Shared Illusions

In the midst of a break I am thankful for the small things. The days are warm (hot) and sunny with occasional clouds. It is breezy with lots of opportunities for shade, so it is quite comfortable.

The days in Colanchanga have been quiet. Generally we take one or two short hikes. Paula makes her way to the lake or to a small pool near the cabin for a swim. We are settling in for a short experience of the slow pace of northern Argentina. I could get used to this.

Or maybe I’d find the urge to get out my power tools and make something to become overwhelming. Vlad had a handiman come over yesterday and they worked for a while building a rack for drying firewood. As they cut and welded the steel, I began to realize how much I missed welding. Working with wood is satisfying, but there is nothing more satisfying than making something from iron. I began to miss my tools and my projects.

But then I would not be working on projects if I was home. The snow has come to Albuquerque, and I see the reports of the closings and the road closures and I am thankful that I am here where it is warm and sunny. I would have resented taking the time and effort to escape winter if there was not a winter to have escaped. Selfish, I know, but I expect my snowbound friends will forgive me.

Paula makes sure she is in the water for a period every day. There is a small pool a short walk from here where one of the neighbors has built a swimming pool by damming a portion of the Rio Ceballos. Paula loves it. She swings from a rope and drops into the pool with a splash, then does it again. And again. And again. I wish I knew how to play like that.

Today we harvested walnuts from under the trees, clipped greens from the garden and Paula made a wonderful dish from the miscellaneous ingredients we could muster. Life is great. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.