drop me in the water

river shoes, originally uploaded by theloushe.

Oh, what a baptism we had today! Was there ever a time when we didn't live on a river? Today was all about the joys of what we have all around us. River shoes waiting for adventure. Good friends who put together just the right group of people, the exact ones you needed to see today. Ten children who love splashing in the water, four grown-ups who don't mind getting soaked even without swimsuits. A friend who loves to sing and play his guitar, a friend who fully appreciates and shares the obsession that drove me into waist-deep water over slippery rocks, accepting the risk to my camera for the sake of the shot, a friend who is longing to return to the stage. Cherries and Cheetos and peanut butter and jelly made to order.  Ducklings vying for our scraps and minnows around our toes.  Big kids off on adventures and daring babies getting fished out of the drink.  All of us basking in hours of sunshine and each other's company.

Photos of a sublime summer afternoon here.