October Mist

It has been interesting to be here so regularly this time of year when we were so infrequently present for this seasonal shift in the past. I remember the slow reduction of humans around the lake, the larger presence of other animals, and the emergence of golden leaves, but what I don't recall is the morning mist rising up from the water. The last few mornings have provided a real visual treat with the cool pre-sunrise air pulling the heat of the lake into the atmosphere. It has also been fascinating to watch it slowly burn off as the sun hits the water. 

These moments are the ones that, when I look back on this time, I want to remember. The little delights I get to experience, the quiet solitude of savoring something I'd otherwise miss out on. I'm so fortunate. I am grateful. 

Notes From The Travel Journal - Oh Canada

My mom recently celebrated a birthday and given that I have so much free time lately, I suggested we take a little trip in honor of the big day. When thoughts of the Grand Canyon got a little too overwhelming, we settled on a road trip to Nova Scotia. She had heard great things about that part of Canada and I was eager to see Cape Breton Island myself. Off we went on our five day adventure!

After a six hour drive through Maine and an uneventful border crossing, we arrived at our first stop - Saint John, New Brunswick. We strolled around the small downtown and took a quick trip over to the "Reversing Falls," a pretty unimpressive tourist feature of "rushing" water where the river and ocean meet. It didn't rush and a huge paper mill provided the scenic backdrop. We weren't impressed but then enjoyed some beers at a local pub and retired for the night before heading to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia the next day.

Wowza! Cape Breton is so beautiful. We found a cute little oceanside cottage for our two-night stay which ended up being in a great spot for exploring Cape Breton National Park. Similar to the North Coast 500 in Scotland, The Cabot Trail winds its way from shore to shore of the island hugging the border of the national park and providing amazing views of the sea. Despite the rain and chill, we drove along the windy (and windy!) roads, stopping often for views, some brief little hikes, and a random cliffside porta potties. Stunning (the views not the potty).

We were sad to leave, but jaunted down the east coast of Nova Scotia to Halifax, a bustling small city that seemed full of young energy and happening spots. Reminding me a lot of Scotland, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of savory pie followed by sticky toffee pudding at a recommended pub before turning in for the night to rest up for another day of driving. The morning brought rain rain rain but we made the trip to Peggy's Cove before learning that the ferry intending to take us from Yarmouth, NS to Portland, ME was canceled the following day due to Hurricane Jose. From our oceanside perch next to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, we were thankful to the ferry captain because the waves were enormous and the ocean was churning! 

However, it did require some logistical finagling. We consulted our remote travel agent, Simon, who hooked us up with an amazing resort in St. Andrews by the Sea, one of our favorite stops! The quaint seaside town provided a fantastic dinner, gorgeous sunset, and a Farmer's Market for some Canadian Maple Syrup. On the way home, we managed a brief sojourn in Bar Harbor for pizza and a look at Acadia National Park's "Thunderhole" before arriving in Portsmouth tuckered but pleased as punch with our Canadian trek!

A Poem For A Birthday

Dew Light
W.S. Merwin

Now in the blessed days of more and less
when the news about time is that each day
there is less of it I know none of that
as I walk through the early garden
only the day and I are here with no
before or after and the dew looks up
without a number or a present age

I don't know how to articulate how much I love Merwin's work (I guess the fact that we named the dog after him is a demonstration given how ridiculously loved the dog is). It is some of the first poetry I deeply admired, studied, and savored. Today is Merwin's 90th birthday and this poem has a beautiful simplicity that is amplified by that context of his aging. And perhaps even the age old "living in the moment" lens. Happy birthday, Merwin. I hope, from the little paradise of palms you have created in Hawaii, you know how much your work has helped your readers to understand the world, to feel, and to know beauty in words. 

Just A Little Moment

Morning reflection.

Discovering Yoga

Well, duh, you might say. As a former dancer and someone who knows many people who love the practice, embracing yoga seems like a no brainer. But it has taken quite some time to do so. My first memory of trying it out was a yoga on the beach class led by Janey. It was perfect in a way I knew I'd never find again. Subsequent attempts proved incredibly painful and I grew impatient with myself in classes. It hurt, I was too inflexible to even get close to the poses, everyone already seemed to know what they were doing, and exploring the various styles felt overwhelming. Plus, with the commute and limited "me" time, how was I going to fit it in?

Now there are no time constraint excuses and I decided to give it another try. My sister in law pointed me to Yoga Anytime, an online community of teachers and classes of all varieties and levels. I found a coupon code for a free month-long trial and took the plunge. The website has a seemingly endless supply of video led instruction and a handy search tool to find exactly what you're in the mood for. I'm sure I'm missing things by not having fellow students and a teacher alongside me, but being able to explore yoga comfortably at home has been amazing. I found an instructor I really like (thanks Linda!) and have been completing "flows" almost daily. It has been exciting for the poses to become easier and to slowly start to feel better. Less inflexible, less creaky, and little by little a bit stronger. I feel more centered and grounded after each session. Plus with the last couple days of beautiful weather, I've dragged the mat onto the deck and downward dogged with a fantastic view out over the lake. I only wish I had embraced it earlier! 

Two Days, Two Hikes

We finally bit the bullet and booked a trip to Argentina, an idea we've been tossing around for years but always hesitated to make happen. Along with stops in other parts of the country, we're spending a week in Southern Patagonia where vistas and natural delights are pretty much the main event. But to get the most out of it, we want to hike a bit. So we're "in training." I guess mostly I should say I'm in training. Simon's trained. In hopes of being a bit more prepared, on Saturday we hiked up Mount Major about 45 minutes away in Alton, NH. 

There were various ways up the mountain and after some reading we opted to ascend via the Southern Loop Trail, described as "moderately difficult" then take the easier trek down, partly because descents always seem to be trickier for my weak knee. This route would cover 5 miles and an elevation change of about 1,130 feet. This 1,130 foot ascent took place in the first 1.5 miles so it was a condensed (and intense!) period of steep climbing. There were some tricky sections, one where both the dog and I required a boost from Simon, but all in all it was manageable and so incredibly worth the huffing, puffing, and sweating. Outstanding views out over Winnepesaukee and the surrounds. Unreal.

On the way home, I mentioned to Simon how much I enjoyed the hike and how, in the research to find Mount Major, I had also come across a shorter trek near Province Lake, about 15 minutes from Round Pond. He took the hint and we decided to give that one a try on Sunday. While it was much shorter (1.8 miles total) it still covered about 700 feet in elevation change so was another endurance and climbing test. The trail was much narrower but also had some really lovely sections that wound through the forest and some soft pine needle parts of the trail that made for easier walking. And again, beautiful views from the summit, this time of the smaller Province Lake with the Ossipee Mountains in the distance.

All in all, it was reassuring to take these walks. I think with some more practice and some general work to build up endurance and strength, we'll be in good shape. Well, maybe just okay shape. Let's not look for a miracle here.

Nature Fiesta

I don't know if it's because the typical post-Labor Day exodus of humans around the lake made more space available for wildlife, but this past week was exceptional for creature viewing. Merwin chased a raccoon up a tree (and very nearly snagged a mouthful of fur), the bald eagle swooped in for a landing on one of our trees (I observed him from a few feet away, glimpsing the all-American splendor of an eagle pooping), the hummingbird nearly buzzed my face with his supersonic wings, and the loons have graced the lake and airwaves with their beauty more languidly and fully than when they were in competition with jetskis.

Naturally, I tried to capture all of this on camera. I was too awed by the eagle to reach for my phone, but I couldn't resist taking a snap of the poor raccoon clinging to the tree trunk. Combined with some truly spectacular sunsets over the past two weeks, this ease into fall isn't quite as challenging as it usually is. I suppose it helps that the words "The Nutcracker, "annual appeal," and "grant proposal" are no longer part of my daily vernacular. 

A Poem For A Friday

Turning
WS Merwin

Going too fast for myself I missed
more than I think I can remember

almost everything it seems sometimes
and yet there are chances that come back

that I did not notice when they stood
where I could have reached out and touched them

this morning the black shepherd dog
still young looking up and saying

Are you ready this time

How many times have you felt that? The all-consuming whirl of life and when you finally pause, you think, "What just happened? Where did all of that go?!" Like the narrator mentions, a few flitters of memory return every now and then, but more sift by than are captured. 

I love how this poem articulates that feeling. It begins rather generally and without much imagery with the narrator pondering the idea that his life has swirled by without him grasping those moments when they were available, tangible, and happening. Then suddenly it gets visual with the distinct image of a dog, a creature that is basically only capable of living in the moment, and his simple query. 

If only we got a do-over to relive those moments we missed when we were caught up and distracted. But maybe we do. Maybe every day is a do-over. Are you ready?

Remember Those Zinnias?

Just look at them now. When we returned from our week away from the lake, it was immediately apparent that there hadn't been a single drop of rain in our absence. The impatiens, begonias, geraniums, and drooping violets weathered the scorching, but the zinnias are now just crunchy, dried out sticks.  Grrr! I was so pumped to be snipping their buds and nestling them in those cute Danish vases inside the house. Oh well. I guess there's always next year.

Just A Little Moment

These flowers, these zinnias, were started from seeds by my dad, driven to NH and planted by my mom, watered by me, and placed in a vase brought to us by visitors from Denmark. Tiny flowers, big love.