Two weeks ago there was still ice on the lake, small floating islands. Two weeks ago, anticipating a winter visit, I was thinking about the beds, who would sleep where, and I was taking quilts off the shelves and heaping them onto beds for warmth. Yesterday the little boys wanted to see the lake. Ruby Lake! In summer they came with us in the mornings and played in the sand as we swam our lengths from one end of the beach to the other, back and forth, loons in the distance and often a kingfisher on a snag, scolding us for disturbing its breakfast. The boys brought the wooden boats provided as kits at the Sarah Wray Hall in the summer, part of the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society‘s effort to keep our history alive, and they took off their shoes, pushed the boats back and forth where lake met sand. Forrest and I had a quick dip, the water cold and alive, but when we got out, after I’d towelled off, it was like standing in sunlight on a summer morning, the mornings that will come again.
...Theresa Kishkan 
Oh how I love your enthusiasm for life and how you simply jump right in.
We did jump right in, Diane, and we walked out fairly soon after! (But it feels so wonderful…)
I’m cold just looking at you, in a winter hat and a towel! Very brave.
It was surprisingly warm! Reflected heat off the water and in the sand itself. And I felt so alive!
Ok,ok, prepare for it! My 79 year old Adonis, or Michelin Man, whiter than white body towel-wrapped discretely. After braving a swim in the cold Humboldt Current of the Pacific Ocean here in Chile. Water cooler than where I swam as a kid in England, cooler than the Kawartha Lakes where I swim now. Thanks for the inspiration but prepare for the consequences!
A wonderful image, John! Happy plunge!
Brrr! This post makes me think of my mother in law, who we’re going to see in April for the first time in more than four years, and how excited we all are for grandmother/children to be reunited once again.
So glad you’re able to visit your family. I have to say that when we came out of the water the other day, it was like a late spring day. 13 degrees maybe? Cold in the water but the sun was sort of warm afterwards….