
The Summer heat hardly touched Chebeague Island. The cool sea breezes flowed so liberally over the seven-mile-long and two-mile-wide island in Casco Bay. The dog days there left me refreshed enough to meet the rest of the year that was so often filled with turmoil and too many changes for a young girl to handle.
The softly lapping waves that slowly rearranged the rocky shore were so soothing. That sound still echoes in my mind. The ubiquitous cry of the seagulls still rings through my dreams like a call to that tranquility found during those blissful days. I was truly free in that small spot. It was safe and I could come and go as my 8-year-old self, wanted. I did too. I think my favorite activity besides swimming in those almost frigid waters was berry picking on a relatively hot morning. There were blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Our mouths were covered with the corresponding colors as we ate at least half of what we cooked. We would put them in the baskets and run back to the small cottage with yelps of joy and anticipation. We waited patiently while aunty made muffins. That smell was so yummy and spread over the entire island. When finished, we grabbed two, as that was our limit after consuming so many of the berries and race barefoot down to the beach. Carefully holding on to our treasure. We sat on the driftwood and planned our next adventure.
the salty air
calls forth images of Summer
a whale breaches
~~~
© Carol Campbell
Hayes Spencer is hosting this week and has asked us to write a haibun about the dog days of Summer.
“race barefoot down to the beach.” this is the summer spirit to me, carefree and joyful & love the end haiku…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Thank you!
LikeLike
Such fun to be picking berries and plotting for the next adventure!!! Love to be visiting the islands filled with seagulls and blissful days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paradise! Thanks!
LikeLike
ReSpite of water
gRowS in hottest
Summer of human
woes.. goes
we in youth
as SpiRit
oF heARt
And SoUL
Ocean sprayS
oF River liFE FloW iN
noW Of ZonE In LoVinG liFe MorE..
SummeR SonG
liGht
oF YoutH reBorn..:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Youth reborn is right on the mark! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you..
You are welcome
My friEnd..:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
with the berries – one for me, one for the basket, two for me, one for the basket….. Yes, I remember those days! Beautiful picture of childhood. Cold frigid waters keep you awake and focused!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All true! Thank you!
LikeLike
Lovely, Carol! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such gorgeous memories. Love the berry picking. More went into me than the bucket. Wonderful sea and seagulls. I can just see it and the children racing and running. Glorious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. It is a wonderful place.
LikeLike
I remember places like Chebeague. Mine were Salisbury, MA; Johns Pond, in Falmouth, MA; and North Conway, NH.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. New England has many enchanting places!
LikeLike
Lovely memories! I think we’ve all snaffled more berries than we should have…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so! Thank you!
LikeLike
Oh, I wish I could be there right now. Lovely halibun
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Thank you!
LikeLike
When I was a young girl I read books that told of stories like yours…of children picking berries and having the run of an adventure-filled island. Sounds wonderful, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was! Thank you!
LikeLike
What a lovely summer tale, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
What fun days were those of yesteryears. One can reflect and triumphantly declare a childhood full of discoveries and adventure not many were privileged to experience!
Hank
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true! Thank you!
LikeLike
idyllic moments in an idyllic setting. beautiful little story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sort of post makes me long to be living by water. Beautiful job, Carol!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person