Musing

[written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park]

4C/39F, cloudy; Saturday 'long weekend' morning quiet is as quiet as it gets in this neighhbourhood - few creatures stir - we had a couple of jogger encounters as we walked the ridge path this morning when a light breeze brought Gusta an odour signaling we were about to be entertained; velvety antler nubs confirmed his age and gender, his posture mimicked
Gusta in every respect except his white tail turned down - just 3 strides away he stood, squatted, finished, prepared for departure, then bounded off into the Aspen maze

I had an interesting time waiting at the airport last night - people watching almost an art form as long weekend arrival activity made the terminal an Aunt-hill of activity of children of all ages clamouring to meet a loved one; in an instant frowns of frustration delayed and bored turned to broad grins, unsolicited unprovoked hugs and damp eyes were the lubrication of the place amid those who had no one to greet them at all, those looking frantically through the crowd to collect someone they'd never met before, those forlorn ones who were not met 'yet' anxiously pacing while they hit speed dial on their phones, some auld acquaintances renewed, déjà vu it is not, déjà Sue it seems

two weeks have begun – sort of

‘prepare for departure’, that familiar term we hear settling into seats on a plane – making sure our baggage is safely stored, our seats upright . . buckled up, ready to taxi to the runway – well, maybe not yet, but on our approach - understanding why we are the way we are, knowing what it is that drives us, having a sense of where we are going – these things challenge us all I suppose, more for some than for others; we must be part of the ‘some’; exhaustion times two, ‘work yet to be done’, half packed luggage, breakfast papers and coffee make this morning that follows insufficient sleep that followed way too much talking last night between already sleep deprived protagonists began this reunion; baggage opened up for inspection, seems safe for travel

two weeks have begun – sort of

my new sandals are ready but not packed, my new shirt is ready but not packed; everything else will take 8 minutes tops to fill, push, press into place and zip; but first an outing of errands and delivering Gusta to her vacation spot (her 2 weeks of food packed up, ready for departure) pre-empts all else we must get done today - she has some things to do, I have more but not so much we won't have talk time and rest time the rest of the time

two weeks have begun – sort of

tomorrow is a very early start so tonight we’ll stay at the airport hotel; this day will be full but not as full as the last two . . unsolicited unprovoked hugs and big smiles started the day pretty well . .

two weeks have begun

Mark Kolke
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