August is a bit of a fickle month, isn't it? Some days are beastly hot, others windy and rainy and then the temperatures drop. At least that's how it rolls in northern Michigan. But even the chllly days can yield beautiful skies.
It's hard to believe we are in true mid-summer. Where has that time gone? I love the pace of our up-north summer life. Rick works and I paint or play but he gets his breaks too. The other day he took the kayak out.
And he came home with the prettiest water flower for me. (The next day he came home with several more!)
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| My flower |
One of the good neighbors rarely takes his rowboat out. On this day, he did a short jaunt with his dog, Chip. Chip wasn't cooperating very well and it was a short trip!
Rick gets in plenty of bike rides, too. The other day while I was on my walk, I came home and there was a note on my chair saying "on my ride." The next day I saw it again and started to cry, not being able to ever imagine coming home to a world without Rick. Every now and then I do that. I guess we all have our clunky moments.
A week ago or so, while he was riding he saw a plein air painter and challenged me to get out, see some new territory and paint on location. The new territory was fun. But there was no place to really set up to paint -- I'm not equipped for that. The watercolor I did in my car was so bad I didn't even photograph it. A hot mess (Rick agreed.) But I fiddled with it, adding some ink details for definition and now I like it much more.
It was fun catching up with my cousin, David, who was north from Cleveland.
My cosmos and zinnias are finally kicking in, adding some color to the back yard.
But I also love the muted colors of the shadows.Sometimes things like this stop me in my tracks.
A lovely dinner, a glass of wine in the backyard. It all quiets things downs.
My beetle-infested hydrangea is now showing some pink tones along with the white. It's so pretty!
The days draw to a close and I love seeing the sky change.
I don't know if this fellow caught anything -- I don't think so. But he made a lovely picture. It reminded me of Dad.
I leave you with my sweet girl, checking out her kingdom.
And a bloom of love.
It's the simple things these days.
The more complicated thoughts can go on the shelf for awhile.
50 comments:
Oh, it's always a joy to see your photos at the lake, Jeanie. They are filled with such peaceful moments. That's so strange that August there has scorching hot days as well as winds and rain. We do get the rain in the Summer, but it's usually earlier on. That's a beautiful sunrise/sunset photo. I see you've been doing some painting too. I love that photo of the man fishing with the purple skies, it's beautiful. You're right, it's the simple things these days. : )
~Sheri
Hello,
Looks like good times at the lake. Your sky images are just beautiful. The dog Chip reminds me of my old Choc Lab Maui. Your flowers is beautiful and Lizzie is looking happy and content. Lovely post and photos! Take care! Enjoy your weekend!
It's looking good in your corner of the world, and glad you are having some fun here and there. It's extremely hot here, I'm melting, my apartment is a hotspot! Love the new painting! Enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Valerie
Jeanie, I love your photos. Such pretty skies at sunset. I know what you mean about your Rick. I do not want to be without my Teddy either. We are a team, a team that works. You and Rick are also. Blessings, enjoy the weekend. xoxo, Susie
I am thoroughly enjoying your photos from the lake! Thank you for updating us on your stay there.
It's always been the simple things ~ Your blog post warmed my heart ~ I love how you adore your hubby and your relationship gives me joy along with your art and your view of beauty ~ Keep seeing the good & love with abandon!
What a relaxing serene view on the world. Do you sometimes forget what is happening elsewhere?
Your photos bring peace. Thank you.
That flower!
That peaceful kitty!
Those beautiful skies!
The beautiful lake!
I think my blood pressure dropped 10 points just looking at these pictures, Jeanie. So lovely -- thank you!
This cool weather has been a welcome respite. Hope it continues through the weekend, but I suspect August has some heat yet in store for us. As ever, enjoy it while you can...
annox
Always fun to visit your cottage and your art.
Sounds, and looks, absolutely blissful!
Michigan is a beautiful state, even our little corner down here. We took a walk along the river yesterday -- It's great that you have the lake to look at, as well as the other beauties around you. I wonder what it would take for you to set up outdoor painting, as your indoor work is becoming so skilled.
be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Poor Chip looks neither happy nor confident! I think we're all having our moments, and maybe they are a little more frequent as the reality of Covid hits us, and mine is not helped in that I now have no one to care for. Your plein air art is great, and I love it a lot. What a beautiful flower, for a beautiful lady!
Deb in Wales
Nature is always captivating, one way or another.
I usually look for people. Those in your post: Rick with his activities of riding, kayaking, relaxing with a glass of wine; the neighbor with the dog in his kayak, your cousin near the car . They look an integral part of your summer.
Every woman should have a Rick, Jeanie. Sounds to me that life has been kind to you in many ways, but finding this solid rock must surely be the highlight. I am sure that you don't have to contemplate "life without Rick" for many years to come. In the meantime enjoy each other to the fullest. Have another glass of wine together. I am sure he will bring you more flowers. And he bakes bread for god's sake! It doesn't get any better than that!
In the middle of our hot and humid August, your place sounds like heaven. You live a charmed life in so many ways -- but if you tell me you don't have mosquitos, I just might hate you for a nanosecond! There are so many here right now, I can't even keep them out of the house. Ghastly creatures!
Broke my heart to read your words about Rick ..
♥
I hear crickets and it means summer is waning for sure.
After lots of rain gardens have perked up..worked up a feminine sweat yesterday..Lots of bday here this weekend..every yr..from 45 down to 15 with 21 and 18 in between..LOADS of social distancing OUTSIDE.
No foods that mix.. mini bite size ind desserts..
What a different world..Louis..give us back Wnhat a Wonderful World.
Jeanie, thanks for the mini-vacay with your beautiful photos. I've never tried plein air, not quite sure how I would set that up. Glad Rick encouraged you to do it, and I don't know what it looked like before you added the ink, but it's certainly no "hot mess" now. I quite like it!
Those are gorgeous sunsets. We have them too, but at this time of year at my house there are too many leaves. So I enjoyed yours. And I know what you mean about those moments. I have them too on occasion and then tell myself to stop. Enjoy the moment. Now if only that would work. Happy weekend. Hugs-Erika
So nice to see the joys you are having at the lake. Thank you for sharing. It's moments like these that give us the strength to deal with all that is going on in our lives.
Your sky photos are amazing! And, how sweet of Rick to bring flowers. Lakeside living sure can rejuvenate. :)
Jeanie, I love your simple life at the lake. Your words are always so perfectly descriptive. Love the love blossom and little Lizzie is also perfectly reigning over her kingdom..Stay well and keep loving the simple things in life..xxoJudy
Lovely postcards from the lake today. They always remind of how beautiful our world is. I think your painting is lovely, Oh how wonderful lake life sounds. Our August days are hot and steamy and will last possibly through October. A/C is my comfort zone. Outside early morning and late afternoon for yard maintenance and bike rides. Your activities and finishing the day with a lovely glass of wine is perfect. Enjoy the summer..........
Jeanie, this post is so lovely and touching - I almost cried. How lovely for Rick to bring you home flowers. There is nothing like flowers for no reason even if they are a bouquet of wildflowers - it is always that special thought.
Oh, how I loved seeing Chip in his boat. Of course, that is his boat. I can say that because 2 Labs have owned us in our life. Both black, Dawley and Merry. Dawley was named for the road we lived on and Merry was a Christmas girl. They are such special dogs.
Your sunsets are glorious - you should paint them. And dear Lizzie, looks as though she is off in another world.
I will be sad when you leave the lake for the summer and just wanted you to know I miss your Cork and Popper friends. I bet you do too.
Happy weekend, Jeanie.
I've never seen anything like those water flowers!
Such beauty and peace found here on this blog. We should all just pop over and stay here for a while. Stay safe.
Ah. August! I love it. The weather, the sky, the NIGHT sky!
I'm going to try some plein aire painting soon.
It truly is the simple things that bring us the most joy. Thank you for sharing your simple pleasures of life at the lake!
I could really use some cooler days - it was 103 yesterday and the a/c couln't keep up. Lovely photos - wish I was there!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that day, from family to nature to pets. Love every bit of it.
I always love visiting you and come away smiling. Your photos are great and so is the painting -even if you had to add ink lines to it. It must have been fun to paint on location like that.
Have a wonderful Sunday- xo Diana
You got some amazing shots.
Your fiddling worked out well on your painting:)
I'm with you on the summer moving right along. It's hard to believe next month is September.
Stay safe. Be healthy.
I keep trying to post a comment from my phone, and they keep getting eaten. I think there's a problem on my end because I have no problem on my computer.
I just wanted to say that I'm enjoying these delightful posts from the lake. Your life there reminds me of a slower, calmer time. It sounds like a good place to tuck yourself away from all the tensions in the world right now, though I'm sure you cannot completely block it out.
It is the simple things that happen at the lake that make summer so special. Enjoy every moment of it.
Your bright flowers planted in that pot add a nice touch, but like you I enjoy the greens as well. Your sunsets are just absolutely gorgeous!
Such beautiful, peaceful quiet things you're writing about and photographing and drawing. It's a tonic to read your blog and think about that nice life up at the lake.
Cosmoses have not opened yet here. They could bring an autumn cool wind.
Have a nice week.
Beautiful pictures! And Chip certainly made me smile!
Yes. Those "clunky moments" I have often, also. But, as Ingo´s Dad says... get old or die right away (sure I wished Ingo could do home-office...).
Love that wine-glass!
And the end of the story of the day!
Jeanie, what a lovely post. I did an ohh when I read your "not being able to ever imagine coming home to a world without Rick", I hope you have many, many happy years together at home, at your lovely lakeside cottage with pretty Lizzie and lots of paintings :-)
Those simple little things are the things life is made of. :) I miss those pine trees of northern Michigan this year - I am living vicariously through your photos. :) Glad you are enjoying your time up there.
Your talk of plein air painting makes me think of The Masterpiece! I had to take a break from that book, I was so upset with Claude. Lol. I am glad you tried it out.
LOVELY with these glimpses from your summer, Jeanie! And VERY exciting with your try at en plein air painting! (always wanted to try that, but never really have... more like you, from the car--haha!) Fun with your rainbow-like wine glasses.... and so happy to see Miss Lizzie! Thank goodness for all the "little things" right now, yes??!! Thanks for sharing them, sweet friend... and loved your food-heavy previous post! ((LOVE & HUGS))
Lizzie looks quite zen.
Those skies are amazing, nature at its best.
I do so agree the simple things of life can be wonderful, treasure every moment.
All the best Jan
Hi Jeanie! Love to you. The photos are lovely.
Love Cath xo
That's a day in your life, and it runs through all the emotions we are feeling now. Beautiful photo-essay. I especially love how you painted outside. You are motivating me to try something new....
Such peaceful scenes, Jeanie. Enjoy every moment. That water lily is magnificent!
what a peaceful, scenic photographs you take! that purple pinkish sky is just so breathtaking. great composition. thank you for sharing.
botany babes
sarah xoxo
It’s hard to believe Labor Day is just around the corner. That always feels like the end of summer for me since that was when school and sports were back in session when I was younger. But the weather starts to shift and it can start to feel fallish on some evening which I honestly like as I was sick of the super hot, humid nights! That water flower is gorgeous!!
Truly a blessed life, Jeanie...Sigh...You are inspiring me to think about a little vacation on a lake when summer passes...
Sounds wonderful...
Sorry you got emotional about Rick not being there when you got back though.
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