I have been hanging out in Florida this week with Mother Fran and Child #7. The weather has been ok but regardless, it has been nice to get away from the cold and the snow. They live in what feels like a pretty congested area with busy roads full of traffic and every store you can think of within a 10 minute drive. Usually I would hate this type of area but they have something I crave with every ounce of my being. They live on the water. Don’t get too excited, it isn’t the ocean or even a lake; they live on a small pond. They share the pond with a bunch of other houses, each one faces the pond with their back porch.
Mom’s back porch is screened in and the entire thing overlooks the pond. It has a table and chairs, small couch and comfy chair. You can also walk out the porch door and set up a lounge chair on the grass when the need overtakes you. You can’t swim in this pond or even toss in your kayak (apparently that is frowned upon) but people do fish and enjoy the view.
Even though it is a shared pond, very few people take advantage of it. I see the occasional person fishing or kid skipping stones. When I am here I spend a lot of time on the porch. I eat, read, play games and sip my tea on the porch. I drag lounge chairs out and get Mother Fran to join me in the sun. She is always trying to pick weeds from the grass while laying in her chair. One of these days she is going to fall right out of it.
I crave the water and the sun. I love watching the still water get disturbed by a flock of birds. The birds will fly all over and land on the grass right next to the pond. They walk around pecking the ground and get closer and closer to my lounge chair. These are tall, white graceful birds that I don’t get to see in the Finger Lakes. While walking through the house, I catch myself stopping and staring out the sliding glass doors at the water all of the time.
What is it about the water? In the summer I spend as much time as I can at the lake. When visiting Mother Fran in Florida I try to get to the beach and enjoy the pond. Overall, my family feels the same way. Watching the sunrise or set over water is extra special.
Is it just us or do most people crave the water?
I am having trouble finding quotes that illustrate how I feel about the water. I really like this one though!
“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” – Bob Marley
Think about it. Water feel amazing whether it is falling from the sky, salty from the sea, cold from the deep lake or coming out of my shower head. It is refreshing, cleansing and soothing.
If you jump in the lake and only feel wet; you are missing something. You are missing everything!
My vacation is winding down and I am psyching myself up to return to winter in the Finger Lakes. I am grateful I was able to spend lots of time on the porch with Mother Fran playing cards, watching the birds and just enjoying her company. I got to kayak with #7 and spend time with Child #5 and his honey. Each and every one of these simple pleasures help me to choose happiness. Each and every one occurred by the water!
Lake Girl