Summer Idyl

We call it an invasion, but it’s sweeter than that

It all has the deep ease of familiarity: sitting in the shade by the lake on a warm afternoon, busy talk briefly interrupted by the resonant glunking of the bullfrog from under our feet beneath the dock; the tumult of pulling the paddle boards from storage, their carcasses lying limp across the lawn, as the scurry for pumps and valve pins and missing parts commences around them; the thump of the soccer ball against the house as another kick gets past the goalkeeper; counting turtle heads at dusk as they pop up in the placid surface of the water; the trip to town to visit american stores and to eat fast food; the flurry of Auggie’s duck chasing, the calm drift of the ducks who know the rules; the wet dogs thrusting balls into our laps; dinner outside; the long, dreamy, murmur of sunset conversation while the mist rises from the water; and in the morning, the calls of the neighbors’ chickens; the deep quiet of the sleeping cottage as I sit in my chair, the deep-breathing dogs nearby.

All the fresh changes of habit and growth fall away as the old patterns return with their familiar rhythms. Boys roughhouse in the water; the grownups drink their cocktails; the tales of our lives in the passing year, its griefs and joys, waft like the mists around us, and the ways of summers past rush in like the tide, with its inevitable, irresistible pull.

It’s summer.

And all is well.

”And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”~Julian of Norwich

These posts are about finding the beauty in daily life, even amid the craziness, uncertainty, and anxiety. Reality is not going away, but these are the only days we get, so we have to relish their small beauties while we have them. If you are a paid subscriber, please know how deeply grateful I am for your support. The kindness and enthusiasm of your comments buoy me and keep me writing, but the paid subscriptions are an extra vote of confidence I truly appreciate. These posts will always be free, however, so if all you can do is share, that is helpful, too. Whatever you decide, I’m glad you’re here.

And now for your gratuitous dog photos:

Auggie is indefatigable.

Eli wrapped up in his terry cloth jacket, post swim.