Postcards from the Lake -- North for the Fourth

June 29 was a cold, wet, rainy summer day. As soon as I was up and dressed, I fed Lizzie, picked her up from her bowl and tossed her into the cat cage for the ride north. She wasn't amused but it was a good grab and we were on our way. Several hours later we arrived -- still cold, west and drizzly but at our destination!

Lake life started on a cooler note, though due to pick up in the week to follow. Meanwhile it is good to get the car unpacked and settle in. The first thing I noticed when I drove in was the the fellow doing the yard had actually done it! Hooray!

Now there are plants in place -- in the back, by some of the trees; in the front, added to those I brought up before. It feels like home. 

Due to the weather, I was able to wrap up June with a good book report, having finished two in the last three days of the month. Now I will approach this pile! If the weather keeps up like it was when I arrived, I might need to add others to the list!

We were lucky enough to enjoy a cocktail cruise around the lake on friends Linda and Dan's new pontoon boat. I hadn't been around the lake since I was a teen or early twenties and it was fun to see the new places around the lake while enjoying good company. I had known Linda and her brother since we were babies, our moms having been been friends as children. (Don't you love the bobby sox and saddle shoes on mom?!)

 Now, she's all grown up! (And me, too!)

It was great to connect on a gorgeous day, see what was new on the lake and extra fun seeing our house from the lake! That's a view I only see when swimming and a lot closer to shore! (I zoomed in for this pic!)

Or, from another angle.

The weather has not been awesome. We were lucky for our good lake cruise but we've seen a fair amount of rain and wind. I've also had a couple of bronchiectasis flares which have not been fun.  The doc sent me to the hospital for a chest XR and labs just to make sure it's not going into pneumonia. Not what I planned. But it has been good to have some reading time. And, doing better now.

Walking has been a little challenging but before I came up I got my orthotics adjusted and ordered a new pair. Mine have been adjusted and readjusted for years and years and since then, my foot as changed shape tremendously. My right one is the problem child, as you can see! Hopefully those will help and kick me into gear before England.

 

Yesterday is July 4 (which meant that Lizzie went into hiding -- twice; loud independent fireworks, which I hate. The organized lake fireworks are on the sixth). This time, it was behind the hot water heater. But overall, it was a good day. Rick practiced his guitar outside.

I painted a bit. I'm terrible with real-life freehand drawing but it was good practice.

Apart from the fireworks (which weren't as awful as expected this year) I have had a lot of issues with July 4 and celebrating America in recent years. I rarely get political on this blog, but there are two days of the year I feel I can -- July 4 and pre-election day. So, you may or may not want to skip the next couple of paragraphs.

From my perspective there has been little to celebrate with a great rise of far right nationalism. There is an irony to the term Independence Day" when the highest court in the land and legislators both nationally and in our states are trying to control what women can do with their own health and bodies and even the books we can and can't read.

Norman Rockwell, "The Four Freedoms"

As we face a critical presidential election, one candidate is a convicted felon, rapist, adulterer and huckster who can't string together a sentence without turning it into word salad. Those he surrounds himself with are downright scary (and if you don't know much about Project 2025, look it up and it should scare you, too.)

The other is an honorable and moral man who has done some many positive things in our country and to restore our place on the world stage (which is critical in these troubled international times). Granted, he's not the best of all time (but look what he walked into and had to clean up with a divided Congress that is so partisan it even voted down a non-partisan immigration bill so he wouldn't get a "win.") He's clearly not as quick as he used to be and obviously not so young. That's concerning. But unemployment is low, wages are up, and food prices are (slowly) coming down. (Gas, not so much -- but on the other hand, for many the choice of a gas guzzling SUV or truck for a couple or small family is exactly that -- a choice.) 

Most of all, he is conscious of protecting our democracy and he has good people around him. But -- and its a big but -- what will he be like in another year or two or four? 

by Peter Max

For that matter, what will either of them be like in that time? If I could emigrate, I would and Rick and I have talked about the six-month split. But I don't think we can afford that one.

And, since I don't think either of them will be alive in the next four years, I have to look at the people who surround them and think what about will be best in the long haul. I will need to find my voice. 

Norman Rockwell

So, with July 4, you see the flag a lot. (To be honest, I've never liked the design or colors of our flag -- that's just my aesthetic. Individually, fine; together, not so much. Sorry, flag designers!) 

But since it has been co-opted by the far right, used as a physical weapon to destroy our democracy and those who protect it,  I've been embarrassed to even fly it on the fourth. 

But one blogger, who I won't identify here, said in an email as we discussed this, "I totally agree. I decided it was more important than ever to acknowledge the 4th with a picture of the flag. The right has sullied the flag and our country and I am taking back the beauty of it."

And, I also remember that our "flag still waved" through many a battle to protect our freedoms and those of the world.

Well, I still am not ready to fly it. But since this may be our last July 4 for awhile where I feel we do have some freedoms, I thought I'd set a table that at least looked pretty! 

It's simple -- but it's cheery! Chef Rick cooked up brats on the grill. We don't have them often but it's the perfect July 4 food.

Add some deviled eggs and pasta salad and we had quite a feast!

 

Our lake fireworks will be July 6, and we'll enjoy them tremendously. (Lizzie? Not so much!) We'll also have a celebration of the Camster's sixth birthday!

Lake life. When the sun gets it right, you really can't beat it! You've gotta love the sunsets, which can go from flaming (that's our neighbor's boat). . . 

. . . to calm and lovely, just by moving the camera a bit to the south!

Well, if you have to be laid up, or even if you just want a good nap . . . 

. . . here isn't a bad spot to be!

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