Summer – Page 2 – Skelton Sketches

Summer’s benediction

Posted on September 26, 2014April 29, 2017 by lindaskelton

The grass grows long and wan now, intermingled with fallen willow leaves, awaiting one last cutting before winter…

And I lounge beneath the willows dappled shade restless with not knowing how best to spend this perfect and perhaps last summer’s day—read? write? nap? think deep and sentimental thoughts of summer’s passing…

I do a bit of each on the way to realizing that what I most want to do is just be present and still in this moment, unfettered by what I should do, could do, might do or ought perhaps to do…

Yes, this is what Sunday is for– celebrating the need to do nothing but revel in what God has already done.

Thank-you Lord…

For the dapple of light filtering through long willow fronds,
the brilliant nasturtium and marigold faces just beyond.

For this gentle breath of wind and last summer’s warmth of sun on skin.

It’s all so delectable, so restful, so…GOOD.

Sunflowers hang their heads like weary sentinels; They are heavy with seed for passing birds…

And I listen to birdsong in the quiet wake of neighborhood lawn mowing now ceased,

as autumn steals softly in with this day of benediction for all the goodness of summer.

–LS

“And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Gen.1:12

“All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you.” Ps.145:10

The Pender Islands Tandem Tour

Posted on August 7, 2014April 28, 2017 by lindaskelton

Every summer, in the recent history of our tandem, we like to go for a little Gulf Island tour. The Pender Islands were this year’s destination for a day…

Scenic beaches are the reward for endless steep hills–a feature all the Gulf Islands have in common. (Pender’s hills were the steepest yet; in 32 miles of riding we did 3,847ft of climbing!)

It’s always good to find a beach and sack out for a bit on hot pebbles just above the water’s edge…

And in the resting to find a few souvenirs…

No cycling trip is complete for me without a little walk-about as well…

Islands have such beautiful vistas… Pender’s were no exception.

Essential to every island tour is finding a place to swim… We took a little hike off-road and found Roe Lake—a quiet little gem, though a little murkier than our ideal.

It was just the place for napping (Jim) or sitting and staring into space under dragonfly surveillance…while lily pads, like slow-motion bumper cars, jostled in the light breeze and a fisher bird dived with a splash onto the lake’s placid surface.

And of course, eventually we overlooked the possibility of leaches and slime and scary ‘what if’s’ and took a refreshing and rejuvenating dip!

Then upward and onward to complete our island circuit…

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A 40-minute ferry ride carried us back at day’s end to Vancouver Island…where we grabbed a bite to eat, and drove nearly downtown to park and pedal to the 25th annual Symphony Splash in Victoria’s inner harbor…

It is a sight to see, as daylight wanes and thousands merge to fill the streets and plaza around the water, in which a barge hosts the Victoria symphony for an evening of music.

The 1812 Overture is the grand finale, complete with canon fire and climaxing in fireworks. It is a spectacular event.

The final thrill is to make our way through the dispersing crowds and pedal off into the night at high speeds to our parked van. It is a great thing to have a strong and brave Captain to take me on such adventures!

And because I trust his judgment, I am talked into climbing the Malahat the following day!

Up and over we go! The high-speed ride down doesn’t last nearly long enough to make up for the sweat and muscle power required for the way up! But I can say I’ve done it!

We take the loop by way of the Mill Bay ferry back around and into Victoria the ‘easy’ way…with of course stops for lunch and snacks and water… and even a murky swim! It is a long day.

But because I have a great Captain committed to my well-being, I remain…

A happy stoker,
LS

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. I John 3:1

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Rom.8:32

Summer Days are for…

Posted on July 30, 2014April 29, 2017 by lindaskelton

…Little Bear and Mama Bear to spend time together, making mugs and mug shots, and realizing we are growing up…

…renewing our supply of zucchini relish, a family tradition ever since Micah copied down the recipe from his Auntie on a summer’s visit many moons ago…

[ It is sweet and oh-so-yummy, especially on hotdogs. (Though we really must find another use for it, since we seldom eat a hotdog now that the kids are grown…) And it really did help put a dint in our surplus of zucchini! ]

…savoring our own ‘back yard’. People come in their yachts to visit Nancy’s Bakery. We have but to ride a hilly 13 miles to sit on the patio overlooking the harbor. Legendary cinnamon buns round out the ride as we carbo-load for the return trip home. Sometimes the best part of an effort made is the reveling in its accomplishment. Other times…it’s the cinnamon buns!

–LS

Taste and see that the Lord is good—SO good!