September at the Lake -- A Change in the Air

I recently read an article in the New York Times in which the writer spoke of the departure of the summer people from the Hamptons and how the environment changes. While my small, two bedroom cottage is nothing like the Hamptons homes I see on television, I have to admit that the same thing happens at the lake.

 

I was there this past weekend for a couple of days, heading north so not to miss my cousin Mark and his wife who were having a last northern weekend of the season. It was clear that being at the lake in mid-September and being there before Labor Day have little in common. While the trees are still mostly a bright green, there is little doubt that autumn is here.

During my summer walks, I am likely to encounter at least a dozen people, sometimes more, who are walking, jogging, biking, airing their dogs. During my two walks on this weekend, I saw only one person each day, one being walked by his two dogs, the other in full control of his canine.

I notice things that are more likely to get drowned out in the summer clutter when I walk in the fall. I can hear my footsteps on the pavement, birdsong from five or six different kinds of birds, distant highway noise, the sounds of the leaves as a gentle breeze rustles them, the faraway bark of a dog. All these sounds are muffled in the summer, eclipsed by road traffic, playing children, beach music, motor boats and jet skis. I notice the morning light on birch trees and hear the numerous acorns that drop at my feet as I walk along.

The lake is quiet. Rather than the usual parade of power boats and jet skis, I hear the gulls as they fly overhead and the ducks as they approach the shore. The odd fishing boat makes a gentle putt-putt sound and yes, I can hear the splash of the fishing lure as it hits the water.



The crowds in town are lighter. We had no need to wait in line for a breakfast table on Saturday morning at a popular restaurant. There were plenty of tables to be found. My few forays into stores found me next in line each time.

A road trip to a larger lake a bit north brought a walk on the docks of a marina.

 

Many boats had been pulled from the water. Others were still docked but there were few people at this usually bustling spot on a crystal clear, blue-sky day.

The only spots of autumn's reds and golds were the brightly colored skeins in the shop at the fiber mill.

And no, I couldn't resist.

A walk down the beach reveals docks and boat hoists pulled high into the sand. Cottages that only a few weeks ago were bustling with children and summer people have yard chairs stacked outside by their garages and power boats covered with tarps in their back yards. They will probably return again, as we will, to button things down for the winter.

When we aren't rushing to make the most of our summer we have time to have a leisurely conversation. My "Lady of the Lake," Fran, shared reflections on her recent 98th birthday and I chatted with my cousin's next door neighbor, Phil, as he helped me try to piece together the "Who lived here way back then" of his family.

There are no campfires now, no spots of flame on the beach after the sun has gone done. But it's clear that more than one cottage is being warmed with a fire inside. Meanwhile, the pitch black night skies with hundreds of thousands of stars sparkling above evolve into a mass of giant cotton balls against a blue velvet sky when the morning fog clears.

The light has changed, too. The sun rises later and sets earlier, the days of 10:30 p.m. dusks being a memory of July. I look out in the morning where a foggy mist rests on the lake for a few hours, then revealing a beautiful sun, a rich blue sky and hundreds of thousands of sparkles reflected on the lake.

And the sunsets are glorious.

The sun appears to be setting a bit more to the south. This weekend, as a special gift, I spotted a sun dog, it's prism reflection sparkling on the water.

A sun dog is a "false sun." They are an atmospheric phenomenon consisting of a pair of bright spots on either side on the Sun (that's Wikipedia talking and believe me, the article is fascinating.) They are extremely unusual in our parts and there was just enough cloud cover that one could nearly miss this one. Fortunately, its prism-like reflection on the water was a give-away clue.

                     

As the sun gently slipped lower in the sky, ducking quietly behind the clouds, one couldn't help but look at the sky in awe.

How many more times will I see this magnificent sight this year? Who can say? I just know that this quiet time is a time I cherish, the sunset a gift.

The winter is only a month or two away. But this day I am warm and peaceful. And very happy.

Back on Track

Well, now that September is here, I feel somewhat compelled to get back on track -- whatever that means! I've been spending time at the lake, trying to wring the last bits of glorious summer out of the sky and I was wringing so hard it started to shed tears! Two days of dark skies and rain!

Just before the storm

No power loss this time, but it was pretty dramatic. I felt especially bad because Rick was on his bike ride at the time and camping along with it.

Since blogging wasn't much of an option (I think I'm finally pretty well caught up!), I found myself digging into books (the new Maisie Dobbs, "The Girl on the Train," a Ruth Rendell that was more than creepy, Martin Fletcher's "The List" and Marie Kondo's tidying tirade. I may have to do a post on that one but as my northern neighbor noted, I get too agitated when I talk about it! So, I need to calm down.)

                         

I also got a few art bits done. Some new Christmas boxes for our November sale...

                                

...and some pieces using bits of the sea.


     

I finished up three mini-canvases and one I won't even show because I hate it so much!

A slew of tags are finished except for adding their ribbons, which were at home.

And, I carved my next linoleum block in anticipation of the winter holidays!

Much of this time I was by myself but on the Sunday before Labor Day I did go to Mackinaw City to pick up Rick from his four-day, 400-mile bike ride.They don't look too bad after 400 miles over four days, do they?  It was good to see him and his gang, all in one piece!

And what do you think of the ride's jersey this year? It was designed by my friend and gouache guru, Barbara Hranilovich. I wish Rick had bought one!

Of course, there were some decorating projects -- chalk painting this desk, to be specific. Everyone needs an assistant. I wouldn't recommend this one. My friend Claudia calls her the "Snoopervisor." I think I have all the paint out of her hair, though she hated it when it was digging it out of her ear flaps! There was a bit more art-type painting while I was away, too. I did this postcard of the cottage to add to some I was sending out. Rick says it isn't quite right and he's correct -- but it's close.

Trips to the lake won't end this week of course! September and October are beautiful months there. But life picks up down here, too, so the stays will probably be a little shorter. And while I'll love the color season, it brings with it colder days and nights!

But now that I'm home, it's more Goodwill hunting (I cleaned the sock cupboard yesterday, so Marie motivated something; onto the closet floor next!), catching some movies ("Clouds of Sils Maria" and "Testament of Youth" are finally coming!).and cutting back the garden. Theatre board meetings have started and I'll finally be in one place long enough to catch up with friends. And really, isn't that the best?

A to Z with Me!

Two things inspired this post. First, Beyond Eden Rock recently did an A-Z post I found rather fun. Then I came across this vintage insurance company pamphlet in my art stash. When two things or more coincide, I pay attention! Almost all the photos here are from that pamphlet!

A is for ART JOURNAL. I haven't played as much in my art journal as I expected but I have done a few pages recently. Here's one of the image transfers, this one being from Kevin and Molly's wedding photos. It's not quite right yet (Kevin is a little muddy and that blob on his collar is not acceptable!) but I'm working on it!

B is for BLUEBERRY PIE. If you can still get inexpensive blueberries (this recipe calls for five cups), try this Cooking Light recipe for the fastest blueberry pie you will ever make it. Just remember to refrigerate before cutting or else you'll have blueberry glop. Equally delicious but not as pretty.

C is for COMPUTER -- I've had some trouble with my computer lately and thanks to Kim the IT Goddess, I thought I was back in business -- but up at the lake, more problems, so soon it'll be off to Dr. Kim again. (She also says a new one is in my future because IT goddesses know these things!)

D is for DECLUTTERING. Well, I'm not doing a good job of that but I am cleaning the cupboards (I'm embarrassed at the expired food I discarded) and found more dishes to take to Goodwill. That, plus the basement work I've been doing all counts!

E is for ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON. PBS is repeating the most recent seasons of "Sherlock" this summer and it is fun to review them. There's so much in each of these, I feel like seeing them twice or more is almost necessary. Certainly no multitasking during these not-so-elementary shows!

F is for FOWLER -- Christopher Fowler, to be precise. I am captivated by his Bryant and May mystery series and just finished the fifth of his mystery novels. I wish they'd do a mini-series. I'd cast Ian McKellen as the eccentric Bryant. As for May? My latest idea is David Robb, who plays Dr. Clarkson on "Downton Abbey," but I'm open to suggestions. Anyone else a fan?

G is for GARDEN. Summer is winding down and it seems like every few days I remove another pot of flowers that are past their peak. Soon it will be time to call in the Garden Warrior for a big clean-up.

H is for HOME REPAIR. My cottage toilet is periodically sounding like a foghorn. Dr. Google tells me it is a ballcock washer problem in the tank and has videos on how to repair this, which Rick says I can do, no problem. (He was home, I was at the lake.) I'm not so sure because I can't figure out where to turn off the water, but we'll see... otherwise, I may live with the foghorn till he arrives next weekend! (The end of the story is it's erratic enough that we decided to wait till we turned off the water for the season and do it then!)

I is for ITCHY. And that leads me to mosquitoes.  It's September. There shouldn't be anymore mosquitoes but apparently the ones in my back yard didn't get the memo.

J is for JACQUELINE WINSPEAR and I'm very distressed that the current Maisie Dobbs novel (the eleventh, I think) won't be in paperback until next February. I look forward to it as my summer read. BUT, bless her heart, Rick's cousin who visited us at the lake just sent me her hardcover copy (A donation to Jeanie's library, she said!). So, I'm into the latest adventure of my favorite mystery heroine! And it is very, very good!

K is for KONDO, as in Marie KONDO and her book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up." Now, I know I have a problem of too much stuff and I'm trying to weed it out, get things to Goodwill or passed on to others. But her kamikaze, take-no-prisoners method is too over the top for me. (I also think she's crackers and should probably be on medication if she isn't already -- but that said, I admire her making a career and writing a best seller based on cleaning out your stuff.) I'll write more on this later, but let me say, I have cleaned out my sock cupboard since reading this -- the closet floor is next!

Some of these are a little intense! (Although this year the flies have been annoying -- dangerous? Not so sure!

L is for LIZZIE! My sweet girl has been having a lovely summer, watching birds, playing with her toys (and losing them) and most of all, stealing my cozy chair as soon as I get up. Little hooligan.

M is for "MIDNIGHT IN PARIS" which I have enjoyed over and over on cable recently. The first 15 minutes alone send me into a glorious mental photo album of my time there and the sweet, perfect message of the movie reminds me that the right time to be in is now. (And if you are listening to the news lately, sometimes that's a tough thing to grasp.)

N is for NEIGHBORS. I've enjoyed lovely morning chats with my uber-gardener neighbor Rosie this year (and more to come, I know). Sitting on her patio is like sitting in a secret garden in a far away, beautiful place. I can't even see my house through the phlox, black-eyed Susans, sunflowers and hanging baskets. My across-the-street neighbors are moving and this is sad; they've been there 16 years and would stay if the house was larger. And my wonderful next door neighbors are always a treat to see -- and so are their two dogs, one of which is the dog version of Lizzie, black and white, tippy tail and loves to chase. I'm very lucky!

O is for OTSEGO LAKE -- the time at the lake is ticking down more rapidly than I like and soon it will be time to close the cottage for the winter. So I'm clinging onto every moment there I can find!

P is for PHYSICAL THERAPY. For the past two months and more to come I've been going through physical therapy for my arthritic shoulder and starting the lower back and hip. I love the therapists, they do great work. I'm just hoping the insurance covers it all.

Q is for QUIET. It was quiet at the lake the week leading into Labor Day and a little busier on the weekend. I don't have cable or Internet at hand, so I need to really make an effort to go online. (Which is why I was very late replying to comments that came in for the last post!) And yes, the TV works, but the three channels it gets come in sketchy at best, so it's generally off (except for "Masterpiece" on PBS!)

R is for READING -- and I've been doing a lot of it this summer. My goal for this year was 52 books. I'm already at 50. And I've only been disappointed once!

S is for SWIMMING. They'll be closing the pool where I swim this coming Monday. So when I can and when the weather is a "go," I'm going swimming! And here at the lake I've been swimming, too, tracking my distance by my neighbor's buoys. He estimates that the complete loop is about three quarters of a mile, give or take!


T is for TAB. My beverage of choice and that's all there is to it!

U is for UNDERSTANDING. Specifically, trying to understand other peoples' point of view and put politics, religion and prejudice down for a minute, listen to all pros and cons of something and then make an informed, rational, thoughtful and non-aggressive (meaning don't push it on everyone else) opinion. Can you tell that election season is coming to the U.S. -- and it's getting nasty.

V is for VEGGIES. You can't miss the amazing fall veggies that are coming on the scene at this time of year. The sweet corn is wrapping up and soon squash and the big tomato deluge. OK, tomatoes are really a fruit but I think crossover is completely all right!

W is for WALK IN THE WOODS. I just learned last night that this new film with Robert Redford and Emma Thompson features four songs by Lord Huron. And it's not just that the group does very good music, but Lord Huron himself, aka Ben Schneider, is also the son of my very good friends Sharon and John! I was already excited to see this movie about walking the Appalachian Trail (which Rick's niece just completed -- yay, Olivia!). Now I'm even more so!

X is for eXCHANGE RATE. (Sorry, I was reaching.) But really, if you have a chance to get into Canada these days, you might think about it. I was shocked at being able to save about 25 percent on my purchases. It's a good reason to go back soon. (So is seeing Suzanne and going to Stratford!)

Y is for YOUTH -- as in Testament of YOUTH. I've been waiting for this film to come for months, ever since I heard it was being made. It's slow to get to our small city (but somehow we'll have twelve screens showing the latest redneck romper-stomper). It's coming this month and I am excited!

Z is for ZINGERMANN'S! For my birthday, Rick gave me a class at Zingermann's baking school in Ann Arbor. Unfortunately, the class I wanted isn't available until January but then you'll be hearing about crumb cakes, raspberry ricotta cakes and a yeasty tea cake ring!

So, that's me in an alphabet! Anyone else want to play along?

A Little Basil. A Little Oregano. A Very Little.

About twenty years ago, probably a little longer than that, a work colleague gave me an unexpected Christmas gift. It was a small glass spice jar filled with tarragon, I think, that she had grown and dried in her garden.It was a lovely gift, especially since I loved cooking and hadn't used tarragon often. It was a good chance to experiment with new recipes, new flavors. I was grateful. But I didn't appreciate it the way I do now.

After I bought my house in 1995, I started to grow herbs in pots and in a small bed on the side of the house. The oregano ran rampant, the thyme and sage fairly abundant, all in the ground.

In large pots I grew rosemary and basil, sometimes from seed, more often from starter plants. The basil was a favorite. Summer was filled with pesto making and winter pastas were made all the more flavorful by the herbs I'd dried in my kitchen through summer and fall.

This week I found myself in the process of stripping the dried leaves from their stems and getting them ground and ready to put away for the fall. I had a huge pile of oregano and probably ten bunches of basil that had been drying in the kitchen, wrapped together with rubber bands and hanging from the cupboard door handles attached with a clothespin.

And I was convinced that I, too, would have plenty to share this year. I had visions of including a vial of oregano or basil with some of my holiday gifts to my favorite foodie friends. I'd find cute little tins like the ones I like to use. Or maybe pretty green bottles with corks. I'd tie a little raffia around the tops and include a cute label -- Oregano, 2015. Basil 2015.

Well, I stripped the leaves, crushed them with my fingers, then rolled them out to crush them even more. They were still a little too big and coarse, which was almost fine enough for me. But not quite. So I started to sieve them.

You know what I mean, don't you? You take a sieve and start pushing the leaves through the tiny holes, making them all the tinier, almost powdery. The stems are left behind and the finished result is simply lovely.

And takes a long time. Oh, and by the time you are done, all those nice big leaves that could have filled more than its share of tins or jars would be lucky to fill one!

Needless to say, I doubt that my foodie friends will be getting the homegrown herbs this year. There will be another basil harvest, but I hope that will go for pesto and basil-and-tomato sandwiches, salad caprese and panzanella. All fresh, just the way it should be!

But all the time I was working in the kitchen, spending the better part of the morning on the project, I was remembering. I was saying a silent word of gratitude to my friend who had made a truly generous and thoughtful gift. I hope I was grateful enough. Probably not, but I hope I was. For it was indeed a gift of the heart.