Milvi’s summer song

Baton in hand, the conductor tried to focus attention of the assembled children’s choir. It was a Saturday. Visiting day for parents. A blue sky perfect kind of summer day. The camp kids and their counselors were garbed in white T’s, the formal camp uniform. Milvi, the conductor and assistant camp director, had a lifelong passion for music. And discipline. She insisted they all be appropriately attired on visiting day. Trying to impart her appreciation of music to her charges was a difficult task considering their little brains were thinking ahead to candy and other treats the parents came loaded with on visiting day. Milvi knew it was an uphill battle but choir practice and performance were critical slots in her list of camp activities. The children did not understand its importance yet, but this was Milvi’s little song festival every Saturday. Producer, director, stage manager. They were hats she proudly wore. And so she flicked her baton. A sweet wave of lyrical melodies from her homeland filled the summer air.

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First day of camp

The drum beat breaks the morning quiet. A familiar marching tempo. A line of children with their guardian counselors drifts into view between the cedar branches. The column snakes its way to the clearing around the flag pole. Morning tradition at the summer camp. Flag raising. For 70 years this tradition has continued. Greeting a new day with the rise of the nation’s colours.

Humming birds have found my feeder. They are now used to my presence and no longer jet away at the sight of me. Sudden movements do frighten them still, so I avoid motion as much as I can. From this view, merely 3 feet away, I can see the red feathers of the ruby glowing with each sip. It’s as if there is a brilliant rouge LED shining within the bird’s neck. It pulsates with every sip the bird takes. A marvelous brilliant red. I know they are feathers, but it’s easy to imagine that the bird’s heart is glowing.

The kids have now passed by and entered the dining hall. Ready for a hearty breakfast. And a day of camp activity. Freed from their video screens. They can run amok in the surrounding forest. Splash about in the pool. Let their minds open to the wonders of nature. And so do I.

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St. John’s Day fire

This spectacular fire prepared by yours truly, Elmo and Stewart. It’s a traditional “Jaani Päev” or St. John’s day fire, celebrating the summer solstice. Suffice to say it burned until dawn.

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Summer blossoms.

A riot of summer blossoms. Trying to leave a positive message, since the daily news is chock full of negative depressing stories.

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Best bars.

As we move inexorably toward a “normal” life again, here’s a bar that I built in Costa Rica. My mind drifts to social gatherings and shared stories. Hots shots and cold beer. T-shirts and flip-flops. Days of languor and sunshine. Not likely we’ll be enjoying them in faraway places this summer, so jazz up your garden and crack open a beer or other enhancement and let your mind go blank. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Have a great Pandemic day y’all!

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