Monday, August, 8, 2011 — Echo Lake is still home

I've had a remarkably easy time getting over the return to Echo for the first time since Skip died. I thought it might be more difficult than it has been. Just like my life in Fort Bragg, I find so many old friends who give me nothing but good vibes and support. I'm so grateful. And I'm really glad to be here where we spent so many wonderful days. I think, as we come to the anniversary of Skip's death, that I'm over one more hurdle and ready to begin this next year with hope and openness. We built this cabin together and it holds so many wonderful memories of visiting with friends and facing all kinds of weather.

The lake is getting warmer by the day and I've managed to swim two times a day for the last few days. Giant groups (11-13) of teens have been congregating at the high rock bordering our cove with the purpose of jumping off the various top ledges. That's fine and I wish them well but yesterday made me move on over to the worried old woman department when the whole group began to execute back flips from this spot. Not too smart. The rock leans outward from the jumping off point meaning that they don't have the measure of error they would have from a straight vertical drop or a diving stand or board. I watch from the other side of the cove and hold my breath. One young girl about 15 did it for the first time and then proceeded to do it several more times, she was so stoked. Some of them, including this neophyte landed about one foot from the granite wall at water level. I think that's too close for comfort but there was an adult with them and she didn't seem bothered at all so I held my tongue. I can remember how much I loved acting on those kinds of challenges when I was their age. But now ...........

Life is full of surprises up here and most of them are really positive. Once in a while there will occur an event on the lake that causes a polarization that is sad. I'll get back to that in a few days after I've had a chance to digest all the details.

Cafe Alpina is just about to close so I'll be transferred to the lovely out of doors in a few minutes. No wifi there, so if there is an abrupt ending, be kind.

I'm reading Reantee's book, Entre Nous, and having a hard time putting it down. At first I thought it might be a bit here and there for me but I've worked into her format now and finding it amazingly lyrical. I can hear her say every printed word. It is a fictional memoir and I think that's an excellent description of it. One can almost feel how true it is and yet it is also clear that Reantee's mind and memory are following a path with a sometimes hazy lighting. It's beautiful and I reccommend it highly.