I Found My Groove...Baby I Found My Groove

Why did it take me so long to experience Stone Lagoon? I have no clue but it was stunningly beautiful. Nineteen of us showed for a planned outing of Explore North Coast, mostly members but a few checking out the group joined in a paddle that held no threats or weather concerns, welcomed vessels of all sorts and promised to have perfect weather - especially for a mid-winter morning.

After working our way through the reeds and attempting to explore the creek on the south side, we headed to a boat-in campground for lunch. Never having been there, I didn't recognize the level of the lagoon was high...until we tied off to a picnic table that was sitting in the water, when it normally sits well above.
After a rather extravagant potluck, hauled in on a raft towed behind a member's kayak, Marna Powell led us on a tour of the six campsites and several spruce trees of awesome proportions.

It turned out that I DID remember how to paddle but had forgotten the finer points of my forward stroke until we were heading in but, muscle memory will kick in once I get out there and paddle on a regular basis. This trip reminded why I love still water and had me wondering why I hadn't done Stone Lagoon sooner.

Hang Me Up to Dry

It’s the start of a brand new year and I haven’t posted a blog since autumn. Is that better than posting even though I have nothing to say? I know Fred wouldn’t agree - I'm surprised he hasn't commented with a "there's nothing to see here...close it down". Sometimes it’s best to “leave `em wanting more’. I’ve been to the beach. I made ricotta cheese. I baked piles of Christmas cookies. I've dabbled with blog-fodder but the holidays were cold and wet and had thoughts that were mere seeds lacking warmth for germination. I haven’t formulated enough to write about them but maybe listing them will help them bear fruit:

• I have friends and relatives that are battling medical maladies of all sorts. It scares me. I hope I’ve been doing everything in my power to keep us healthy. I hear people question God’s plan in these matters but I believe that God has given us tools - he doesn’t force us to use them.

• I have acquaintances, that have survived their holidays grieving the loss of a loved one. One in particular has an amazing support system in place that allowed her to be non-traditional. She set aside the Christmas tree and instead took a small trip with friends and celebrated with a fancy dinner al fresco. She has plans for all of the important holidays in her near future to keep her mind busy and her heart distracted. I’m sure she will slowly get back into holiday mode but I think she’s dealing brilliantly and is so fortunate to have good friends in her life.

• I see couples in the cuddly and demonstrative phase of their relationships and sometime envy that excitement. Then I remember that my marriage has hung in when others packed it in. We may not lust openly but I like the fact that I’m still cuddling on the couch with the same guy after 35 years, even if we’re watching TV and not copping a feel under the blankets. Giving this up for a flash of excitement is unthinkable!

• I have an old relationships that leave me questioning WHY I keep trying? Not my marriage though it IS Mark who wonders why I keep trying. I’m not really sure. The communications are few and far between and, frankly, a drag. Just once, you’d like to hear something happy when you ask “howsit goin?”. As I’ve told the girls when old friendships turn sour, sometimes you just move apart and don’t have anything in common and I suppose that sometimes you have nothing BUT history. Is that enough? Should it be enough to maintain a friendship?

I leave you with a few pictures I’ve shot in the past few months. Maybe the new year will bring some inspiration to my sluggish brain.