A new old

What business have I in the woods if I am thinking of something out of the woods? — Henry David Thoreau

And just like Thoreau, I have no business being at Windgrove if my mind is elsewhere.

In other words, the incredible opportunities that avail themselves to me here are lessened, or worse, not even experienced, if my thoughts carry me outside my present reality and into the past or future or other domain.

With this in mind, on New Year’s Day — by ritually dipping into the waters of Storm Bay — I dedicated the coming year to renewing my relationships with the land, the land’s leafy, furry or feathered inhabitants and all those other intrepid souls that venture out here on foot, bicycle or car.

As for human encounters, this past few days have been a whirlwind of activity with past, present and new friends descending on Windgrove and bringing with them many bundles of joyful beauty. Together we enriched each other’s lives and partook in the best of human endeavors — i.e., cooking, talking, engaging with the land and, best of all, playing Scrabble (nine games).

The only hassle was a burnt pan left too long on the stove while we chatted away. But, upon a more scientific observation while surveying the damage, some law of physics was revealed when the six carbon circles etched themselves onto the bottom of the pan as the uniform, circular gas fire burned beneath them.

Oh, and one other small hassle. I type this with a left shoulder tweaking with pain. Riding up a steep incline yesterday my legs tired out and, as I tried to stop the bike to dismount and walk the remaining distance, my foot got caught in the stirrup and I rolled down the embankment a somersault and a half, bike attached to two feet. A slow motion view of my past and a possibly blank future came before me as I hit the stony dirt. Staying fully present, though, I managed to keep the bike from falling on top of me and, thinking of Thoreau, I lay peacefully on the ground while quietly looking up at the beautiful trees, all the while listening to the soothing voices of two concerned friends, Lorne and Nel.