BLOGG # 97-- HOT LAZY SUMMER AFTERNOONS AND BIRDS OF PREY

As all Victorians know,and indeed all Canadians jealously know,we are having the most incredible spring and summer ever.Personally,I have been in a state of enchantment for the past three months. As I go about my daily chores I am astounded. Never have I seen flowers blooming so shamelessly brilliantly,never have I seen the new and brightest green leaves dance with such joy and never have I seen the Victorian sky so blue.It has been a veritable moveable feast of delights and I have taken every opportunity to enjoy it. Last weekend was particularly wonderful and is what I want to write about. I spent the night at my daughter's place which has a wonderful view of Mt Baker and overlooking the sound .I woke up at 2am and spent some time watching the moon and it's reflection on the water. It was three quarters full and a deep golden orange and so lovely I thought I had been transported during my sleep to a Greek island and wistfully looked for the lights of the chre chre- the chain of little fishing boats that fish all night. I felt enchanted and nostalgic. This enchantment lasted throughout the day which I spent reading on the terrace and looking at the view. Mt Baker was so vivid that day-the sea so blue. Sometimes I read and sometimes I contemplated the view and marveled at the wonders of being alive. The cat, Jimmy, black as night was my companion. He had just survived death in a ferocious night battle a few days ago-costing the family 500.00 in cash to the vet and he had lots of contemplating to do on the wonders of living too thinking about survival in the jungle of life- and speaking of life and survival, I also spent a fair amount of time watching a hawk circulating the cliff and sweeping close by me. I could almost feel the wind from his wings as he skimmed the earth, brushing the grass with his wings as he swooped towards me-hunting of course the baby quail that hide in the bushes before the steep cliff near the terrace. There is something so moving about being allowed to be a close up observer of a predator in his maneuvers as he scans the earth-a privilege to watch these noble birds and their clear intentions and focus. Predators and birds of prey have a bad rap of course in our quest for a world with no violence {except our own] but the truth is we need these wonderful creatures to maintain the balance of nature and nature in her wisdom has made these creatures always beautiful, graceful and mysterious. Certainly Jimmy the cat in spite of missing a hip and one pupil still manages to look more graceful than any ballet dancer as he stalks the unfortunate baby rabbit-I know ,I know, disgraceful isn't it- but Jimmy is a predator pure and simple and does not care about our romantic notions of nature. I am in conflict of course -I feel for the bunny but can't help admiring the stalker. I also have the same conflict when watching nature shows on African predators. But the fascination persists. And now I can really go out on a limb and confess I also admire the two legged predators on Kitsilano beach in Vancouver on a hot summer day and even better, on an Italian beach. So I have to sum up this blogg with the confession I am completely in thrall of a seductive hot sunny summer afternoon and equally of a smooth graceful predator. As you can see I really enjoy the dangers of a seductive life and appreciate it in all it's aspects and advise you to do the same.