Late day in the Cedarvale Park ravine
of not having painted...yet. Does that happen to you?
It was a run around day -- but thoroughly pleasant. My
chores were ridiculously fun -- go to the market and
talk to the jam lady about her preserves. (Did I mention
that her Summer Surprise Jam is the kind of jam you
dream about when you haven't eaten all day. A combination
of peaches, apricots and maybe some kind of berry, it
is a thick, rich, deep peach colour and tastes like summer,
like every freshly picked piece of fruit that went into it.)
I bought flowers for a friend who had a baby months ago,
and the flower lady twirled the white freesias and the mystery
flower I can never name, also white around the roses in
the center, then wrapped the whole idyllic bouquet in
blue and white paper.
The lady selling the carrots at the market, was laughing and
singing and popped a radish and a beet into my cloth
shopping bag with the carrots, for my heart and spirit. I
loved her. In a whirl of 15 minutes or so at closing time
my friend and I bought as much as we could while still
enjoying conversations with the sellers, and walked out
brimming with a contagious cheerfulness.
Then I headed out to buy wine for a friend who did me
a major favour, and dropped that off only to be invited
in with Steven to sample the gift, and talk about Italy and art.
Does it matter that the painting hasn't been touched, that
the essays I should read are piled beside my bed, that
my emails go unanswered? Tomorrow it will.
Feasting on squash soup from a market lady and home
made crackers with Steven at lunch, and adding some
market chutney to my dish as Steven and I ate a late
dinner, of Pacific salmon, rice and salad, I concluded
that that was what mattered -- that lovely moment in
the kitchen with the candles, and roses, the cat getting
his claw stuck in Steven's sweater as he begged for
salmon, the dog's head on my lap, and staring, imploring
me for salmon. The sheer bliss of a quiet meal together.
All five of us (The two of us, two cats and the dog.)
As for what to show you. I hope I come up with something.
Have a knowing-what-matters day.
