the lake is peaceful this morning. we met some friends from last summer. they were sleeping when we arrived, the fire of last night softly smoking. we swam far out. copp circled me and pretended he was tired and i held him off and on. one sweet mexican kid hugged copp and laughed. they made me a bistec taco i shared with mister on the home walk. i was hesitant but it was tasty and copp was amazed. smokey oases all the way back. ei'm glad to say i'm ambivalent about independence day. crossing spider bridge i told my bird friend i hate the day. but on the water with our mexican comrades, it didnt seem to be about carnage and war but about water and companions and sun.

it was the day before independence.