Retro Summer '09

Living in a big city is rather like living in a fish bowl. You forget what's beyond that enclosure. How could you not? Everything and everyone you need is right where they are: that neighbourhood barista who prepares your caffe latte every morning; that bistro waiter who knows exactly how you want your salad; and that Massage Therapist who kneads your troubles away. On that note, why leave the city? On the other hand, why not?

So, even though the Kool-Aid days of summer had turned to the ashen frost of winter, memories of sultry dog days remain. This summer past, our group of friends and family relished in a customary Canadian holiday-on-the-lam: an exodus to Cottage Country. In our case, it was in Ontario's Port Ryerse and Port Dover area.

That July day, I wrote in my journal:
"The morning sun sails over a blue-gray lake, casting shimmery zirconium confetti-like streaks across the water. From where I stand, I see the first boats glide the calm of Lake Erie, their sails quivering with the breeze. It is the first of several glorious mornings at Turkey Point beach in Port Ryerse, where lakeside homes back into arcane rivers and beechen woods. Summer is in the air."

As I sat with my daughter by the pier’s edge watching seagulls circle the sky, I tightened my arms around her. It was a rather chilly July evening, but we decided on ice cream cones anyway. She chose blue bubblegum; I opted for plain vanilla. When I saw my husband gallop around the bend with s'mores, we waved wildly for him to join us. How is life this simple and beautiful all at once? Like fire-roasted marshmallows sandwiched in chocolate and graham crackers. S'more, please!