"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." - Thoreau, "Ponds", Walden

I live next to Lincoln Pond... similar to Walden in many respects, though I'm making no pretense of solitude. It's easy to understand why Thoreau wanted to live where he did, and I'm looking forward to this summer very much, and enjoying myself immensely. Even if I have spent a large chunk of this week printing and stapling and labeling newsletters.

It rained for most of today... but having been in the city for so long, I didn't mind much... yes there is lots of mud, and perhaps I would have minded more if I'd been getting soggy... but rain has turned this already beautiful place into something utterly magical. I've always loved rain in the woods... the way the mist curls around the trees and the light softens, the new glimmers on leaves and trails and rocks, the sweetness of the air... If you have ever been in a deciduous forest during a light drizzle, you know what I'm speaking of. Living in the city I had begun to forget why I love rain so much, just like I'd forgotten about stars.

More mundane information? I'm living in Bullfrog Camp with four other interns who are doing undergraduate research in field ecology. Some of them are more excited about this (meaning field ecology, not living with me) than others, but they're all sweet thoughtful women, and I'm enjoying our cooking adventures and movie watching time. Last night was our pizza experiment- next time we should buy better dough, and spread it out thinner... mine was all mushy in the middle. Ah well.

My mattress has dinosaurs on it. I'll take a picture soon.