Adirondack Moments

This is a story for day dreamers... 

(Thanks Frank & Kim for the inspiration)

There they were, perfectly positioned along the walkway, welcoming guests into the house.  Each chair casts a bright pop of color on the muted white & gray tones of  "The Scozzari Family" beach cottage. The bold pigments offset the tranquil ocean hues all around. Ken looked intently at the colorful Adirondack chairs, storing the design and color into his subconscious memory.  

“Chris, we are going to get ourselves a few of these chairs to brighten up our backyard.”  In all our years together – this was the first time Ken expressed any desire to own a piece of furniture. Just like that, the mission began. For it became Ken’s quest to hunt and gather colorful Adirondack chairs.  He searched with the promise of adding a new one every year.  

The first sighting came on a country road in Pennsylvania with a sign “Amish Made” proudly printed on the outside of the store.  Ken walked right in and selected a bright yellow chair at the far corner of the room.  The excitement of finding and purchasing the first in our collection was immeasurable.  Unloading  then placing it near the pool was a pleasure only we understood.

The years following would bring us to many roadside stores displaying varieties of these colorful chairs.  5 years and 5 chairs later – Ken still finds excitement with every purchase! We have only to look at each chair and remember the song playing on the radio, jokes we shared, where we were going and what we were doing – when we “happened” upon each one.  

Today, you will find us jockeying for the best seat, favorite color and most comfortable design.  Many summer evenings I will find Ken sitting in silence, enjoying the simple pleasure he alone finds – within the company of these Adirondack chairs. 

  

For me, sitting in my favorite yellow one permits me to daydream - but not about the past any longer.  Surrounded by these colorful Adirondack chairs – I look into the open space before me and fantasize about the days ahead.  I wonder what song will be playing, what jokes will be shared and where time will “happen” to take us.  In solitude I begin to set a new course & mission for us.  It has become my quest – to hunt and gather colorful dreams. 

What a joy to sit in these chairs - visualizing where the road will lead and searching for the promise of tomorrow. 

And maybe, just maybe adding a few more colorful chairs to our collection.

A Rushing Wind

Sitting in the backyard on this beautiful summer morning brings about a strong sense of oneness with nature.  Perfect temperature in the low 80’s keeps me from running for the shelter of the cool house.  Extreme fatigue and acute weakness are  my constant companions & makes the notion of getting any housework done an unattainable goal.  But the beauty of my surroundings can not be denied

My Chocolate Lab is lying close beside me and I understand a dog’s contentment doing nothing but relaxing in the moment.  I wait for time to pass, without so much as a concern for agendas, accomplishments or pressing matters.  In dog terms – waiting for a yummy treat or playful belly rub.  The simple pleasure of watching Shade’s life could really teach “this old dog” some new tricks!

It is hard to ignore the gentle breeze moving the tops of the trees lining our property.  The dazzling, vibrant colored leaves seem to be dancing to a rhythm only they can hear.   As hard as I may try, the direction of their movement remains a mystery to me. 

The force guiding such motion is invisible to the eye and appears without warning.   A light and gentle rushing from the west.  A hard and forceful rising out of the east.  Flowing and driving winds from the north and south - breathing life into the air.

I look on in amazement, responding to the rhythmic movement of each branch.  Gathering all my strength, I leave the comfort of the porch and venture out onto the grass.  With feet planted firmly on the ground, I extend my arms outward and upward.  Closing my eyes can usually bring about feelings of unbalance – but in this moment – I stand firm. 

The rushing wind seems to encircle me causing my senses to come alive.  I do not move or bend, acting like the tree branches around me, but choose instead to remain perfectly still.  Without hesitating I know that what I am experiencing is the movement of the Holy Spirit.  That mysterious 3^rd person of the Trinity - which cannot be seen – is embracing me and I am in the presence of the Divine.

In full surrender, not anticipating or predicting its movement - I respond to the gift of knowing that I am held and cared for.  

Ever so gently, in time with the trees around me...I begin to sway.