Memories...

We spent the weekend visiting family in Long Beach, Mississippi. It was joyful. And thought provoking. We saw our nephew, 15, whom we have not seen since he was half this age and half this size. I was delighted beyond reason when he remembered that I used to make him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into fun shapes. And that made me think about memories in general. There are so many things that I thought I would never forget, that are now lost in the mists of my mind. The feeling I felt at first kisses, falling in love, or the heart wrenching sadness that losses bring, or even the names of certain people who touched my life in a special way... moments gilded in joy or fraught with sorrow... major moments that one would think would be forever, indelibly etched in our minds. And then the other moments, small ones, that are part of the normal warp and woof of daily life. And honestly, I don't remember cutting sandwiches into shapes, but I am so glad that my nephew recalls it!

And that makes me wonder, too... the storehouse of memories that we do manage to hold onto, where do they go when we die? Do we take them with us, or are they gone, with a feathery, whooshing sound when the light goes out of our eyes? Are our memories a part of the atoms and amoebas that make up our world, or are they gone, gone in a blink, like birds on the beach?

Brown supper...

Call the cholesterol police! My wonderful brother in law, Nevada, has cooked us his very special "brown supper." Other than the pot of peerless Cole slaw, the dinner consists of platter after bowl full of food that is deep fried to an unequalled level of crisp, golden, delicious perfection.

The menu? Fried shrimp, (fresh off the dock!) fried hush puppies, (with the zing of jalapeno, yum!) fried okra, and several other fried delicacy's served up with gusto. We have not had the luxury of this meal in 7+ years. Our hearts are glad of that fact, but our taste buds are gladder still for tonight's offering. Best of all the meal was seasoned with the chat and laughter of family gathered at the long, polished table.

Flower, fruit and picnic visitor...

The sunflowers are decorating my garden with their annual brilliance. The first, sweet tomato has been picked and enjoyed... a sweet yellow variety. And truly, would a picnic be complete without red checks punctuated by the occasional scavenging guest? I add these to my list of summer joys.

Air dance...

Haiku

Great Blue Heron leaps

From pewter Biloxi waves

into clear dawn sky

Footprints...

Whales, being mammals, have to come to the oceans surface to breathe. When they submerge again, they leave what is called a "footprint." If you look at the center of this photo, you will see a circle where the water is smooth. That is the footprint left by a Finback whale. Whalers used to think the spot left when a whale dove was oil, secreted from the animal. Instead it is a moment of smooth water left after the huge body of the whale slips beneath the water.

I have been thinking lately, of what sort of "footprint" I will leave when I go. I believe that although all people die, they live on in a way in the memories of those people they have touched while they walked the earth. How will those I leave behind remember me? I have not achieved any measure of greatness thus far in my life, and I rather doubt that I will before I die. But what I hope to leave as a "footprint" is memories of unexpected kindnesses, spontaneous laughter, generous love. And a mean loaf of home made bread.

What kind of footprint will you leave as you go?

First harvest...

I planted potatoes this year for the first time. They are "fingerling" potatoes, the variety is called "Rose," something. I harvested my first few yesterday, seen in my daughters hands above. I am going to dig more tonight and toss them in olive oil with fresh rosemary and cook them up for supper, and they will taste better than any potato ever tasted in the world, I just know it!

Day on the ocean...

Today we went out on a whale watch boat. After we motored past several lighthouses, towering fir trees, and typical Maine coastal scenes, we were treated to the sight of 6 or more Finback whales. They spouted smoke-like mist, then arched gracefully into the deep green depths. Finbacks are baleen whales, they eat about 1 ton of plankton per day while in these waters. This one was about 60 feet long.

The weather was fine and clear, the waves gentle 2-4 foot swells. There were multitudes of shorebirds, stunning sailboats to admire, and Chris and I had several hours of summer joy injecting smack into the middle of our lives. Oh yeah.