a cara......toronto sits on the shores of lake ontario....a vast body of inland water......it has many beaches that service the toronto area......sunnyside beach is within walking distance from my home......and often i walk along its boardwalk and golden sandy beach.......each time i look at that particular spot my mind drifts back to a time ...once upon a good time....a few moons ago......another body of water consumed much of my time......no vast sandy beaches ....or boardwalk......but much more.......a rugged shoreline.......bounded by the main rail line to wesport.......the station road.... and the cross to belcarra and ballyheane......and blaines field...and dixons.....centred in this oasis....sas jennings field ....the factory power house .....and the perfumes of the many whins.....and wild flowers .....when the whins were in flower.....it became a glow ...and radiant in yellow...emiiting soothing... intoxicating ...scent....the lake was home to swans that we looked at in admiration of their effortless gliding acroos the lake....this was the '40's and ww2....was the focus of the world ....but for us on mchale road.....here ...the world was at peace....we on the road even "checked" on our oasis....in the cold grasp of winter.....we would walk up to the lake ....and stare out at its bleakness.....it haunted the imagination with danger.....its cold grey mantle was indeed chilling....but we on the road claimed this water wilderness as our own.....it was here we washed and cooled off in those heatwave summers that we seemed to have way back then.....as winter passed ....and spring awakened the grass ...scorce and whin.....our hearts would begin to pump up in anticipation of summer.....but there was a cardinal rule back then .....dont venture into the water before wit sunday......the may sun was warm.....and the lake was high from winters rain.....but as soon as whit sunday arrived we the heroes of the road made our way to the lake......we had established various spots on the lake ......the main part where we johnny weismullers swam....and on the other side of the power house we had a spot ....named ...the swimming pool....this was usually for those that had not mastered the dog stroke.....also some of the road girls used to go there....so tonight as i was driving home the sun was flirting with lake ontario.....the air was humid and sticky.....i had just spent my day spreading hot asphalt.....i was sweaty ....gooey...and sticky...and as i lokked at some bathers on the lake....my mind began to wander back to those glorious times by the track....in castlebar.....after i showered i switched on the tv.....a silver csreen classic had just started......hoppalong cassidy....in the ..."partners of the plains"......hoppy in my day had stabled his horse at the back of the old cinema....at least we thought so....for every sunday or so....we watched a hoppy movie.....he always looked so "cowboy " in his black suit....and stetsonand a scarf ....fashioned with a mini steer horn.....we admired his white handled colts.....and his white horse.......we wondered why when he got in a fight his hat never fell off.....well.....tonights show was no exception .....the was tough ....and fearless....and ever so...clever.......and as i watched my eyes began to flutter and sink.....as i found myself back at number 10.....our summer of fun had arrived ....and tatto and danny corcoran were making their way towards me.....perty whittaker crossed over to my railings......jimmy madden....was making his way .....pete gavin....waited for us all to get together.....sheamy keane....and scalls...were there too.....our gang were ready......full of excitement ...to take in the first swim of the season.....saleen i feel waited for us too with similar enthusiasm......after all we were its human guardians and worshippers....
life is good only when it is magical and musical......a perfect timing and consent.....and when we do not anatomize it ......you must treat the days respectfuuly.....you must be a day yourself.....and not interrogate it like a college professor....you must hear the birds song.....without attempting to render it into nouns and verbs......
.......and now that the gangs all here ......we have a decision to make....
ac ....an sceil sin ......amarach....
....tog go bog e.......