Saturday, October 10, 2015

A Walk Around the Lake

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.
~ Wallace Stevens


Step slightly back in time as we take another walk along the shoreline of Peterborough's Little Lake. These pics were actually snapped during the latter part of the summer but I know you folks have never balked at photographic time travel before, so please join me.

launch pad
When a stone is dropped into a pond, the water continues quivering even after the stone has sunk to the bottom. ~ Arthur Golden
This is called The Launch Pad. Peterborough is full of whimsical, creative artists and these slingshot-styled resting spots are proof of that.





done for the day
My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took her out in the lake and threw her off the boat. I said, 'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim. ~ Paula Poundstone
How handy to live right across the road from the public dock.





lovely gull
It was one of those places where mist lingers well into the day and the dawn chorus starts early. 
~ Fennel Hudson
Water birds of all kinds are not too shy in the presence of people - even those of us who are toting a camera.





shoreside chat
Looking out over the lake, I felt enveloped in the most peaceful, loving utopia. ~ Laurie Kahn
This girl sat for quite a while - probably listening to music, texting occasionally - but mostly enjoying her surroundings.





water fetch9
A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. ~ Henry David Thoreau
And then I happened upon these guys. There are two dogs and they show up on the pier with their people most pleasant evenings, anxious to fetch the tennis balls from the lake.





water fetch8
If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water. ~ Loren Eiseley
On this day, the daughter had just tossed the ball for her canine friend.





water fetch7
Man is troubled by what might be called the Dog Wish, a strange and involved compulsion to be as happy and carefree as a dog. ~ James Thurber
And nothing could hold this baby back.





water fetch3
Water is sufficient...the spirit moves over water. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Dad was gearing up to throw this one out for the other pooch. Gotta love the look of anticipation.





water fetch13
He had as much fun in the water as any person I have known. You didn't have to throw a stick in the water to get him to go in. Of course, he would bring back a stick to you if you did throw one in. He would even have brought back a piano if you had thrown one in. ~ James Thurber
You'd think he'd have been launched from one of those slingshots.





pier art2
Moody and withdrawn, the lake unites a haunting loveliness to a raw desolateness. ~ Dale Morgan
While waiting for the pooches to return, I noticed some charcoal art on the cement.





water fetch5
Take the broken pieces of your life, bake a master cake out of it. Don't stand still like a lake; keep flowing like a stream! ~ Israelmore Ayivor
Each of them after their own tennis ball, though sometimes the stronger swimmer would steal his buddy's ball and make him swim back without it.





late summer fun4
The water doesn't know how old you are. ~ Dara Torres
At a different dock, kids were having fun jumping off into the water.





Final Sunrise on Baptiste - Aug 2 2015
A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable. ~ William Wordsworth
And speaking of lakes, this photo was taken a couple of days before moving from my previous dwelling - the final sunrise that I witnessed while living there.


I have many more photos from that time. I continued to snap some even though I stopped blogging in March for a few months. Eventually I'll sprinkle them in among my future posts.

Well here's one more..


The letter R
Today's blog post was brought to you by the letter R.

Honor the river, stream, lake, or well that makes possible your life, your town, or your city.
~ Gail Thomas

* - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *

Happy Thanksgiving to my co-Canucks!

49 comments:

Theresa said...

OMG, I just adore those sling seats. What a charming lake. I'm guessing the dock diving dogs are labradoodles or maybe golden doodles. It doesn't matter, they are obviously having a..ball!

Thanks for the summer time stroll.

Barb said...

Hilary, I can't possibly pick a favorite photo. Each one has me studying the details. The lake looks like a magical place for both people and animals. The eyes in the charcoal sketch look so sad.

Out on the prairie said...

That first dog diving is great. Lovely to be close.

joeh said...

Great stuff, looks like a fun town.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi again, dear Hilary! These are wonderful scenes... postcards from the edge of paradise. I agree that magic is contained in bodies of water. In Florida where I live there are many beautiful lakes and I love to spend time at them. It makes me happy to watch dogs that bring their people along to the water's edge to romp and play. That charcoal sketch is nicely rendered, don't you think? I hope you will continue to share more pictures with us, old and new. R is for restful and the word describes this post. Thank you, dear friend Hilary!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Amazing photos. I'm not so sure about those slingshot chairs.I'd be afraid someone would launch me into space.LOL

L. D. said...

You captured some great pictures. The dogs were really animated as they chased those balls into the water. It would be a good way to get your dog a daily bath.

Shammickite said...

I think the slingshot chairs are brill! Love quirky art installations.

Terra said...

The sling chairs make me smile. That is a pretty lake I would like to visit and nice photos of the dogs in mid air and jumping in to retrieve the ball.

Cloudia said...

A final heart-red sunrise before the new road, eh? I can relate to this. This heartful post sings of your growth and freshness and the paradox of becoming who one is...was.... Best wishes my dear friend <3




ALOHA
ComfortSpiral

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(='.'=)
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messymimi said...

A blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving weekend to you, and now i want to go jump in a lake!

Birdie said...

Do you ever give your blog address to the people you take pictures of? I have no doubt the dog owners would be thrilled with these pictures.

Karen said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too Hilary!
Did you hear anything about them putting a boardwalk (well some kind of walkway) all the way around the lake? That would be a great walk (though I couldn't get my sister to do the section through the cemetery, sheesh).
Peterborough does have some of the nicest parks!

DJan said...

Those slingshot seat are fun! And those dogs are sure having a lot of fun, too. Great pictures! It's so nice to have you around again, Hilary! :-)

stephen Hayes said...

It would be a chellenge to sit in one of those slingshot seats and not imagine yourself being shot out into the lake.

Red said...

I really like the action shots of the dogs diving into the water.

Anvilcloud said...

You have always excelled at holding onto photos and then using them well. And you're not too shabby at finding appropriate quotes either. We stopped in at the tart store in Maynooth, and of course, I thought of you. We went onto Algonquin on a Saturday, and I have no plans to ever visit on the weekend again. Until next time ....

TexWisGirl said...

a very happy gratitude weekend to you. :) love those water dogs!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Happy Thanksgiving and I absolutely love the letter R and all the summer fun in your neighborhood. xoxo Oma Linda

ADRIAN said...

It looks a grand area to settle.
Great shots of the dogs.

Linda said...

Love those beautiful dogs! Great job catching them in flight!

sage said...

They are all lovely. What a neat dog! That last sunrise is sad and I hope you are in a better place.

Pauline said...

makes me want to move - almost ;)

Musings of a Creative Writer said...

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! Are you in Canada? I have always wanted to go there and this is even more proof that I need to go!

Tabor said...

I had forgotten how much you are an inspiration to my attempts at photography. You are the master story teller. And this new place where you live looks really neat.

Linda said...

Great action shots of the dog jumping in the water. Little Lake is lovely and we really enjoy visiting there. I love your letter R. One of my challenges to myself this year was to take photos of nature that looked like letters. I don't think I got one as fantastic as your R. Have a wonderful weekend.

Betty Manousos said...

hilary wow! what gorgeous action shots! nicely done:))
love those dogs!

and happy thanksgiving!

big hugs~

Leah J. Utas said...

Those slingshot seats are the best.
Love the dog pics and thanks for the lake walk.

Rick Watson said...

Lovely photos. I just bought an anthology of Wallace Stevens' work. Very nice.

Along These Lines ... said...

Would be fun if one of the slingshot seats really worked: “Let’s take auntie out to launch… I mean lunch”

Daryl said...

what fabulous shots of those dogs ... and the dragonflies, oh my!

William Kendall said...

I've never seen seats like that. I love the sunset shot, and such cute doggies!

yaya said...

You can't not smile at those chairs! I love the leaping pups...so much joy in the simple act of playing catch. Your pic of the lake at your previous home was stunning. I hope you're having a good weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!

Indrani said...

Such beautifully timed pictures! Great series!
It is a great joy to see you back in action with your pics from your walks. :)

Gary's third pottery blog said...

I love the leaping dog and drawing on the pier, wow!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I LOVE those launch pads

All lovely shots. Nothing beats dogs and water ;O]

Shammickite said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Hilary!

ellen abbott said...

so glad you are posting again. one because I love your posts and two because I think it means you are happier.

Anonymous said...

Amazing shot of the bugs. And I love those slingshot chairs.

Kerry said...

These are beautiful, Hilary. I love that drawing on the concrete, and of course all of the dog shots. And have you sat in those slingshot chairs? Did it make you a tiny bit nervous?

Rita said...

The sling shot seats are awesome! I would just HAVE to sit in one--or both!
The joy of those two dogs and their balls--such fun!
The charcoal drawing on the cement, though--wow! Haunting!
Tossing in some pics from your former surroundings--love to see them. You take charming pictures no matter where you are, dear one. :) :)
Have a fantastic week.

Jenn Jilks said...

Wonderful, wonderful photos. It must be tough leaving your lake. I know how that feels. All the best from over here.

Unknown said...

Hilary: Just thought I'd stop by. How wonderful that you capture action sequences as these so beautifully! Photography is a special gift in your hands. I have a friend who also has the gift of photography, but doesn't use it, despite encouragement from many of us. I'm glad you are back with fresh and vivid images that inspire us! :)

Kathleen's Blog said...

All of your photos are wickedly good, but that sunrise is breathtaking----I JUST LOVE IT,

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I'd have to check out those slingshot chairs before I sat in one, to be sure it wouldn't launch me out into the lake just as I was getting settled. Love the doggie divers. So fun to watch. Your final sunset at the old place was stunning.

Crabby McSlacker said...

LOVE these photos, what a variety of different moods you capture! And love the thrill of a mid-air shot, especially since I won't be the one landing in cold water a few milliseconds later.

And we're starting to get a fall chill here, which I love, but it's still lovely to have a little reminder of summer!

Haddock said...

Wow.... some real action shots.
Like that saying : The water doesn't know how old you are.

Rob-bear said...

I love resting by a lake. And you've got ideally restful pictures.
Plus, of course, the pooch, which I think is a Poodle.
Blessings and Bear hugs!

Linda said...

What a lovely lake. You always seem to end up near the water which makes for some great photo ops. Thanks for sharing your new surroundings.