Good morning! The smoke has finally cleared after a seemingly interminable amount of time. Day after day we woke to more air quality alerts from the raging fires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

I go around telepathically apologizing to all the animals, and to the water and plants for the world we have created for them. It’s heart breaking. Climate grief is real.

The animal of the summer is otters. I have seen five of them in the past two months. It seems there is usually some kind of wild animal that dominates different seasons of my life. There have been owl seasons, humming bird seasons, deer seasons, whale seasons, the summer of ravens… This time it’s otters and snowshoe hare.

Otters symbolically represent a zesty joy and playfullness, adaptability, connection. In all cultures it seems their symbolism has positive connotations. That’s not always the case with animal symbolism! I definitely need more otter energy in my life after this long season of isolation. More playfulness, more connection!

Snowshoe Hare, known as Waabooz in Ojibwe, the native culture of this region, hold great meaning. They too are known for adaptability (OK, I get it, message received!). They are thought to be sensitive and intelligent, ingesting medicinal plants to self treat. I’ve observed them nibbling on native plants around the property many times. Just this morning I stepped out the front door and there was one, accustomed to my presence, it didn’t run. Gentleness, good fortune, renewal…all messages they bear I will gladly take to heart. For Minnie, this season has been dominated by seagulls and chipmunks, both endless sources of fascination for her. She is on chipmunk patrol.

This year, this far north, summer never really happened, unless August holds surprises.

Blueberries are just starting to ripen in abundance. Tomatoes are just starting to get their color. It will be a very fruitful and urgent Fall harvest I believe. From the chill that is already in the air, I’m starting to worry, just a bit, about staying on in the cabin through October (it could potentially be snowy by then) before I move into permanent digs in the city. We don’t have plumbing to the cabin yet, so all the chores and basics are very hands on. Need water? Go to the well, collect the water and carry it back to the cabin. Need to wash dishes? Carry them out to the well to do them and then carry them back in. Going to the bathroom? That’s outside too! I think the thing I am most looking forward to are baths. God I miss my baths!!! Soon enough I tell myself and it’s true.

Actually, I think the otters would be proud of my adaptability.