Postcards from the Lake -- Finally!

As I begin writing this, it's my first evening at the lake. Finally. Between appointments and physical therapy, along with a couple of fun weekend things that kept me home, I hadn't been here once. It's good to be back.

It's a bit bittersweet this time, though. Rick isn't here -- he's volunteering for a camp for blind kids this weekend of July 4 and then riding back home with his friend Nino. Then he'll ride up here and should arrive by the weekend or next Monday. Add to that, my cousins David and Bonnie aren't here this weekend, either. They're often here for the fourth and I miss them.

My car was loaded. There's a cat in there somewhere, and clothing for the whole summer, enough books to start a small library and plenty of art supplies.

In the trunk, drinking water (the cottage water is loaded with iron and doesn't taste that great) and many plants -- mostly basil and herbs but lots of geraniums as well. It's a good thing Rick wasn't driving up with me. There was no room for his bike!

I wish I could say it was quiet -- the July 4 weekend never is quiet. But the weather is lovely and the air quality much improved from home. I still smell smoke but I can't quite tell if it's from the Canadian fires or from campfires.  Lizzie finally came out of the linen closet, where she hunkered down for about four hours after we got here.

But I'm here. At the lake. The sun is coming down and it's quite lovely. Soon the boats will head home and hopefully the fireworks won't start tonight. Between the fire worry and Lizzie (she'll be back in the linen closet in no time) it's my least favorite weekend of the year. 

That said, it'll be over soon. And I'll love it! 

Day 2 -- July 1

During the day we were anticipating the evening's scheduled fireworks show, which is shot off on the lake right across from the cottage. *This photo is from last year!) Boats begin to congregate in the water around 9:30 or so and they begin as soon as it is dark, around 10:15. It was a long wait....but more on that in a minute.

Earlier in the day I had a good swim, my first of the year. The water and kicking is good for my back but I could tell I hadn't done it in a long while. While swimming I stopped to talk to neighbor Jim who is still here (best neighbor ever!). I bemoaned my sad and weedy beach and he promised to take his tractor to it later this week or next. Well, I looked out this morning (day 4) and there he was -- hard at it. Like I said, best neighbor. And still here.

 

Then I did a bit of painting, finishing a couple of tutorials I started at home -- "Cats on Heads" with Terry Runyon and a fun building one with Astrid of @urbananna20.

The second was my favorite. I love doing buildings.

In the afternoon, the annual  holiday boat parade passed by. There weren't many participants this year but I had to note the boat saluting Michigan State....

....and, to be fair, the one that was all about University of Michigan! 

BAD neighbor two doors down is shooting off LOUD and very big fireworks -- and it doesn't appear to be from the beach. It's so dry here -- it's scary.

Day Three -- July 3

Well, the scheduled fireworks didn't happen. Apparently, the barge they were on in the lake sank with them all on there. Someone will be paying big for that one. But the Louds (BAD Neighbor -- that's what we call them) were still blowing off theirs. Around 11:30 it stopped, Lizzie and I hit bed and she was snugging tightly. I turned over and through the curtains saw flashing lights next door. (In-Between neighbor). This is what I saw when I looked over the fence.

There were at least six firetrucks and an EMT vehicle. (I couldn't fit them all into a photo, there were so many.) I went out to see if I should pack up and get out but the fireman assured me all was well, that someone had reported flames from the roof but it was all right now. Still, they were there till 1 a.m. going in and out of the house. Needless to say, I didn't rest well all night. I wonder if there will be words between the Louds and In-Between Neighbor today. (This morning I noticed a tarp of some type on the roof, which must be where the fire landed.)

In the afternoon I headed north to Petoskey for the Camster's birthday party at Kevin's mom's house, There were presents, cake, a cookout, and quite possibly the best attraction -- watching with baited breath as our little guys were pushed higher and higher into the swing!

They loved it. Molly and me? Not so much -- I think we both envisioned broken branches and a hard fall. It was fun to watch -- but I was glad when they started swinging a little lower!

 

It was a jolly occasion and my little transformer Bumblebee was a happy boy.

I was happy, too! Sweet dreams!

A quick note -- Blogger seem to periodically not send me moderation requests so I am slow getting your posts up but each and every one will be. I've fixed the contact address (twice). Makes it hard for direct replying to you, so unless you ask a question or similar, I might take some time off from direct replying. But please know each and every comment is valued and appreciated!

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