Monday, November 1, 2021

Postcards from the Lake: I'm Going to Miss this Spot

Rick headed to the lake last to take a few well deserved solo days and ultimately to close up the cottage for the season. I'd love to have been there and I'm glad I'm wasn't. Closing down makes me incredibly sad.


It's been a rough month. We got home from the lake October 4 and two days later, Rick began his cycling trip from Lansing to Ohio. The next day I hit the road driving. It wasn't a lot of time at home to regroup or even unpack. 

We got back from Cleveland on the 12th. I dropped Rick off to stay with a friend in Detroit and two days later, after doc appointments, I was off to join him for four days of toddler sitting. When we returned, I had a series of six doc appointments, prepping for my upcoming art sale and dealing with a cat who has decided that thinking outside of the box is acceptable social behavior.


While he has been north, I thought about the summer's sunny days and long walks. The color on my walking path was slowly changing into patches of brilliant color when I left for the season, a  sure sign that an early fall was on the way. Now, Rick says most of it is gone.


As the year continues and moves into winter, I will be remembering wonderful swims and flowers that were, if not lush, colorful and cheery.


As I savor the pesto I made from the last of the basil, I will think of that glorious plant that seemed to grow endlessly, surprising with the benign neglect I sometimes gave it when I'd go home for a week or more and no one was there to water it. 


I will spend a good deal of time thinking of our good neighbor Jim, who made this lovely birdhouse for me. And much of that thinking will be channeling positive energy his way. "Don't sell. Don't sell. Please don't sell." And maybe he'll wait another year or two. Or forever.


I'll be remembering the things I love most in the cottage, many of which have stories connected to them. I love this wooden diorama of a rustic cottage...


...and this one as well. 


The details are wonderful. I've had the first for as long as I can remember. I'm not sure where Mom found it. The other I found at a sale years ago. When I look at them I find myself imagining fairy tales and stories set in far away places. They are a little bit of magic. When I see them each spring, it is like coming home.


I'm sure I will see more geese on their southern journey at home. But I'll be thinking of the flotilla of 100 or more geese gathered on or near my shore at dusk, not to mention the duck families that faithfully stopped in each day.


And of course I'll think of Harry North, who will soon be headed south, if he hasn't already left. I rather suspect he already has.


I will look back and think of how relaxed Lizzie was here -- well, once we got her out of her carry box. Or in it. And thinking INSIDE the box then.


All that bird watching. But alas, Stuart has remained a mystery. Perhaps he met his doom with Rick.


I will miss the lovely times I shared with Rick here, which were fewer than summers past because of his obligations at home. I will not miss his kidney stone issues (that was a bad week) but I don't think I'll ever forget the view of the room they put me while he had his surgery. After the stress of that trip to the hospital looking at that water was the most glorious thing imaginable.


 I will miss the sounds of the lake. The waves, the putt-putt of smaller boats (the jet skis, not so much),  and even the wind. I can listen to the Interlochen classical station I love here from at home but it won't be quite the same. And I will miss the unstructured time to do more or less whatever I wanted when I wanted. Read. Paint. Felt. Walk. No TV apart from the occasional streamed video. I always think I might try to pull that off at home. I never do.


We'll have delicious dinners at home -- but it won't be quite the same as enjoying grilled dinner on the porch as we watch the sunset, sipping whatever wine suits our fancy that evening. 

And, I will miss these. Almost every evening, a glorious light show. No charge. Just sit back and enjoy.


I will miss summer's sweet timetable. Eat when you are hungry. Sleep when you are tired. Revel in quiet sounds of nature or human-made music. 

When I was a little girl, coming north with my parents decades ago, we would leave and I would cry, sob, in the car for the first 20 miles of the trip. It wouldn't surprise me if I did it again.


And, as a matter of fact, I did.

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50 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I know you will miss the lake, but it will be there waiting for you next year! I was fortunate when I grew up in Michigan our house on the lake was a year round house, so I didn't have to leave!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Heart felt post, lovely thoughts shared. Missing your lake posts while looking forward the spring 2022

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great photos and blog post. But reading it made me tear up. It sounds like you are never returning here.

My name is Erika. said...

October ending is always sad. Not that October is summer, but the weather is still nice enough and you can enjoy places like your lake cottage. Then the clean up for winter list starts. That's where we are right now. I would have a hard time with closing up a cottage because it is hard enough to close up the screen porch. Smile. Hope thing settle down and you have a wonderful November Jeanie. Hugs-Erika

Red Rose Alley said...

It sounds like you enjoy this lake house more than the other. Would you ever
want to move there permanently? I can see why you get a bit sad when you
leave there. It's so beautiful, and it seems that it has everything you need
inside the cottage and out. You're right, the sunsets are glorious. And so
much peacefulness to work on your art projects. I love that bird in flight
photo, and Oh, the red flower and red bird house makes my heart sing.

I hope these November days are good ones for you, Jeanie, bringing much coziness and warmth during the cold Winter months.

~Sheri

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

this is such a beautiful post both in words and photos - you touchd my heart and I'm wishing you many more summers on the lake

bobbie said...

This is what sweet memories are for! And I have to swoon over that second diorama, because I have on almost EXACTLY like it! Mom bought it in Germany circa 1965!!! Only mine has figures seated at the table, and an alps picture out the front door. I'm gob-smacked !

gigi-hawaii said...

Oh my gosh. What sweet memories! I love the nostalgia!

Hena Tayeb said...

You had a wonderful time at the lake house.. such lovely memories made.

Valerie-Jael said...

I am sure you will miss your tie at the lake, but on the other hand you are really lucky to have this possibility to spend time there year for year. Hugs, Valerie

Linda Sue said...

sobbing for you, too...I love it when y'all go to the lake at the end of Brrrrrr winter. Can't wait for spring!! Winters seem to get longer every year! Thank you for a delightful summer- minus the kidney stones!

Mae Travels said...

Your miniature rooms are delightful. I just love miniatures and doll houses, so yours really appeal to me. It is sad that another summer is over.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

anno said...

So sad to see the cottage season end.
A couple of small comforts:
1) The baking season is about to begin! Yay cookies!
2) More book posts! Yay reading!
3) Holiday decorations!
4) Wine parties!
5) Bad cat stories! Yay Lizzie!

Looking forward to hearing about it all...
Take care, friend.
xoxo

R's Rue said...

What a recap.

DUTA said...

Your post sounds and looks poetic to me.
The lake and the sky will always be there, exhibiting more or less the same features that we like. We humans undergo changes, and that should be on top of our agenda.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I can imagine your sadness as you leave, it has to be bittersweet! You have so many wonderful memories wrapped up in that lovely place. But, I know you will be sharing and enjoying all the happenings back at home! Hugs~

Prims By The Water said...

Goodbye Harry! Hopefully he will be back next year. I am sad Summer is over, but each season has its own beauty to it. Now comes Thanksgiving and the holidays. Janice

Lowcarb team member said...

I know you will miss the lake, but so much to look forward to when you visit again next year. Many thanks for sharing your photographs and memories.

Wishing you a happy November.

All the best Jan

Marilyn Miller said...

So many sweet memories!
I love your wooden dioramas, I hadn't seen any like those for a very long time. As a girl I loved dreaming of stepping into them when I would see one.
Love seeing Rick playing his guitar outdoors, remembering your art from the lake times, and Lizzie traveling along with you.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Oh Jeanie, when you love something like you do it hurts to leave it for a season. I enjoyed reading about your lovely recollections of summer. You have many wonderful memories of days well spent. Wishing you good times as the seasons bring more happy days.

William Kendall said...

Beautiful shots, Jeanie.

Sherry's Pickings said...

oh dear. i hope with all the doctors appointments, that you are okay. I've had a few myself lately :( yes it must be a bit sad to shut up shop with the cottage but there's always next summer! hope you had a great halloween.
cheers
sherry

Iris Flavia said...

I like the idea of diorama.Oh, and Lizzie, soooo sweet.

Those are wonderful, bitter-sweet memories. Why not make some movies next time so can have also the sound of the boats and everything in motion? Or would that make you even sadder?
Leaving summer is always sad...

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

You have many wonderful and happy memories from your time at the lake and cottage. I hope Harry the Heron returns. Gorgeous sunset at the lake. Spring 2022 will be here before we know it, time goes by so quickly. Take care, enjoy your day!

shoreacres said...

You're a lucky woman, to have a summer cottage and a 'city' home. Each has its charms; if life in each place were identical, think how sad that would be!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Your photos of the wildlife and nature that your captured are spectacular. Really enjoyed them. Like your colorful wine glasses too.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am glad that leaving the cottage for the season still engenders sadness, but you know it will be there to enjoy again next year. And few of us can look forward to that.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Your summers look so perfect Jeanie! I hope November is a much less stressful month for you. Those wooden dioramas are so charming. What unique finds to decorate the cabin with!

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Beautiful memories are coming home with you. I understand how you feel. We have a winter place, and I always hate leaving when the season is over. But it feels so good to go back!

Sharon in Las Cruces NM said...

I understand your joy of attachment to the cottage an lake. Such wonderful views and memories. leaving is sad because it is such a part of you. lovely parting pictures, I enjoyed it all through your eyes and words and heart.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

It can be sad saying good bye to the lazy days of summer, where every day is a party. However, it is a new season and a new reason to find wonderful things to photograph and great food to create. Your photos of the final days of summer made me want to pack up and go there right now. LOVED that bird feeder your neighbor made. I'll chant Don't sell with you, dear. and I'll look forward to winter moving in your area soon and the wonderful photos that will accompany it.

La Table De Nana said...

A treasure that cottage and all its charms!

Bonnie said...

Your musings are always enjoyable. How wonderful to have a lovely place to get away and relax.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

What a joy to have such a lovely retreat and to have gotten the privilege of enjoying a place like this since childhood.

Wonderful memories.

Divers and Sundry said...

What a wonderful tribute to this lovely place. I know you'll miss it.

Karen said...

I totally get why people are moving to their cottages full time. We twice lived in questionable primitive cottages year 'round while my children were small. It was a bit of a nightmare then (in the winter months) but I'd love to be there now. Insulation is worth it's weight in gold!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Sweet goodbyes to your Lake house, but it will be there next year. Beautiful photos and words Jeanie

Elderberry-Rob said...

what a lovely place, I would find it very hard to leave.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Oh goodness Jeanie, just think of wonderful memories, don't be sad, Spring will be here before we know it and you'll be opening up the cottage again! We are both so lucky that we have 2 houses to enjoy, one that is super relaxed and the other more busy life...As for winter, I could happily do without it! Fingers crossed it won't be too brutal this year!
Jenna

Carol @ The Red Painted Cottage said...

Jeanie, your blog posting was so sad to read. I know how you feel because our summers are so short for us in Michigan. It’s seems like we barely open up our cottages and the next thing you know it’s time to close things up again. But we have next summer to look forward to and new beginnings!

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, you certainly have reason to miss your beautiful lake and cottage. I would cry over leaving too. However, tuck away these photos and dream through them when the snow is flying.

Speaking of snow, our mountains had snow last night and it was 22 here this morning. We are about 1 1/2 hrs. away from the mountain areas. Jack Frost did pay us a visit.

Linda said...

The sadness is threaded throughout the entire post of lovely things. I've never had a place like that but I can imagine the feeling of leaving.

The dioramas are wonderful. Never seen the likes of those. I like the simplicity of the first but the detail on the second is fantastic.

Goodbye fall, goodbye cabin......see you next year.

Tammie Lee said...

a post full of your memories.
looks and sounds like a mostly wonderful season for you.
Wishing you wonderful autumn and winter memories to come too.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, I can feel you. When you have something that lives in your heart, whether it be person or place, this will always be the case. Never lose track of how you feel at the lake. I remember before we moved permanently here to our Cottage, I used to cry on the way back to "life". Now that I am here all the time, I do find sometimes when I take it all for granted and that is sad. It is funny, too, how much our lives affect our animals. When we feel a little stress they seem to feel it too, and that is probably why Lizzie is "thinking outside the box". Our kitty used to have trouble dealing with that too because she didn't like traveling so then we left her home under neighbor's care and she didn't seem to like that either. As fast as the years are going, you will be back to paradise sooner than you think and, hopefully, it will be a better year yet ..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

Lynne said...

A beautiful post . . .
reflective, color, hope, sad, loving,
remembering, feeling, promise, more
time memory endings twenty twenty one
summer

Bonnieellen57 said...

What wonderful memories! Can’t wait to share some more of them with you next summer! Now we look forward to the photos of your festive house w decorated trees...

Joyful said...

I love your cottage at the lake and all the beautiful times and memories made there.xx

Carola Bartz said...

I can understand your feelings - this is how I felt when I was living in Germany and I returned from a vacation - not even an entire summer spent somewhere,but just short three weeks or so. In the end, being at home is wonderful, too, and perhaps having this limited time in the summer makes it so very special. I feel a bit different here because we live in such a beautiful place and the ocean is just an hour away. However, there is something very special about those lazy days of summer.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I could really feel your sadness in this post, Jeanie! I hope all the happy memories you made at the lake house this summer will keep your heart warm all winter.
I think I know a bit how sad you felt as I always felt that way leaving my maternal grandmother's house in Pennsylvania when I was a child. She had chickens and a large vegetable garden and to a city girl like me from Brooklyn I always felt like she lived on a farm. We always visited her for a week every summer and I always cried when it was time to leave. Good memories sustain us ...keep them alive!

Victoria Zigler said...

I can totally understand why it would be so hard to leave that, and why - even now - you cry when you have to. At least you have the memories.

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