AUGUST 23
Between Goderich and Kincardine,
Lake Huron
Great Lakes
Ontario.
COLLECTING WILD FLOWERS
WEATHER ON LAKE HURON
Can’t see the Sunset for cloud
Today we had rain and thunder storms. The lake was completely calm early this morning in fact it was the flattest I have ever seen it and I thought ah, I will be able to swim today. But first I sat down to meditate by the lake, using a red plastic chair, sheltered under an awning and fellow swimmer swam out so far he was just a dot on the lake. Then the slight drizzle got more intense and as he left the lakeside the rain began in earnest. First heavy and then in a trice torrential and although I tried to stay and meditate, the rain was coming in so I moved farther back. Then as it poured a drip began from the awning right onto my head and my hood was rapidly wet, so I gave up and took the path back up to the cottage and went and meditated peacefully in my room.
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Later that morning watching the thunder that rolled in and counting the seconds between lightning and thunder I saw white lightning strike the lake at the horizon straight from the thunder clouds. I wouldn’t have missed it. Lightning on Lake Huron!
The fields were drenched.
Next day:
RAINY DAY AT LAKE HURON COTTAGE
It’s raining on Lake Huron. The washing and swimsuits and towels on the line strung between two huge pine trees is not getting any drier.
Its evening now and yesterday I achieved a best: I won my first ever game of five pin bowling. I beat everyone, much to everyone’s amazement. It was simply a great feeling to be the best at something, no matter how insignificant or how transitory. It was a laugh. I just remembered my Dad bowling beautifully almost making it graceful and tried to follow suit and it seemed to work somehow.
THEATRE AT BLYTH
Then I went to see a piece of wonderful Canadian theatre at a very small place called Blyth which when it is not performing outdoors performs in the local town hall which looks like a museum or church or a cross between, a beautiful piece of architecture.
Today’s swim was good, the water is fresh but manageable, but I was able to swim up and down without being knocked over by the waves or swept off my feet by the current. It takes some time to get used to swimming on one of the Great Lakes.
WALK THROUGH FARMER’S FIELDS
Today I went for a walk up the dirt road that leads in here through farmer’s fields that stretch for as far as you can see on either side. They grow vegetable crops but without hedges or fences just a bunch of trees might signify the end of one field. Either side of the track are a wide selection of beautiful summer flowers. We collected one of each kind only. There was the golden rod and the meadowsweet, black- eyed-susan, toadflax, vetch, purple thistle, pink clover, scabious and a blue flower and a shaking grass. They were in the most beautiful clumps almost painted on and in such delicacy. So much colour.
The sun is hiding tonight but the lake is flat with no waves.
