Recalling a July moment

Lake Fletcher, July 30


I awoke this morning with sun pawing gently behind the bedroom curtain, the eyelids of my island in the city.

Lake Fletcher. In a breath I am there, floating on my back in dark nectar. On a clear summer day the light tricks my veiled retinas into believing everything is golden glow. When I peel back the lids, it turns to sky and reflecting water. Sapphire bleeds into radiant forest. I just lie there—on my swaying raft or water noodles—shuttering back and forth between universes: orange and blue, orange and blue.

In that moment, embraced between amiable flood and soft firmament, I feel ultimate happiness. A mind could float for a lifetime in that vibrant water, inhaling clean air, soaking nourishment from the lake. My lungs could photosynthesize, and I would need nothing. I could live 100 years in isolation and grief, but that one bright hour would make it all worthwhile.

Then I am back again, sitting behind this morning window, the first October sunlight flooding my golden oak desk. I am pierced by the lake. Wellsprings burst deep inside me.

But it is here with me now. This is raw. This is real. This is enough.

Puzzles?

Floats (North Head, Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick)







Scarves (Quebec City)


When Sylvie and Sarah saw my trip photos last night, Sylvie picked out these two as ones she would like to paint. Many interesting photos from the trip still have never been posted. She also thought these would make interesting puzzles. Nudge nudge, hint hint?

The first was taken the morning we left Grand Manan Island. All over the Maritimes we saw collections of floats like these hanging on walls of houses. The scarves were displayed on the door of a boutique in Old Quebec.

If today was any indication, we're going to have a long, fine fall. October 1st was one of the most pleasant days of the whole summer. Summer!

I met Bob, Sylvie and Sarah at the farmers market this morning, then we all went over to Bob's and spent the afternoon struggling to install two heavy steel brackets to support an air conditioner on the back wall of his condo. The hard part was drilling holes into concrete for four bolts. We burnt out Brenda's half-inch drill, so Bob had to go rent another one. I feel all butch like a lesbian. It was a day well-spent with my friends and I came home feeling tired in a good way.

I brought home two big bunches of fresh basil from the market. This evening was spent making two big batches of pesto for the freezer. In one I substitued tahini for roasted pine nuts and sesame oil for some of the olive oil. I like the taste, but the consistency is not as good.