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In the small northern Manitoba mining town of Snow Lake, there was
not an abundance of choices if you wished to go out on a date. The
autumn, winter and spring months severely curtailed out door
activities. One had to wait until summer to pursue any kind of
meaningful relationship, and even then, you shared the experience
with the swarms mosquitoes and black flies.
It was during the brief,
but hot summer that one could go swimming; pack out for lingering
picnics; or take long walks or bicycle rides. If things looked
really encouraging, and the weather was favourable, one could always
make a lunch, hop in the boat and find your own private spot on the
huge lake. This also eliminated most of the pesky insects.
I saw Nola during the
Christmas holidays. She was new in town, and hung out at her dad's
hardware store. She didn't seem to do very much, but that didn't
matter. Every day, I made some pathetic excuse to go in, just to
sneak a peek at her.
She was all a chap
could wish for. She was a little taller than I was, very slim, and
supple, with clear green eyes. I don't think she knew I existed. I
didn't care. I would wait until early summer before I attempted to
take her out.
It was a long
winter and even longer cold spring.
Finally, on a
Saturday in late June, I said, "Today's the day." I went to the
hardware store.
Since I certainly
was in no hurry to come home, I put extra gas in for the five-horse
Johnson, so that I could stay out longer. I packed a good lunch.
Finally I put her in the boat along with Lance, my Springer Spaniel.
It was
wonderful.
We spent the whole
day fishing together.
With her
Shakespeare Supreme casting reel, fifteen pound nylon braided line,
and my supply of Dare Devils, she never once let me down.
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