Saturday, November 10, 2012

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!

14 comments:

Robbie K said...

What beautiful pictures. Sorry to hear of your neighbor's passing.

Gina said...

Thanks, Robbie! It was a really pretty day here today. I'm sorry, too. I certainly understand the circle of life and all that but I don't like it.

Stacie @ Snaps and Bits said...

Yes, what Robbie said! Amazing how low the lake is - I hope you get lots of snow to help it - as far as I'm concerned, you can have all of NJ's snow. I don't want it ;)

Samantha Brinn Merel said...

Looks like such a beautiful place. Hope you had a wonderful time!

Jack said...

Things change and sometimes not how we like them to.

Gina said...

I will take NJ's snow and add it to what we usually get in Chicago, which can be/usually is a lot. Last winter was just plain weird and it's the culprit here. Lots of people fishing but I think the bass have gone really low.

Gina said...

Thanks, Samantha. It is beautiful and special all rolled up into one wonderful present! We did have a great time, me and Addy (80 lbs. of chocolate Lab).

Gina said...

I know. They just seem to be changing very quickly and not in the direction I imagine or even like. Makes me understand what little control I have over most things in life. Good thing I'm not a control freak so I roll with it but somethings are just plain sad. I don't mind feeling sad but don't enjoy it if it's too often. Hope this makes sense!

Kenya G. Johnson said...

So life goes - I don't always care for the direction either :'-(

Gina said...

I hear ya! But what to do?

DEZMOND said...

'tis always better when water goes down and up... just this weekend Venice in Italy was flooded again and the tourists had to scramble away and run for their lives... not to mention what that wench Sandy did over in USA with the beaches... In my hometown we had a storm earlier this Autumn which flooded the city streets within minutes and we're a continental town with no river or lake around :)

Gina said...

I SAW Venice under water! Terrible!!! And Sandy is totally a wench for what she did to our friends on the East coast. YIKES! That must have been some rain to flood an intercontinental town. It's just sad. Something is going on with the atmosphere and me no likie!

Unknown said...

i am SO sorry to hear about ur neighbor!!!!!

Gina said...

I knooooow! I'm really sad about it. She was in fantastic health until this last year. Change...bleh!!!