An Empty Place

7:29

It's 9:00 and I paddled for close to an hour, starting around 7:35. I was able to shoot a couple of herons and an osprey. And it's strange to have an empty, quiet house after this past week with Evie's sisters. It always takes us a couple of days to become comfortable with our old routine, without family. I usually listen to a podcast while kayaking, and one of the commentators brought up the question of what Stephen Colbert will be doing after his show ends. They mentioned his running for Senate or even becoming a presidential candidate. It's a radical idea, having someone so smart, articulate, and knowledgeable running for President, the antithesis of Trump. I love the idea.

Kayak Morning

Eastern Sky

Heron Along Woodlawn

Same Area But in The Trees

Osprey

Sandy Bottom Heron

Yesterday was a sad day, especially a depressing morning, as the six of us sat quietly in the living room, sipping coffee, waiting for 10:00 when Evie's sisters were leaving for the Buffalo Airport. We hugged, said our goodbyes, and promised to see each other sooner rather than later. Once they were on their way, to fill the void, we spent the next half hour, changing sheets, washing and drying, and putting the house back in some order. We always do this after the family leaves, as if it gives us some solace for their having left. After that brief flourish of activity, we collapsed and did little if anything the rest of the day. 

For Evie, she went out on the dock, opened a chaise lounge, and read much of the afternoon under the umbrella, cooled by a nice breeze. I spent most of my time in the house reading, having lunch of leftover corn chowder and a hot dog, and finishing my series, Cape Town. I took a half-hour nap, woke groggy, and gradually got some energy back, enough to join Evie on the dock. Around 5:00, I took a shower to wake up, and Evie put together an appetizer, guacamole, and our dinner, peameal bacon and egg sandwiches on brioche buns. 

We then sat on the empty front porch, with our appetizer and a Manhattan, and talked about the fun we had with Evie's sisters during the past five days. While we were on the porch, it began to cool off so we didn't need the fan. Dinner was easy, just heat up the sandwiches. We watched another episode of The Resident before Evie went to bed. I started a new series from Denmark, called Unit One, and so far I like it. 

Sturgeon Moon Hanging Over A Southeasterly Sky  At 9:28