Good morning! I’ve been gone a total of three working days, but it feels like years. The switch in cultures from here to my favorite fishing hole is so drastic that you can notice the change even in how you behave.
It’s quiet there. Situated facing the river with bays on either side, the cottage was the first one built on that stretch of river and it feels like the only one at times. The neighbors’ places can be seen out the back door and if you walk toward the river (someone built a lovely little place on the island directly across from us). No one was about this week save for the year-rounders and one or two weekenders closing up or getting one last respite in before the hard winter descends.
This trip we saw river otters, beaver, geese galore, and of course, fish. The sounds at night included the owls and the crickets. It was a bit chilly at night – 8 (46 F)a few nights, which felt fantastic in the small cottage where there’s no heat. Best sleeping weather ever. With enough blankets, we were ready for colder.
Then there’s the air. It’s just clean. Our allergies disappeared. And it feels quieter – less static, less noise, less chaos hanging in the molecules. We spent days stretched like cats in the sun – yes, sun. Unlike the rest of the eastern side of the country, Ontario is actually in need of a good rain. We arrived to a smallish storm, having been escorted nearly to the border by the tropical storm rains, then it all cleared up. Sun and warmth in the day, chilly and still at night. I could have slept for days.
We both had trouble with re-entry. As we’re driving back, he mentioned how different it was beginning to feel. As we got closer to home, the weight of living among lots of people started to feel a bit confining. He thought it felt a bit askance the way we live compared to how Ontario dwellers go about their days. I see a retirement with rural living in our future. Amen. I love the city, but the suburbs can drive me nuts in a quick minute.
I’m still a bit tired despite a short nap yesterday evening after we got back. Too bad – I have a lot of work to do today. Dig in and get it done while the caffeine is still working its magic.
How was your week last week? What was the weekend like? Do you get to escape the noise? If so, where is your favorite place?
My mom turned 70, so I flew out to Vermont for a weekend family confab. It was pleasant enough–saw lots of old relatives and the newest progeny, but I definitely felt dislocated as the only one sans his immediate family, and I was reminded of how different the West is from what I grew up in. Neither better nor worse, just different. I don't have any nagging desire to go back.
Traveling back was a hassle–Baltimore was doing runway construction, so ended up 5 hours late getting home. But, made the most of it in the airport bar and wrapped up an assignment that is due this morning.
My noise escape is our wee little A-frame in Arizona's Mogollon Rim country. Just under 2 hrs away, 6000' elevation, frequently 50 degrees cooler than PHX, and always blissful.
Last week I divided between doing loads of marketing and tons of cleaning and yard work. I now have so many bruises on my arms and legs (from diving into hedges to cut out weed trees that were growing through the fence of the abandoned house next door) that I look like a dalmatian.
Saturday was perfect. I hosted the mid-birthday bash for my little niece and nephew (he's grown about 5 or 6 inches since Easter). It was a make-your-own pizza party. The only downside was the gluten-free cake (boxed mix) was really dry. Sunday I tried not to do much of anything, and almost succeeded.
I have no place to escape the noise. Never really have, but it's probably a good thing since white noise helps block out the frequent high-pitched ringing in my ears.
Wow. That's quite a delay, Jake. Glad you were able to make hay with it.
Paula, look at it this way – the hedges are OFF the list! Yay!
Lori, somehow your description makes me long to go out to sea again… which isn't going to happen soon I'm sure.
When the power went down in San Diego last week one of the things I loved was the total absence of background hum.
Sounds like you had a lovely time. A friend came to visit Friday through Sunday, and one of my nephews visited Sunday through Monday.Watched World Cup Rugby games with them… exciting and stressful because my team was making stupid mistakes and barely managed to squeeze out a win.
Sounds lovely.
I'm lucky enough to be living in one of my favorite places. There are plenty of places to get away from human-based noise and just listen to the waves!
Anne, I enjoy power outages, too. It's amazing how much electronics figure into our lives. I love reading and cards and just introducing myself to the family again.
Congrats on the team win, Damaria! Glad you had some nice company. 🙂
It was lovely, Devon. I thought of you and where you live – you have that peace built in, too.