Tuesday
Aug032010
Tethered
August 3, 2010 
This is my sister's old boat, in it sits her son and grandson. They are tethered to the dock. The little one just wanted to be in the boat and his dad sat with him. They were going nowhere.
Margie often writes me or calls me from her cottage and tells me that she never wants to leave, she loves who she becomes at the cottage. I tell her I understand, I don't experience it often but I do know what she means.
We were tethered to our home this past weekend. It was a holiday weekend, three glorious days off, in Ontario they call it a civic holiday. It meant that Barry and I were going to share two days off. I was so pleased. We could go somewhere and do something. I got busy making plans! Not having the same days off work as your spouse can be tough, you fit in as much as you can when you happen upon the rare treat of two entire days together.
We had a date Saturday night, dinner out and a play, Age of Arousal. (Yes a play about women, sisters and typing peppered with a liberal sprinkling of hot flashes - both mine and the characters in the play – it was perfect). Over dinner, we had talked of a holiday, a week of doing nothing, perhaps just before Christmas when we both could have some time off.
On the way home from our perfect night, I said, "Do you hear that?" He said, "What?" I said, "That noise." No, he didn't hear the noise, but that's okay, it was probably nothing. Then there was a great clunk and a grinding. "Oh! No!" Fortunately, we were close to home and coaxed our ailing old car into our garage. As much as I love a holiday weekend, our car hates them. She only ever breaks down on Saturday evening leaving us stranded until Tuesday morning.
And that is the story of how we were grounded. We were as tethered to home as those boys were to the dock. I decided that I would treat this challenge as a gift - as a good thing. I would take my cue from this photo and find peace in going nowhere fast. I was determined not to fret about not having a vehicle or how much that clunk was going cost. Our beloved car is known for her expensive tastes in repairs.
We woke early and stayed in bed reading books and drinking coffee. We puttered around the house when we finally pulled ourselves away from the luxurious lie-in. Later, we walked to the store to indulge in ice cream cones. Our short walk meandered into an hour and a half tour of our village and the back roads. It was hot and the cicadas sang in the trees, we walked side by side, chatting and laughing. I said I felt like our parents had grounded us and not allowed us to use the car.
The first field tomato of the season was purchased from a smart fruit vendor who also had local bacon for sale. A dinner plan of bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches was hatched. Weeds got pulled, the hedges trimmed and we drank gallons of homemade lemonade. Our neighbour who has the orchard across the way dropped off a basket of tree-ripened peaches telling us cheerfully to enjoy!
We found ourselves relaxed yet productive. I felt different.
I felt like I think Margie does at the cottage and it occurred to me that perhaps we love our cottages and summer homes so much because once we arrive for the weekend, or the much anticipated longer stays, we don’t leave. We become tethered to the spot where we are. Our summer lives consist of walks into town on dusty roads for ice cream, visits from neighbours who share their bounty, we do our chores but slowly and with intent, we spend quiet times with books and our loved ones, we dine on simple perfect foods. We love who we become when we stop, when we find happiness and joy in the simplicity of the things we already have.
My initial disappointment in not being able to go off and running in all directions on a holiday weekend was quickly banished by a reminder that sometimes things are best when you just stay put.
Can you park the car for a bit this week? It’s a fine reminder of how things should be in August!
XO
Kath
Reader Comments (13)
We do exactly that at our cottage :-) It is our breathing space.
Why is it, do you think, that on weekends we want to get away from home? Do we need the reminder that there's a life out there other than what we have all work-week at home? Hmmmm. When I stay at home, I see everything that needs to be done...on the computer, in the kitchen, wherever. Getting away gets me away from all of that. HOWEVER. You make a very important point, Kath, for which I thank you: if we stay at home on the weekend (like when it rains!), maybe we can pretend we're at the cottage and do the things we'd do there, like put a jigsaw puzzle together, read a book, take a walk, etc. You are so right. We can let our own homes be a vacation/holiday oasis...maybe even more often than just the weekend! It sure helps relax the body, too (who would have thought!).
Wonderful post! I try doing that as well. Mostly successful thank god!!! That picture is awesome, I could find myself in a boat like that, just floating, hmmmm, lovely!!!
Not having a car, I know what you mean . However you do learn to enjoy what you are and where you are. I love my home and quite content to just do as I please every day. Great thoughts Kath. Mom
Such a precious photo. I love all that it represents. And, I love the way you turned your unfortunate car experience into a positive one. Good for you!
I've been tethered to home this past week, too, due to a broken car. It has been restful, and I have to admit, it's been a relief to be able to use this as a bit of an excuse not to go or not to do...
Lovely vision and verb
So great that you found the up side of the downside of being without a car. Important to be able to find the joy and happiness..just where we are. There's no place like home!!!!
Sounds rather wonderful to be tethered. I love the story of your nephew sitting in the boat with his son, just to be with him, even though they were tethered and going nowhere. Wonderful post, Kath.
That is my idea of a perfect weekend! I am so bad, my favorite days are always the ones where I don't have to leave the house, I'm pretty sure I'm a hermit. But those are the best kind of days, when you are forced to relax a little, live a little, enjoy the simple things in life. Your image is gorgeous, love the color saturation. And so sweet.
Absolutely understand this this story. Carless and careerfree makes you caring and carefree and life is good.
exactly what august is about...love the metaphor
i'm with my sister at the moment (in the uk), and whilst we're not really kicking back and relaxing (she has a 1 1/2 yr old, and an 8 week old...not a lot of sleeping going on!!!) it's lovely to chill out; we're in our old family house, lots of lovely memories, and time spent with family. so important!