Monocacy River Float
Part 2 – Saturday Night
I walked the streets of Spain with Hemingway’s characters in The Sun Also Rises until dark. Removing my reading glasses, I pulled the wool blanket tight to my chin and faded off to sleep. Shortly thereafter, I awoke to the brightest of a full moon and chattering teeth.
Not able to ignore the cold any longer, I climbed out from under the blanket and stoked the fire. It was “see your breath cold.” I moved my bedding closer to the fire. Now wearing my winter wool hunting coat, I brought just in case; I slept under my wool blanket cuddling the reborn fire.
Dinner tonight was potatoes and venison cooked over and open fire.
The fire warmed my body. Closely I slept by its side. The flame would die. I would awake cold, add sticks to the flame, glance at the moon, tracking its movement across the sky and the passage of the night. This routine continued through the night.
As long as the fire burned, I was warm.
Soon the birds began to sing. Turkeys yelped across the river. Dove cooed. Morning had arrived. I loaded the fire with the remaining wood and sat close soaking in all the warmth. A nice cup of hot tea would be grand at this point. Oh wait! I forgot the tea. Two cups of cold water before embarking down river will have to do.
Wanting to get on the river, I did not cook a meal. Instead, I cut strips of jerky and cheese, packed the canoe and continued the journey.
Packed and ready for another full day on the river.
I needed nothing this night for I had warmth, water and food. But the “want” list could have been long had I allowed it. The line between wants and needs is often blurred by our vision of other’s haves and have not’s. I wanted tea. I had water. I wanted a warm soft bed. I had warmth. My prayers this morning centered on learning the difference between life’s needs and wants and thankfulness for the sunny day yesterday and the one to come today. I pushed off into the river, beginning another day thankful for all I have.
