There’s just something about starlit lakes. Have you ever been on a clean, placid lake surrounded by the sky? I have. And I can tell you it’s heavenly. In fact, it can almost feel like Heaven dips down and wraps its arms around you.
And memories of starlit lakes inspired me to write about Sombo.
A couple of special starlit lakes are embedded in my memories from a time I camped near Grand Mesa in Colorado. It was way, way back in the twentieth century. And it felt like I was way, way back in the wilderness. And one of the best memories was when I looked at the lake, just before going to be, and saw the reflection of millions of stars.
If you’ve never had a glassy, mirrored lake experience like that, get one as soon as you can. Unless it’s not your thing.
Anyway…
That kind of memory inspired me to write Sombo And The Starlit Night. Here’s some of that book.
Tiny, smooth ripples at the edge of a large, starlit lake…slender fingers of tall green grass swayed gently back and forth…miniature minnows made swirls and darted away…
A rowboat moored to a rickety, pine dock bumped its bow against the post with the bow line around it.
Sombo walked slowly and gingerly across every other plank of the dock to avoid squeaks. Fortunately there was a foggy dampness in the air, and that seemed to help keep things quiet. He knew any noise could wake the neighbors’ English Spaniel and the jig, as they say, would be up.
Four more steps. And…
One leg over the side of the boat. Crunch. There were some cottonwood leaves in between the oar and the seat. Wouldn’t you know his foot would have to land right on them. Sombo’s eyes flashed to the neighbor’s back yard. Good. No movement…and no barking. With a little luck he was in the clear. So he hoisted his other leg into the boat and carefully placed his feet in front of the seat.
He had to kneel with one knee on the seat and stretch his right hand to lift the rope off the dock post. It slipped off without a hitch. Gently he laid it down in the bow seat and turned around and sat down. With his left hand he pushed ever so quietly on the dock and waited till the rowboat had drifted about six to eight feet into the lake. Sombo then grabbed the handles of the oars, raised them from inside the boat, and almost whispered them into the water.
A gentle tug on the left oar swirled him around nicely…
…to face the shore and row backwards. He was really glad he’d been lifting weights all summer. The added strength in his arms made the rowing feel like a knife through soft butter. In no time at all the boat was in the middle of the lake. The water was smooth and glassy, and it looked like a second starlit sky.
The sparkling dust of a shooting star faded across the horizon, and Sombo knew this would be the perfect spot. He reached inside his favorite fishing jacket he’d gotten for his birthday three years ago. Unsnapping the inside pocket he pulled out…
To find out what Sombo pulled out of his pocket, GET THE BOOK. Sombo And The Starlit Sky
Or better yet, Jump on the The FunderFlash and watch for the updated version of the book that’ll include the audio and video narration.
And enjoy it when you finally make it to one of those starlit lakes.
Stay tuned,
