Postcards from the Lake: We Have Arrived!

We (meaning Lizzie and I) arrived at the lake on Wednesday afternoon and the first few days settling in weren't a picnic! When we arrived, we drove into the meadow that is our back yard.

 

Now, we don't usually have a meadow in the back, but the weeds had grown to a height between my knees and waist. 

I knew this was coming -- my cousin had given me a warning with the first photo here and I think they'd grown even more between his visit and mine . But yikes! I was glad I brought along a scythe. 

 

I admit, the scythe was remarkably therapeutic. With each swing I yelled out "Trump!" "Miler!" "Hegseth!" "Vance!" "Kennedy" and added in a local rep or two. As the weeds flew I couldn't help but think of the rabble rousing crowd offering suggestions about Marie Antoinette.  

 

The scythe was only useful on some of this mess. So, then it was back to chopping things down with the hedge clippers (this is not fun). But it had to get low enough that it doesn't totally choke the new mower.) I ordered the mower before leaving home and it would arrive around the time Rick would. 

Meanwhile, there was unpacking to do. That car was packed with the skill of a Tetris wizard. The trunk held gallons of water and as many plants as possible, plus anything else I could fit in the nooks and crannies. The back seat was full to the top with food, clothes, activity things (books and art), Rick's guitar, wine, more plants. In the front was the tomato plant, two computers, and a large cat carrier with an unhappy cat! (I couldn't fit in all the plants I'd hoped to bring. Thank goodness I have lovely neighbors who will water them while I'm gone!) They look pretty good in front of the porch and there are more hanging from hooks.

 

I brought in a lot of things before the rain started. Not everything, but most of it. The art supplies ended up staying in the car for a bit, and that was OK -- there was too much to do inside. 

 

That horrid weather (temps in the low 60s and lower at night and a rainstorm that went on for hours and well into Thursday) was probably a mixed blessing. It made working inside on not-fun things (aka cleaning the house!) more palatable. Then I had to start on the yard and more weed whacking! 

(And where was Rick during this? He decided to ride to the lake, taking a six-day scenic route. Here he is, taking a break on his trip.) 

 

All his gear for the trip is packed here. He had some pretty noisy campsites and said it wasn't like it used to be! I'm sure the weather didn't help. But he did have some pretty views at times.

 

Rick was due Saturday afternoon. I had been to the mini farm market on Friday; Saturday I went to the bigger one downtown. There wasn't a lot in terms of produce, more crafty booths. But I scored some great strawberries. 

 

And I had a lovely talk with the guys from the county Democrats group. They bring in a lot of speakers and I hope to connect with them this summer.

 

Around 4, I got a call from Rick. After one flat tire and putting on the spare, he had another about 20 miles away. I was happy to fetch him! He even joined into scything! Then we went to town and picked up our new mower and put the batteries on the charger! We were nearing the finish on the yard! 

 

The next day, he went to mow and the batteries, on the charger for about 14 hours, wouldn't charge. Back we went to the store, mower in tow. Turn out the batteries were old, they didn't have a replacement in stock (they did, but those batteries ere out of date too), so we exchanged it for a better model, and Rick negotiated that we get it for the same price as the other. Lowes was great, I should add. Very helpful and accommodating. Best of all, it works great! Things definitely are looking better.

 

We were even able to enjoy a backyard dinner -- although we were both so tired, it turned out to be ham sandwiches and potato salad!

 

The porch is in the process of being put together. Rick scrubbed it down and we still have to bring in the rug before everything else is put in place. I set up a couple of chairs a little side table so we can sit or read out there. Lizzie, of course, took my chair over.

 

 I won. (But she took over later. Get up, you lose your space! Lesson learned.)

 

So, this was the view from the porch. We have a long way to go, but with a view like that, relaxation is instant! 

 

The inside is looking pretty good now that I've vacuumed, put things away and tidied up after a long winter's rest. I picked some of the weeds I was whacking for a bouquet for the house. Not a fancy bouquet, but I rather like it! One other task is to plant some impatiens, either in the backyard or on the neighbor's side.

 

On a closing note, I've yet to see Harry North -- but boy, do we have geese! But that's for another post!