Saturday, August 8, 2009

Saturday, August 8, 2009







The fish caught this morning are steaming, flaky and tender, and drenched in lemon butter. As Joel stated, “It doesn’t get any fresher than this unless we would’ve cooked it on the boat.” The fruits of their labor are savored and enjoyed. Joel, Mary, Jon, and Kristine headed out early this morning with Captain Kelly of Tofte Charters to fish and take in the sights and sounds on beautiful Lake Superior. The temperatures never got above sixty degrees and the swells were a foot high making for a very wavy ride. If they didn’t succumb to motion sickness, they were chilled to the bone. I was very glad I stayed back on land. I slept in, went to Moondance Coffeehouse in Lutsen for my caramel latte, walked along the shoreline trails, and relaxed in the chairs along the beach area of the resort taking in the scenery and doing as all good North Shore visitors should—reflecting on life and contemplating future goals.

Like a fingerprint, the ebb and flow of the waves crashing on the shore are unpredictable and each very different. The chaotic rise and fall of the water against the shore is a poignant reminder that the only thing constant is change and the only way to keep up with the chaotic day to day craziness of life is to go with the flow. It’s not what happens to us—it’s how we react to what happens.

The touching effects of this natural magnificence even moved Mary to poetry this evening:

“When the waves are crashing on my feet
When the breeze is in my hair
Makes me feel that I’m flying through the air over a lake
I never want this summer to end
When the first day of school starts
I’ll try to keep up my courage
But for right now I only want to be here right now.”

As I sit next to the wood burning stove here in Cabin #406, the warmth of the fire literally melts away my cares and worries. Reflecting on the last few days here by the lake on the shores of Superior I can recall the perfectly horizontal line of water splitting across the sky. I can still visualize the moon’s light reflecting like a jet stream in the water below it. I will forever be mystified at the part of the day when it is nearly impossible to tell where the earth ends and the sky begins, and I will be haunted by the effect of the fog rolling in swallowing the scenery in a heavy mist. We will leave here tomorrow for home, but the sights and sounds of this vacation will remain treasured memories and a reminder that a time for reflection is necessary for the well-being and refreshing of the soul.

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