Maiden Voyage Shake Down
Paddling. I love it so much, I have that tattooed onto my foot! Out we went today, a nice easy 24C after a salad dinner. Racked up the car, tied the boats on, then off to one of our local lakes.
We left the car parked by the grass and gingerly embarked on our first voyage of the summer. After finding our pace, we began to relax, to listen to the myriad of bird calls. The redwinged blackbird's rich double whistle resonated across the still lake. We paddled silently as we could close to the shoreline to catch a glimpse of this pretty bird, wings flashing the combination of cream and scarlet in the blackness of its feathers. They seem to like the bull rushes that are standing and looking a bit lonely at the side of the lake, clothed in last years muslin remnants. Some of the lily pads had the beginnings of their yellow blooms, a reminder of time to come, when baby loons will secretly paddle out to test their abilities under the watchful eyes of their mother.
A flash of silver from the underside of a steel blue king fisher helped us to determine that it was this lovely bird. With their heads just too big for their bodies, they can dive so expertly, right into the water where they find dinner swimming below. As we left the lake tonight, a truck pulled up with trout. The men checked the lake temperature and poured a large amount of water and fish in, to grow for the fishermen that find sport in these colourful fish.
Our paddling arms feel good, but we wonder what tomorrow morning will bring. For me, I think loading and unloading the boats is more difficult than actually paddling. It is a nice kind of tired tonight!
But I also know tomorrow morning will bring our lovely grandson home. We have been in a battle that should not be waged over a child. We have prayed, we have fought, we have hoped and we have won. I have trouble trusting this legal system made by men, but I know God is bigger and for that tonight, I am grateful.
We left the car parked by the grass and gingerly embarked on our first voyage of the summer. After finding our pace, we began to relax, to listen to the myriad of bird calls. The redwinged blackbird's rich double whistle resonated across the still lake. We paddled silently as we could close to the shoreline to catch a glimpse of this pretty bird, wings flashing the combination of cream and scarlet in the blackness of its feathers. They seem to like the bull rushes that are standing and looking a bit lonely at the side of the lake, clothed in last years muslin remnants. Some of the lily pads had the beginnings of their yellow blooms, a reminder of time to come, when baby loons will secretly paddle out to test their abilities under the watchful eyes of their mother.
A flash of silver from the underside of a steel blue king fisher helped us to determine that it was this lovely bird. With their heads just too big for their bodies, they can dive so expertly, right into the water where they find dinner swimming below. As we left the lake tonight, a truck pulled up with trout. The men checked the lake temperature and poured a large amount of water and fish in, to grow for the fishermen that find sport in these colourful fish.
Our paddling arms feel good, but we wonder what tomorrow morning will bring. For me, I think loading and unloading the boats is more difficult than actually paddling. It is a nice kind of tired tonight!
But I also know tomorrow morning will bring our lovely grandson home. We have been in a battle that should not be waged over a child. We have prayed, we have fought, we have hoped and we have won. I have trouble trusting this legal system made by men, but I know God is bigger and for that tonight, I am grateful.
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