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[vaneramos]

Here's the view from my dock on a clear July evening:

Heaven isn't so far away as people say
I got a home high in my heart
Heaven is right where I come from
I never throw it away
I know the place and I'm going home

I'm going home
I'm going home

See up there it's not the same
they know your name
and I'm not ashamed to need it
I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home

You can keep knocking
but I'm not coming out of this
state I'm in
I'm travelling right I'm gonna get there soon
I'm standing up praying, I'm singing
saying Heyo ha ha heo ha hey ya
I know the way and I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home

That's where the heart can rest
The best is there
and only a fool would leave it
I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home

I been around I been to town
Hey where you think I learned right from wrong
I'm going home

~Buffy Sainte-Marie

Seems my life is always torn between the place I love and the people I love.

Marian, Brenna and I stayed an extra day at the cottage so we could overlap and have a brief visit with my parents. We drove into Guelph this evening for a couple days.

I had a wonderful week. I managed to do lots of writing, at least an hour each morning. I have much to say and some photos to show. I hardly know how to begin. And there isn't much time now before we take off again, probably Wednesday. But I will post as much as I can.

Those who requested a postcard will receive one in the next few days. I missed my friends a lot.

But I always forget how peaceful a few days at Lake Fletcher make me. I wasn't as lonely as I expected. At the end of a week there, I feel more whole than usual. My mind is clearer.

Comments

[barkis.livejournal.com]

YAY!

I love Buffy!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

We were listening to one of my Buffy CDs on the way home in the car at my daughter's request! Unfortunately the girls haven't picked up my fondness for Classical music, but my 11-year-old has acquired my tastes in more popular stuff. So we were listening to Coincidence and Likely Stories, and this song really hit home.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Ian, I thought of you every day, honestly. I missed your cheerful comments and inspiring posts.

An interested thing came up today in conversation with my parents. They were talking about my cousin Tammy, who lives in Australia and will be getting married in November. I knew she worked in p.r. for a major performing arts centre, but I had forgotten where. Thinking of your recent dawn photos I asked, "Does Tammy work for the Sydney Opera House?"

Indeed she does.

So keep your eyes open for a pretty Canadian woman. Tammy turns 40 in August, so she is only 7 months older than me. As children we looked like twins with bright blond hair and had a big crush on each other. I haven't seen her in 15 years, but I'm sure we would get along fine now. She is marrying a fellow with two teenage children.

[bardcat.livejournal.com]

lovely picture, beautiful song, very nice post. though i am new to your writings, i have enjoyed them very much. you encourage me to explore nature, writing, the journey. all the best to you always.

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

What a lovely spot - I can see what restoratve value it would have on anyone, and you in particular.

Your postcard arrived today, many thanks. Baxter and Bailey slobbered all over it - they miss you muchly.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It seems we have a common muse. Hopefully I'll have time to peruse your journal and web site more thoroughly when my life settles into a normal routine after Labour Day.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

We got your postcard today. Is the water tea-coloured, does it smell of essence of leaf?

Hope you continue doing well, looking forward to seeing you once you're back.

Pease.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Oh good, it was mailed on Friday. Others should receive theirs soon, too.

Thank you so much for that extra memory card! It made such a difference. I filled up the first one by Friday, and the one you gave me lasted through the weekend. I took 80 images altogether.

[art-thirst.livejournal.com]

How eerie. That picture looks like it could have been taken at my friend's cabin! I really love up there but, unfortunately, I know that I could never love him more than as a friend.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Out of the cottage bookshelf, my younger daughter pulled an old book of mine called Gnomes, and I wondered if you had ever seen it. Apart from some sexist values which bothered me, it is quite funny and the illustrations are wonderful. I often thought of you and the Radical Faeries.

As for the water, yes and yes. I call that smell chlorophyll! It's like swimming in nectar.

I look forward to seeing you in August.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

So it was a journey of discovery! I hope you aren't too disappointed.

I'm not surprised about the similarity. The geology and climate of Minnesota and Central Ontario are probably quite similar. I'll post more pictures as I am able.

[jwg.livejournal.com]

Beautiful scene. I really love the reflection of the trees in the water.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'll post at least one more photo of reflections when I get organized.

[art-thirst.livejournal.com]

No disappointment at all! Ely, MN is not far from the Canadian border, by canoe. Driving is a long way, though. :-)

[jaique.livejournal.com]

I love the picture. There is something about being in the middle of nowhere that makes me feel whole, also. Glad to have you back.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Not for long, though. Later this week we're going to stay for a few days at my parents' place while they're away; a lot more civilized, but still very beautiful, and no internet. We might go camping, too, but we'll probably be home again for a couple days around the end of the month. Then off to the cottage on Aug. 3 for a few more days.

happiness is a warm post

[dubious-one.livejournal.com]

welcome back van. i was so happy to see your posts today. my friends page has been so lifeless and bland since you've been gone.

Re: happiness is a warm post

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that I could cheer you up. I'll be away again in a couple days.