The walls of Mildrith’s dome were close to 800ºF when the mouse appeared the first time. He was standing on hind legs on the wall beside the oven, sniffing the air.
He gave me a start, the little bugger.… Continue reading
A Small Scoundrel
A Summer’s Morning
I stand at my kitchen door looking out at Boundary Pass, off the south coast of South Pender Island.
It’s not long after 6 am, but the bird life has been active since long before consciousness began seeping into me. I lay for a while in bed listening to the family of ravens yelling at each other in raucous squawks.… Continue reading
Let’s Raise a Glass to Mildrith the Oven!
Permit me to extoll Mildrith’s virtues.
She continues to exceed my expectations, yet she has simple needs. If I feed her enough wood and fire, she is with me. She performs. On Friday, she was miraculous!… Continue reading
Benediction on Mount Norman
We stood on that high ground
Looking down at the inlet
Our eyes like eagles,
Dropping over the tops of fir and cedar
The moss-covered rock
Over the quiet water below
And out into the islands and the sea opening into the sunlight.
There was no horizon.
Our legs were warm from the climb
Our lungs still calling for air
Blood coursing through the limbs.… Continue reading
Bread and “Les Canotiers de la Meurthe”
Look at the fellow at the far right of this painting, and what he’s holding close to his belly. It’s a huge loaf of bread, sometimes called a miche. He and his friends are gathered around a restaurant table. A waiter is pouring wine, our man is cutting the bread, the meal is about to start, there is expectation, laughter, conversation, and delicious food to come!… Continue reading