January 2000

I was in the P&C this morning picking up some flowers for Abbie to give to her boyfriend's mother ("Just a small arrangement," she specified in her note) and my young, blonde, tall cashier, according to her name tag, was Lisa. And just under name was a stick-on label from the bakery, which said, "Best When Toasted!"

From there, smiling, I went and walked on water. This is the second time, and I got a lot farther than the first. Perhaps it's because of my strengthening resolve, and also that after another week of near zero temperatures, the ice is stronger too. Slush is not encouraging when you are walking on a lake. But today, even the slushy bits were frozen, and the sun was high, and the world from out there on the ice was dazzling. About 12 men were fishing, a dog frolicked, kids pulled sleds with fishing gear, and others were just out for a walk, as I was.

When the sun got too bright for my eyes, I turned around to walk back, and there was the Village. I could see the terraced backyards, porches and boathouses of all the houses up and down E. Genesee and West Lake, and the jetty looked like the bow of a ship sailing out to us. The ice is like a billiard table now. More than once, people have moved buildings across it in the winter. Even with my jacket and boots on, I do not weigh as much as a house, and so I felt very secure. And thrilled to be there. I hope I never get bored with it.