On the Land

The cottage is stone and cedar, built halfway up the cliff on a ledge of rock so that we are amongst the treetops looking down at the ripples of the lake as the water breaks around the curve and face of the earth coloured stones.

Coffee on the deck, looking down towards the lake, was the perfect start to every morning at the cottage. The day stretched out ahead, no need to plan because at the cottage there is always time for everything.

Anna and I would start off with some yoga, stretching and balancing on the deck or on the flat cliffs behind us. We'd walk the dogs, and throw some balls for them to retrieve. The day would be spent on the water - fishing, swimming, and in the boats - but in between activities, we'd be up at the cottage eating, resting, playing games, reading. Me, the kids, and Grandma.

And after the last canoe ride, after the last dive off the rocks, we'd eat dinner and have a campfire (over the ashes the stories are told/of witches and werewolves and Oak Island gold) until night fell and we could head back up to the cottage to put three sleepy kids into beds and Liz and I could stargaze with a glass of wine.

At these moments, there is no malevolence in the universe.