Take your mom's advice

The summer really is here now. Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, the air is balmy, and I have a craving bordering on obession about being near the water, as if I'm a premordial salamander beign called back to where I belong.

Thankfully, my mother in all her wisdom reminded me just last week that Walden Pond is 30 minutes away and I should really get my butt over there. So I did. The Cape will wait, the Blue Hills are walking distance, and the boat house will save me a kayak. So we went to Walden Pond, and I couldn't help but feeling that just a day or two in this place could clear your head and get you back in touch with God.

Sure, there were little children screaming and people smoking and bugs everywhere, but there was still more silence, stillness and peace there than my in office or at home anyday. Isn't it funny how being together in nature can feel more quiet and relieving than being alone in the confines of a building somewhere in a suburb or city? It's interesting.

Also, for the record, my boyfriend is the kewlest person on a nature trail...ever. Most people hike hunched over with a walking stick, but this guy looks like a movie poster whenever we take a stroll in the woods. It's a special treat.