Thanks, Thanksgiving
And thank you, Peter, Leslie and Simon.
They invited me to join them on Thanksgiving Day.
First we went to the ancient and mysterious ‘Crawford Lake‘ , on the Niagara Escarpment near Milton, where I partly grew up. Crawford Lake is a scientific marvel because it is meromictic. This means that the water layers within the small, deep lake never mix, or ‘turn over’; there are few if any currents within the lake and sediments are laid down in predictable, datable and unmixed sequences that can be dated, analyzed and have data extrapolated from them. Apparently, sedimentary analysis predicted the existence (and probable location, too, I think) of a local pre-Columbian aboriginal village, which has been reconstructed on its original site. Very interesting.
The lake is surrounded by a railed boardwalk which, while allowing people near the lake to see it or observe it, nevertheless keeps them away from it; swimming, drinking or any kind of interference or pollution is forbidden, so delicate is the lake and so important is it scientifically and historically. Very cool.
Then, for dinner, we went down to Burlington to Joan’s (Peter’s mother) 10th floor apartment overlooking Burlington Bay / Hamilton Harbour. What a view!
Dinner was a spread! Ham, garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, squash, brussel sprouts, cabbage, corn relish, hot mustard, wine, water, I don’t remember what else, but there was more. I ate like a mediaeval guest. Who hadn’t eaten all day, practically.
Leslie and Peter were, as usual, fine company. Joan is always interesting, and but for a brief fit of the crunkles, Simon was his usual well-behaved sensible self. So was I.
All in all, a day to be thankful for.