as promised my brother john wrote about his (often) weekly date with spouse pam to the Fredrick Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park, in grand rapids where we all grew up and where, of the six of us, he still lives.
Our trek to the gardens was very pleasant - definitely a feeling of Fall upon us. The highlight of the night was "the duck bath". A large family was all lined along the shore of the pond. Two by two they would wade into the water, flick water onto their backs with their yappers and pick at things, all in a fast and furious way. Interesting to note how the water just rolled off their backs, i guess giving rise to "like water off a duck's back". Anyway, they continued this performance for 4 to 5 minutes, and with a rising up and great flap of the wings, sauntered back out of the water to be replaced with the next two. The rest would just stand at attention on the shore and continue to pick at whatever ducks pick from themselves.
There was also a large contingent of white cranes chasing each other around the pond, as though they each had their own little plot that was not to be disturbed. No blue herons spotted - do they go south for the winter? The rest of the walk was quiet and for the first time this season, the lights of the gardens came on before we left. I guess the change is upon us but with it brings the burst of color and activity not seen at any other time of year. Sounds like fall has definitely found its way to the marsh in Sheepscot.
Love, John
Life on the Salt Marsh is a journal of what i am learning and experiencing in this breathtakingly beautiful place, where the Dyer and Sheepscot, both tidal rivers, meet and merge.
Sweet Last Days of Summer
Author
- Rev. Mary
- Midcoast Maine
- Rev. Mary is a Unitarian Universalist minister who served congregations in San Francisco, Sonoma County, Houston, Marblehead and Winchester MA, and New Orleans, in a variety of ways. She is President and co-founder of Gulf Coast Volunteers for the Long Haul and has led 14 service trips to Louisiana and Mississippi since a few weeks post-Katrina. She has 3 children, Sam, 22, Julia, 26, and Jason, 41, and the best spouse in the universe, Marty. She was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease in 2006. Rev. Mary can be reached at duckdreams at gmail.com. Due to her illness her ability to reply is unlikely but she would enjoy hearing from you if that's OK.
From Mary's Journal in December
after simple surgery turned into a nightmare: "the pain has been excruciating and for 3 days was unrelenting, even breathing was an agony. i tried to picture our mallard in maine who i studied one day when it was freezing cold, windy, pouring down rain and he was in his spot in the grass all tucked up and i tried to imagine how he could handle the elements. i decided he must go very deep inside and have duck dreams. so i tried to emulate him."