So there

1. I thought I saw an bald-headed eagle fly right past me this week, but I wasn't 100% sure because it was obscured by some cedars down by the waterfront. My kids made me doubt myself, no way they said, this isn't even the right habitat for eagles. Google confirmed it was, and sure enough, as I sat on the dock at sunset last night, another eagle (or perhaps, the same eagle) flew right in front of me. There was no doubt this time.

That there was one big old Bald Eagle.

2. Last Friday, we experienced a huge storm that sneaked up on us after dark. Usually there's some sort of buildup, you know, so you can prepare yourself as the thunder claps creep closer but this storm just crashed above our heads in an instant. I flinched and maybe screamed a little after one particularly brutish crack that shook the windows, and me, to my very bones.

Again, one of the beloved fruits of my loins told me to get a grip and stop over-reacting. I responded by reminding said fruit that since four trees (four!) on our property have in fact been hit directly by lightening over the past few years (and one neighbour's septic tank, and one of my husband's patient's entire bathroom wall) I didn't think screaming and putting my hands over my ears was over-reacting, but in fact, acting the way one should when faced with random lightening bolts. She (fruit) said I wasn't helping matters and I was "ruining her enjoyment of a good thunderstorm."

I ran into my neighbour yesterday. She said that large boom actually split a tree in two, right to its roots, and knocked out her power, blew up her (brand new) flat screen TV and her pump amongst other things. I'm guessing that ruined her enjoyment of a good thunderstorm.

I think that's worth a hand over the ears and a scream or two, don't you?

And in other news, we saw a mink swimming in the water alongside our kayaks. He came up for air a couple of times then scooted off into the bushes at the point. Then my husband saw a little red fox by the cottage two doors down. Then a female loon swam past with a tiny baby perched on her back.

It's like a Disney movie around here. Except for the thunder and lightening.