Albatross of Shadow

The day was not more encouraging than yesterday, but in a fit of optimism, we decided to go for a walk by the lake. We managed to get all the way over to the boardwalk and dock. Last time, we only made it halfway there. Progress! The dock was deserted, except for a pair of swans perched on a submerged root, leisurely grooming themselves. You don't realize until you see them up close just how big swans are. They are hardly the ethereal creatures of fairy tale. We got a good look at the black webs of their feet, their powerful necks and strong waggling tails. A trail of white swansdown floated slowly out into the dull silver mirror of the lake. Then they launched themselves back into the water and sailed majestically away, their wings cocked up so they looked just like swan boats. As we walked back down the boardwalk, a juvenile eagle soared right over our heads and into the woods. His plumage, including his head, was still speckled brown, so he didn't have the classic white head, but his tail was the characteristic eagle fan, and it was bright white.

Alas, once I got home, I coughed a great deal and was completely out of gas for the rest of the day. I do think I'm getting better, but very slowly. I was planning to go help my friend Strawberry Leaf cut cabbage for the batch of sauerkraut she's making. She was going to show me how she prepares it in the crock. I was looking forward to this, and to spending the time with her, but I decided it would be the better part of valor to tell her I wasn't up to it after all. Waah. I'm just having to cancel so many things. It's dispiriting.