for sunscreen. When I was younger LOL, I use to enjoy turning red and peel and turn white again. I do love being at the beach and I need the vitamin D. Great shot! Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteBetter safe than sick… still there is something to be said for fearless freedom and childhood.
ReplyDeleteSo true ~ yet the 'world turns' ~ Creative shot for SWF ~ artmusedog and carol ^_^
ReplyDeletewww.acreativeharbor.com
Better safe than sorrow. I know too many that stayed in the sun too long and are now paying a price.
ReplyDeleteI like the new shelters. No need to fear the sun, but limiting unnecessary exposure is not a bad idea.
ReplyDeletetimes certainly have changed but it's good that some will heed the warnings hopefully. Yesteryear it was often considered having the kids out in the sun was a great attribute - "we had a great holiday; we all came back as dark as berries!" comments. My (late) hubby Des, lost his life to melanoma. It's too big a price to pay.
ReplyDeleteIt can not be alerted to the sun enough.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people who always sat in the sun now have skin cancer.
These shelters are restrictive but also protective !
ReplyDeleteI am not a beach person, but beach shelters are good!
ReplyDeleteLove the story and the picture.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice photo and it sure does remind me of a summer day. I know what you mean about the sun. My mom never said a SINGLE word about sunburn. I've paying the price for that now. My kids and grand kids on the other hand, know the word "slather" quite well.
ReplyDelete