I'm pleased to say Lizzie Coco managed reasonably well in her carrier, although she was quietly vocal along the way so we'd not forget she was there!
No ugly surprises were waiting for us this time -- no "home invaders" like the squirrel a year or two back that pushed us into hard core cleaning (versus open-it-up-and-dust-it-out). That's always a huge relief! The biggest issue was getting the pine needles raked up that fall profusely from the trees. Both Rick and I had a share in that one and it's looking pretty good!
Going to the cottage is like coming home. So many past experiences come to mind when I'm there -- times as a kid and times with the cousins formed the backbone of my life at the lake as a teen and young adult. My fondest memories of my parents are wrapped within those four walls and the lake. They all come tumbling in as we turn into our area, drive down the road past the old cottage, turn the bend and get to our place.
With the cousins, we swam and waterskied until we were forced in by lack of gas in the tank or dinner on the table. At night, a card game or jigsaw puzzle. Our houses were interchangeable as we were in and out of each others' spaces on a regular basis.
I think each year we spent two months waterlogged, wet and very happy.
Then the parents were gone. They never had a chance to meet Rick or the boys. I wish I had my favorite photo of their first visit scanned, or many of the others that came later. I loved that they fished and built sand creatures, though truth be told, my cottage had no allure for them compared to the fast toys and boats at their grandparents. Someday they will appreciate the quiet!
This weekend I read two books and did several pages in the art journal. Rick, of course, had his bike rides.
And Lizzie just enjoyed new terrain, exploring every inch before going back under the quilt!
And, I am pleased to boast (because this never happens!) I beat Rick in Scrabble! (Getting the Z and playing off it several times, not to mention the J on a triple word score, didn't hurt!
And of course there were the nightly (and morning) serenades!
The best part about leaving the lake in early summer is that you know you'll be back again and that (hopefully) the (giant) mosquitoes will disappear, the temperatures will be warmer and the skies bright more often.
Summer days aren't what they used to be. They can't be. A generation dies. Children grow up. Cousins live far away and visit less often. And those long, endless summers where time didn't matter and life was easy are probably gone forever.
But there are still precious moments to be had and I intend to have as many as I can. And of course, there will always be memorable sunsets. I can work with that!
29 comments:
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful spot. You are very lucky to have had it all your life. Glad the good times continue to roll, even though they have evolved over the years. :)
Life moves on and what is left with all if them is just memories that is why we should collect as many find memories as we can so we can enjoy them at the moment and cherish them later. I have fond memories at our ancestral house where all cousins would meet on my maternal grandfather's or grandmother's birthday. Later everybody grew up and moved to different places too and we never see each other again upto now.
Your cottage is full of beautiful memories and I can imagine how you feel when you go back and visit.
Summer memories are the best! I still go back to my parents' camp up on the St. Lawrence River every summer. (My parents still go too -- although they are both in their 80s now.)
Oh Jeanie, You bring back so many memories of my own childhood at the lake. Each set of grandparents had a place, both on the water - and cousins from both sides of the family. Wonderful memories - thank you for sharing!
You have a peaceful place to visit and enjoy all Nature's beauty, Jeanie. So nice that it's also filled with fond memories! Good to see that Rick is already on the bike. Bob biked from Breck to Copper Mountain today and made it home before the rain started!
Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend at the lake! When you describe your childhood memories at the lake, it reminds me of my childhood as my grandparents had a cabin and 3 of their 4 kids were there almost every weekend so I got to spend a lot of time with my cousins. Now my parents have a cabin of their own and my nephews and nieces get to experience all those 'lake memories' with their cousins.
I went through a phase where I wanted more 'action and excitement' at the lake but in my early 20s I quickly grew to appreciate the peace and quiet of my parents cabin. My favorite is the early morning hours when not many people are up, the sun is rising, and the lake is like glass. Ahhhh, that is just so good for the soul. :)
Oh Jeanie! What a treasure this lake side cabin is and such precious memories. How I would love sitting there with you, reading, crafts, or playing games, maybe even dig in the sand.
How wonderful that you have the lake cabin to stir memories of the past and make new memories in the present. This is such a beautiful post, written with such appreciation and love for times past and while embracing the present.
What a beautiful place, you're so lucky to have all of these precious memories.
How wonderful to have a place so full of family memories!
Jeanie, it all looks and sounds wonderful making happy memories together through the years is a joy.
Enjoy every minute dear friend you deserve nothing less!
It looks like a lot of fun was had! Oh how I look forward to our trip out west to the sea....
It is wonderful to have those memories and so special to be making new ones in the place where the old ones were made.
What a beautiful place and such wonderful memories! :) I'm glad Lizzie goes with you. She looks quite content. I'm sure the place contains some excellent, loving vibes and she can sense them!
Sounds like absolute bliss!
Well done for your Scrabble win! I'm addicted to Scrabble. I used to always lose at Scrabble when I played my brother (even when he tried to help me out) and was determined to beat him one day, so I made a point of playing as much as possible. I even have a Scrabble game for the computer, so I can practice. It turned in to an addiction - I admit it - but it was worth it, because the last time I played my brother I beat him in every round we played.
Your sunset pictures are beautiful. I know, there can be something rather sad at looking back at past times, now that some people are gone. I remind myself that life moves on and there are always new good things to do, and new people coming along who will become beloved.
Oh, that top image is just GORGEOUS!! And so good Miss Lizzie travels well. ;o) WOW--that is a LOT of pine needles... LOL! But oh, what fun times... Thanks for letting us dip in the memory book with you, Jeanie--always a JOY! Enjoy your cottage-filled summer days, my friend! In a few days we'll be traveling visiting family--so looking forward to that. Will e in touch when we get back! ((LOVE & HUGS))
Beautiful photos, evocative of wonderful memories and good times. When I was very young we spent a few summers at rental places at lakes and it was wonderful.
I've been part of the cottage experience for 30 years, but I wish I could have experienced it as a kid. It just seems like so much fun. I loved your trip down memory lane!
- Bonnie K
Tears in my eyes! I can smell the scent of the forest there, of the trees, of the sand. It's been years since I've been back but just reading yor post fills my senses and heart with memories. The sunsets were always fabulous. And the late late nights on the beach with campfires, song and silly stories. The scent of my grandmothers fresh bread. Making pies with my her after hours of picking blackberries and blueberries. Rowing, swimming, reading, hours of cards and board games. It was idyllic. We were so lucky. Thanks for the memories, Jeanie. Don't know when I'll be back but someday. Our cottage is still in our family. One of the very few I think, like yours. It was built by my great-grandfather. I still have such a sense of connection to that place. Big hugs to you!
How wonderful that you still have a place full of childhood memories that you can still visit and keep adding to that vault of memories.
Heather :)
Lovely innocent fun! Congrats for winning those Scrabble games.
What a wonderful place for you your family and all those memories. That must be really special Jeanie. I enjoyed all the pics you shared. Great post............
so lovely that this place has been in your lives!
glad the kitties traveled ok.
I hope you do get to Spike's some time. Friday they fry fish, which we missed by a day. But perhaps you'll get there. So many ways to relax up there!
It makes me smile to think of all the new and wonderful memories you'll be making again this year in this very special spot.
I certainly have enjoyed your trips up north in the past.
Fun seeing your scrabble win.
It's a favorite family game of ours too.
oxo
what a special spot and the sunsets. Childhood memories are the best best. This is the perfect place to go relax. I did not know your husband is a cyclist. How often does he ride? I just rode 70 miles in San Diego this weekend.
What wonderful memories. It's always hard to see such change over time. Your childhood summers sound devine. I was lucky to grow up on the river. I only realized how lucky I was after I grew up and moved away.
We lived only a few minutes from Annapolis when we lived in Maryland. I remember when landlords raised the rents and so many of the unique shops Vicks no longer afford to stay. The Gap and Banana Republic moved in. I haven't been back in over thirteen years. We are planning a visit. I wonder what it's like now.
Beautiful photos of lakeside living. How I admire you... Yes, I'd like to have a game of Scrabble with you and listen to Rick play the guitar. And of course, breathe in the magnificent sky. And yes, I'd be birding too. Just wonder what birds were there.
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