The day before yesterday, I went kayaking for the first time on the canal which runs through my town. It was a blissful summer afternoon - sunny but not sweltering - and I felt enterprising. I love being on the water, although I am relatively inept. A kayak was new to me. The young man at the kayak and canoe rental gave the kayak a smooth shove after I clambered in, and euphoria suffused me. I paddled along, trying to keep my strokes smooth and rhythmic, and felt so blissfully relaxed I couldn't imagine why didn't get out on the water everyday. (The answer to this question? Real life, alas!)
Along the way I encountered several turtles sunning themselves, including a baby turtle. I wondered if any of them were descendants of the turtles my parents would get me periodically at the pet store, and eventually set free at the lake or canal.
Streaks of brilliant lobelia cardinalis blazed along the banks of the canal at one point - such a clear, hot, vibrating red that I could hardly believe it was real.
I prudently turned back half an hour out, so my canal trip was an hour. Today I have a blister on my right thumb as a souvenir - and evidence that I need to work on my paddling technique.
I don't know why it is so difficult for me to make time for life-enhancing outings like this, which are, after all, not that time-consuming. All I know is, my life would be better if I did, and so I intend to work on consciously incorporating more walks, drives, kayaking, canoeing, and the like into my week. So why am I sitting here writing this? It's time for me to take two hours on this luscious afternoon and do something different from my routine - I hope to report on my exploits later!
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