A Fall Weekend at the Lake

It’s really weird being back at the lake after being away for two months. It’s gorgeous today. The sun poked its face out not too long ago and the temperature is mild.

I’m here with the dog while Dad is enjoying “his” weekend at school with the kids (I wasn’t invited for the “Dad’s Weekend” festivities and I’m cool with that.)

I woke to this sunrise yesterday morning (pictured through my bedroom window (screen)). Boy it certainly rises late in the far western part of the EST zone. At 7:34 to be precise. I’m also enjoying the fact that it isn’t getting dark here until 5:30. At home, Chicago CST, it’s sort of depressing that the sun is setting at 4:30-ish or so it seems.

I have mixed feelings about being back here. The last time was only an overnight for a final doctor appointment in mid-September. When I last left here in August, I still had my neck brace on.

I’m very disturbed by the continual decrease in the water level. It's frightening, actually. We shouldn’t have a beach but we do now and all that junky seaweed has washed up. Just off our seawall is typically 2+ feet of water. You can see the water lines on the cement. 

Where these blocks are it’s usually above my knee. And if I were to wade out in the chilly water, It would now be 100 yards before the water level reached my chest (at a point where it should be well over my head).

If we don’t get an abundance of snow this year, which The Farmer’s Almanac says we’re due, it will be a challenging summer here for homeowners, wildlife and the Amish (and others) who fish here for their sustenance.

I also found out that one of my sweet neighbors passed away this fall and I didn’t know until yesterday. I will miss seeing her on her front porch watching the activities and craziness going on at the end of our pier. I will miss her daily waves and our occasional, quiet afternoon chats. 

Things change. I don’t always care for the direction. So life goes.

Time to put on the sunglasses and walk the dog!