It started out down the road when my cousin David welcomed a group of his friends dating back to high school for their annual Otsego Lake summer reunion. I've met all these guys over the years and while I'm not part of the "gang," I delight in their company.
This time, that included a pontoon boat ride around the lake. I hadn't done this for a long while and it was fun to see what had popped up over time, and be reminded of places I'd forgotten, like the old Arbutus Beach hotel that is now a private residence. We also said farewell to their friend, Bill, who recently passed away.
The next day was a busy one! Look who stopped by on their way to camping!
We all enjoyed lunch -- a good break in the action before setting up camp with their friends. And these two played.
And played!
And, they brought world's cutest dog, Teddy Graham, with them!
My only disappointment was that Rick couldn't be here. That said, he was having a lovely time at his dad's. And what a view!
Then later that day, my friend Suzanne from Canada arrived. She hadn't been here since -- well, a long time -- when we spit cherry pits on the beach. (I sometimes wonder if that's why I have a weedy beach.)
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(Actually, her last visit was later than that -- around 2000, so still a good quarter-century!)
When we're together, there is always plenty of talk time -- books, theatre, movies, life in general. Of course we had to hit the fruit market and get some cherries! 'Tis the season and this was the last week for our Michigan black cherries! Suzanne found a great necklace at one of the booths.
We went to see "The Odyssey." I left after about the first 40 minutes. The audio was too loud, the theatre too cold and life was too short. So, I caught the ends of "Toy Story" and the new "Minions" movie, hit the dollar store for some necessities. Then it was on to Kohls, where I bought a sweater and two shirts on clearance. I picked up Suzanne and we went back to the puzzle we started the day before. (My movie review -- probably very well done and good effects, but I guess it just wasn't my thing for the next three hours.)
It was a great puzzle, with images from theatre playbills. Parts of it were easy -- and parts ridiculously annoying!
And, we enjoyed a lovely happy hour at my favorite restaurant, Bennethums!
The food is so good, it's really not appetizers, it's dinner!
And, a Rick update. He's left his dad's, having a great time and made a new cycling pal. He departed NC and after a camping stop in Kentucky, then an overnight with a cousin in Ohio. He's home now, but this view will be a lovely memory.
Oh -- and we finished the puzzle!
I'm home alone for a week. Maybe I'll get some art done!
Sharing with: Friday Face-Off / Love Your Creativity
...may the good times continue to roll at the lake this summer.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, as always I enjoy your postcards from the lake! Looks like your friend’s visit was very special. So glad Rick make it back home safely with many wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteVisits and puzzles; Good times.
ReplyDeleteLots of fun times, Jeanie! I enjoy doing puzzles too. Enjoy your alone time!
ReplyDeleteI think your place at the Lake is where everyone wants to be!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, dear friend. I love jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely visit.
ReplyDeleteThat certainly was a while between visits! You seem to be having way too much fun there.
ReplyDeleteYour friend, Suzanne, must be one of the few Canadians who actually still visit the United States!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are having fun at the lake. That is an awesome pic Rick took! Janice
ReplyDeleteWhew! You're making me tired just reading all that! Reminder to me to buy some cherries. I haven't had any yet this season. Glad you had the chance to visit with all of your friends and family! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun time Jeanie. Too bad you had such a terrible viewing of the Odyssey because it was actually a good film. But, there's nothing worse than being cold for 3 hours and a film that's too loud. :( But other than the movie, it sounds like you've been having a good time. And I love how your cousin has a group that's still getting together since high school. That's great. Enjoy your quiet week. I need one now too,, so we can share our quiet stories in posts later on. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteAs usual great pix and update. Love the lake life there! I might bring earplugs if we go to the Odyssey movie. I hear others are wearing them. Cool that Suzanne is back ... and the puzzle got done. You two are a team.
ReplyDeleteLots of fun things to do to keep you busy. Too bad about the movie, the Odyssey. It is always fun to get together with friends and family.
ReplyDeleteYour other choices of movies are Mobettah! You are right, life is too short and getting more so. No time for that which does not click. Glad your friend came for a time and for spitting cherry pips on the beach.. The air has changed- slipping into autumn - just barely. Leggy flowers ,leaves dropping. Summer has been enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trio of visits: friends, family, and a BFF! Looks like you all had a wonderful time -- and your appetizer dinner looks fabulous ... that bread!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about The Odyssey. Unfortunately, that seems to be the type of review I've been hearing from others.
You're clearly having my portion of fun this summer! I'm glad Rick had a good visit and a safe return, and it made me happy as could be to know that you were able to say "too long, didn't watch" to a film! I do the same thing with books from time to time. As you say, life's too short for some things!
ReplyDeleteRich in life..Your family is growing up so fast! Adorbs!
ReplyDeleteThis little part of your world is so beautiful. Days to cherish for sure.
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteGood times at the lake, the boat ride sounds fun.
Lots of fun with family and friends, creating new memories.
I am glad Rick is home safe and sound.
Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend!
How wonderful you are keeping busy as well as enjoying the leisure lake time. Old friends are the best aren't they? I have one who lives in Nebraska and we keep in touch regularly, but our face to face visits are rare. I am so blessed for all the fun times we use to have when we lived closer. The Captain and I have walked out on a couple of movies...one, the movie was horrible and one because of the cold, even though we asked the front people to turn the air down, they said they could not and so we said" we cannot either" and we left. 🥰 Your lake adventures are so cool as you meet up with family and friends. I love to work puzzles too...but that one looks to be challenging. Glad Rick is home safely...I take it he is not at the lake or you would not be "a week alone?" Hugs and Blessings my friend🤗.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful visitors! It looks like everyone had fun. Hope you get some time to make art now.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun, so many good things. I would love that ride on the pontoon boat. And a long visit with your friend is just perfection.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels to Rick!
Jeanie, you had some nice visitors, especially those little guys playing on the beach. Nothing like small people company. Their dog, Teddy Graham, is so cute. Good to hear Rick is having a nice time with his dad as well. What a special view of the deer to remember his visit. You had a great time with your friend, Suzanne. That's a delightful picture of your young selves on the beach. I hope you had some popcorn at the movie theatre. I thought Toy Story was delightful. And that puzzle! You must have really been dedicated putting it all together. The appetizers look delicious. Sometimes those appetizers are a dinner in itself. It sounds like your August has been wonderful, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteGreat Puzzle!!!! And what a wonderful visit with your family and with your friend.
ReplyDeleteGood times, good people, good fun!
ReplyDeleteJeannie, if you don't mind I'm going to leave this post on SITAR. I see the art of photography, the art of nature, the art of food and the art of that puzzle. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely times with friends. It is something special with summer, when friends and family visits.
ReplyDeleteLovely post
ReplyDeleteYou have such a good times with friends and family!
ReplyDeleteCatching up with old friends can be so much fun! It looks like you all had great conversations, shopping, food... and that puzzle, oh my! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! so nice to see you having such a good time with everyone.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you got to share time with friends and family, as did Rick. Isn't it crazy that 2000 is already a quarter century in the past? Wow.
ReplyDeleteThose boys have grown. And they are both so cute. Loved that puzzle. So glad you had time to spend with friends at the lake.
ReplyDeleteHello! I wanted to pop in and say hello!!! What a great summer you are having.
ReplyDeleteFull of old friendships, memories around Otsego Lake, a heartfelt farewell, a few unexpected adventures, and the satisfying triumphs and frustrations of a good puzzle
ReplyDeleteSun and fun, here from Creativity...whatever...grins...and only twice in one day, too! Hugs, Sandi
ReplyDeleteOverall, it looks like you had a great time with all your visitors, food, great conversations and such a great puzzle. It’s time for me to start back up with my jigsaw puzzles. Too bad about the movie theater being too cold and too loud. We saw and loved the movie, BUT it was loud and I don’t know why. We streamed Hamnet the other evening. We could hardly hear what they were saying and we kept turning the volume up and up. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteLake time would be great about now, although, I would really take the beach...either or. Course the mountains would not be so bad either. Speaking of which, might have a vacation at the mts. coming up.
ReplyDeleteThose little boys aren’t little anymore. They have lost their baby fat. Handsome guys!
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy, fun-filled week by Otsego Lake! Hearing about your friend Suzanne visiting all the way from Canada after a quarter-century brings a huge smile. Eating those Michigan black cherries while working on that tricky theatre playbill puzzle feels like peak summer relaxation. Leaving "The Odyssey" early for shopping plus movies like "Toy Story" is totally relatable. Enjoy your peaceful week alone while you create some wonderful art.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy all the lake fun and company
ReplyDeleteA fun geezer party.
ReplyDeleteFun at the lake seems to be going good. Cheers to more happy fun days.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to your cousin on the loss of a friend! The boys are getting so big--why does times pass so quickly? I'm glad you had a fun friend visitor from the past.
ReplyDeleteOur daughter went to see the Odessey and enjoyed it. We went to see the movie of the original cast Broadway award winning hit, "Hadestown"--wow, it was fantastic! I hope it comes to stream on TV, as I'd love to watch it again! The music played in my head fro days and days. Glad to hear that Rick arrived home safely!