Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Postcards Form the Lake: Summer Days

If all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, does mostly play and not much work make Jack (or Jeanie) more interesting? Or just mellow? Or just plain happy?

 

Yes, there has been some work -- the earlier mentioned beach is a project! But here's how it's looking so far.

 And I hauled several large limbs that fell post-ice storm back into the woods. This one was much taller than I! 

 

Rick tended to the screens and getting all the stuff that's blown in off of them. I don't know what this was, but there we found him, dead on the screen. Fortunately, the outside. I would have hate to discovered this one in bed!

 

But it's been mostly play for us here at the lake. You can imagine what that means for Rick -- lots of riding!

 

And the weather has been perfect for it, so he's been out rather a lot, including several long, hilly rides that he views as training for the Eastern provinces, New Hampshire and Vermont, where he'll be cycling later this summer. 

 

When he's not on the bike, you're likely to find him practicing his guitar. He's very dedicated -- like many hours a day. Mostly, that's nice -- until he starts exercises that drive me nuts, like water torture. And I wish he'd learn a new song. But I have to admit, he's doing it the way it should be done -- practice, practice, practice.


 And then you might find him on the kayak.

 

Some of the water has been pretty rough with high winds but earlier in the morning it's quite smooth and lovely. 

 

Me? Well, in the morning I visit you all on the blog and catch up on email. Then I'm just as likely to pick up a book. So far into July I've finished six books and not a single disappointment to be had. 

And of course, there is the painting. I said when I started my England journal that I would probably be in England again before it was finished. I take that back. It will likely be finished by the end of the month!

 

I'll likely finish it in the next couple of weeks. Then I'll start writing the content. I''m loving this project and in some cases think it's one of the better things I've done. Maybe not as good as the pet portraits. Definitely not as good as the pet portraits. But right up there with a somewhat different style. Here are a couple of details.

 

There are jaunts into town or the farmer's market too, and occasional times with friends. But some of the moments I love most are the walks and watching the world of wildlife on the beach. The ducks are always fun. 

 

The flotilla of 75 or more geese at twilight was beautiful too -- but I'm glad they didn't decide to come up on my beach!


I'm still enjoying the Killdeer family. I worry when I don't see all three together. Now the chicks are getting almost as big as mom and it's harder to tell them apart.

 Dinners involve the grill unless the weather is poor. 

 

We're into grilled veggies this year (lots of zucchini), along with chicken, salmon, burgers, brats and pork tenderloin.

 

There are days when we have no mojo and that's OK too. I've been in a bit of funk with the constant headaches that come with my ear issue. That surgery can't come soon enough. And I bruised or sprained a muscle near my hip with an unfortunate twist, which is no fun. But fortunately, there are some good things on the horizon, like a road trip to visit friends and another house guest. And then, of course, there is this one. Lizzie is out of self-sequestration. 

 

She splits her time sleeping on the chair in the bedroom and on the porch. Looking cute. Our upcoming house guest is allergic to cats. My guess is that she'll want to stick to him like glue. 

 

That's my girl. She's such a sophisticat.

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41 comments:

Tom said...

...it's good to see that you are having great times at the lake!

Boud said...

This sounds like a packed schedule to me. You're really enjoying the London journal painting, too. I'd be happy waving off the cyclist and returning to the beach, too.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,
Great photos of you and Rick and cute Lizzie of course.
Your England journal looks fantastic.
I would enjoy more meals from the grill.
Great shots of the Ducks, Geese and those cute Killdeer.
Take care, have a great day!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

This is the way to live! Guitar, kayaking, bicycling, reading, birdwatching, and painting! Perfect!

Anonymous said...

Your English journal is looking AWESOME; I love it! I think its absolutely lovely. I work alot in oils and acrylics and only dabbled with watercolors thru the years. Every now and then I play around with watercolors. I love the pieces you do. OH MY that grill food looks YUM. Oh, how your summer cottage posts bring back such memories of my families NH cottages !!! Those were the 'good ole days' of my youth. Happy Wednesday, dear friend. Dawn P. Albany, GA

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

So lovely that you each have your hobbies that you enjoy and that both can be done in your idyllic lake setting! (with a cat along for the ride). That barbecue picture made me hungry! -Jenn

gigi-hawaii said...

I wouldn't want that bug in my bed, either. I like the horse you painted in your journal. It's beautiful. Lots of grilled veggies turn me on, too. Haha. Hey, I love your lifestyle. Take Motrin for your headaches.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The dreaded insect on the screen actually looks like the exuviae of an insect that has moulted into the next instar.

Anvilcloud said...

I think your book project is looking awesome.

Steve Reed said...

I think your "dead" insect is a moulted cicada -- that's just the outer exoskeleton, which they shed every now and then. The bug is probably still alive somewhere.

Glad you're having a good time at the lake! Now I want to go kayaking. How great to be able to just put into the water and take a spin.

DVArtist said...

Wow! I want you face photo for FFO. Yes, play, play, play as much as you can.

Sue in Suffolk said...

I do enjoy your posts from your summer home every year, so peaceful.
But Yikes! what was that critter, hope it wasn't as big as it looks on your photo

Rita said...

Love that picture of you. Made me smile back.
Rick is one busy guy! But he has to keep in shape for his marathon bike trips. (My body aches just hearing about all he does--lol!)
Whatever that bug was--AWK!!!
I look forward to your book reviews for July!
May you have a wonderful evening and may the ducks do their business on someone else's lawn. ;)

Anonymous said...

Your travel journal is impressive and special.

And Lizzie with her crossed paws is melting my heart. She is usually talking to you in her photos which is fun to see too.
-Cara

- Cara

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

How wonderful you are enjoying your time! Beautiful photos! Lovely artwork, sweet cat, time in the water and a radiant smile!

Bill said...

Sounds like you are enjoying the days at the lake. Your book is looking fantastic. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Prims By The Water said...

Always seemed like cats knew who to go by...those who were allergic or did not like cats, at least mine did. Ugh on the bug on your screen. So glad it was on the outside. We had a few mayflies on our screens this year. They normally do not come this far up the river. We also have oodles of fireflies this Summer. Love seeing them. Kudos for Rick practicing both his riding and guitar playing. So love your England watercolors. They look awesome. Janice

roentare said...

It sounds like you are embracing the best of both worlds, work that brings satisfaction, play that brings joy, and a creative rhythm that keeps life rich and full, even with a few bumps along the way

Joyful said...

Ha, ha, I loved this post Jeanie. You sound like you are having a fantastic time at the lake. Just as it should be. Your journals are always wonderful and I look forward to seeing your latest one when it's done. Rick looks in his element and Lizzie is really so cute.

My name is Erika. said...

Summer and life at the lake looks wonderful Jeanie. You and Rick both seem to be enjoying yourself. I know you've mentioned Rick will be traveling to VT and NH. When is he on the road? Those look like 6 great books too. There isn't much all that many things better than reading on a hot day. I look forward to seeing all your write ups (and I'm sure there will be more) in your next book post. I hope the weather stays beautiful and you have some more wonderful lake days. hugs-Erika

Pamela said...

Retirement is good! You have wonderful ways to spend your summer days. Lizzie is so sweet.

peppylady (Dora) said...

We have a few branches also to get rid of.

Priscilla King said...

The empty shell of an insect belonged to a cicada. Big stupid harmless things that spend most of their lives as grubs underground, then crawl out and molt into a winged adult form that flies for about a week. During this time they rasp the surfaces of their legs together as a mating call. After mating the females lay eggs in the ends of twigs, which die and fall to the ground about the time the grubs hatch and burrow into the ground. They don't sting or bite; birds feast on them, and humans and dogs can eat them. They would be prickly and squishy bedmates, though.

I watched one eclose, once. They're not very pretty but, just after the insect crawls out of that pale tan shell, the surface gleams and iridesces with pretty pastel colors.

Iris Flavia said...

According to the pic the answer is: HAPPY!
Ewww. Warnings, please ;-) Really, if I´d known back in 1995 what crawls and flies in Australia I would never have gotten there. Thank goodness for unawareness!
Wish Ingo was a quarter that sportive...
Your paintings are fantastic! Great project! And such a wonderful lake photo, hmmm....
No BBQ time here... Hope you get your health issues cleared soon, and ohhh, sweet Lizzie! LOL on the sticking!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful time you appear to be having at the lake, even with all that work you are doing after the storm.

Rick is certainly busy. I hope the fires in Canada aren't affecting him on his bike, or in the kayak. He is certainly great at grilling and you made me hungry with your meals, including the veggies.

I adore your England journal. I look forward to seeing more of it. I also look forward to your book review. Take care and play, play, play.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Forgot to mention how sweet Lizzie looks. I never noticed her collar before.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Jeanie :)
You have such a joyful smile that radiates warmth, and it does look like you are enjoying your time at the lake. It's good that you and Rick both have different hobbies, and walking in the woods, painting (which looks fantastic) and reading would also be my
choice for pure relaxation and enjoyment.. Rick's grilled food looks very appetizing, and you two can catch up with your day's activities.A perfect arrangement, and you can also snuggle up with Lizzie who is very photogenic,...that last photo is wonderful.

I have only been back blogging a few days, but it feels good to be back.
All the best
Sonjia.

Shari Burke said...

Looks like you're spending lots of quality time on simple, yet enjoyable, activities. Wonderful! Good reading, time for art, time spent in nature, and good company--the good life. Long may it continue!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Oh, my, it must be tough to be at the lake but somebody has to do it, LOL!! Your journal looks wonderful! Relaxed and easy days make for a lovely summer.

Anonymous said...

Your summer looks beautifully entertaining. Your artwork is gorgeous, well done there!
May

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

You're doing exactly what you need - rest, draw, read, and spend time with nature.. Sounds perfect to me.

La Table De Nana said...

You look lovely! And happy..And that book is a treasure!

Sandi Magle said...

How Lovely, and I can't wait to see your finished journal. Love the guard on the horse...such a snapshot of time...great idea to put words and drawings together. I'm thinking I should do this with one of the books, that may never be finished...hugs, sandi

Pam Richardson said...

Lake life seems to be great with work, play, and eating well. I am sorry about your headaches, that is no fun! Love your postcards!

Lisa's Yarns said...

I'm glad you are enjoying your time at the lake. It is definitely the place to be during the months of July and August! Our weather has been all over the place. It was 95 and so humid on Monday. Then storms moved through and the feels like temp was 55 yesterday! But it was great sleeping weather (we don't love running the ac). Today will be nearly perfect with low humidity and highs of 73.

Rick is such a diligent student! Paul has a trial piano lesson today to see if the teacher is a good fit for us. She asked him to come prepared to play a song, even if it's one he made up. It stressed me out a bit because he has zero piano knowledge but he made up a 10 note song that sounds pretty good/pleasing to the ear! The teacher came highly recommended by a coworker who was a voice performance major in college so I trust her judgement! I just felt a little sheepish for not teaching Paul a single thing about playing the piano...

Sandra Cox said...

I do hope you are feeling better soon. Great pics of you, Lizzie and Rick. I have cat allergies, among others, too. It's just a way of life:)
Keep enjoying your slice of paradise:)

Anonymous said...

loved this post Jeanie, so many things you and Rick enjoy are of interest, and shows each of your joys for living a good life. Keep enjoying the summer!
The weather in Las Cruces NM is still very warm. I am so looking to the Fall season .

Rita C at Panoply said...

You two are livin' your best lives! I love your watercolor England. Perhaps RIck's journal gift this year?

This N That said...

Cute picture of you.. Your day sounds perfect Justice that should be. I love your journal with the illustrations..good job..

Red Rose Alley said...

Sounds like you are having a relaxing as well as an enjoyable time at the lake. That grilled burger and mushroom and veggies look really good. The killdeer family is sweet, and it's nice you are getting acquainted with them. That's a beautiful photo of the geese in the water. So many of them! That spider on your screen looks quite scary. And this is a nice photo of you, Jeanie. Your smile is splendid. Enjoy these days, and I always look forward to your posts about your cottage on the lake. Summer is a time to relax and not do a whole lot of anything. Too hot to cook, and the grill is a good idea. ; )

~Sheri

Lowcarb team member said...

Enjoy your time at the lake, I certainly enjoyed seeing your photographs.

I'm already looking forward to your book reviews for July. I see you have a Tess Gerritsen in the pile, I keep meaning to get one of her books from the library.

Sorry to read about your constant headaches caused by your ear issue, at least the surgery is getting nearer day by day.

Take care.

All the best Jan

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