The weather was almost perfect, as it was on Saturday. I got to ride with my father to the urgent care center this morning to get my tetanus shot. Down the road across the bridge, a hawk flew in front of us, with crows in pursuit. In the shady gorge, we saw that large, gray bird again. Both me and my father had seen it on previous occasions. We got out the bird book later and have decided, based on its coloring, its range, and the exclusion of other possibilities, that it was a "Great Blue Heron".
There were many Memorial Day events in the towns between here and the urgent care center. We kept getting re-routed and having to follow detours. I wished that we could have attended one, but I had to get my shot.
I made a horrible driving error. I had edged out into an intersection to turn left when a car appeared coming from the right. As I was too far out, I checked that there was no one behind me, and I put it into reverse to pull back a bit. That was fine, but I forgot to put it back into drive. When it was time to go, I stepped on the gas pedal and the truck lurched backward. Luckily, there was still no one behind me.
Driving can be pretty scary, and I often feel reluctant to drive. I don't want to be the cause of someone's injury or death.
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After lunch, I went for a long walk down a country lane, all the way to the state park. The wind sounds different between early spring and late spring. It's because of the leaves. After the leaves emerge, the wind has a rushing sound as it moves through the trees that it doesn't have when the branches are bare.
Along the country lane, there is an old family cemetery with the grave of a Revolutionary War Veteran. There was no flag, as there usually is for veterans; the American Legion seems to have overlooked him. There were buttercups growing in the green grass nearby. I plucked some and gave one to him, and one for his son, as well. There's a grandson, too--a Civil War veteran, if I remember correctly--but the writing on the tombstones has been effaced by time and the elements, and I don't know which grave is his.
When I reached the park, I descended into the woods, walked on a log across the B____ River, and went up the other side to the park trail. There it is real forest, with a canopy that lets in little sunlight. The forest floor is open. Along the trail, there were happy families. They were at peace, they chatted amicably with one another in many languages (including Chinese) and you could really sense that they enjoyed each other's company. People were lounging on the enormous boulders in the tributary that runs down to the lower river. A small but forceful waterfall spouted out between two of the boulders. Near where a bridge crossed over the upper river, there was a park barbecue installation, and a family were barbecuing something.
I finally reached the visitor's center, where I bought a bottle of iced tea. Along the country lane on the way back, an elderly gentleman stopped his car to say hello. We both agreed the weather was glorious, a true gift.
My father finished fixing the running board on the truck, plowed more of the garden, and planted beans. My mother is hard at work cleaning out the attic.
At dinner, I read Eisenhower's Proclamation 3016 before we started eating. My mom made hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, and sauerkraut. It was positively delicious!
I will pray to my patron deity before going to bed this evening. I wish happiness and good health to all living things.
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