After a year off, we returned to our annual pilgrimage to the wilds of Vancouver Island, and Buttle Lake. I carried along the same sketchbook in which I had sketched the lake before in prior years. My skill hasn’t improved, but I then I don’t get enough practice. How’s that for an excuse?
My grandson observed my efforts closely and after I was done he borrowed my kit and went at it.
Our Westy sink empties onto the ground, so we place a dishpan there to catch the dirty dishwater. One morning we found a poor expired mouse in the pan. I keep meaning to put an escape ladder in that dishpan. I put the mouse on the fire grate to have a look at it. You don’t often get a close look at a mouse, and this one was clean, too, but a bit soapy. The tiny fingers are quite astounding, as are the huge ears. The mouse inspired me to write a song, which amused the kids but has not gone over well with adults. The last verse is below. Credit to Leo for the line about fish bait!
To a Mouse...with apologies to RB
He looked so sad and lonesome
lying there on the grate
But there was no way to cheer him up
or to reverse his fate
He was too small for dinner
and too big for fish bait
So we cooked him on the fire
But he didn’t smell so great
nathanguitars 