thank you, summer
Tonight was summer as I needed it.

I met Justin on the bridge after lifting weights and we hiked down to the riverbed and dove into the rapids. I was a little hesitant at first, not knowing how far downstream this would take us, but the water was wonderful and we got across just fine. Every morning and afternoon I look at the river and it beckons me. Well, I finally tasted it (it tastes like ass, mind you) and I want more! We waded in the flat of the river and built cairns of our own. There are several beautiful eddys, canyons and waterfalls where the deep meets the flat, and we stood on some of the outcropping rocks and watched daredevils swim the rapids. We found a long birch branch that had been stripped nearly clean by the current and ran our hands over it. So smooth... we peeled more bark off it for a few minutes and left it in the water. As I was climbing, I heard a few little peeps, and a momma duck with four little babies swam right by two feet in front of me! The babies were all excited but the often got distracted and would have to "run" on the water to catch up. It was so cute I almost cried! I was all excited by the duckies and ready to die happy when I heard another peep and the fifth duckling swam by. He was so far behind and he could catch up and his momma couldn't hear him! So we tried to tell him where they were but he was stupid and got distracted and went the wrong way! STUPID DUCKIE!! Then I almost cried because I thought he might die without his family, so to save my tender heart Justin hopped in the river and corralled the ducks like a border collie. They went back the right way but the stupid misfit babie was behind some rushes so he couldn't see em. Then, when he finally did, he got excited and jumped straight into the rapids which just ended up shooting him farther down the river. STUPID DUCKIE!! Well, that's natural selection for ya.

Then I sang this song as we made our way back: "Chickies and duckies are my favorite things! Chickies and Duckies have tiny little wings! Chickies and Duckies with bargeque sauce! Pop em in your mouth with a little backhand toss!" I also found this picture when I was looking for chickie pictures on Corbis today. Isn't it traumatizing?? WAAAAHHH... I have to admit tho, the OH SHIT look on that chickie's face is hilarious!

Anyway, after hurling ourselves out of the river, coming home, showering off, and eating dinner, we went to Prince Pucklers where we met up with Murray, Katie, Dave, and Colie. They have the best damn ice cream. (Double scoop Koffee Chip and Galaxy in a waffle cone... mmmm) We all sat outside and shot the breeze. It was warm and still, definitely "clothing optional" weather. As we sat, the sky began to light up with intermittant bursts of heat lightning followed by the occasional roll of thunder. We chased the storm and went to a park near Dave's house where we laid in a spiral in the grass, heads on each others' bellies, and watched the sky. It rained a bit, warnly, and the occasional lightning is still flashing across the sky. We played tag in the darkness and talked random liberal politics before heading home. I lit the last extra-long sparkler and sat alone on the play structure by the sand volleyball court and watched the lightning fork through the clouds. Storms are romantic...

This storm is special, because it's a dark moon storm. Dark moon and full moon storms always have special significance to me- the air is full of a deeper kind of energy. I suppose that's just ionization. It runs through me and is especially poignant here, where storms are so few. It makes me both incredibly relaxed and energized at the same time. I miss that of Michigan summers most of all.

Tomorrow, Katie, Murray, Colie and I are going to the Country Fair... another classic summer moment to be foretold. I'm sad the tickets cost so much, as I have little to go on until the end of the month ($230) but little to pay for with what I do have. Might as well spend it all! Ah summer, you do love me after all.