The Living Organism

I have become part of this rolling, living organism called camp. Each day, while there is underlying consistency to the routine, there is always some new unexpected component. The boundaries of the start and finish of the day blend into this living event called camp. I am busy from morning to night with a pace that feels comfortable and an environment within which I thrive. Each day these projects just roll into one another and I move from one to the next with an uninterrupted focus. Its quite lovely.

It doesn't hurt to have the loveliest office EVER. Picture a pine wood floor and walls with a large stone fireplace with the wood staked and ready to go ( or on these rainy days the fire burning). The wall opposite the fireplace is lined with windows, all wide open now, looking out over the lake, called Moose Pond which stretches over to Pleasant Mountain. This is my favorite time of day with the sun streaming through the windows; you can hear the birds chirping, the water lapping against the rocks and smell the pine which seems so potent here.

Available for the use of the nurses in the center are a refrigerator, coffee pot, electric tea pot, Internet, private bath and shower...all the comforts of home. There are six beds in our sick bay half of which are now made up and ready to welcome whomever may need respite or care within the health center.

My quarters are actually separate of the center. I have my own little cabin with an extra cot and desk along with electricity and to my great pleasure and surprise- wireless reception. No cell phone coverage here but I can Skype out phone calls and phone home each night.

There are so many things I'd forgotten about at camp most of which are fun to experience again: mosquitoes and their way of finding any available resource for refueling. Chipmunks tame enough to scurry under my fee to peruse for tidbits. The sound of the wind through the trees and of rain moving across the roof. The sense of wind through the hair while sleeping (thank goodness for Kate's sweatshirt with a hood 'cause it has been cold). The kind of sound sleep all the fresh air brings. Doors creaking and banging shut in this wonderfully familiar way. The happy chatter of like-minded people collaborating through the day. The internal quiet after a day of physical activity and sense of accomplishment. Motorboats moving across the lake. A ukulele in the distance. Loons calling across the lake. Laughter echoing through the woods and the hooray of a game won. The sense of perfect contentment which arises from merely observing the stillness of the lake at sunset and sunrise.



I'm so impressed with the young staff people I'm meeting on a daily basis. Someone new arrives each day and part of my job is to complete their health forms. So far, the following countries are represented: Ireland, Hungary, Mexico, Israel, UK , Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa. This is a bright, congenial group. It has been a pleasure getting to know them. Just being around their positive outlook and exuberance is inspiring.

Today, I was up early enough to watch the mist rise from the lake and a family of geese swam by, Mom, Dad and 8 chicks. Pretty cool.

We'll see what natural wonders occur next week. Until then, Aloha!