Sunday, February 26, 2017

Reflections: Mosaic Monday



My husband wanted to go to Home Depot this afternoon for a new anode rod for the hot water heater. On the way home we stopped at Thetis Lake Park for a walk. The sun shone most of the time, and although the temperature was chilly (5C), we quickly warmed up as we walked. 



I grew up in the interior of British Columbia, and knew far more about lakes than about the ocean. BC has over 20,000 lakes, of all sizes. Summer vacations were spent camping beside lakes where we swam, fished, and got sunburned. Shorter fishing trips happened summer, fall, winter, and spring. Fresh trout sizzled in a cast iron frying pan for dinner, and later we would sit around the campfire. As the fire died down and the mosquitoes turned vicious, we would retire to our tent or camper. Then, lying tucked into a warm sleeping bag, I heard the poignant cry of loons streaming like ethereal ribbons across the water, now etched forever into memory.


E.B. White, author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, crafted an essay entitled "Once More to the Lake" in which he writes, "I have since become a salt-water man, but sometimes in summer there are days when the restlessness of the tides and the fearful cold of the sea water and the incessant wind which blows across the afternoon and into the evening make me wish for the placidity of a lake in the woods."



In my adult life, I, too, have had more to do with salt water than with fresh. Yet today's walk brought back so many memories of lakes, of childhood, of family times when I was young. What caught my eye today were the reflections in the placid water, only slightly distorted. Reflections of the past today were equally clear and lovely.  


Linking with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Maggie of Normandy Life. 

30 comments:

  1. What a simply stunning place! As you're first to the MM party Thetis Lake Park was the first place I visited this morning and I couldn't have asked for a better start to my day. Your photographs are so clear and well defined, the reflections just brilliant! Thank you for sharing your campfire memories, too, what a wonderful part of your childhood those outings must have been.
    Happy Mosaic Monday, dear Lorrie.

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  2. You captured such beauty in your photographs, it was a joy to visit and hear about your campfire memories bringing the pictures to life.

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  3. I love those skeletal trees etched against a bright blue February sky - I have heard those haunting calls of Loons across a lake when I stayed in my brother and SiL's wood cabin in Havelock, Peterborough Co.

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  4. What a delightful post. The sea is part of my childhood years, living right on the shore of a Cornish creek (Estuary?). Water has such a calming effect. Your photos and words are, as always, lovely.

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  5. Oh we have always been drawn to watery places and have often talked about the different spirit feel of lakes, rivers, or the coast. And yet I had never read that essay by E B White ... it is perfect as are your words and pictures. Thanks for this lovely morning wake-up read!

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  6. I was at Home Depot too, but came back to plant flowers not to take a beautiful walk. Gorgeous photos.

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  7. Thetis Lake Park is a wonderful place. Stunning images and loved hearing your memories! Happy Monday!

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  8. I enjoyed all your reflectionS

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  9. Your memories are poetic! We spent many days at lakes and rivers in the summer, back before air conditioning! This lake is just lovely, such clear, calm water.

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  10. What a beautiful park, and a nice way to end a trip to the store! I'm a lake person living here in Ontario. The ocean sort of frightens me to be honest. Your description of your time beside lakes mirrors mine through my childhood up to present day. Beautiful photos of your visit. Enjoy your week Lorrie :)
    Wendy

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  11. A peaceful escape to Thetis Lake Park and to wonderful memories of your childhood, Lorrie. It is no surprise that both types of reflections are refreshing to the soul.

    Really love that last pic - the birches mirrored in the ripples mimics a fine painting!

    Have a lovely week!
    Poppy

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  12. Happy Mosaic Monday

    much love...

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  13. What a beautiful park. I took a brief walk in our Central Park last week but haven't done anything yet with the pictures. Have a great week.

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  14. Now if I were home, this post would send me straight for my E.B. White books. That description of the loons ' cry got me.

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  15. Beautiful post and photos
    Thank you for a great start of the week
    I miss the Ocean salty air as much as I miss the scent of fresh water.

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  16. Oh I adore the reflection water photos so much, stunning. Trout...I had my first fresh Trout a few years ago in North Dakota...so yummy. Sure cannot duplicate the flavor from anything store bought. Have a great week~

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  17. Lovely reflections and mosaics. I enjoyed reading that quote.

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  18. A beautiful walk with you to your memories. Thank you. :)

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  19. What a beautiful walk this must have been! Thank you for taking us with you!

    Have a good week!

    Madelief x

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  20. Lovely reflection! We're fortunate to have so many pretty lakes in our vicinity.

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  21. What lovely memories of being at the lake. It would be a toss up for me between the ocean or a lake, they are both so beautiful. I love your blue skies and lake walk so very much.

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  22. Lorrie, I always enjoy the walks you take us on!
    I often look for reflection photo opportunities when I'm out and about too - yours are beautiful.
    I loved reading about your camping holidays when you were young.
    My father was a tramper and mountaineer and often took us on long walks in the forest.
    He was a botanist too, so while he studied flora and fauna, collected samples and made notes in his nature journal, we climbed trees
    and had lots of fun!
    He made sandwiches before we left home and when we stopped for lunch, he made a fire and we had billy tea!
    Those were such special days that will remain with me forever!

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  23. I love the blue sky in your first mosaic. Also the pond / lake looks idyllic. Have a great week Lorrie!

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  24. This post is so beautifully written, lyrical. It is always sweet when we can write about our childhood memories. Love you Wellies, too.

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  25. Such beautiful photos and memories of your lake days, Lorrie. Having grown up in Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes, and now in NC across from a lake, I personally have more experience with the lakes. It is a special treat to visit the salted seas.

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  26. Lovely reflections...both the words and the photos. Thanks for taking us along on your walk!

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  27. It is among my favourite walks. In the summer it is a treat to slip off the path and into the water. I have known many lakes, in many places but no water has the feel of cool cream that the two Thetis Lakes offer.

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  28. Lovely. Water is so soothing to me. I love to hear a ripple over rocks.

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  29. The lake is so pretty and your reflective photos are so calming soothing. Looks like a wonderful place for a walk. Thanks for taking us along with you!

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  30. How beautiful all the reflections in the water.

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