back to camp

Bump, bump, bump… it was Friday and we were on the road again with camper in tow. It was an uneventful trip and the setup to transform an empty site into our home for the next 10 days was easy. We have the process pretty much down pat.

As usual, the dogs cottoned on to the fact we were going camping and waited by the door until it was time to leave. Grace knew too and tried to squeeze out the cage door when I opened it to get her dish.

After our usual beverage we moved inside, with the fireplace going. It is a far cry from the blistering heat of our last trip here. In fact, I had to pull on a sweater and definitely have long pants on too.

Carm thinks we saw juvenile Golden Eagles on our way here. Also on the way here, the instant pot bounced out of the cupboard and the venting knob fell off. Thankfully it didn’t break and we’ve done a test to make sure we put it back on properly. It’s actually cooking supper tonight: a cabbage, sweet potato soup from the freezer. I dump the mostly frozen soup into the pot, add ¼ cup of red lentils for some extra protein, and a bit of extra water, start it and leave it.

Speaking of instant pot… a new 8qt version arrived in the mail today. It is huge and will require that I do some reorg of the pantry. The plan is to have big cooking days every few weeks. Carm can help with the vegetable prepping and then we can do two different kinds of soup with lots of servings for the freezer. There are days when I’m too tired/lazy/time pressed to cook and we’ve turned to take out and other unhealthy choices. With soups in the freezer there will be no excuses.

“The best lack all conviction
While the worst are full of passionate intensity”
~W.B. Yeats

the last dip

Today is the 27th of September and we were in the pool! Good thing we went in when we did too as the rain is sheeting down with a rumble of thunder accompanying it. It has been weeks since the last rainfall so this is a good thing, but it is accompanied by a cold front so our time of mid summer heat is over.

There aren’t as many butterflies in the field and the balance of species has shifted from mostly Painted Ladies to an abundance of Monarchs. It is still a lovely experience to be surrounded by a swirl of colourful wings.

Flowers in bloom now.

Photo of Carm and his brother Anthony, (the father of the bride), that I forgot to post the other day. The family resemblance is strong. I really fell down on taking photos that day - there should have been one of Carm and I, one with all his siblings, and maybe even one of the bride and groom :-0

Carm had to get his suit pants taken in 3 or 4 inches, and needs a new shirt as it billowed on him. Thirty pounds for him, not so many for me...

love and hope and certainty

Humidex: 39C (that’s about 102F)! It is September 24th and the only way we can stand to be outside is to be freshly cold from a swim. Inch by inch I slip into the water, cold slowing my progress, then with a final jump I’m in up to my chin. It’s almost unbearably cold at first, but then, as my skin numbs, it becomes delightfully refreshing… for a few minutes anyway.

Despite the hot weather, the pool has only gotten up to 74F - if it was summer with these temps we’d be well into the 80s. But we are rejoicing that we can swim at all.

The geese have started coming - it is very strange to hear their honking while we are limp with the heat.

Despite the wilting heat I’ve dragged the dogs out to the field a few times. I can’t resist walking along the fairytale path with purple flowers brushing my legs and hundreds of butterflies filling the skies. For a few minutes I am transported into a scene from Bambi or Cinderella and I’m singing in a sweet voice and dancing, my rags being transformed into a silver gown.

Yesterday we attended our niece Grace’s wedding. It was a lovely ceremony in a park with a large stone pavilion to keep the beating sun off our backs. The bride and groom were backlit by a view out over the Ottawa River. So lovely.

After the ceremony we went to Carm’s sisters for a sandwich and for me to change into my silvery ensemble. Bracelets glittered on my arms, and the dress itself had a waistband of glitz. My shoes glinted in the sunlight. I sparkled. I love bling and this outfit was fully compliant. I should have been dancing with the butterflies.

The reception was in an old horticulture building on the fairgrounds. It has been renovated with beautiful tall ceilings and windows along one wall. No air conditioning though. It was a great party with a tasty meal, and lots of speeches leading up to a night of sweaty dancing.

The bride glowed with love and hope and certainty of her future. I could see from the long glances and lingering touches that this love had rubbed off on other couples, ones that have been married a long time. Even us.

“Butterflies are self propelled flowers.”
~Robert A. Heinlein