Ages older and deeper
October 30, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Catherine 
Every day it's the first thing I see from any window in the house. If I am having breakfast it catches my eye, twinkling in the morning light. Later I could be on the phone chatting and I am drawn suddenly to notice the lake darkening and soaking up every shard of light into it's depths. At night when I close the curtains on the day, it's moonlit shadows and reflections form an eery backdrop.
The lake has moods. It shudders and ripples or starts to solidify in a sheet of glass. The events that surround it can be both heavenly and bizarre. Baptisms, horses swimming with boys on their backs, herons swooping over and back, parties, picnics, scout camping trips, lovers trysts, forest fires. Sometimes its as if we both have to raise our eyebrows in shared dismay!
On Autumn evenings like this one, the earth tilts and the setting sun magic descends. The lake and I now commune with the sky. She is solid and still. All dressed up with absolutely no where to go. Dignified, ages older and deeper. Her dazzling beauty and golden highlights are on full display.
I am giddy and happy. Up on the roof, elbows resting on the edge, playing at being the flaxen haired lady of the lake. I picture my future older self. She is pushing the boat out, trailing her fingers in the icy water and soaking it all in for as long as she can.......and there's room in the boat for a few old lady pals too!
Reader Comments (18)
Who could not be 'giddy and happy' given the gift of this view. And I love the image of the boat going out with a few old lady pals traling their fingers in the water beside them.
Thank you for the vision and the verb in this post. I loved them both.
Ohhhhh...Me, Me, Me. Please save room for me!!!! :) I love this sublime thought, Catherine. Thank you.
With such an ever-changing gorgeous view no wonder you live in a giddy and happy state. And with sublime sunsets like this it is hard to pull the curtains and say goodbye to the day. Keep on enjoying every moment of the lake and her moods.
Ah, the sun setting magic is so magnificent.
Save me a place in that boat...
Such a breathtaking scene...and to think that you get to enjoy her beauty daily. Mother Nature is something else, isn't she? She can provide such serene, golden beauty like this, and then turn around and get ugly and nasty on us like she has on the East Coast.
Thoughts and prayers go out today to our friends on the East Coast.
I would imagine that you spend alot of time at your windows! We have just a creek running behind our cottage and we find ourselves drawn to stand and gaze alot during the day, to see who is visiting, to listen. What a beautiful image you have shared with us today ~ keep enjoying the magic!
Oh, how beautiful! Is there space for me in the boat?
I'd love to come with.
Just a heads-up to everyone that Squarespace expects to be offline starting at 12 noon EST today (Tuesday), due to the effects of the Sandy Superstorm. Marcie is one who has no electricity...and possibly others of you, like Puna? Robin?
To everyone affected and/or your family and friends...be safe, warm, and dry! Let's hold hands and send out our thoughts and prayers to all!
This photo just makes me sigh... What a lovely post. Count me in :)
Frankly, I don't feel like boarding the boat yet but I'm imagining myself standing on the bank and watching the boat, which is crowded with smiling ladies, gliding serenely over the water. I love that detail of the fingers trailing in the cold water, rippling its surface. :) What an impressive view, Catherine, the lake must bring many opportunities for your photography.
Thank you all so much! Tonight I feel lucky to be safe and at peace here beside the lake compared with so many who are without shelter or bereaved. Hope you are all doing ok as the storm rages on. X
This is such a perfect view, please save me a place :-)
Oh...thIs breath-taking scene is elixir to my tired eyes today!! Yes - I want to board that boat with you..and - I look forward to when things are restored here to a new sense of normalcy and quiet.
Tha k-you for this breath of fresh air!!
Oh my! Like others...how do you even close the curtains at the end of the day? This image is exquisite and to think you see this every day! Amazing. I'm glad she dressed up and that you shared her with us! See, she did have a place to go! Lovely! Thank you!
I hope there is still space Catherine...I am coming with you too...Such a serene capture. I could see myself gazing at the lake hours on end if I was living closer
Thank you for sharing :-)
I know the power and moods of a lake also. Lovely image & words Catherine! I will ride along too!
The image of your boat with you and friends brings to mind a conversation a long time friend and I have, a sort of promise, that no matter what else happens, as our hair grays and our walk slows down, we will still find a way to get together and share a cup of coffee. A boat ride would be even better. Thank you for the wonderful images your words have inspired.