eyes as clear as centuries

    I was writing a letter a few days ago and somehow got on the subject of my former boyfriend, Nick. In a very odd coincidence, I saw him the other day, buying sunglasses at a roadside shack halfway between here and an outlet mall where I was heading to avoid yet another street dance. This all combined to remind me of a very odd roadtrip that we took, seeking rocks for his aquariums. He wanted big rocks. I don't mean, like, the sort of rocks you can buy in a pet store. (We looked.) Or even the sort that you might get at a landscaping place. (We looked.) We ended up tromping around on the bank of the river, near a weird-but-good little restaurant that really is hidden. He parked the car and scaled the grassy bank (through thigh-high grass and flowers), leaving me behind to make my own way (thanks a lot, not that I was surprised). While he scrounged through the riverbed for rocks twice the size of my fist, I took photos--some of the best I've ever taken. Unexpectedly, perversely, it was a pretty good day.
    The guy, crouched to pull up a rock. Yeah, he's wearing a dress shirt and pants. It was actually a suit. 'Cause that makes perfect sense...for him.
Queen Anne's lace
Most of the rocks were actually bigger than this one, which was about 6" long and probably weighed 5 pounds.
I hope it's obvious that I'd never been to this particular spot before. It was lovely, especially at that time of year with the green overgrowth.
Red circle indicates his digging implement of choice: a screwdriver from the trunk of his car. Yellow arrows indicate smaller rocks already retrieved.
I love this. That corona effect in the lower right, over water, is what summer looks like to me.
This is more how it actually felt that day, both bright and steamy.
The postcard shot, river-style.
The postcard shot, sky.
I'd never seen lily pads in person and they fascinated me. Don't think Kermit could make a life on one, though.
It was only after we'd been wandering by the water for quite a while - and obviously after we'd tromped down through the reeds & rushes to get there - that I discovered the stone steps which would have made the descent a little easier.
This shot was (and maybe still is) dude's mom's desktop pattern from the moment I gave her the photos.
There were lots of awesome flowers, but with flowers come bugs. The wasp in this one was pretty big.
This is framed and in my living room.