Postcards From the Lake -- A Short First Visit

Well, I'd been living in the "heat dome" (along with many of you) for over a week and finally had a window to get to the cottage to bring up a load of stuff for the summer. I eagerly awaited the cooler temperatures, the nearness of the water, just getting back north and living in that sublime state called "Lake Time."

And then it started to rain up there. Day after day of raindrops (often at high percentages) decorated the weather pages and so I postponed my five day weekend to a four day, then to a three day. I can't say that the arrival was dry, but it wasn't pouring and I decided to take that as a win.

The car was packed with sofa cushions, a new floatie, clothing, books, food, cat stuff, things for the house, laundry, you name it. I was even able to fit in a few of my plants with more scheduled for the next trip. Oh yes, I also had a cat who did not particularly want to travel. It happens. 

This cottage has been in the family since the early 1960s when my parents decided to move out of the old cottage and down the road. The family place was originally owned by my grandfather, passed on to his daughters and now owned by one sister's families. Our place is smaller -- two bedrooms, an open main room, a tiny bathroom and kitchen. But it is cozy and home, at least in the summer. This is what it looked like when we bought it -- long before we added the front porch.

With Major, c. 1963, back when it was pink trim and no porch!

Now I practically live on the front porch! It's where I paint, read and where we eat unless it's too cold or "raining crooked" and coming through the screens!

Our dear neighbor Jim used to mow our lawn several times a year (we don't have a groomed lawn but the weeds get tall). Well, longtime readers may recall that he sold his place last year. Upon returning, the lawn looked more like a meadow than a yard. I found someone who can mow it before the fourth and then once or twice during the summer, so that's checked off the list!

Meanwhile, good neighbor Dave next door had both our beaches cultivated and the weeds more or less removed (they do grow back!), so the front (we call the lakeside the front) is looking good.

It's a good feeling to come into the house and things are as they were left, more or less. The old and familiar, nothing fancy. Most everything in the house has had a previous life in another place. There is wear and tear on the slipcovers, some furniture I hate, other pieces that I rather like. I could never be happy living here full time but for the summer, it could not be better.

Apart from the yard and cleaning things up/getting it back in order, the only other frustrating thing is an invasion of Pharoah ants, the teeniest things I've ever seen. So, I had to deal with those. 

The first trip into town -- construction, and plenty of it. I suspect the small shops in town will suffer this summer, as people avoid the construction and go to the big box stores on the easier-to-reach edge of town instead. 

The first walk of summer is always a sweet one. I spy things new and much that is the same as in all the years before. Most of the gardens haven't popped yet. This one is always nice. It looks like they built a little patio in the center this year. 

The Little Free Library seemed a bit on the empty side and I'll bring down a few books for it. Only one looked interesting to me -- Ted Sorenson's biography of JFK. My book stack is a big one this summer so I left it there. For now. And then there are all the books that live at the lake -- many from my childhood. I may reread a Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew this summer.

There's always a bit of neighoring on a walk -- "Hellos" to strangers, chats with old acquaintances. I confess being a bit eager to break away from one woman. It was hot in the sun and my bad foot was telling me to get home! Meanwhile, she was telling me -- well, just about anything that came into her head! Still, I enjoy the neighboring part of a walk. And when I walk through the arbor of trees that grace each side of the road, with their branches forming a perfect canopy overhead, I realize how very fortunate I am. 

I settled in to do another painting challenge, this one indigo, duck blue (whatever that is), scarlet and caramel. It was lovely to sit on the porch, warm and happy,  brush in hand once again.

And Lizzie settled in, too.

And so, these opening days draw to a close. Time to pick up a couple new solar fireworks lights!

 

This is a short trip; next time I'll be with Rick and here for much longer. 

The sunsets will get more vibrant as the year moves on. 

And I will be vibrant, too.

After all, I'll be in my happy place.