Splish splash

It calls for bubbles/champagne/sparkling wine - whatever the term - today is a day to celebrate.

The alarm blurted music again today, although an hour later than Tuesday. Another exciting day was planned! Our pool was finally going to be fixed with a new liner. It has been a year or maybe two since the last time we swam, and with the weather being so hot this month the fix is way overdue.

The installers were here at 8:30 but had to wait half an hour for the rain to ease up just a bit. No worries though as they knew they wouldn't melt if they got wet so got to work, with Carm following them like a pesky child, chattering non-stop (he says he helped them but I'm not so sure). The installer has two men in their early 20s as helpers - I couldn't help but notice that they were on their phones every chance they got. Is their generation going to able to use their own minds for thinking and entertainment?

The most excellent thing about the install is the water that's been trucked in. We thought we would be filling from the well (50F) which would: take days; and, be bloody cold for weeks! This water is 82F which is perfect for swimming. Hurray!

After the rain cleared up it turned into a perfect swimming day - what luck! Icy virgin mojitos clinked in frosty glasses as we relaxed on the swing, dipping ourselves into the refreshing water of the pool when it got too hot. Life is rough, eh! Bobbing around in the cool water on a warm evening, with glasses of icy bubbles in our hands is fantastic (that part may not actually happen but it is fun to think it might).

Yesterday, with the humidex at 42C, we stayed inside for the early part of the day until it was time to go to town where we were treated to a lovely supper at the Royal Oak by Jo Ellen and Don. It was good to see them again so soon, I hope that our next visit won't be too long from now. (good luck Jo)

Summer was a book of hope. That's why I loved and hated summers. Because they made me want to believe. ~Benjamin Alire Sáenz

It was like we were in Grade 13 again

The alarm blurted music at 7am yesterday. We rarely set it at all, but yesterday was special: I was meeting high school buddies Jennifer and June! June lives in Europe, and while Jennifer is only an hours drive away we never seem to make the time to get together.

By 8am I was ready for my cross-country drive to Jennifer's Hunting and Fishing store in Richmond, just an hour away. I had the gps set, a full tank of gas, and a few bottles of water. I was ready for some fun!

I met up with Jennifer and got a tour of her store - guns, bows, camouflage clothes, and all the paraphernalia that goes with hunting. It was an unlikely sight - in high school Jenn was more interested in plush animals than dead ones. It is a testament to the depth of her love for her husband Rob. I am happy to see her thriving.

I transferred my stuff (including my camera which never made it out if its bag - dooh) from the car to her funky truck, wrapped in hunting images - and we headed off to meet June. We gabbed the whole way making the hour long drive seem like minutes. We had a lot of catching up to do!

When we got to the allotted meeting spot we sat down to wait... and wait... at one point I joked that June was probably at the other end of the building... we waited some more... and finally there was June, looking just like herself and not a moment older than she was 8 years ago. And as you may have already guessed - she WAS waiting at the other end of the building!!!

We laughed the first of many laughs and the afternoon passed all too quickly. We shopped for a bit, had lunch and copious glasses of lemonade (it was 30+C), walked to the lake and watched boats go through the locks, and talked and talked.

 

June's father set me on my career path in 1981 (I wrote about him in "Important People", one of my WYL musings) - he was there for a moment and I was happy to have a chance to say hello.

Many years have passed since our high school days, but we are essentially the same people as we were back then. Our values haven't changed, and the issues that we each struggle with are the same, however, we are wiser and don't stress about our imperfections as much. We have always accepted each other for who we are, but now I feel that we also accept ourselves. I guess age will do that to you!

To say we haven't changed isn't to say we haven't grown. I can't speak for Jennifer and June, but I am more self aware and understand better what is important in life. However, the value I put on honesty, kindness, open-mindedness and tolerance are much the same as when I was a teenager.



You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. ~A.A. Milne

Blessed Breeze

 
I wonder if this is what it is like in the south? Hot and humid, like an oven full of southern biscuits, steam releasing from the milky dough. It is a day for cool lemonade and icy mint mojitos (virgin for me please). It is definitely a day for the pool that sits forlorn and empty, waiting for a new liner and sparking fresh water. The stock tank dunking pool is a far second.

 I've made a few forays outside, but I don't usually last long - not as long as Carm did when he cut the back grass. I would have fainted but he soldiered on, his mind braced against the burning sun.

Grace is outside. She seems happy as I hear her cheerful whistles and chatter. "Are you outside?" she asked me as I took her out this morning. There is a large bowl of cool water in her cage, a refreshing wading tub if she desires.

Braving the heat for a moment, I walked around the front yard with my camera capturing photos of the garden. While not spectacular (we aren't avid gardeners), our little plot has the most colour and bloom that it ever has.

 

Sunday afternoon we met my aunt Kari and others at the St. Albert cheese factory for a poutine fest. ummm ummm good (but oh so bad). I can't believe I ate most of it. Actually, yes I can as I still feel its weight in my belly! It was a good chance to catch up with everyone so it was worth the sacrifice ;-)

 

Thank goodness for air conditioning! Speaking of which (strange segue but the water from our cooling system empties into the pond) there were 4 otters eating frogs in the pond yesterday. Pesky creatures!

I think there is a cocktail shaker with my name on it ready to make a summer refreshment: 1/4 to 1/2 lime to taste, 10 leaves mint, 1 tsp sugar, and ounce or two of coconut water.  Muddle then add ice and shake well. Strain into a tall glass and top with sparkling water. It is like dangling your legs in a lake.

Thankfulness opens the door and ushers in peace and joy like a blessed breeze on a hot and humid Louisiana summer day. 

~David P. Ingerson