In the Hammock by the Lake

This is where I recharge my batteries

Birds are chirping. The leaves are moving in the wind. The sky is covered and the unbearable midday heat has passed. Something is about to happen. Some serious gusts of wind are blowing through the line of trees at the lake shore.

But I’m in no rush. I’ll stay until the first drops are falling.

This is my happy place. It is where I cool off from the beating heat of a hot summer day and where I shut down from work. Here in my hammock is life relaxed. Simple. And fulfilled.

“Choose to be in touch with what is wonderful, refreshing, and healing within yourself and around you.” — Nhat Hanh

When I arrived by the lake, there was a car parked in my spot. Yes, the lake shore is long, but there is one specific tree I use to tie my hammock to. A man was sitting on the bench next to it smoking a cigarette.

I parked the car only a few meters away, hoping he was just having a quick break in nature after work before heading home.

I anyway first wanted to go swim and then relax in the hammock. And so I did. I took a cooling swim in the lake. Some people were playing on the beach on the far side. Most cars had left already. Some others were packing up.

The water was colder than I expected. But perfect for such a hot summer day.

I swam in the middle of the lake. Towards the beach and then back again. Just before getting too close to the others.

I’m not a people person. At least not on my off day. I work on a daily basis with countless visitors making sure they’re having a great time. I don’t have social skills left on Monday.

On Monday, I barely talk to my husband either. Both of us need that day to rewind. We usually do different things and only sit down together for dinner.

He opted for staying in the trailer lying in front of his air cooler. I chose to go to the lake.

We got almost 35°C (95°F) today. Just a week after we had 40°C (105°F).

I can hear thunder in the distance. The blue in the sky has disappeared almost entirely.

Back to my story.

When I climbed out of the water, the other guy was gone. I quickly moved my car forward. Into the spot. I set up the hammock and there I was.

Swinging lightly in the wind.

More thunder.

The wind seems to be getting stronger. The birds have not yet stopped singing. In the trees above my head must be a family of blue or great tits. I can hear them clearly.

The lake lies flat and calm ahead of me. Just small ripples are moving across. Pushed from the wind.

Doors are closing. One car after the other is leaving.

The thunder is getting closer. Or is it passing us?

I think I’ll close my eyes for a bit. I could do with a nap. In nature.

It didn't last long. My nap. A few more rolling thunders later, the first rain drops started to fall. I woke up, packed up my hammock, and drove back.

Rejuvenated and refreshed.

“Refreshing the mind with some alone time is the best way to overcome anything.” — Anjali Prasad

More about my Mondays…

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