A Time with Kate from Croft on Vimeo.
Since Grayton Beach, for almost two weeks, Kate returned to Northcroft for a visit. We picked fresh fruits, made jelly and apple sauce, visited Mrs. Oliver and helped where we could. We made dozens of pictures of humming birds and butterflies and walked the mountain roads to visit other neighbors. We bought fresh vegetables from Wendell’s vegetable stand on Lucius Road, ate them and served them to Terr when he came up of the week end.The following week Kate and I revisited an old favorite pastime; hunting through the woods for natural materials to build fairy houses, then spending hours creating the whimsical buildings and landscaping them. Between these activities we played endless games of Rummikub and had our heads in the light of our computers reading email and watching a film series called Seven Up.
The final days took us to the shack where we painted a mural on the large piece of plywood that I had installed on top of the worn-out bathtub. We studied fish pictures and lily pads and set to work with high expectations. We were proud of the endeavor and ever so pleased with the results.
Today, I tried to trap her with the very net she used (several times) to chase a pesky flying squirrel that was trying to eat the cabin, but alas, I had to let her go back to New York and to her own life.
When she was gone I was sad, but the beauty of this place was left with me. I walked around savoring the moments of reflection. When entering the house, a butterfly and a simple moth reminded me of life’s wonderful blessings and purpose.
Safe travels, Kate. I’m glad we had this time, in this place of your childhood, to play again and to reconnect. My thoughts and prayers will be with you wherever you may go.
P.S. It will be nice to get back to Atlanta and catch up with all of you there. I’ve missed you.
