OK, here I am. The sun is sparkling on the water and everything is calm and peaceful. The only problem is that I'm afraid to get into an Adirondack chair if no one else is here, since these chairs are kind of hard to get out of. What if I get stuck? Oh! Wolf is here. In that case, I'll just sit back and read this book I found in the cottage. Hmm - it has a copright date of 1935. BTW, I'M claiming first dibs on sleeping on the couch on the screened porch tonight.
I want to sleep out there, too. Do you snore? Is the porch large enough to take a sleeping bag far enough away? P.S. What is the name of your book? As you scramble to google a title for a book published in 1935, remember that's what happens to people who misrepresent Canada as a kingdom.
My doctor asked me that, too, and I told him I don't know if I snore or not. My husband has been gone for a long time and my cat's not talking. I think there's a cot out there, so you can have that. The porch is big. It extends across the whole front of the cottage.
"Little House on the Prairie."
Ha! Ha! BTW, do you still have the image of Her Majesty on your $20 bills?
Myrtle, yes, Queen Elizabeth the Second is on the front, looking a bit stern but still in command. Her husband Philip, who is in his mid-to-late nineties, has retired from public appearances. He is said to be the only one who stood up to the Queen Mom. The activities of the other Royals you probably read about on the magazine rack as you are waiting in the line-up to check out your groceries. On the back of the bill is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial Monument with a few red poppies on each extreme side. March, I loved both those books.
Yes. And then of course there's their pet troll, Prince Charles, who cried that he had to marry Princess Diana instead of his pony Camilla. She was his nanny you see and so you can fill in the blanks there but don't get any in your eye.
Mary, That's one example of why it's best not to follow the Royals too closely. I am quite impressed by the Queen, though. She never quits and she always carries a purse. Living in the U.S. these days, there is no reason to read the tabloids while standing in line at the supermarket. The the mainstream newspapers now cover much of the same garbage under the guise of political reporting.
BTW, there is no Wifi here at the lake, so would someone pick up a bunch of magazines? I've already finished "Little House on the Prairie." Mary, I found some sheets so I'm going to make up the beds on the porch. (I brought an extra flashlight in case you want to read in bed.)
If anyone wants to go with me, I'm taking a midnight (actually somewhat earlier 9:15 ish) canoe ride along the shore, close enough in that no rogue motor boats will come near. And afterwards another dip in the lake for me. Actually I don't hear any boats out now, all I hear is an old bull frog. and the breeze in the pine trees. There is just enough breeze to keep mosquitoes away. Aren't screened in porches grand Mary and Myrtle? Actually upstairs if you open the casement windows you will get good cross ventilation there as well tonight. And I forgot to tell people there is ice-cream in the freezer if you haven't found it by now.
I'll go.with you Lindylou. This afternoon I invented an invisible barrier that will keep the motor boats.and their noise away from our side of the lake! After, when we go for a dip, please.keep an eye on me. I float on top of the water and have been known to fall.asleep. Don't let me drift too far.
Ha ha, reminds me of an Air Force temporary duty assignment. We went to Japan for a couple weeks and worked constantly. It was hot and humid but raned at two pm every afternoon. We'd come out from under the aircraft and get soaked so we could make it through the afternoon. On the way home we had to stay overnight in Honolulu. Tough luck, but we put up with it LOL. I went swimming in the lagoon and then floated and fell asleep. There.was a reef so not afraid of drifting out to sea. Pretty soon I am wakened by a bunch of splashing and voices around me. My crew chiefs swam out because they had a bet whether I had a float or not.
Aw, Myrtle, it was just that getting out was the hard part. You didn't mind getting wet did you? The water is perfect. I'll have you know that was the first time I ever tipped in a canoe. And the last time I laughed like that was at the Christmas lodge.
Your turn next bhv. Let's go. When it comes time to swim we'll tie a rope to your big toe and anchor it nest to the dock. When it is time to go up to the cottage we'll tug on the string, bring you close to shore and splash you awake.
I am having trouble getting started this morning. Tethering me to the dock did the trick. I had such a long, deep, QUIET, sleep on the water. I havent felt so SAFE in such a long time.
Wolf, wasn't watching the mist rise up from the lake beautiful? I must have woken up after your dip because I brought my tea down to the dock, and dangled my feet in the water. The only work I've done today is put three pieces into the jig saw puzzle over there in the corner. Bhv, that is what the lake has always meant to me, peacefulness, quiet and safety. I'm glad you are feeling the magic too.
If anyone is feeling ambitious, I would be willing to lead a caravan of up to three canoes over to one of the islands. Otherwise I'm quite content to sit on the docks and feed breadcrumbs to the ducks and fish. Either way I will feel contented.
I would like to go, especially if the island has blueberries for picking. Or Saskatoons? I don't know if you have Saskatoons in the States. They're common here on the Prairies.
Lots of blueberries on the second island out. Grab a pot or plastic container from the kitchen and we'll paddle out in a quarter hour or so. Glad there isn't too much wind today. The paddle will be easy. I'll grab some sunscreen to share. And we can bring a jug of iced tea and some paper cups.
Don't know what saskatoon is, but it sounds great. Will seek it out in the Canada prairies should I get there one day.
Enjoyed having a gin and tonic on the screened porch while Bandit snoozed at my feet. Thanks for watching him, friends, while I paddled out to the island and back. I'm not sure how he would be in the canoe--kind of like not wanting to take your little child out with you. Coffee with friends, a scoop or two of Ben and Jerry's Urban Bourbon ice cream, and then Bandit and I got into our flying car and were home to the apartment in minutes. Still smiling from happy memories at the lake with friends, as the tiger lilies just glowed and later the fireflies twinkled all over the lawns.
Ah fireflies. I was at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio one May. There were fireflies in all of the trees along the highway going on for miles to the horizon. Like Cristmas lights. Mmm coffee and ice cream on the porch was lovely. I am stuffed from dinner but in about half hour I suggest we go to the village and see what's happening. When I was a kid we'd go and ride on the ferris wheel. Then there was a place to make your own cotton candy. Then the spin art. There is a round table with a border about 6 inches high. A turntable in the middle with a spindle. You put a piece of paper on the spindle. There are bottles of paint in squeeze bottles like ketchup and mustard thingys. So you squirt various colors as the turn table spins and it makes interesting patterns. Everyone is different. Cost about a dime when I was a kid. Who know now?? Then, even though we had cotton candy before we get two scoops in a waffle cone with whipped cream and a cherry on top. How did we ever sleep after all.that sugar?
Ah, being a tourist in a tourist town was fun, especially with friends to giggle and laugh with. Seeing the occasional lone fireworks shoot off from when I was on top of the ferris wheel was amazing. We'll be able to see tonight's full display from either the porch or the dock tonight. It may depend whether the mosquitoes are out which place we choose. How those pesky things can enter a virtual reality I do not know.
Bhv, was that your spin art I saw attached to the refrigerator with magnets? Or does it belong to someone else? I turned mine into a paper airplane.
I'm down on the dock with my coffee. There is a pot already brewed near the stove. Anyone who wants can join me.
Me too, though I am a bit late. Thank goodness we are not in Minnesota where the mosquito is the state BIRD! We use to joke they could carry a.small child away. The state flower was poison ivy.growing out of a beer can. LOL. That's the Tshirts I had in grad.school anyway. I slept so peacefully last night remembering walking down the dirt road, barefoot, holding hands with Lindylou and Myrtle and Mary and giggling at silly jokes.
Did you see that bullfrog over there? Reminds me of a tv commercial here for Aquarium of the Pacific. Princess has.a.bull frog on fancy pillow. Wizard says kiss the frog and your handsome prince will appear. Princess says What about the Frog? Wizard is aghast. She says Princes.are a.dime a dozen a round here, while frogs are disappearing at an alarming rate! I laugh out loud every single time. One of these hot days.I am going to take DH down there to.see these frogs etc. Will even brave the LA traffic.
Wolf, lets cook up some special treats for supper. I have a feeling we would work well together in the kitchen. I figure we can bbq burgers and sausages later, but, this afternoon let's create.a.unique potato salad and cole.slaw. deviled eggs maybe? BTW, please.forgive all these errant periods that keep appearing when I type. I guess I miss the space bar on my tablet and it is difficult to go back to correct.
I'm late to the 4th of July weekend, I hope you don't mind. We still have a few hours left. They tell me I make the best potato salad, so I'll bring that. I also can bring a "mean" carrot cake. I think everyone likes carrot cake! I love the lake. I like sitting on the dock, letting my feet dangle in the water, holding a glass of wine - any kind will do, I'm not fussy. Are there loons of the lake? Wait! I think I hear one.
A barbecue? How great is that! I don't have enough left inside of me to even have suggested it. But I tell you, if you grill it, cook it, or present it, I will eat it. With gusto. I'm pouring a glass of wine now and joining you on the dock, Bev. And looking forward to the fireworks. And to all the volunteer chefs, don't forget the blueberries we brought back from the island yesterday afternoon.
I made blueberry cheesecake this afternoon. It is cooling in the fridge. I also made deviled eggs. Was too hot after that so happy Bev is bringng the potatoe salad. I zipped home and laid some bricks. Tired of tripping over unfinished projects. Tried to fix a broken hose, but it is too weird. Had to trash it. So now it really is too hot so I jumped in the lake and am now sharing the wine and dangling my feet off the end of the dock with you all. This is so much fun!
I don't know which potato salad I loved better. My mother's german style or my wife's local style. Both were delicious. She made a really nice cole slaw too. Deviled eggs were always fun. This picnic is bringing back a lot of memories of a lot of different good times where it was a picnic table piled with good things to eat. Often there was a mixed grill of some kind and maybe hamburgers and hotdogs. Sometimes the hosts would cook sliced chicken breast on the grill and make sandwiches with that with bunches of fresh lettuce and tomatoes. Then there were the salads: 3 bean salad, tangerine and boston leaf with almond slivers, ceasars, spinach salads with red onions and mushrooms, fresh summer salads, and one of my fav's Greek salad. Fresh buns.
I'll never forget the first long island ice tea intro. There we were all drinking cold ice tea which packed a wallop equal to any strong drink but tasted a lot like just ice tea. Lots of fun to be had filling your plate especially now that it's too late to help do the work. I'm just kidding. Sorry I missed that bhv.
Oh good, someone else likes german potatoe salad. I wish I had my Granma's recipe. We can have both. I am from Long Island, but can't handle too many of those iced teas. They are really good though. I just tried some of Bev's carrot cake. YUM. I'll wait and have the blueberry cheesecake later. Too bad DH is lactose intolerant now. He can't have any of those desserts. I'm going to see my Aunt Mary on Saturday. Will ask if she has the recipe.
In addition to the bacon and bacon grease I remember my Nana's potato saladincluded equal parts vinegar, sugar and water. Bhv, you'll have to tell me if your Gramma's recipe was similar. And Bev, are you willing to share your best ever German potato salad recipe?
I filled myself up to the brim with this magnificent picnic, but I've hidden away a piece of that cheesecake so I can indulge later.
After the fireworks I am turning in. So grateful for the friendship and laughter this long weekend. Hope it is/was as much a blessing to you all as it was to me. I felt like we all stepped backwards in time and healing happened.
You are so right. "Healing happened." I thank you and my DH thanks you too. Not sure what was my favorite part but I am still giggling about how the mosquitoes could find their way into virtual reality.
Sorry to have missed all the fun. Somehow, I just don't think I would have fit in this past weekend....feeling very moody & low, so I wouldn't have wanted to bring anybody down. Maybe next time....
We completely get moody.and low! You fit in just fine girlfriend! Come tonight for a canoe ride along the shore. Dangle your fingers in the water. After, I bet there is still a piece of blueberry cheesecake with your name on it. We can sit in the gazebo and whisper all night long about whatever has you moody and low. Or, if you don't want to talk about it we can walk to the village and ride the ferris wheel or merry go round. How bout that Mim?
I could sit along the shore & wiggle my toes in the water...I'm not on friendly terms with boats & large bodies of water! The village sounds nice & peaceful, but no Ferris wheel either (I'm such a chicken...screamed the whole time I was on one & it stopped with me & my then boyfriend stuck at the very top!). Maybe just a nice stroll, then the cheesecake while sitting in the gazebo enjoying the companionship of friends, conversation or not.....just peace & comfort. A little wine would be nice too.
There is a dirt path with trees that form a canopy above us. We can walk through there barefoot if you like. No ferris wheel! Then we'll.have a glass of wine, or two at the gazebo. There is a screened in porch where we can sleep and listen to the crickets and screech owl and watch the fireflies. There is an invisible barrier between us and the "real" world so we are SAFE. The mosquitoes do not bite in this world either!
Operation Petticoat, 1959, with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. It's a well presented version with a few commercials. If you haven't seen it, it's a comedy set in the war in the pacific. It's a bit of fun.
It's been raining for days but the sun just came out and the Adirondack chairs are already dry. Someone has put a wooden raft in the middle of the lake. I'm going to swim out there.
Hi Myrtle, you beat me here. Isn't the water silky smooth? I'm so glad to see the sun too. It continues to amaze me how peaceful this place here is. Burdens just seem to shed off you, like a backpack of sorts checked at the door, ready to be carried later as needed, but irrelevant now and here. I feel so weightless swimming out here. I left a bag of breadcrumbs by the Adirondack chairs so I could feed the ducks later.Those creatures seem to have memorized the motion of someone standing on the dock throwing things, and suddenly a dozen or so will appear quacking and splashing until their surprise meal is over and they disappear into the grasses again.
I'm on the screened porch, lying on the daybed I just made up with clean sheets. Found a copy of "Walden," which (given the setting) I felt duty-bound to read, but got bored and read a bunch of old Nancy Drew books instead! It's such a lovely, quiet night I don't want to fall asleep. Good night, all.
Hi, Myrtle, I'll put the coffee on to enjoy when I get back. Maybe the scent will arouse you, maybe it won't. I'm going for a little swim along the shore before the motor boats start revving their motors. (I know engines rev. Do motors? Anyway you know what I mean.) See you later. I'm enjoying this interlude. Thanks for joining me. Guess i really did not want to be alone this weekend.
Lindylou, I think we should start a petition banning any "noisy" boats from the lake! Rowboats or canoes only....that way those motors won't intrude on the solitude. Or am I just being a curmudgeon? Can women be curmudgeons? :)
In any event I wish I could be there right now....to calm the anxiety & nurture the soul.
Hi. Hope to see Mim, Elizabeth,Myrtle, and anyone else who needs release from anxiety and nurturing of the soul, as Mom says. The night is so quiet - no boats, no kids playing (although I do love that sound). Not even a buzz of a mosquito since they have been banned. I do hear the bull frog, though and the sound of the breeze in the pines. Was that an owl I just heard. I love this time of night. Don't really feel like sleeping. Maybe I'll just sit up, look at the stars and enjoy the breezes until I fall asleep.
Elizabeth and Mim, I'm here and waiting for you. There was so much rain today that the porch is too damp to sleep on, so I'm moving inside for the night. On the bright side, I finished the "Nancy Drew" series of books and found a complete set of "Cherry Ames, Student Nurse" (27 volumes!). I'm going to stay up late reading so don't wake me up too early.
Enjoyed our visit last night--Bandit likes the group, and enjoys stopping by. I've borrowed the P.D.James mystery, Original Sin. Will return it when I'm finished. That bookshelf is a treasure--better than the public library. And thanks for watching Bandit while I went out in the canoe. (He's not quite ready for that yet, and I don't have a dog life jacket for him--so he stays on shore.)