Wildlife

Last night we were graced by the presence of this great blue heron. With its incredible wings unfurled, it glided into the little cove right next to the cottage and set up house, looking for food. We got a beautiful show of speed and serenity as its head shot into the water and grabbed dinner with nary a disturbance to the water around. These mild-mannered predators are the embodiment of poise and grace, with long legs, incredible plumage, and a body built for darting in and out of the water. To see one is a privilege, to observe them in action is quite phenomenal.

We're winding down at this cottage today with all the family events scheduled for this part of the province completed as of last night. 'Tis the season, as they say, for memorializing and celebrating. Emma and I did our part, yesterday, as members of the expansive family and, as exhausting as these moments are emotionally, it was beautiful to see people come out to celebrate the memories of a grand matriarch here in Halifax. Everything has its season and this has now been settled.

Today is another journey a hundred or so kilometers north to Pictou County for a celebration of union and family. Another cottage, another family, another chance for engagement. Since Covid occurred, many of these events are chances to reunite and reconnect, to reinforce the ligature of family that may have atrophied somewhat by missed social connection.

As an outside observer (truly an "out-law"), I'm always fascinated by the collision of personalities and roles, of the in-laws and out-laws, the invisible circles of social connections that aren't entirely understandable to the naked eye.

So, this weekend will be a lot about wildlife, both human and not, as this week has been as well. It's conditioned well for the bemused study of all, least of all me, and frankly, I couldn't imagine anything better. Part and parcel of being in a large family with outsized personalities and roles, I'm told.

For you, dear souls, I wish only that you find your celebrations and memorializations. I wish you to find the wildlife, both animal and human, in your space and love each for the parts they play in making your life an amazing mosaic, splashed with rich colour and compromise.?Let your weekend and days be filled with the joy of being surrounded and loved and let the light tease and tickle your soul.

May it ever be so.

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