PERFECT FROZEN APPLES

It's become a well-oiled routine, taking the dogs for their daily walks.

Some times we take advantage of the fenced in yard opposite from the Lake, when some days we cheat and let them play inside the outdoor playpen. But more often than not, they are not satisfied with this temporary work-out. The one thing I've learned about raising labs is that they love the water.

And they love to run.

They need to run.

So, no matter what the weather, we are out there. Rain or shine, blizzard or heat wave, we still have to gear up and take them for their walks. Slathered up with sun block in the summer and bundled up with layers in the winter, it's become good exercise for us as well. Even though the first initial blast of arctic air in the face is enough to make you turn tail and run as far away from the wind as possible, we always push on because we know it is good for them.

Good for us.

The Summer sojourns are obviously more enjoyable than the colder months, and we can sit for hours on the shore line, watching them frolic in the water. Always mischievously looking over their shoulder to see if we're watching, the older one teaches the younger about fishing for salmon.

But the Autumn has its own beauty, the trees shedding their leaves and the bushes turning burning bright red, earning its name. The air is filled with the aroma of the burning leaves, and the sounds of machinery in far off orchards, harvesting of the apples in full throttle. The lake is still warm enough for them to go fishing, and the waves still flow in and out, with the tandem of the ages.

Spring is filled with wonderful surprises as we climb towards the hill where they like to run. An open field, it is grassy and soft and filled with the smell of flowers and the distant fruit trees beginning to blossom.

But it is Winter again, and we have come full circle. Although the first snow fall has long past, it was enough to cover the ground and created the need for snow boots. Our outfits are that of winters past, gloves and mittens, scarves and hooded sweatshirts, all layered under a heavy coat. The wind coming off of the Lake can be brutal, slicing the atmosphere and peppering the eyeballs with cold biting needles of air. Tears will gather in their corners to protect and lubricate so one can see the horizon, but its hard to look up for very long.

During our walks we mostly look downward, so as to be careful of our footing. It only takes one time to turn an ankle or slip ungracefully on the ice to remind you to watch your step. It was during the recent winter walks, however, that I was given a wonderful gift, an analogy for my beloved.

He is so different from anyone you've known, sometimes my friends would say.

What is it about him that you like most?

I have to admit that I wasn't quite sure exactly what it was, and I would smile and answer, knowing it really wasn't enough for them.

I don't know, there’s just something about him... and it wasn't until I stepped upon my gift one recent winter morning that I realized exactly what it was.

He's precise and determined, his demeanor is rough and hard. A call to stand back, don't get too close, emanates from his body like a clarion call to all who walk by. But every now and then, a crack would break open. The armor in which he had so masterfully wrapped himself in became translucent and one was able to see inside. I was privy to view one summer afternoon and it drew me in, anxious to see more.

Able to see the soft and tender side of one who had given up but still held the sliver of hope that there was someone out there for him.

This day, however, was bleak and cold, no sun to be found overhead. The sound of the waves were loud and imposing the will of yet another storm on the way. We had bundled up in our gear and were halfway to the field for the dogs' run, our breath freezing in front of us, no words necessary. Our faces bound by scarves and face masks, the only thing visible were our eyes, and that’s all we needed this morning to talk.

Another biting hit of the wind, I looked down to avoid the arrival of the lubricating tears. It was useless however, because they came anyway.

My gift was on the ground, and it was the final answer to a question that so many had asked.

What do you see in him?

I saw three freshly preserved apples, frozen in the snow, hardened by life and the weather. I stepped on one of them to display a creamy soft center, bursting through the icy skin and emitting a sweet aroma of apples and juicy goodness.

That's my beloved. A Perfect Frozen Apple.

Don't walk by them when you first come upon them - for there is a wonderful soft surprise inside.