Monday, September 27, 2021

Postcards from the Lake: A Wet, Lonely Week

When watching the yahoos hired to take my neighbor's dock and boat ramp work away is the highlight of one's week, you know it has been an odd and unexpected week!

When I came north about a week ago, it was with the idea that Rick would join me as soon as he could. I was thinking within a few days and so was he. But he's been up to his eyeballs with painting the duplex, doing repairs and loads of stuff outside -- not to mention (hopefully) getting a new tenant booked and ready to move in. I realize I really miss the guy! But one does what one must, like adding a lantern to the mantel!

We've had loads of rain, making porch and painting time pretty much an impossibility. (I don't have a good painting spot inside). I did this before the weather went downhill. It's a re-do from a 2017 painting of a Martha's Vineyard cottage. I'm better now.


I've been reading, felting and putting in final corrections on my family history book. Next up, looking for a printer. Right now it's over 300 pages (which I guess is really over 150 in book speak, so not as thick as it seems!). I've been looking at my computer so much, I think my eyes are going to fall out of my face!

I said the dock-removers were the highlight of the week. That's not really true. The best part was enjoying visits from a couple of friends who came for lunch. I don't have a pic of Holly, who moved north when she and her husband retired. But we had a wonderful visit, catching up after several years of space and Covid lockdowns made such gatherings impossible.


Gretchen (above) splits her time between Michigan and Florida, so a lunch with her provided a lot of good catch-up time. I was glad the lunches were on consecutive days. I made a huge vat of pumpkin soup and salad, which I served with apples and cheese. Holly brought banana bread and Gretchen some fun Halloween cookies. Aren't they clever? The food was good; the conversation even better.


There hasn't been a lot of change in color since those earlier splashes I shared HERE. But on one of the very few days when it wasn't raining for most of it, I saw some hints of the fall to come. I love these berries.


And these sunflowers by the railroad tracks are a cheery greeting. 


And the fungi are out! I don't know why I get such a kick out of seeing these and all their variations.


I went into town for groceries and stopped at the elk park. I was lucky -- a large part of the herd was gathered under a tree and near the water trough.


Then along came the big guy! (Actually, there are three big guys in the herd that I was able to see, but most were quite distant.)


Without warning, some unheard of communication, they all took off for the lake down the hill. They're fun to watch and so majestic. 


I mentioned the guys taking out my neighbor's dock. There were three of them. One -- the guy who drove the boat -- must have been the boss because he did no work and bossed the other two around constantly.


It was a cold afternoon, but they were in the water, trying to move this massive boat hoist. The guy in the blue trunks was named T.J., and he got the lion's share of yelling from the boss in the black shirt, who I named Iggy because he had a beard that reminded me of Iggy Pop. The third guy, "Tattoo," after the elaborate ink on his back, took his turn yelling at T.J. too. It isn't pleasant work, even on a warm day and couldn't be fun when it was cold and windy -- but at least it wasn't raining.

 

Rick called and said he can't make it up for another day or two -- there's still too much to do. So, it's just Lizzie and me for another few days. As I write this, the temperatures promise to move up into the 60s and the sun seems likely to appear. But those nights are still pretty nippy.


I think I'll need to go buy more wood.

Sharing with:  All About Home    /   Share Your Style  /  Pink Saturday   /   Saturday's Critters   

55 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Sounds like a good week, in spite of missing Rick, and good that you had visitors. The deer are beautiful. It looks cosy by your fire, enjoy! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

ashok said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ashok said...

Very interesting read Jean...how lucky to have wildlife in your parks.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I think those guys moving the dock-ramp needed some heavy equipment to help make the move. Love the views, the berries and sunflowers. The elk are a cool sighting, they are beautiful animals. Your painting is awesome. Take care, enjoy your day and week ahead.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Look on the bright side. It will be a grand reunion when Rick does make it there. I am sure he will make a great dinner for you, with a bottle of good wine to wash it down. Something to look forward to.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Lovely to have some quiet time, fireplace going and a good book.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

We never had a fireplace at our cottage but it sure would have been nice. You are able to extend the season with yours. My niece and her husband has a lucrative business of pull docks and boats out of the water this time of the year. The are bone weary all of September and October. They also shrink wrap the boats.

shoreacres said...

Lake life is so different from life here: at least, in regard to boats. I had to ponder the photos for a while to figure out what those guys were doing. It's the same with sailboaters. It took me a while to get used to the fact that in Canada and the northern US, sailboats spend the winter out of the water.

That fire certainly looks cozy. It would be wonderful fun to have days and nights cold enough for a fire. I can remember a Christmas or two when we'd turn on the AC just so we could build a fire without over-heating the house!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Michigan going into fall and winter can be a dark wet place. I don't envy that. Feel sorry for the guy everyone yells at but that's me. i always like the underdog. I'm in love with elk park and that big guy. I'd be hanging out there often I think. Praying the sun comes out and you can enjoy the porch.

R's Rue said...

If I could I would join you for lunch. Looks fun.

William Kendall said...

The elk are lovely.

We're now getting temperatures around 5C at night.

Linda said...

Time well spent, even though Rick wasn’t there. Lovely pics Jeanie.

Joanne Huffman said...

While you are getting ready to wind down life at the lake, I'm starting to make preparations to head to Florida (first week of November is my goal).It will be very nice for the both of you when Rick makes it north.

My name is Erika. said...

I bet it is lonely. I know going to my MIL lake house is quiet, even on the weekend, because very few people are left or are coming up. Add some chill and rain, and I get it. Those cookies are amazing, and it's great you had a couple of visitors to break up the time. Hopefully Rick will be up soon and have success finishing his work and getting a renter. It's rainy here this morning, and that cold is coming our way. I think I'm ready for it. Hugs-Erika

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

An elk park! Wow! That's something we don't have here! The lunch menu sounds absolutely yummy for chilly days. It always tastes better when shared with good friends. Hope Rick makes it up soon to meet you. Love the painting.

La Table De Nana said...

I guess too much alone time isn’t great😞my neighbour lost her husband two mornings ago..the finality of it all is heart wrenching.
Enjoy fall!

Sandi said...

I don't recall ever seeing elk when I lived in Michigan. Are they native or is this a farm? I think of them more out West, like Montana, but I suppose Michigan would work too, especially the nearer you get to the UP.

Pam Richardson said...

You must have heard the bull elk bugle which is their mating call. They are fascinating to watch. Pumpkin soups sounds delicious and how wonderful that you had friends visit on back to back days. I love your painting of the Martha’s Vineyard cottage. Wishing you a lovely and quiet week, Jeanie!

Marilyn Miller said...

Love your cottage painting.
The lunch with friends sounded so autumnal and now I want to add some similar foods to my agenda. What adventures of watching the boat ramp being moved! Oh my! What a nice herd to see. I would have been frozen and enchanted just to sit and watch them.
That last picture seems so cozy. I am wishing now for a fire, as our days are becoming much cooler here too.

Divers and Sundry said...

When he gets there it'll change from lonely to cozy and the wet won't matter as much. I hope it's soon. The fireplace does look nice.

gigi-hawaii said...

Those finger cookies look awesome! I have never seen such things. Wow! How creative! I like your lunch. So sorry that Rick was too busy to join you. Hope he makes it to the lake sooner than later.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Nice lunch with friends. The cookies, though, sort of gross, too realistic for me. lol
I hope your week gets better that dock watching.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Glad you were able to have lunches with your friends. It sounds like a perfect fall lunch!

Rita said...

What a lovely place to be, though. Nice visitors and odd human entertainment. Too bad you don'thave a good place to paint inside. Such a pretty painting. :)

DUTA said...

What a great picture with the herd gathered under the tree, near the water, in the elf park! I would find it hard to stop contemplating it.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

It's too bad Rick can't join yu, but at least you had company and you have been traveling, two things that elude me. It's still hot here (in the high 90s every day) so that fire in the fireplace looks a bit out of character. However, I sure enjoyed seeing what you did to indulge yourself while waiting for Rick to arrive. And of course, the photos were great, too. BTW, I've had bosses like that before. That makes the good ones even more special.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I hope by now your Rick is there to join you, Jeanie. Your watercolor of the Martha's Vineyard cottage is lovely. You must frame it! And those elk are so majestic and I'm sure fun to watch. Friends stopping by for a visit surely was a lot of fun. And those spooky cookies are quite realistic!

Prims By The Water said...

Well that cottage sure is pretty in pink! Pumpkin soup is a fav of mine in the Fall. I so wish Bob liked it though. Janice

Sandra Cox said...

OMG those cookies are awfully realistic.
I love your painting. It's beautiful.
Those elk are magnificent.
Take special care.

Tracy said...

Hi, Jeanie--GOOD to catch up with you...and LOVE the new banner and new look here, it's beautiful! Can it be autumn already?! Those Halloween cookies are spooky fun! Those elk--magnificent... It's chilly here and we're getting the garden "ready for bed" for the cold season and more. It's been a while since I've been able to catch up...my heart-full apologies for that. And, honestly, after my Instagram account was hacked & hijacked...well... I needed a digital detox and time offline to "recover"... LOL! I'm trying to figure out a new way, without social media. A newsletter is an option, and so far I've had some positive response. Drop me an email if you'd like to receive a newsletter. Only 1-3 x per quarters, so no worries about it being too much--just a way to share a little life stuff, and show showcase my pattern work. Anyway...!! Wishing you & yours a beautiful autumn! ((LOVE & HUGS))

The French Hutch said...

Looks like a productive week even though you were missing your guy. Love the cottage painting, just gorgeous! Nice timing for your friends to join you and enjoying catching up. LOL, those were some spooky cookies to go along with your soup and salad. The menu sounds delicious and has me thinking soup but it's still a little warm here so that will have to wait. Hopefully Rick has finished up and enjoying some down time with you at the lake..........

Miss Val's Creations said...

The lunch with your friend sounds so fall with pumpkin and apples! Yum. Her cookies are a riot! Kids must love when she makes them. The elks are so beautiful. It is awesome that there are parks like these. The dock removal must have been entertaining to watch. That looks like hard work!

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Good morning, Jeanie. Elk park is so interesting. One of Mike's friends is involved with the WV Dept. of Natural Resources and they are working to bring the Elk back to WV. They are beautiful animals.

So nice you were able to play catch-up with your friends. Always, time well spent.

Your cabin looks so cozy and I would definitely buy more firewood - just for the sake of cozy.

Enjoy your end of summer lake days!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I bet Rick hates he missed your special visitors! I love your little painting because I love all things PINK! What are you making with the felting?

Barb said...

I'm glad you're enjoying some time at the lake, but I wish Rick was there to keep you company. At least you had the Three Stooges to amuse you. What goulish cookies! My grands would love them.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I hope Rick can join you soon and that he gets a new tenant.

Love your pretty cottage painting of Martha's Vineyard home, Jeanie. We stayed in Oak Bluffs on a trip to the Vineyard and saw many charming houses like this one.
It's once the elk have a park there and I am assuming that they can't be hunted? I love looking at elk and deer photos on Instagram but not during hunting season.

Those workers look like they had to struggle to get that dock out. I'm sure TJ was happy when it was finally accomplished.

We are still getting 80 degree days but cool nights in the 50s. I'm sure the cool weather will be here to stay very soon and the autumn colors will get even more beautiful. LOve fall!


Sandra Cox said...

Glad you've got Lizzie for company:)

DeniseinVA said...

I hope Rick can join you real soon. How great you got to visit with your friends. The food sounded yummy and fun. The Martha’s Vinyard Cottage is such a pretty painting. Sympathies to the man being yelled at. You have a pretty place at the lake and I enjoyed looking at your decorative touches. Enjoy your week Jeanie.

Red Rose Alley said...

The Elk Park - are you kidding me? I would not want to move from that spot for a long time just gazing and taking photos. What grand animals the Elk are. And such a blessing to see all of them! I just saw a family of deer right by my house, but they were female deer. I don't see the Elk that often, so when I do, it amazes me. It's nice that you had lunch with a friend or two, and I really like how you keep yourself busy, even when you're alone, working on projects and such. Those Halloween cookies are something else! And I absolutely LOVE the Martha Vineyard cottage painting. : )

~Sheri

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The elk sure are beautiful! How neat to have a place to go and see them. You'll love seeing Rick when he does get back! Hugs!

Iris Flavia said...

Big WOW to the first pic!
Love your drawing!
Wow... a lot of pages! Gretchen, what a cute name!
The cookies, oh, my!!! And the elk! I´ve never seen one in real life.
What a "boss".
Oh, a real fireplace! I only have two fake ones (which is good as I´m afraid of fire).
Hope you´re not really lonely, just enjoying a quiet time.

Danielle L Zecher said...

I love your cottage painting! It looks great.

That's great that you've been able to catch up with some friends over lunches. And your lunch sounds great. Do you have a specific recipe you're willing to share for the pumpkin soup? I attempted making pumpkin soup once several years ago, and it was horrible.

I really, really hate bosses who yell at their employees. Honestly, I hate yelling in general, but it really irks me when it's a boss yelling at an employee. No one does better work when they're being yelled at. And it's so unprofessional. I could go on and on, but I won't. Suffice it to say, I would have been hoping for the yeller to fall in or something.

I can't believe how low your temperatures are! We're well into Second Summer and are getting up to the low 80s in the afternoons. October is always a wildcard for us. We've had record breaking heat as late as the third week some years, and we've had snow a week before Halloween other years. I'm hoping this is one of the moderate years where it actually feels like fall.

Karen said...

Our nights are getting pretty nippy. I think our lowest was 3C, but still no frost. The trees around my house are brilliant and my favorite maple out the diningroom window has dropped it's leaves. It's always ahead of the pack. Down closer to Ottawa is really just getting nice and colorful. My little valley is always on it's own schedule.
Hope you and Rick can be reunited soon. Is it a far drive from home to the lake?

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I wish our weather would head your way. It’s been dry and in the 80s!! It will cool off this weekend which I am looking forward to as 80 is warmer than I’d like. But better than 40, I guess!

Wow the dock movers sound like a hoot. My parents have theirs done by a company but they operate like a well-oiled machine!

You should check out the book ‘pumpkin soup’ for your grands. It’s a fall favorite in our house!

Anca said...

The deer are so sweet. I like the look of those finger cookies. Sending hugs xx

Jenny Woolf said...

I hope that by now Rick has made it to the lake. (Maybe I'm out of date with these remarks -I see FB posts in some kind of weird order and the most up to date one today is about the fall colours...🙂) It may have been a little disappointing that Rick was delayed but it looks so cosy in your place and I'm so glad friends were able to visit. Those cookies are amazing, I genuinely had to do a double take! (The question in my mind is, how did they taste??). I'm sorry for those dock movers. I once had a lazy boss who did nothing but criticise .,. but at least they provided some entertainment for you!

Carola Bartz said...

I hope that by now Rick has joined you and you can spend some good days together. I do think, though, despite him not being there that you spent a lovely time with friends and Lizzie. The elk are beautiful, I have always loved seeing some. The first photo, by the way, is stunning!

Lowcarb team member said...

I do hope that Rick has now been able to join you.

I did enjoy seeing the elk, lovely photographs.
Your fire makes everything look so cosy.

Our nights here in the UK are becoming much cooler now, Autumn is here.

All the best Jan

PS Happy October wishes.

Pamela said...

Nice that you could visit with friends. The fire and the soup look so inviting. I have to laugh about your “entertainment”! I wouldn’t want that job.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

I hope thing shave calmed down for Rick. Love the elk photos, they are an amazing sight to see. The cottage painting is so pretty and I love the first sunset shot. Enjoy these Autumn days and the lake. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, I appreciate your comment and visit.

Shiju Sugunan said...

I like your painting. I enjoyed seeing all the images. I particularly liked the deer.


My latest post:
http://craniumbolts.blogspot.com/2021/10/trip-to-jayamangali-blackbuck-reserve.html

crackercrumblife said...

Aw it stinks that Rick couldn't join you! Your lunch sounds perfect!

And I get so excited about spotting mushrooms too. Lol. I always stop and point them out and take photos.

Victoria Zigler said...

Sorry it took longer than anticipated for Rick to join you. But glad you're finding ways to keep yourself occupied and entertained in the meantime, despite the weather.

Angie said...

Those cookies are hilarious! And perfect for the season. And I love your painting. It made me smile and think of the early summer.

Thelma said...

That Martha's Vineyard painting is gorgeous. Rich is one busy man. Those Halloween fingers are so cute. Happy Autumn.

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