The Books of August

NOTE: Blogger isn't letting me comment on posts today (9/4) -- and maybe you, too! Be by soon!)

 I didn't have high hopes for August being a great reading month. There were a lot of things on the agenda. Part of the time I was home with appointments; then I was doing some online art workshop tutorials. They were only available for a short time, so I couldn't save them for a more convenient. And then there was company -- always good! But busy. And during art camp, I only read a night before bed, for the most part.

 

Surprisingly, I knocked off six books: three mysteries and three memoirs. And there wasn't a disappointment in the bunch! 

Postcards From the Lake: Art Camp

Every year for maybe 20 years, quite possibly more, my friend Kate and I take two weeks (now; when we were working, it used to be a weekend!), and head north to the cottage to focus on art. We call it Art Camp.

 

Over that time our art has changed -- and it  hasn't. We're better now. (Kate was always good -- art was her profession; I'm better. than I used to be) We did  collage, painting, polymer and every combo thereof. My cottage guestbook is a journal I made during art camp. And of course we  do other things. Read. Walk. (Well, this year my walking is hampered but Kate is walking. I did some.) 

Postcards From the Lake: Road Trip to a Castle!

I promise the next post will be about art camp (unless it's a book wrap up!) But I thought I'd wrap up earlier events first. You may remember that my friend Suzanne came to the cottage for a visit in late July. Most of the time we hung around home, talking, puzzling, farm marketing. 

 

But on one beautiful day we opted for a road trip to Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan. It was a castle, yes, but a relatively modern one. Architecture, garden design, collections -- the place was art in itself.

Postcards From the Lake: Friends, Food, Birds and Art!

Rick and I headed home early last week so I could get to a doc appointment. The day after that I turned around and came up for Art Camp, my annual time with friend Kate where we focus on art for two weeks. I'll have posts on that soon! Meanwhile, there have been nature sightings and good times at the lake with Rick. Cooking, friends, Lizzie, and yes, birds!

 

I finally had a better sighting of Harry North. These pix were taken with the Zoom, as he is pretty antsy and the second the porch door opens, even quietly, he takes off.

Postcards From the Lake: The Season of Abundance

There are those who say the season of abundance is autumn. I don't entirely disagree. But for me it begins about six weeks before the calendar officially tells us it is fall. By midsummer, and definitely in mid-August, the markets are beginning to be packed with things fresh from the farms. And it is glorious! 

 

Cherry season is over here in Northern Michigan, though some "imported" bags can be found at the grocery store. But early in the season, I bought a half-peck, then a quarter-peck and finally just a quart or two as the supply diminished. Michigan sweet black cherries are probably my favorite fruit, perhaps because their season is short.

Postcards From the Lake: Road Trip to a Birthday Retreat!

You don't turn 75 every day. Those five-and-zero birthdays are sometimes a bit of a kick in the pants. Rick wanted to do something special for my birthday and I wholeheartedly agreed. After all, between his trip south and my lake time, we hadn't seen each other for almost a month! So, he suggested meeting half-way between Lansing and Gaylord in Gladwin, Michigan. He would cycle up, I'd drive down, and we'd head back to the lake together a couple of days later. 

Postcards From the Lake: Cottage Life

I'm sitting on the love seat on the porch, a book in hand, legs wrapped in a soft, aqua throw to keep the evening chill from setting in and sending me inside too soon. The sun is a brilliant orange and as round as that on the Japanese flag, and it is beginning to dip behind the tree line. Why is it that it takes hours and hours to go from one side of the house to the other, but when it hits that tree line across the lake, it seems to dip in lightning speed, as though some unseen being was playing with the fast-forward button on a recording.

Postcards From the Lake: Visitors

My little world has seen some company lately! Talk about fun! 

 

It started out down the road when my cousin David welcomed a group of his friends dating back to high school for their annual Otsego Lake summer reunion. I've met all these guys over the years and while I'm not part of the "gang," I delight in their company.

 

This time, that included a pontoon boat ride around the lake. I hadn't done this for a long while and it was fun to see what had popped up over time, and be reminded of places I'd forgotten, like the old Arbutus Beach hotel that is now a private residence. We also said farewell to their friend, Bill, who  recently passed away. 

The Books of July

I only made it through six books in July, but when one is over 500 pages and another close to 1,000, I submit to defeat with a bit of grace. (My own personal goal was to read eight in July. Why I make goals like this, I have no idea.)

I'm pleased to say that five of the six are highly recommended. The last? It was fine. Just not memorable.

Postcards From the Lake: Lakeside Meditating

The other day was the kind that almost doesn't seem real, it was so perfect. Warm, quite warm, but not hot and not at all humid. There was no breeze, so the lake was as calm as glass and the sky that perfect shade of blue. Everything within view was reflected in that water. Even the ripples you see below weren't there at that moment -- it was that smooth. 

The neighbors were elsewhere and being a weekday, the lake was quiet, sound broken only by the occasional fishing boat or gently putting pontoon. It looked just like this, except it was daytime, not sunset!

 

I decided to go for a swim before the neighbor's return. They have family up -- teens. Nice, but active, out in the water a lot, having fun tubing and just enjoying the summer. Laughing, playful. Just as it should be.  I love to watch them -- it reminds me of summers when my cousins and I were at the lake, sometimes with friends from home.

Postcards From the Lake: What's New

Life at the lake moves peacefully and at its own gentle pace. I find myself gradually and gently sinking into a sense of peace, calm and yes, even ease. The routine is not that much different than at home in some ways. Up early, give Lizzie her meds, check in online with mail and the daily New York Times games, then look at blogs, feed Lizzie, more online and then time to be productive. 

 

That includes watering the plants and herbs. I ended up bringing the rest of the potted plants from home to keep them from certain death if I left them behind again. There are more geraniums in the back yard.

Productivity. That's a loaded word. What is productivity, anyway? These days, I think most would call what I'm doing less than productive! Reading a book? Doing a bit of art? Running to the farm market? All more relaxing and fun than productive. But then, who said having fun or relaxing couldn't be counted as productive time. Self care. Yes, I like that!

Postcards From the Lake: Paris in Watercolor

I'm back at the lake, having arrived on Thursday afternoon. Rick's on his way to South Carolina, via Pennsylvania and Maryland, then to visit friends and his dad in North Carolina. We'll connect in a couple of weeks for my birthday and more lake time. Meanwhile, for now it's just me and Lizzie. I'm glad my cousin David is down the road this week but there's a lot to be said for alone-time, too. Books to read, art to do, outdoor time! 

 

For many years, I participated in the blog event "Paris In July." I really haven't read any books set in Paris or France recently or seen any French movies. But I've wanted to participate. So, on my first night at the lake, I went through some of my past watercolors and chose the ones based on my Paris photos to share.

At Home: A Rude Homecoming and a Delightful Celebration

I had to head home for some appointments, and perhaps the timing couldn't have been better, given the wildfire smoke at the lake. They even cancelled parts of Gaylord's annual Alpenfest. Not that the smoke was better at home, it was just a better place to be at the time. 

Postcards From the Lake: Family Fun and Crisis!

We've been enjoying beautiful weather at the lake -- warm (hot!) days and cooler nights, so perfect for sleeping. Well, this one sleeps all day, heat or not!

 

Postcards from the Lake -- Geese, Ducks, Bees, an Eagle, and maybe a Loon?

When I'm home, I usually have to go to the Ditch to see wildlife, apart from a bunny or two. Up at the cottage, I need only look out the window at the right time and see dozens (yes, literally) of Canada Geese.

 

I can't say these are birds I adore on the beach! They're very dirty and it's a constant rake-up of goose poo.  But they are fascinating to watch and really quite beautiful.

Postcards From the Lake: Hot and Happy

I promised myself that no matter how hot it got this summer, I would not complain. I would observe, such as "It is SO hot today!" but not complain. So far, so good. Things have "cooled" off to normal summer. After a sticky start, the fun of summer has started!

 

The June Books!

There are months when you read and everything was good, satisfying. June was one of those months. There was a nice mix of contemporary and vintage mysteries, a novel and a wonderful memoir. Any one of these would make for a good summer read.

Postcards From the Lake -- Reflections On the Fourth

Recently I was cleaning out paperwork at home and came across an essay I'd written in 1976, shortly after the 200 year anniversary of the United States of America was celebrated -- the Bicentennial. I put it in a safe place so I could bring it out to share this year. And you all know how that goes. Safe places are only safe from burglars, but good luck finding what you hid!

 

But what I remember is that it was a document filled with great joy and hope. I recounted the things of that happened that day. Not just the fireworks; that happens every year (and frankly, I'd rather they didn't. So does Lizzie.)

Postcards from the Lake: We Have Arrived!

We (meaning Lizzie and I) arrived at the lake last Wednesday afternoon and the first few days settling in weren't a picnic! When we arrived, we drove into the meadow that is our back yard.

 

Now, we don't usually have a meadow in the back, but the weeds had grown to a height between my knees and waist. 

In My World

By the time this post goes live, I will be at the lake, and working on the first of my summer series of Postcards at the Lake. But before I start those, I thought I'd give you a mini update on life as we left it! (That orchid is now bloomless.)

 

We've had some fun time with friends, including a wonderful chicken dinner at their home; then more chicken at Rick's a week or so later! When we were at Mark and Jan's, they made a beer can chicken but in this kind of cool pan I'd never seen before. So moist and flavorful and no can required!

Strawberry Season -- A Remembrance and a Recipe

After a long winter and an odd spring, there is nothing like the arrival of strawberries to scream "Summer Is Here!"

 

I love these sweet red berries and when they arrive -- the real, picked-from-a-local-garden kind -- there is cause for celebration. I'd happily live on a diet of strawberry-based foods all season if I could. Alas, it's a short season and that wouldn't be too wise!

 

Cork Poppers Taste Summer Favorites!

Our Cork Popper gang gathered recently at hosts Roger and Merdith's to taste "Summer Wines." What kind of wine do you enjoy in the summer? Bring that!"

Our selection of wines!

Roger kicked things off with a mango mimosa. 

Sometimes We Clean Up OK!

Sometimes (not often), we get dressed up! And most of the time when we do, it's for something fun. But this time, it was beyond fun -- it was for a spectacular evening. (Followed the next day by fun with our grands!)

 

The occasion was the Michigan Emmy Awards, held  Detroit. (For those not familiar with this award, the Emmy is presented for excellence in television production. Awards are first presented regionally and may include everything from video promotion to local news and weather. You might be more familiar with the national Emmy Awards, in which programs you are more likely to see in any market in the country, or even internationally, are honored.

Down at the Ditch

I wanted to get in another "Ditch" post before taking off to the lake at the end of the month. My most recent walk brought about a lot of blooms -- and a lot of ducks.

 

This mama duck has two babies, quietly nestled in the area by the water at the edge of the woods. 

Let There Be Art! And Let It Be On Stage!

“Whatever the worries of the hour or the threats of the future, once the picture has begun to flow along, there is no room for them in the mental screen.” 

                                              ~  Winston Churchill 

Winston Churchill, an avid painter himself, wrote this quote to express his feelings about painting. But I see it as broader than that. These words could easily apply to any creative venture that we could describe as "art." And, for me at least, that includes theatre.

 

We had a wonderful experience last weekend. Rick and I headed to Stratford, Ontario, to see our friends, Suzanne and Jim in London and together go to the Stratford Festival. We went to see see two musicals, playing back to back with only a short dinner break in-between and featuring the same casts.  

The Books of May

May was a most eclectic reading month. There were several mysteries (of course!), a sweet novel, a fantasy, and a book of essays on finding joy. 

Meanwhile, in the Yard

One of the best things about this time of year is seeing things "wake up" and being able to be outside. I don't have a great garden and the backyard is more weeds than lawn, but I've been enjoying the birds, blooms and critters.

 

I think I've given up grass for Creeping Charlie (which is actually kind of pretty.)

A Little Bit of Everything -- Friends, Flowers, Ditch and Gratitude!

Today, a smorgasbord of life in general! A bit of fun in the yard, productive time, a wonderful restaurant "make-good" and fun with friends.

 

First of all, the restaurant. I mentioned our surprisingly awful dinner back in this post. (And thanks for the support on that! I think most of you must have had a similar experience and could empathize!) Several of you mentioned "I hope you let the restaurant know about this" and yes, I did.

On the Trail

Rick and I had a poignant, interesting and fun day recently. We headed to Kalamazoo, Michigan (where he used to live) for the memorial service of a friend of Rick's. As longtime readers of this blog know, Rick is an avid cyclist, with a racing past and a present that includes a passion for lengthy bike hikes. But he considers his greatest life accomplishment as being the "Father of the Kal-Haven Trail," a cycling trail that goes from Kalamazoo to South Haven, Michigan and the first rail trail in the state.

 

His friend who passed, Mike, was one of his colleagues when working on the trail. As Rick often says, "the trail was built on the shoulders of many" and Mike was one of them.

Close Encounters of the Nicest Kind!

I've shared a lot of nature in recent posts, but those visits (and life in general) have included some delightful "close encounters" with some lovely people, a road trip, dining out, and even a critter or two! So, a look at life in general! 

 

Life in general includes blog friends and one real treat for this month of May was a meet-up with blogger Anno, who came to Lansing for lunch. (Do check out her "Artifacts and Annotations" HERE.) We had such a good long talk at lunch and on our walk to the ditch -- and yet, we both realized there was so much we didn't even get to during that time. Another meet-up is definitely in the offing.