Living!

I still had the residual headache and fatigue from this bug that has infested our home, but I went to the river anyway. The summer is waning and I thought if anything would scare nasty illness away, it would be kayaking on the beautiful Catawba. I only lasted an hour, but it was a happy hour. I had to stay nearby the marina I launch from, in case the flulike symptoms returned. I much prefer kayaking quickly away from the crowds and heading to the quiet untravelled areas upriver. The wildlife along the river hide from the people. But this time I knew it would not be wise to travel too far with the recent illness still not really gone.

So I only saw a heron flying in the distance, and only one or two turtles popped up their heads. But then as I was daydreaming, and thinking I really didn't feel very good at all, out of the corner of my eye, I saw an enormous black bear on the shore. I had not known there were bears in the land around the river. I almost dropped my paddle swinging around to look again. Oh. It was a giant black dog. He was loose, though there was an empty kayak nearby pulled ashore.
"Hello fella," I called.
He wagged his tail and watched me as I skimmed by.

I saw a helicopter too, probably some sort of surveillance getting things all set for the Democratic National Convention converging on our city Tuesday. The day before, there were fighter jets training over our house. The whole house rattled. I am proud of my little city for hosting such a major event but it is going to be a hassle, trying to navigate the many closed roads and a million extra people. A heron flew across the river as the helicopter banked and whirled out of sight.

I headed home, a little woozy and very tired. Probably shouldn't have done that, I thought. It is just that there is something about visiting the Nursing Home so often where Mom K is residing that makes me want to dash out and live, live, live.

Psalm 34:8-12 (NIV)
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. [9] Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. [10] The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. [12] Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,






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