neighbourly visit Maggie came trotting down the shore to say hello, her golden hair bedraggled by the sea, an old hockey stick in her mouth. By way of introduction, she dropped it at my feet, so I put down my pencil to play fetch. When she clambered ashore and shook, a rainbow appeared about her. Each time back, she happily chewed off a bit, making little piles of splintered trophies. Impatiently, she would often jump in the water first. Sometimes, her old eyes would fail her and she would follow my pointing. Then the stick broke in two and we played 2-sticks on the rocks.  First one, and then the other, she'd gather in her mouth. When all that was left was splinters, she looked at me sadly and went back home.

a week at Quagle Cottage on Georgia Strait  -   a time of tranquility and introspection

1journey.net     jul 2003 elias