Mist on the lake

 It was early morning and a knee-high fog covered Alexander Lake near Panola Mountain. The fog was heavy but almost eerily low. As the sun rose and the fog thinned, a million little lights sparkled through the mist: water boatmen skittering on the surface and fish rising to eat them.

The loop around the lake is a good walk. American black elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, is in bloom. If you don’t know it, imagine Queen Anne’s lace growing in trees and you won’t be far off. Blackberries are red, and some are turning to purple.

At the far end of the lake, the Enormous Dog and I saw a big buck at the same time and froze. He was moving so carefully it was almost impossible to see him. How could something that big be so close, yet invisible?

The Wise Woman couldn't see him. She was convinced I was making things up and was on the verge of telling me off when the big buck snorted at the dog. He sounded like an 18-wheeler letting off airbrakes.

The dog is big, about 100 pounds. The buck was bigger. He snorted once and was gone.

It’s getting warm — 90 degrees by midafternoon — in the Piedmont. That’s why old folks are out walking early, while it’s still cool, while there’s still mist on the lake.