#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

American Toad

A wonderful soaking tonight. After dinner I go out for a short walk to the river in the rain. Summer rain is soft and attractive. I’m attracted out to the wetness. And so is the American Toad I meet on the trail who stops for me to take his picture. It’s fun to go out and see who else wants to be out in the rain. My daughter, the doula, had a birth she was called to in the middle of the night, so Wave and I were together when he woke up. He didn’t take a breath: he was ready for play. I hadn’t even had coffee! So, I had to get ready quick to be in fighting mode for a good round of dinosaur, or whatever creatures we are now. Whoever we are, machine or animal or some blend of both, he sees our natures and abilities very clearly and I just go along doing the part he assigns me. Breakfast and then off to Farm Pond, early for once. He played with a group of kids, sharing his water guns generously, but one of the kids had a tantrum and broken one by smashing it and then that broke Wave’s heart because the kid didn’t apologize. We go through it and enjoyed the rest of our time. No sunshine, and a good wind blowing a soft current. Swam twice to the far raft and for the third day in a row he got out without having a meltdown. Baby born safe and sound and my daughter came home and I let her sleep. Also, made ice cream in my ice cream maker (Cuisinart) with Wave. Oreo. He was in charge of smashing them. I made everybody’s favorite Chicken in wine and then worked on the poem I shared last night. Trying some things from the feedback. All creative writing is problem solving. This new manuscript is an experiment and I’m trying to proceed with an attitude of curiosity and discovery and not self-doubt. I also did some weeding in the rain. Summer rain is the best.