Shrouded Shore: The Many Musings of Thom Singleton

  The World of Austin Island Blazing sunsets and sparkling sunrises bookend a child’s days of gleaming surprises… Clam shells and crawdad claws, crow’s caws and cat’s paws, Pine needles and rocks, bushes and docks, Blue sky and boats, log cabins and floats, Eagles soaring in the whispering winds, dragonflies flitting their gossamer wings, A fireplace, a warm embrace, a heartspace with Spirit graced. A treasure box of memories of family and friends, The Island welcomes a new generation of beloved children.

  Night Crossing Before moonrise, the night was pitch black, the forecast bleak with storms. The rowboat was small, but the cargo - two little brothers - was precious. Their parents and grandparents - fellow passengers - were vigilant to make the crossing safely. The two boys - six and two years young- saw the watery night through wide-open eyes. Their Captain Daddy pulled mightily on the old boat’s oars to bring Mommy, George, August, Grandma, and Grandpa safely to the tiny dock lost in the gloomy distance. The islanders, now mainlanders again, headed home. By this time, a great balloon of a super moon had come out to light their way, a sure sign that they had made the right decision to cross the water when they did, and not be marooned in the storm.

  A Grimace to a Grin Hauled 1500 pounds of rock the last few days to complete our backyard pond. About 15 pounds a piece. But, really, had to lift them four times each… Once, from the pile to the truck, Then, from the truck to the wheelbarrow, Again, from the wheelbarrow to the pond’s edge, Finally, from the edge to the inside wall of the pond. So, really, lifted 6000 pounds. Three tons. That explains the ache in my back, Which bummed me out, until I remembered a name for a moving company, That I came up with years ago as a joke, Aikenbach Movers. That changed my grimace to a grin.