On the Porch - Summer Stalk

Ignore the heat, Grasshopper.

You must go past the broad leaves ~ climb the stalk to eat from this plenty.

“Now climb, young grasshopper, so your Kung Fu won’t be weak.”

~ Ilona Andrews, novelist

On the Porch - Buddin’ Blooms

Spiky Mother Hen ~ 

beneath the table  protected 

from over heated sun-rays ~

birthed her Chicks on a strange stalk carrying little fists of delicate pink blossoms.

“Dryness promotes the formation of flower buds….. 

flowering is, after all, not an aesthetic contribution, 

but a survival mechanism.”

 ~ Ann Zwinger

On an Evening Walk - Pastel Skies

Heat ~

softened by humid skies

down drifted into the lake.

“You are the sky. Everything else - it’s just the weather.”

~ Pema Chödrön

Chapter Two, Episode Forty-Four - Letting Go - Situationally Theirs

Letting Go

Humming tunelessly, Elizabeth hung up her sweater, put her purse away and got out a fresh apron.  Always the first to arrive, she turned the kitchen lights on, filled the tea kettle and set it on to boil. Both James and Martha fussed at her about getting an electric kettle, but the water just didn’t boil the same. No one believed her, but she could always tell. Martha kept an electric kettle in her little office. Made a cup of tea for her on the busy days - days that hadn’t been seen for a long time. Since Mr. Michael died things had been slow. Especially when that pandemic thing hit the world. They’d all been sent home for weeks. She’d been quite out of sorts not being in this big old kitchen. Cook stopped what she was doing and listened. The back door opened and closed. “Hello? Who’s there?” James and Martha wouldn’t be in for another hour at least. Miss Em was still upstairs. She had stayed home last night but was up. Cook could hear her moving around. She put down her dishcloth. “Martha? Is that you?” 

“No, Cook. It’s just me, Brigitte.” Tall, green eyed and lovely, she ordinarily burst through the back door, whipped off her helmet and looked for something sweet to eat. Today, her voice was quiet and strained. Even her motorcycle seemed to be quieter.

“Brigitte! I didn’t hear you drive up on that motorcycle of yours. How lovely to see you. Where have you been? Come, the coffee’s just finished dripping and I was just about to set down with my tea. Have you had breakfast? Miss Em will be down in a few minutes.”  While she talked, she had set places for Brigitte and Miss Em. Brigitte had little to do but pour herself some coffee and stay out of Cook’s way. She wasn’t feeling very sociable but she loved Cook. What she had to discuss with Miss Em had coloured her mood. Her sleep had been off for the last week. Maybe it would be good to sit with Cook before she talked with her boss. She didn’t know she was coming so having breakfast together may be a good way to start.

~~~~~

When Emelina read Brigitte’s email, she knew that something was up. It was short and terse, asking only for a meeting. She didn’t say she was coming in to work, just wanted a meeting. Emelina was up a bit earlier on the scheduled day, having another meeting in town with the accountant later that morning. Mr. Winston had contacted her about his final updated drafts of the documents Emelina had requested. Hoping her meeting with Brigitte wouldn’t take long, she went downstairs ready to go to town as soon as she was done.

“Good morning, Cook.”…… “Oh…Brigitte..you’re here already.” Seeing her, head down, at the table, Emelina was suddenly uncomfortable. “Are you all right?” 

Cook caught the tension in the room. “Breakfast’s ready, ladies. You know my rules…no business talk at the table - especially the breakfast table.” The tension in the room eased only slightly out of respect and caring for Cook. Cook - always ready with firm but kind words and something to eat. She served up bacon and scrambled eggs, toast from her home-baked bread, fresh tomatoes from the garden and a jar of apple jelly. 

“Good morning, Miss Emelina.” Brigitte smiled uneasily “I just about called you Mrs. Beaufort but you’re Mrs. Crawford now.” She helped herself to breakfast and ate silently, only glancing up occasionally if she was spoken to.

“This is silly, Brigitte. Whatever is wrong?” Emelina had finished her breakfast and was watching the young woman she’d known for almost five years. Her caretaker for most of those years when she was grieving and totally lost. Losing Michael had been devastating for her. Finding the new relationship with Jeremy had been a surprise and a blessing. When the pandemic forced she and her sister Dez together, and all the staff had been lost to her, Emelina woke up to such a different life. When Brigitte had returned after weeks away, there was no longer any need for a caretaker. Emelina was so grateful that Brigitte was interested and excited when her job changed to one of Personal Assistant. Which made this meeting even more awkward. Brigitte’s sad demeanour suggested that she wouldn’t like what Brigitte had to say. 

“Can we walk, Miss Em? I don’t want to sit in an office or even upstairs in the living room. We can have privacy out there. If we walk the far side of the track, even Samuel wouldn’t hear our conversation.”  Emelina nodded at Cook and rose from the table, stacking their plates. “Just leave those, Miss Em. I’ll take care of it.”

“Let’s go, Brigitte. You do look like you need some fresh air. Are you sure you’re all right? Here’s a tissue.” Brigitte had tried desperately not to cry, but her eyes had their own ideas, tears bubbling at the edges of her eyelids. 

~~~~~

The two women were silent until they reached the track. Brigitte could hold it in no longer. “Miss Em. I am so sorry. I will be leaving you and the Estate.” Her tears flowed fast. “Oh, Brigitte. Why? Is there not enough work for you out here? Your care and your patience got me through so much. And then this last many months, helping me become almost a real business woman……….. I just don’t know what to say.” Emelina was stunned. “Miss Em, I’ll still be here for another month. School doesn’t start until September.” Seeing her employer so shaken by her news, Brigitte’s tears immediately dried up. “You’re going to school?” Emelina sounded dazed. 

“Yes, Miss. Being your Personal Assistant was so interesting - the business part of it. I’ve decided that I’m still pretty young, I’ve already done a lot of travel and my years out here have been fantastic. I’ll miss all of you.” Her words were stumbling over themselves, finally freed from the worries of the past weeks. “It’s only a Business Admin Degree and maybe I’ll be able to come back sometime and help you out….that’s if you would want me to.”

“Of course, I would want you to. I was just stunned with your news, but so glad for you. You can come back here whenever you want, even if it’s just for a visit.” Emelina was so relieved even though she would miss Brigitte terribly. She had often wondered why a woman so young would stay out on an Estate with a woman who treated her so terribly. Finally, she seemed to have found some direction. “Let’s take that walk.” She took Brigitte’s hand and the two women set out to walk the running track. “Tell me all about which school you’re going to, when it starts, do you need anything……..” 

“There is love in holding and there is love in letting go.”

~ Elizabeth Berg, The Year of Pleasures

On a Morning Walk - Sparkle

Blue against green ~

the beautiful fish

caught my eye.

Curiosity or

childlike wonder?

“I am a child who is getting on.”

~ Marc Chagall

On a Morning Walk - The Three R’s

Rest

Reflection

Ready to go

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

~ Leonardo da Vinci

On a Morning Walk - The American Pelican

American Pelicans, the only breed of pelicans that come to Saskatchewan, dwarfed the Canada geese swimming in the waters of Wascana Lake. My photos do not do these largest white waterfowl justice. With wing spans up to three metres, they are quite magnificent. Alerted to them flying under the walk way and out onto the lake, I swung my little cell phone camera into action, barely catching them skimming the water. Later, further around the lake, up to six pelicans swam gracefully. Morning sun shone warm and brilliant, while a cool breeze kept joggers and walkers comfortable.

“Nature’s prime favourites were the Pelicans; High fed, long-lived, 

sociable and free.”

~ James Montgomery