Sunday June 6, 2004
It's been a while since I posted and much has happened - inside and out. Today's journey was unexpectedly joyful. Morning was as mornings are presently: much determination and Dixie's pestering got me out of bed with a learned expectation of at least marginal improvements in the achy body and sluggish mind departments.
I am having to learn new meanings for messages from my body these days: nausea is not a harbinger of illness; tiredness doesn't necessarily mean I need to sleep - it may mean I need to eat.
Despite the overcast and cool morning weather, I was determined to get a walk in before tackling domestic engineering. My route landed me near the water treatment plant at the lake. I started looking for a more inviting spot to sit, drink my coffee and listen to the water lapping the shore. Just when I'd started thinking I'd probably better take anything that came along (next) because I'd walked farther than I'd planned, I noticed a gentleman walking a dog with a distinctive and familiar silhouette.
I'd only gotten a brief glimpse as they passed behind some landscaping but my interest was piqued. Indeed - there was a beautiful Bouvier des Flandres - the first I'd seen since last summer here in Kingston. Her owner stopped and we talked as I threw her ball and she fetched it. Topically, the subject of Bouvs being of service during the World Wars came up briefly.
Very shortly after that, I found a wonderful park area near a marina. Just as I got settled, a couple of people headed out in kayaks. More smiles as good memories were recalled.
And so I was reminded of two things that bring joy to my heart and of my hope to enjoy both of them again. At the same time, even. Ever since I discovered kayaking I've been plotting that my next dog companion would be trained to sit still in a tandem. The next step will be kayak camping with my new buddy.
I have the PFD (thanks to Sara and Martha) and I remodelled my trailer with a kayak in mind, so according to my personal "rule of downpayments" I'm already partway there.
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