Light rain night and morning, so boat work canceled and breakfast at Mum’s instead. Then on to JD Nursery for coreopsis.
Later, lots of hot and sweaty work cleaning up all the vegetation along the lakeshore killed by high water and grinding ice. This evening, as we sit on the porch, the hum of vast swarms of midges.
Full day of boat work (still just making a dent), and then home before rain.
Early kayak paddle, boat work, party at Therese’s.
And we took advantage of the beautiful calm to find our elusive anchor (which I’m pointing at).
Pretty much here: ///hammocks.charity.fluxes.
Heliotrope uncovered after more than three years on the hard. The neglect is obvious. But, boat work is supposed to be fun, has traditionally been something looked forward to, and is not a bad way to keep old people out of trouble. So onward.
Here’s one of my favorite views of the bay.
Off and on moderate rain all last night. Swales still dry, but fire ban removed and forest happy. Sunny by noon with a brisk west wind.
Nice day for a row in the lee of the land. Might have to cover the planted tomatoes if it looks like frost is really threatening. Right now way too much wind for frost.
Time for some water sports.
Sandhill crane
Canada goose
Herring gull
Crow
Blue jay
Raven
Loon
Merganser
Robin
Northern flicker
Pileated woodpecker
Ovenbird
Great crested flycatcher
Black-and-white warbler
Blackburnian warbler
Black-capped chickadee
Red-eyed vireo
Eastern phoebe
Whippoorwill
Wild turkey
A forecast of storms, and though I remain skeptical, we are prepared.
Cover on the pulling boat, kayaks inverted, water in pans in anticipation of the usual power outage.
In other news, garage straightened and cleaned, fallen limbs chopped, tomatoes planted, and outhouse spruced up.
Leaving just enough time for a walk along the shore.
Remake needed as the old one was falling apart.
First kayak paddle today, too. Water cold. Wind SE. Brief, light rain before dawn.
Under the sink
Under the sink
Darling it's better (not)
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me.
Leak discovered this morning. Trip to Mindemoya hardware for replacement faucet. Then hours upside down under the sink. Luckily, finished in time for supper. Not the planned agenda, but such is cottage life.
…alas. (But no alas really, of course; turkeys are just part of the local avifauna.)
Photo by Sue
Yard and garden today. Herb garden given its spring tuneup, driveway raked, part of the garden turned over, etc. Chilly. Tomatoes not planted because of frost advisory tonight.
…waterline problems (but not ours). Spent the afternoon working with Bob trying to get his system going, Given the laws of physics and the nature of reality, there is no way we could have failed, but we did.
Boats and mergansers photo by Sue, who produced a wonderful chicken dinner complete with home (Whitewater) grown rhubarb pie while the waterline fiasco was unfolding.
Having a sit on the screen porch, listening to the wind in the treetops and watching the catspaws on the bay. Porch cleaned and furniture reinstalled. Kayaks moved down to platforms by the water. Chats with Bob and Murray. Etcetera.
Not sure what one sock is doing on the line.
Last night a whippoorwill whippoorwilling nonstop, without taking a breath, for at least an hour. This morning, fog on the bay and chilly, so a fire in the stove.
…after a long and arduous day. First outdoor shower since what? September. And a sure sign that the back-to-the-cottage hassle was mostly successful. Only 3 leaks and one broken toilet supply line. Bottom line—we have light, refrigeration, and hot and cold running water.
Photos below by Sue.
…and a day early as a result of a change in grand parenting plans.
The caravan parked in St. Ignace—three boats and a bike.
Wild fluctuations in temperature as we drove in and out of lake effect—some swings over 20 degrees. Chilly here now.
Blistering hot day, quickly making it summer.
Petals raining down, being replaced by leaves.
Redbuds in blossom.
Tomatoes and basil started from seed now growing in the garden. (That was a hot job, let me tell you.)
Our neighbors are living up to the intent. We have a mowing service somewhat out of our control. But we do have violets and a few dandelions—and I’ve convinced another good neighbor to stop using pesticides.
Ellie’s tournament a good reason to meet up.
Hot and humid. I need to switch from complaining about the cold to complaining about the heat.
Not us, but the wind. While we are gathering, organizing, and preliminarily packing, the wind is roaring up from the south bringing 80 degrees in the shade. Below, a few spring shots, taken before summer’s arrival.
…a long, slow process.
First, work on garden.
Then, prep cockpit grates for Cetol. (Sue, again)
Meanwhile, practice getting things tied down for travel.
Mother’s Day walk in the prairie, and a bike ride with dad.
