But a few hours later the windows were rattling as a big storm came in. It really wasn't that late when I took this photo -- but the sky and lightning flares sure made it look that way!
The porch was a mess the next day as water blew with what I called "gale force" winds. They probably weren't, but it sure felt like it at the time!
It's been a productive week here at the lake since Rick left -- he's back for the weekend, yay! I managed to tackle cleaning the dreaded utility room and three trash bags and two Goodwill bags later it's looking much better. Meanwhile, while I was working outside, my kind neighbor was doing this and later came back to rototill what he couldn't get with his tractor.
It's looking much better!
I had a few good swims, going longer and farther each time, and have been enjoying time to read, since there's no telly or internet at the cottage this summer. I finished the wonderful new Maisie Dobbs book (this British-set mystery series is one of my favorites.)
Then onto two very different books. The first, "The Swerve," by Stephen Greenblatt, tells the true story of how an ancient document was discovered that revealed the concept of atoms making up all matter. This was in the BC period and the manuscript was rediscovered in the 1400s. Fascinating in many ways. This is not an easy "whip right through it" book but it delivers and is well worth the time spent.
I'm also enjoying a wonderful book about Avebury Manor in England and it's restoration, thanks to the BBC and National Trust. It's a wonderful story of saving a beautiful property and restoring it to the various periods in which people lived there. The rooms are furnished in several of the periods that people resided in the manor so one goes through the Tudor Period with the Tudor Great Hall, "Queen Anne's" bedroom, to the Neoclassic, then Victorian and finally art deco/20s-30s. The photos and text on how they accurately created reproductions down to textiles and wallpapers as well as furniture is fascinating for one who loves old houses and Brit history as much as I do!
And there are a few others on the shelf for times to come.
I've been painting as often as possible as part of World Watercolor Month. This one isn't quite done, I think. It's a scene from Paris.
And we've been eating cherries!
July is cherry season in Northern Michigan. And you grab and savor these babies while you can.
Meanwhile, we've been doing some swimming and some relaxing. (I've been doing the swimming; you can see who best relaxes.)
I leave you with another lake sunset, shortly before the storm.
They never cease to amaze me.
Sharing with: Best of the Weekend
41 comments:
Beautiful photos.
Nothing like being on a lake in Michigan. So peaceful but ... Television I could be without, but I’m not sure about Internet!
To be honest I like such "bad" weather from time to time.
Minus the mess!
Great to have neighbours like that!
"The Swerve" sure sounds very interesting!
That´s a lot to read! I have so many books on my kindle, yet the Internet is so tempting. Still way too cold to sit outside and enjoy a good book.
Hmmm, cherries!
Beautiful sunset!
I love your postcard posts. They make me remember years gone by of my own cottage days. Love that green chair your cat took over and, of course, who doesn't like cherries and storms that roll in over a lake.
I love being around water, lake, ocean, I don't care which. I was scanning through your books on the shelf to see if we had read any of the same ones... all I saw was Lilac Girls. I thought it was really good.
We've been eating cherries too. They're so good! And so cheap right now.
Isn't swimming the best? I love being in the water. I hope the rain is finished so you can have lots of time to swim.
Your watercolor painting is beautiful!
Clever cat! Relaxing is the name of the game. Why don't we, humans, accept that the way the cat does.
Hello, the sky shots and lake views are beautiful. The cherries look delicious. I love your pretty watercolor, a pretty Paris scene. I know you are enjoying your days at the lake. Have a happy day and week ahead.
Your Paris watercolor really captures the look of the river near the bridges. I just love it!
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
There is nothing like reading a good book with no other distractions, so life at the cottage seems made for this. And the picture of the cherries means that I need to go out and buy some!
You are making sweet memories at the lake, Jeanie! Reading, relaxing, swimming and painting -- it all sounds like summertime bliss.
We also bought peaches, cherries and figs this week to enjoy, as they are the special fresh treats of summer and available for such a short time. So delicious!
Wonderful photos from the lake. Lots of bunnies here, too, but not such fluffy ones in the sky. Great paintings, too, and enjoy your reading. Glad you can go swimming again. Hugs, Valerie
I saw cherries at the store this Summer, and they were about $6, so expensive. But they are my favorite fruit!! The lake photos are lovely, and that last one looks like a post card. I admire all the reading you do, Jeanie. It's a wonderful thing.
~Sheri
How sweet that you and Lizzie are enjoying your time at the Lake. I am sorry to read you had such a bad storm. You are really keeping busy at least, and I love the watercolor painting of Paris.
I see the bunny in the sky! Lake storms are scary. We used to rent the same cottage on a lake in NH every summer. The storms were crazy and one year a huge tree was struck, falling alongside the cottage. We were very lucky to be spared! These all sound like wonderful summer reads and those cherries look delicious.
Reading, painting, and eating cherries - sounds and looks wonderful!
Jeannie, I accidentally deleted your comment on my last post. I'm having a hard time controlling my clicking on this comment moderation thing.
Loving your cottage photos. And lots of books needed at the cottage! We are missing out on going to the cottage this summer. Maybe we can get out in the fall. We aren't much for swimming but we do love to fish.
Wonderful shots, especially the sky photos...and Miss L. relaxing;)
A beautiful watercolor painting.
You are really having a sweet summer Ms Jeanie with many activities and creations :)
Cherries!! I have some in my fridge. I need to set them out in a bowl. Yay for you, getting out and swimming. What's the water temperature like? Kitty cat looks perfectly relaxed! -Jenn
Love Michigan cherries! You captured some beautiful sunsets!
You had some very dramatic skies!
Enjoyed the lake photos and the food ones too, Jeanie.
Life is looking just perfect. Swis, relaxing, books, cherries, quiet time, nice days, even those summer storms. I would say all is well in your world. Hugs-Erika
It looks a glorious summer Jeanie, unplugged with fresh air, swimming, jobs completed, books to read and painting, the odd storm adds drama and the cat purrs on!
Happy days.
Wren x
Jeanie, lake time must be wonderful! Eating Cherries, watching sunsets, swimming, and reading...sigh! Enjoy!
Just so you know, I'm going into my.third day with no internet connection. The technician's supposed to be here this afternoon to fix things up, If it doesn't happen, I'm not going to be happy -- I'm about to the end of my cheerful endurance. Lovely photos, all -- and now I'm wondering when the Ranier cherries are going to show up. The red are good, but those are worth every penny! Happy day!
Lovely spot lovely neihgbor lovely painting:)
I love these summer cottage posts! Your cherries look fabulous. They are always so expensive here that I rarely buy them even though I love them.
Lovely post, Jeanie. Your week sounds heavenly. Love your painting, you are certainly a talent.
Keep enjoying these summer days, they will pass too quickly.
Peaceful holidays, love the sunset photo and of course the one of Lizzie relaxing :) Enjoy your time at the cottage Jeanie.
That sounds absolutely perfect.
Your daily activities sound wonderful, reading, painting, swimming, looking at the cat, enjoying some gorgeous fresh fruits. It must be so peaceful there. I love it.
Jeanie, all looks so beautiful, but were you there alone when the storm hit?. That looks a little spooky but then I see you have your forever protector, napping or not, that is a good thing. The trouble I'm having with my internet connection now, I could do without it but the TV, that would be hard for me..Happy Times, xxoJudy
It's so important to enjoy cherries while they are around and available!
Your photographs are great, especially the last one.
All the best Jan
I did see the bunny in the sky. I did. I did! Cute kitty too. Janice
Jeanie! Your photos are so beautiful. And I love the painting. Gosh, you are so talented! I'm finally back to blogging..on a regular basis! :) So, I'm trying to catch up, a little bit at a time, with my blog friends.
For the most part you time at the cabin sounds so relaxing and special. How lovely to read some good books. The Maisie Dobbs sounds like one I would like. Your sunsets and swimming, plus craft/painting time all sounds most wonderful. And to top it off with fresh cherries! Oh yumm!
Sounds like a wonderful time at the lake! Glad the storms didn't do any serious damage. High winds at the lake can be super scary! That was nice of your neighbor to help clean up your beach. You have so much beach compared to my parents! They have less than usual this year since the water level is high with all the snow and rain we've had this year!
Commonwealth and French Milk caught my eye on your bookshelf. Commonwealth was one of my favorite books I read last year - probably my favorite Patchett novel ever! And French Milk is a fun, light read. Her drawings will make you ache for Paris!
We are going to the lake for 5 days in August and I can't wait. This will be Phil's longest stay at the lake and my longest stay in as long as I can remember. It will just be us and my mom. Hopefully my dad can sneak away for a bit to join us, too (My parents are still working full time - le sigh). I'm looking forward to having lots of time there. Usually we are only there for 2-3 days so the time is rushed. This time we'll arrive on Tuesday morning and leave on Saturday afternoon so we'll get 3 full days! I can't wait!
I'm glad you're enjoying yourself so much. Cherries, good books, swimming in the lake, and relaxing with your furry companion... Sounds perfect to me!
Well, apart from the storm damage, of course... Sorry about that being an issue, though glad you're making sosuch good proess on cleaning up after it.
So idyllic! Lake living, books, cats, wine, art, fresh cherries - sounds amazing. :) I am glad you are having such a spectacular summer.
I have three kitties- Maggie, Marlow, and Miso. :)
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