For the most part, it has been sunny and hot. That's perfect for playing in the lake!
And it's Michigan sweet cherry season. This is the best part of any summer -- those glorious, succulent sweet cherries.
There are plenty of books to read....
....and no shortage of things to paint!
I finished my puzzle, with the help of Rick for the last 50 pieces or so. Time to do another, but right now his "office" is on the puzzle table!
There is plenty of beauty around -- like this pretty glorious butterfly!
This sweet bird look like it might be a young flicker. What say you, my bird friends?
Lizzie finds her own nature -- swatting at a tall weed on the other side of the screen! She may be the best, but she's not the brightest.
I was lucky to be given some zinnia (and other) seeds from blog pals earlier in the spring. Some are at home but some came north and are beginning to show their colors. Thank you!
Rick is working but also enjoying his bike rides.
And he provides me with a never-ending soundtrack of classical guitar.
If I have any one Rick regret it's that because he is more out in the world than I, we are keeping distance, even up here, with our own rooms and not hugging. That's the hardest thing of the Covid. Maybe rarely I'll hug him from behind but it's not the same. Still, we do it to stay safe. But we're eating the same food, sit at opposite ends of the couch and are very careful. And when all is said and done and we're at the table (opposite ends) we're always pleased to toast the day.
Clouds may roll in....
Sunsets may be tinged with bits of light and color -- a promise that even when it's dark, there can be some beauty.
Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth sits on her throne.
We are blessed.
49 comments:
Hello Jeanie,
You are blessed, with Rick and Lizzie for company. Your lake views are beautiful. I have some zinnias, they are pretty. I love the puzzle picture! Your juvie Flicker is a cutie! Beautiful capture of the Monarch! Keep enjoying the simple pleasures. Have a great day and a happy weekend ahead.
Glad you are managing well, with all the little bonuses, like cherries, nice music and beautiful nature. Keep going, we'll all get there in the end! And well done on finishing the jigsaw puzzle. Hugs, Valerie
Your butterfly image is just fantastic. I like the boca!
Good to see you managing better. We are pretty sad. The long haul seems to keep lengthening.
be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I'm with you on those cherries!! -Jenn
How wonderful to have human and kitty company! I love the start of your watercolour, so ethereal and I wouldn't mind betting a good impression of how the lake looks at times. I do hope you will share the finished piece. Your paint box looks so well loved indeed.
~~~Deb in Wales
Beautiful post with lot's of wonderful things to be thankful for ~
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Seems so idyllic. Love your lifestyle!
Cherries and classical guitar music - what a heavenly combination!
Beautiful
I so enjoyed this post. Your time at the lake sounds like a little bit of heaven.
So wonderful to hear of your quiet moments at the lake. I just love zinnias but have trouble growing them even in containers because of the cool nights (often low 40's). You and I have many blessings,Jeanie - thank you for reminding me.
Must say, you two are pros at this covid thing. Beautiful vacation in spite of Covid. The photo of Lizzie swatting through the screen is still making me laugh, twenty minutes now...
Beautiful bleeding sky and the little bird and all the rest. Thank you for the holiday, still in stay at home mode here.
I love your pictures. Rick looks to be enjoying his lake time. Oh yes, relax and take it easy. I am longing for some porch time. But more than that, I want a vaccine for Covid for us to be able to be with our loved ones. Stay safe. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
LOL on queen Elizabeth! That bird is a Northern Flicker. We have them here. Something about sunsets... AAAhhhJanice
I’m glad you’re feeling better Jeanie, there are so many positives to be grateful for, and one day you will be able to give Rick a huge bear hug. I’ve caught up on your posts, I love how Lizzie gets herself right under your duvet! We have a cherry tree in our garden, and they are gorgeous, but every year without fail we only manage to get about a handful - the birds get there first, I don’t know how they do it! I love that jigsaw, I’ve found the title of it and will look online for one. Your paintings are beautiful, and your Paris photos are lovely. Stay positive Jeanie x
Such a wonderful retreat, Jeanie. Even though we are still in tough times there is much beauty. Thank you for sharing it all with us. Your puzzle is adorable!
This is the good side of our schizophrenic lives lately. Art, swimming, good books, sunsets...this is a lovely post Jeanie. It made me feel like I was at the lake with you. Masked and socially distanced of course. Smile. Hugs-Erika
It appears you are feeling better. I had a bit of a meltdown yesterday, but am feeling marginally better today.
I LOVE that puzzle. It even has several marmalade cats, too. I laughed at your note about Lizzie not being the brightest. It was cute and an adorable photo, too. Your photos are fabulous, Jeanie. I loved them ALL.
I saw a meme the other day of the proper way to safely hug your partner during the pandemic. Masks on and heads turned off to the opposite sides, looking away from each other.
Love the puzzle you got finished.
Oh! My family had two huge cherry-reet, one with black, the other with the light ones.
Both died. Oh, the cherries were so wonderful!
A beautiful puzzle, it´s years ago Ingo and I did this. Mostly when making kale. It takes ages to make (German) kale.
Lizzie made me smile big. It must be a joy to have a friend like that.
Wait. Those shoes!!! There they went!
Soso sad you still have to keep a distance.
Luckily we don´t.
Fingers and toes crossed the craziness is over soon and we learn to live with "Corinna" like with the flu.
Jeanie, life seems to be good at the lake, passing the days doing things that you enjoy! Painting, swimming, and reading sounds like the perfect summer!
Good morning Jeanie. I can't even imagine the discipline involved to maintain physical separation even in your living quarters, and not to even hug each other. Would seem to me to activate some kind of mental torture!
It is very important that you can recognize and enjoy the good to be found in this. Frankly, I'm not sure how much socializing I'll be interested in doing on the other side of this; but there will be much hugging. Meanwile, read and art on!
You are blessed to have such beautiful surroundings Jeanie.
A swim in the lake, wonderful juicy cherries, a pretty puzzle, plenty of books to read and Rick's and Lizzie's company...wonderful! Enjoy your weekend :)
Jeanie, you are blessed with your home at the lake, Rick and the beauty that abounds. Oh, must not forget sweet Lizzie.
I am beginning to wonder what our new normal will be and when it will arrive. It seems like the world is spinning out of control. But, I try hard not to lose hope that this will make us a better people.
Jeanie, I love all your photos and especially the sunsets. You are such a talented soul and your talents serve as inspiration to others. Wishing you happy lake days! Stay well!!
Rick is practicing very good social distancing. We need to make him the poster child. Maybe some "other" people might learn from him.
Enjoy your time Jeanie
Oh Jeanie, do you know that CHERRIES are my favorite fruit? I love them and don't often buy them cause they're expensive at the stores. Looks like you are having a relaxing Summer at the lake. What a pretty butterfly photo. Can't believe you came across one that was so vibrant with color. That puzzle is perfect for you, cats and books! Your time at the lake sounds wonderful, Jeanie.
~Sheri
I too, love cherries. I'm sorry that you and Rick are having to distance from each other, but it's definitely wise to do so. I envy your summer lake life. :)
Well, here's another bit of news that ought to make you very happy, indeed!
I have those cherries in my fridge. I bet they're from the same tree.
I love those striped glasses. Your lake pics always look so peaceful. We are working a puzzle but it's taking us forever. We put a few pieces in each day... or not. Sending you hugs.
This is idyllic living. If I were you, I'd stay there 365 days, or maybe until all this craze, uncontrolled health mayhem has subsided. As for the new Ripple, I have no choice but to change into something newer. This is my tweet earlier today: "New theme and design for Ripple Effects. Every now and then there's a need to break out of our comfort zone to avoid oblivion. What I learned this whole morning from a very helpful Wordpress support staff."
Beautiful summer photos from the lake - social distancing and all!
Here's a virtual hug again from me!
Wren x
Looks like relaxation at the lake . . .
Happy you can be there . . .
And classical guitar too . . .
I have been charmed by The Presidents Hat. Wonderful.
Oh I love that kitty cat puzzle....looks just like our office! Rick looks to be enjoying floating around in some nice cool water.....looks fun.....do you go out also??? I have not been swimming this summer, hope to go sometime soon. Love all the pictures. I did sew zinnias and they did come up and they were doing fine--it was my very first batch so I was excited. Then Matthew or one of them dang hurricanes came along and blew my babies clean away!! LOL I didn't try again this year either, but Maybe I can still find some seeds, they did sprout quick, I had them in a hanging basket and we take all those down and put lawn chairs well, EVERYTHING AWAY when we are evacuated----but still the winds got to my baby zinnias and blew them clean out of the pot! Love seeing the big stack of books........GOT TO HAVE BOOKS, no matter where you are, right?/! And classical guitar would be just lovely. Cherries I dont' like but then again, I am WEIRD, HA HA LOL! I dont like fruit.
I also love this kinda relaxing time: reading, doing P.E, eating healthy food, playing,...enjoying life!
Love that sweet fuzzy flicker! What a nice retreat. Our family comes to visit, but same. We have a divider for the back half of the house where they stay, and they do not come in our part of the house. We visit outside keeping distance. Hard not to have the hugs! But one of our sons is from a hard hit area, and the others came on a plane. We are just so happy to see them!
Beautiful. ❤️
I'm sad that you have to socially isolate from Rick. That cannot be easy.
Everything else looks lovely about where you are---birds, painting, books, water, guitar.
Such beautiful surroundings and company :-)
Your photos make me want to live on a lake :) What a spot!
I see Charles Todd on that book shelf :) I love your bright zinnia. I appreciate your "we are blessed" attitude. In these days it helps if we can find the blessings :)
Jeanie, thank you so much for visiting from Claudia's blog. I love to meet all her friends and she has many! I love Michigan having been born and raised there. I love the lakes, woods and rivers, so many beautiful parts of the state. My Parents lived very near to Lake Huron and we grew up camping in the Pigeon River State Forest. Florida does not have the same terrain or smell, I miss the wonderful clean woods smell of Michigan. Sounds like you are staying safe and being smart, so many people aren't as you very well know. By the way I love your paintings of Paris, a place I have only been to once for a very short visit but it was stunning. Stay safe my friend.
You are at the best place during this hot hot summer! Our heat index was 110 yesterday! I have been in the local lakes here more this summer than I ever have before. It’s the only place where the heat is tolerable! The humidity broke after strong storms last night so we are enjoying the cooler, dryer air today!!
I am glad you and Rick can be near but it’s tough to have to maintain distance. But you’ve got to stay healthy so we do what we have to do!
You seem to be managing quite well, which is good.
I love the look of those cherries, and the other photographs you've shared.
That jigsaw puzzle looks amazing.
Stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
Blessed, indeed! I've had my meltdown moments, but at the same time, try to reflect on what I'm grateful for......like right now, my son watching the Yankee game across from me.
Yes I would say that's a flicker. I saw one here for the first time ever, a few weeks ago.
It all looks enchanting Jeanie! Enjoy your books and painting and nature and delicious meals and time with Rick and Lizzie. :)
It is beautiful at the lake for isolation. But by the same thought, it might kind of lonely too. Sounds like you are keeping busy with reading, painting, and puzzles. All good things. Take care dear friends!
Glad you're able to enjoy such beauty, and each other's company - even if from a distance - to remind you there are still good things in the world. Also, thanks for sharing this and reminding me too.
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