It’s late July in Maine and it’s haying time in the field by the lake. The sun is clearing the tree line, washing the field in sunrise light that changes everything. River mist is rising into a blue gold sky. It’s a beautiful day, so climb into the hay wagon and we’ll take a tractor ride down to the cove of the DKos retreat.
For those of you who haven’t been here before, the retreat sits on a small peninsula in a Maine lake. In the old days of 2009, we created this place in the Mojo Friday Weekly Open Thread diaries and named it the Mojo Garden. It provided a place of solace, peace, and, yes, the occasional silliness.
It still does.
Last night’s defeat of the GOP’s “Skinny repeal” of the ACA is a victory to savor. But the months, weeks, and days since the election have been brutal and exhausting - and we’re not done yet.
So come on in to the Mojo Garden and rest your hearts.
The ride down the old farm road won’t take long and you should see the roof of the cabin soon.
There is so much to discover.
There are paths covered in pine needles meandering through the trees. One will take you to poli’s grove. There you will find a hammock or two to stretch out in. You can listen to the stream’s burble, read a good book, or fall asleep to the trees’ leaf talk on the breeze.
Another path will take you up the hill from where you can view the green clad hills crowning the lake at your feet. Or you can pick a beach. There are two to enjoy — the white sand curve of the cove and the small sandy beach hidden beneath the trees on the other side of the peninsula. You may even see the mama duck trailing her ducklings heading out for the day.
We’re almost there. I can see the sun doing its diamond dance on the lake through the trees.
And there’s the cabin with plenty of room for everyone.
There are rocking chairs on the porches. Inside wait comfortable couches and chairs with soft pillows to curl up with in front of the river stone fireplace. Come in and make yourselves at home. Just kick off your shoes first.
The cabin is dog friendly too. After a day of swimming and exploring, they enjoy sprawling on the oriental rugs in front of the fireplace. There’s an orange tabby who enjoys people’s company and may curl up in your lap to purr time away. The bookshelves are lined with books, glass jars filled with sea glass, old photos, and curios. Feel free to borrow a book or put on some music.
We’ve been busy cooking, so if you’re hungry or thirsty, help yourself. The kitchen is to your left. There’s coffee, teas, fruit juices, and assorted other beverages set out on the harvest table. We’ll be grilling later down on the cove beach.
Speaking of the beach, if you want to go swimming — dive on it. There’s a float where you can lay out in the sun, as jeweled dragonflies dart above the water and loon calls echo across the lake. Or if you’d like to take a kayak out and explore, there are plenty available. Be sure to wear a life jacket. Don’t want game wardens stopping you.
If you turn right out of the cove and kayak up the shore line, there’s an inlet filled with water lilies. You may even see a blue heron delicately stepping between lily pads. As your kayak slips past the shore, a turtle basks in the sun on a mica flecked granite boulder left behind by ancient glaciers.
Just be back before sundown. We’ll start up the grill and have some kabobs and corn on the cobb. After dinner, we can watch the sun set as the birds sing themselves to sleep.
Then we’ll get a fire going in the fire pit.
The moon will rise, laying down paths of silver light on the water. Waves will softly wash onto the cove’s beach. The fire will send sparks rising like late summer fireflies into the night.
For a moment — we, the land, water, and sky — will breath the same breathe. And there will be peace.
We are not lost. We are not alone.
You are always welcome in the Mojo Garden. :)