Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Welcome Home




We're back to reality here at Casa Wags in no time at all. In fact, I unlocked the door after our six hour drive home Sunday and hurried to answer the ringing phone. Miss Bit's friend was on the line requesting a play date. Off she went just like that. T. Bone helped unload the van and then escaped as soon as possible to set up his PS3. We brought the system with us to the north woods, but it never made it out of the bag. He's making up for it now. The loon's eerie call across the black as ink lake has been replaced by the constant droning whir of the washing machine. To dos have everything to do with back to school (in two days) not vacation needs and wants. I'm having coffee this morning in the company of my cats, who will not let me out of sight, instead of thirsty thimble-sized hummingbirds. I missed my Keurig the first morning of vacation, but now I miss my brother's jet fuel cup of coffee. There are no bald eagles soaring through the sky, but Miss Bit did find a blue jay feather in the yard yesterday. The vase of wildflowers Miss Bit and I picked on a morning walk is replaced by a stunning bouquet of roses my cousin sent for my birthday. They were waiting on my doorstep to welcome me home. The badminton net is set up in the middle of the yard...not in the middle of the sand bar. Last night Jess and I caught up on the patio into the night, but there were no stars to dazzle us, no milky way to meet our gaze. I don't even think there were any mosquitoes. I stocked up the refrig and the pantry, but I'm not cooking up any soul food suppers, Mexican fiestas, steak dinners or pizza parties. Yesterday we finally went out for lunch at 3:00 and I put the roast that was to be dinner in the freezer. I'm not making desicions about what kind of cocktail to make for the gloaming, the benefits of the triple word versus the double letter space in Scrabble, or whether to tube on the Viper or the Wow, but rather which furnace to buy and where to get the best car wash after a long road trip. I have taken one picture...I haven't read a single page. I'm not living in my bathing suit all day long and going to bed smelling like the lake. There's no sand in my very own sheets (thankfully). My tan has already begun to fade. And despite all that I miss about vacation, it is good to be home. Being away, makes me appreciate coming home.



Monday, August 29, 2011

On My Mind Monday


The waves echo behind me. Patience – Faith - Openness, is this what the sea has to teach. Simplicity – Solitude – Intermittency.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh


Gift From The Sea



Saturday, August 27, 2011

Serenity Now

It's been a fun, fun, fun-filled week, but I'm ready and happy to be home. It's an oh so good feeling when you need a vacation from your vacation. I didn't see this golden glowing field on the way to the lake. My head was buried in Crossing to Safety no doubt. It was hard to miss on the way home. I was almost through Gift From the Sea, and yes...I found it all so serendipitous. I read this Lindbergh collection in my 20's, and I admit...I hadn't a clue. It made so much beautiful sense to me now in this stage of my shell...in this age of my life. It lent credence to and gave closure to a week in which my emotions ran the gambit on the shores of another kind. I have many pages to reread and many moments to relive...in the process I have faith my faith will be restored.








Friday, August 26, 2011

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for time away to play and make memories with my family. We are making the most of every day rain, storm or shine (although the weather has been just about spot on for the duration). I am so thankful to have another day of goodness today. Webb Lake we just may come visit you again.
































Thursday, August 25, 2011

into the gloaming

between day and night

not yet dark

no longer light

sun sinking low

moon on the rise

a gentle breeze blows

through amethyst skies

serene water shimmers royal blue and grey green

creatures are heard, so seldom seen

goodbye what was

welcome what can be

peace, promise, piety.




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Swimming, One Day in August

It is time now, I said,

for the deepening and quieting of the spirit

among the flux of happenings.




Something had pestered me so much

I thought my heart would break.

I mean, the mechanical part.




I went down in the afternoon

to the sea

which held me, until I grew easy.




About tomorrow, who knows anything.

Except that it will be time, again,

for the deepening and quieting of the spirit.




Mary Oliver




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Close-Ups



















We're having a swimmingly, sunningly good time. So much goodness in every day that we are away.