Sep 22 2009
The Philosophic Barbecue
Schatzi lounges precariously on the back porch*
The Doc kindly upgraded my WordPress while I was busy fleeing from the city and doing important things like having a barbecue at my brother’s place to celebrate our brother-in-law’s birthday. When the sun had made its final farewell bow, a single bat appeared on the horizon, zipping and dipping crazily through the pale pink sky. It was feasting on the plague of termites. Being a city girl, I had no idea that termites flew. Apparently, they have about two weeks of flying around on their four wings, which they then shed before they get down to the serious business of eating your house. The ground will be littered with their iridescent cast-offs.
As we sat around the fire, I thought of what an ancient human instinct it is to do so. I bet we’ve been doing it since the first fire discovery, and no matter how advanced we get with technology, people still want to gather around the fire, even if it’s symbolic, like people hanging out in the kitchen when you have a party.
The sky was awash with stars, and the Milky Way was so dense that it looked foggy in the clear, dark sky. It was amazing to think that we’re part of it.
When the boys started arguing about whether the universe was finite (Rob) or infinite (Jonathan), Megan and I packed up Schatzi and a few leftovers and went home to drink wine in the garden and talk about how infinitely silly boys are.
Up next: a day at the beach!
*This is one of her eccentricities, along with eating only one particular bamboo plant in the garden. Even though the lower step is about twice the size of the one she’s lying on, she always chooses the smaller step to perch on.
5 Responses to “The Philosophic Barbecue”
Mike and I did the same thing this past weekend. We huddled around the campfire (it was only about 10c) and watched the stars. This was the first time that Matthew saw the Milky Way. It was beautiful.
The more I hear, Suzy, the more I feel you are making a very good move at this time.
I love star-gazing, but haven’t seen a shooting star for quite some time. I always loved to make a wish when I was lucky enough catch sight of one.
jx
Love the photo of Schatzi, they can sleep anywhere and in any position these canine friends. To our ancestors, the aboriginal people, sitting around the campfire was a time of sharing stories and food from the great hunt of the day. It was a time of peace and gathering of the clans.
Were the boys drinking while discussing the finiteness/infiniteness of the universe? If so, it must have been a fabulous conversation; I’m sorry I missed it.
Yes, there was beer involved! 🙂
You guys are welcome to come and visit. You could easily camp on the property – there’s 68 acres or so.