Still Crazy After All These Years

When you connect with friends you met when you were 18 and now you find yourselves as grandmothers, one never knows how it will go. How did we change? Did anyone go off the rails? Did the challenges of life change the exuberance we all knew when we were young? 

When my college roommate, LeAnne, texted the other four of us who had known each other since freshman year suggesting a meet-up, everyone was game and plans were made. A VRBO, dining at our old dorm, time to check out the campus, and a birthday celebration. Things fell together like clockwork. We'd be back at MSU together!

Most of us came from around Michigan -- Carol from the north, Barb and LeAnne from the west, and me from central Michigan. Terry came from Pensacola, Florida. It wasn't our first get together -- but it was the first when all five of us had been together for 50 years.

Autumn in the House

Somehow or other, October passed me by and I realized I was so blog-focused on the lake and beyond that I hadn't mentioned anything about autumn inside the house! I did cut back a bit and I was pretty late getting out any Halloween. But hey, life is for living, right? Sometimes decorating has to wait!

Back Home

Life back home goes on, whether we are here or not. But despite missing the relaxed peace of the cottage, there is always something good about being home, especially during this time of year when everything is ramping up. For me, the ramp-up was a reunion with my college roommates. And then, Halloween is just around the corner! 

Postcards From the Lake: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

There is nothing so hard for me as buttoning up the cottage and saying goodbye until next spring. Fortunately, our last couple of days brought some sunshine and dry weather. It was a good time for that last walk or two, putting away the outdoor things and the porch. I even managed lunch on the porch once or twice (albeit dressed in layers!).

Postcards From the Lake: The Place That Owns Me

The end of season walk is quieter, more contemplative, than those during the heat of summer. In the summer, many others are encountered and conversations -- some brief, some less so -- are not uncommon. The October walk, especially on a weekday, finds that one is often alone.

 

Postcards From the Lake: Entering the Autumn Zone

After a few days of having a fire going in the fireplace from dawn till dusk, the cottage warmed up a bit. This was a good thing as the weather continued reminding us that in some things we have no control! Even when it wasn't raining, it looked as though it might. Word on the street was that we might get our temps up to 50 during the day here in our second week and there might even be sun (well, partly cloudy) on one of those days. Talk about crossing your fingers for luck!

Postcards From the Lake: So, It Got Cold. And Wet.

Given my options (and no one has) I'd rather it be rainy in the summer, when at least it is warm and not 40 degrees. Especially with day-after-day of rain and cold. The weather gods didn't ask me. They should have. It's not the greatest time to be outside, though we've tried. But it was definitely not the day for a walk like this one.

Postcards From the Lake -- Autumn Walk

Signs of fall -- and no one can deny we aren't into fall -- are emerging and showing themselves on my lake walks. Early red leaves circle tree trunks.

 

Postcards From the Lake -- Early October

Those October visits to the lake are often bittersweet, often beautiful, and on occasion, filled with surprises. I arrived in early October, Lizzie in hand (or carry box), with Rick cycling up. As I turned into our area, this was the site -- not full fall, but certainly well on the way!

Around My World

Apart from a Cork Poppers gathering (post on that coming soon -- we tasted some great Spanish reds) life has been mostly odds and ends -- appointments, daily tasks and a few fun surprises.

At the top of the surprise list was the arrival of this wonderful quilt from Carole of From My Carolina Home. She had a sale last summer and I couldn't resist this cheerful (and beautifully made) piece -- and she thankfully held it for me till my return from the lake in September.

A Day at the Ditch

I hope you are in the mood for big birds and creatures because we're off to an amazing day at the Ditch!

So, settle back, have a seat on the bench and enjoy.