Postcards from the Lake: Can It Really Be September?

I don't know what happened. I woke up and it was September.

And now, we are well into it. One can feel it in the air at the lake. The temperature dropped dramatically, there was one almost full-day of rain. The lake is quieter after Labor Day. Boats and docks are being pulled from the water, despite the fact that September will bring many gorgeous (and hopefully warmer) days.

I picked Rick up from his Lansing-to-Mackinaw ride on Sunday, after coming up a few days before. We spent Labor Day doing anything except Labor and it was rather lovely! 

I was terribly relieved to see my basil hadn't died after being gone for more than a week. It was a tad droopy but nothing that a bucket of water couldn't remedy!

Our neighbor Jim is truly one of world's best neighbors, always ready to lend a hand or a tool. This week he pulled out his dock and boat hoist.

It's quite a production -- Jim's big blue tractor with a line attached to the hoist in the water, slowly moving it out to ground. 

Every now and then he'd hop in the water, adjust something and then back on the tractor for another pull.

It was a long process but out it came, and thanks to the tractor, was elevated above the beach to his lawn.

We will miss Jim. He told us today he is putting his property up for sale this fall or possibly in the spring. He has a double or triple lot on the point of our lake and it's a property I knew well, even from hearing stories of my mother's younger days, growing up on the lake each summer. 

 There used to be a lighthouse till a big wind took it down and he has made some changes to the house, yet keeping it in character with the original building.

He also kept the out buildings (his tool shed) and the wishing well my mother remembered from days gone by.

It's uncharitable to say I hope it never sells -- and unlikely, too. It's a prize property with a fabulous view and the way lake property is going these days, I suspect he only has to say the word and it will be snatched up above market price. But oh, how we will miss him.

You can tell the season is turning during a walk. You've seen these paths before. Now the Queen Anne's Lace, once prolific on this road, has dried up.

New blooms have taken its place in the swamp with an enormous field of gold.

A closer look -- if a sunflower and a daisy had babies, they'd look like this!

The ferns are browning, some quicker than others.

And red berries are becoming abundant on low-laying freenery.

The movie puzzle is finished and will be dismantled. This was a fun one!

And I've been painting a bit -- putting the finishing touches on this one...

...and practicing leaves after watching a video tutorial.

The flowers can use some work, but that's what practice is for. 

Another highlight of the time here was connecting with a friend from high school who was vacationing up north. We hadn't seen each other since she acted in my college directing class project, the musical "The Fantisticks." It couldn't have been a better meet-up. We had so much in common, her husband was great, and it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon!

 

As we left their cottage to head home, we saw this wonderful sunset. Red Sky at Night, Sailor's Delight. I hope so! So far on the day after, the sun is out, even if it is cool.

There is good news on the lake. Harry has a friend. I've yet to photograph them together, though I tried, standing on the beach for probably a half-hour, after just missing them a few minutes before. Alas, no photos then, as it was too dark before they flew past again. This one will have to do.

It was no hardship, waiting. After the rain earlier in the day it was so very quiet. Only one boat passed, slowly cruising and taking in the sights and the quiet. The only sounds were a few voices traveling across the lake from the park and the sound of the train passing by. I think I could have stood there forever.

The days are flying by far too quickly.

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