• Support
  • Advertise
  • Locations
  • Contact
Sunday, June 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTERS
San Clemente Times
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye on SC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • SC Surf
    • Dana Point Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SC
  • Explore SC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well – For the Young at Heart
    • Best of San Clemente
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Program
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Money Matters
    • San Clemente Trolley Route Map
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Triton Football Preview
  • SC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye on SC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • SC Surf
    • Dana Point Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SC
  • Explore SC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well – For the Young at Heart
    • Best of San Clemente
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Program
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Money Matters
    • San Clemente Trolley Route Map
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Triton Football Preview
  • SC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
No Result
View All Result
San Clemente Times
No Result
View All Result

On Life and Love After 50: Around Dana Point Island

SC Times by SC Times
February 9, 2023 3:30AM - Updated on February 10, 2023 5:08PM
in SC LIVING, SC Living Headlines
On Life and Love After 50: Around Dana Point Island

Tom Blake goes stand-up paddleboarding around Dana Point Island on a sunny Friday, Jan. 20. Photo: Courtesy of Lynda K

0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Tom Blake

By Tom Blake

I’ve often stressed the importance of social interaction for seniors, especially for single seniors who are often alone. I remind them to get out of the house and make new friends. Interacting with people is important for one’s health.

I also encourage single seniors to be friendly, and a bit assertive, but not aggressive, by introducing themselves to strangers who look pleasant and receptive. A smile can open doors to meeting new people.

Lately, I’ve become aware that this advice applies to me in my period of grieving, after losing my partner of 25 years, Greta, three months ago. I promised myself to venture out and be friendly with people I don’t know.

Friday, Jan. 20, was a gorgeous sunny day in Dana Point, a nice break from the nine powerful rainstorms our area had just endured. At about 11 a.m., there was no wind, so I decided to go stand-up paddleboarding around Dana Point Island.

When I launched from Baby Beach, I was the only person on the water, at least as far as I could see. I had the whole darn harbor to myself except for sea lions that were camped on a dock across from The Wind and Sea Restaurant, barking at each other.  

About a quarter-mile into my paddle, I noticed a person in a small yellow kayak about 75 yards ahead of me, heading in the same direction as I was heading. When I got alongside the kayak, a woman smiled and waved.

She was wearing the biggest sunglasses I’d ever seen, so I couldn’t guess her age because her face was covered. These days, many senior women are kayaking, paddling outriggers and stand-up paddleboarding in Dana Point Harbor, which is wonderful.

I waved at her. She said, “What a beautiful day. I’m Lynda, what’s your name?”

“Tom,” I replied, and asked, “Do you kayak often?”

She said, “I work. So, I kayak usually on weekends. Today, I have the day off. I work in Laguna Beach, at three different doctors’ offices. I love coming here. I moved here from Ohio 10 years ago.”

I said, “Ohio? Oh, no. Are you an Ohio State Buckeye fan? I’m originally from Michigan, a Wolverine fan.”

Lynda said, “Oh, do you mean that dreaded team up north?” (That’s how Buckeye fans refer to the Michigan team). We both laughed.

And then she asked, “Do you mind if I tag along with you around the island? It’s lonely out here with no one to chat with.”

“Great,” I replied.

And that’s what we did. I admired Lynda’s enthusiasm and positive attitude.

She said, “Do you still work?”

“Yes, I’m a newspaper columnist.”

“What do you write about? She asked.

“Dating after 50.”

Lynda laughed and said, “Oh, wow, I’m almost there.”

Our paddling together lasted about an hour. We chatted while securing our boards atop the roof racks of our cars.

“Can we paddle together again?” Lynda asked.

“Text me when you plan to go,” I said, and handed her my Picket Fence Media business card.

We thanked each other and waved goodbye. A new friendship had been born.

Later that day, Lynda sent me a text with a picture she had taken of me and said, “I read some of your newspaper articles; pretty touching. It is so nice some of your readers found new love.”

When we are nice to strangers, and we smile, and are friendly, we never know who might enter our life, even in the most unusual of locations. Keep paddling.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: CompanionshipDana PointDatingInteractionslonelinessNew FriendshipsOn Life and Love After 50Orange CountyRelationshipsSan ClementeSan Juan CapistranoSenior DatingSingle Seniors
ShareTweetPin
SC Times

SC Times

Related Posts

Assistance League Provides Scholarships to Local Graduating Seniors

Assistance League Provides Scholarships to Local Graduating Seniors

June 2, 2023
GALLERY: Newest Class of 2023 Triton Alumni Celebrate Commencement at San Clemente High

GALLERY: Newest Class of 2023 Triton Alumni Celebrate Commencement at San Clemente High

June 2, 2023
Dana Wharf Whale Report: Incredible Variety of Species Delight Recent Trips

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Incredible Variety of Species Delight Recent Trips

June 2, 2023
GALLERY: San Clemente Celebrates Independence Day

Ocean Fest to Launch Ticket Sales for Annual Independence Day Dinner

June 2, 2023
Next Post
Grom of the Week: Bodhi Aguilar

Grom of the Week: Bodhi Aguilar

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

SC Times Daily
Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

Subscriptions
Don’t get the SC Times delivered to your home? Subscribe today.

Advertising
Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Advertise with us.

Support Local Journalism
For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an “Insider” member and continue to get “Local News You Can Use” from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County.

Contribute today.

Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network.

  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Dana Point Times
  • The Capistrano Dispatch
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye on SC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • SC Surf
    • Dana Point Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SC
  • Explore SC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well – For the Young at Heart
    • Best of San Clemente
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Program
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Money Matters
    • San Clemente Trolley Route Map
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Triton Football Preview
  • SC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who

© 2023 Picket Fence Media