Wednesday, May 4, 2016

REMEMBERING THE LAKE

It occurred to me that I've met so many new friends that I didn't know, and who didn't know me before the flood in our lakehouse in March of 2015.  So I thought I would do a repost of something that really represented the life we've lived at the lake for the past 25 years.  As it is right now, perhaps we will be ready to get back in mid~summer, but even then it will take a lot of time to unpack and get back to normal.  Lots of work, but happy work.

So this is for all of you who didn't know Jane and Blondie's Journals way back when, and for those that did, a jog of the memory that I hope made you smile when I was at my happiest.  Enjoy!




THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014


FLOWER GARDENING AND ALL SORTS OF WINGED CREATURES






Sunday night we headed out to a new restaurant on Fish Lake.  It was excellent.  It's not always easy to find a good steak or tasty pasta in the wide open country so I think we'll be back to this place.  We arrived back at the ranch, made a fire in the chimnea and sat back to listen to the bull frogs and look at the stars.  And then Ella peeked out the patio door and said, "Aunt Jane, there's a bird in the house."  I thought, okay, that's happened.  I told her I would be in in a second to take care of it.  And then it occurred to me..what sort of bird do you have flying around at night?  "Oh, Ella...what does the bird looks like?"  She replied, "It's big and black."  Okay, Red Alert.  The Husband ran for the fishing net and we cautiously came in.  Snow and Ella were cowering on the settee while the menacing flying rodent swooped here and there.   The dogs were barking at the sight of The Husband frantically running like a mad man with the fishing net, and of course the bat was swooping high and low and whizzing past our covered heads. Thankfully, after about ten minutes, The Husband was able to snag it.  I wish I could say all was well, but I knew, deep in my heart of hearts, that the creepy little monster had not just swooped in through an open door.  He (and his many friends and relatives, I'm sure) have a way in and a way out.  Probably in the stone wall around the fireplace or perhaps in a crevice near the attic.  Our house has settled and shifted so much on this marshy ground, anything is possible.  Since that night we haven't been terrorized by any more, but I have to get an exterminator out.  We've had them in the attic before and they just smoke them out...very humane.  


As if we didn't have enough excitement that night, I awoke about 5:00 a.m. to get a glass of water.  I was sort of puzzled that Layla didn't follow me to the kitchen.  When I got back into bed, I felt around for her under the blankets.  No sign of her.  I tried to quietly call for her without waking up the house...but no Layla.  I actually peeked in The Miller's room thinking maybe Ella had coaxed her in, but again, no Layla.  I did get to see Craig in his boxers and I'm trying to get that image out of my mind.  Finally I went outside.  The doors were unlocked...typical men.  They had come to bed hours after we girls.  All I could think was somehow Layla had gotten out.  I walked around the yard and stood in the driveway calling her name.  Michiana Trash & Recycling drove by and waved.  Yes, there I was in my ragged pink jammies and hair sticking up all over.  I went back inside with my heart in my throat and into the bedroom to get dressed.  Obviously I'd have to search, whether along the lake or down the road.  North and south and east and west.  By then The Husband was up and wandering around outside calling her as well.  And then I heard something like a whimper...it was hard to tell since I can't hear that well, I looked towards our bed and I saw the blankets moving.  I pulled the quilt off the bed and saw a lump down near the floor at the end of the bed.  I pulled back the top sheet and there she was like a ladybug on it's back trying to turn over, caught between the half pulled out top sheet, a hammock of sorts. And stuck swaddled on her back!  She must have just rolled off the bottom of the bed and the tucked in sheet caught her!  I nearly cried in relief!

So that was my wonderful Monday morning.  It then proceeded to rain 2 straight days.  Comcast came out and you'll never guess why I haven't had Internet since May.  I got a new laptop and apparently you are supposed to change your network and password.  Oh joy.  So I'm back in the game.  Well except for at home...that's a whole different issue, but I'll try to keep my problems in check by locale if anything.  









These are some of the flowers.  Yellow coneflowers.









I can barely hold my eyes open but I haven't posted for over a week.  We are going home tomorrow and then we're off to Madison, Wi., bright and early Saturday morning.  Then it's back to reality and trying to figure out where to put three rooms of furniture while we  have the carpet put in.  Maybe I should just stay here a bit longer...bats and all. ;-)

XO,
Jane

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Bats and blooms! Delighted that you will be back at the Lake this summer. Poor Layla ( love the song ), bundled up in the bed and mom and dad frantically looking for her, happy she was safe:) How wonderful to have good neighbors and their dinner looked delicious!
Happy Mother's Day! Kathleen in Az

bj said...

O, I think I remember this post...I KNOW I've seen the pic of all the flowers in the back of the truck....

















I so hope this summer will be good at the lake...our daughter and family, who bought a lake house last year are so loving it...it's 4 hours away from home ...such an enjoyable, short trip and when we get there, it's like another world.
xoxo









Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

I didn't read this post before. I don't think I was following you then, but as you know I am now. I love your stories, I feel like I am right there with you. You missed your calling in life - should be a writer of books. I love reading all about your escapes.

I do hope that you get into the Lake House quickly and can enjoy some of the summer there.

Have a wonderful Mothers Day, relax sand let them all wait on you.

Hugs,
Mary

Terra said...

It was good reading this one again. At a certain age, everything can be new to us, ha ha. I hope the bat was let go and was ok after the madcap chase scene, and what an odd thing to happen to your dear little dog, stuck in the sheet. Best wishes on getting your Lake House back in action.

Saimi said...

I'm glad you reposted this as I'm a new follower and didn't get the privilege of seeing this before. I love that you call it 'The Lake House' sounds like a title that should be a book or movie! Hope you get back to enjoying is soon!
Have a Happy Mother's Day!
Saimi

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

So happy you re-posted this. It gives your readers more about the Lake House. You write great stories Jane. Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy Mother's day. xo

Linda said...

Happy times THEN and you will have MORE happy times SOON!!!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Your happiness shines through like a laser in this post Jane. No worries. Those days will soon return and you'll appreciate them even more. It is going to be a fun year for you and your growing family.

xxx

Anonymous said...

Jane I have been telling you about my husband and the medical problems. Today we got a call from his surgeon - one week after his surgery - to tell us that the report came back and that we couldn't have asked for a better one. Everything was good and the cancer has been removed. He will have to be checked every four months, he lost his kidney, his ureter, some of his bladder and the lymph nodes but he is alive and I will get to be with him for a lot longer. I can't stop crying and laughing at the same time. He told me I should have been a drill sgt. but he is as happy as I am. Thanks for caring Jane.

Patty

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Bats in the Belfry or anyplace else is very unpleasant. My daughter has them in her house from time but her cat has caught all but one. That one was more than unpleasant.

Sarah said...

Yes, I remember your garden at the lake. Fun to see this post again.
Happy Mother's Day!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness what a beautiful garden!! I would love to have a colorful flower bed like this one! You do seem so happy in this post. I wish you a Happy Mother's Day Jane!

Primitive Stars said...

Like vex the lake house memories Jane, there will be many more to make.Blessings Francine.

Debbie said...

I miss your lakehouse posts, Jane. Soon you will be posting again about the good times with your family....with more members in the posts!!! About the love and laughter echoing off the walls of your place on the lake. It won't be long now.
Love to you, sweet friend.
Debbie
xo

Scribbler said...

I enjoyed your little recap -- hope you get back in the lake house soon! Just wanted to let you know that the morning-glories are coming up gangbusters! The husband got them planted where we took out a holly tree I didn't like, and then we left on a trip. The first thing I did was inspect the yard when we drove up because there had been a storm and most of the yard was pretty messy. But there were those morning glories! We are going shopping for a trellis this weekend to give them something to climb on. So thanks again for sharing the seeds. I will post some photos when they start to bloom.

Susie said...

Blondie, I loved reading about your time at the lake. I love, love the picture of sweet Ella holding your dog Layla. I hope you can get into the lake house and truly enjoy it once more. I love all the pretty flowers you chose. Blessings to you for a very Happy Mother's Day. xoxo, Susie

Helen Philipps said...

I always enjoy your posts........this one was lovely and I am so glad you found Layla......such a sweet story. I am glad you will soon be back at the lake house, but it is always interesting to read your words wherever you are, Jane.
Happy weekend.
Helen xox

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Jane, I so enjoyed this post and reading about your time on the lake. Your photos are always endearing. Wishing you many wonderful times on the lake once again. Your flowers are gorgeous. Thanks for stopping by. So sorry to be behind on visiting you back. I've stepped away from blogging for a bit. I needed a break and after 10 years, it is time to refresh and redirect. I'll be back once a week when I can. Blessings to you and best wishes for a Happy Mother's Day!

Theresa said...

I do remember and hope you will be back in your happy place soon:) Have a blessed Mother's Day dear Jane, HUGS!

Maggie said...

Lovely to remember life at the lake as it once was, I'm crossing my fingers that you'll be back there again soon.
Congratulations on the new grandbaby btw, Happy (grand)Mothers Day to you!

Michelle Dellene said...

What a sweet story. Sounds like lovely memories for you. Happy Mother's Day!

Sonia said...

Loved seeing your new little garden area. Your plant selections are just beautiful! Can't wait to see how much it grows in a season. Funny my little rat terrier sleeps just like your little one..her paw wrapped over her nose. Adorable!
Happy Gardening...I'm sore from all the bending and stooping but sure is nice to be back in the garden again!

vintageandart said...

Thanks so much for re-sharing this post Jane...since l've only started following recently this story was all new to me...l just laughed out loud at the image of you standing there in your pj's and the garbo's waving as if it's the most normal thing in the world to see you there:-) Thankfully Layla was found...all be it tied up like a Christmas bon bon in the sheets:-) Bats....heaven's that couldn't be good especially if he was one of a large extended family of bats...So l take it you no longer live at the lake since you were flooded out is that right....l wonder if your beautifully planned garden is still there and/or has grown as big as you'd envisioned....l'll keep popping in for a visit and all might be revealed:-)

Annesphamily said...

I loved looking back at your photos and your story too. Hoping you are having a terrific week so far and enjoying life. Since the wedding and Nick's return home from college in Kansas, we are recuperating from all of it. Hubby has his left eye surgery for the cataract next week on Tuesday. We have another day of cooler temps and possible rain, the clouds are dark and the sun is trying to peek through! I want waffles and since I have two different waffle irons I suppose I should not be so lazy and get around the kitchen and whip up a batch. Our middle's beau is borrowing our car that our youngest daughter wrecked a few years ago. I have to go to the Motor Vehicle office with him to get a temp tag so he can get their emissions test. They have a friend who pulled the front end out, she hit a Range Rover stopped in the the middle of a busy road for no apparent reason. It was scary for her because the kid driving the Rover called his dad who came over making a scene screaming at police and scaring our daughter who is a pre school teacher! She felt sad because not once did he ask his son if he was ok, the dad's only concern was his stupid car! The lil car we have survived the wreck and Nathan thinks it will be good as new very soon. You writing style always makes me smile and you fill in blanks for me because I so love knowing my friendshere better. Take care and enjoy the day!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

" menacing flying rodent swooped here and there. The dogs were barking at the sight of The Husband frantically running like a mad man with the fishing net, and of course the bat was swooping high and low and whizzing past our covered heads", I can just imagine the scene…nerve raking but funny. Your garden will be lovely, it is amazing how quickly the flowers can grow in just one season.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I now realize that this post is the new post about "remembering the lake". I was catching up on the posts I'd missed and got a little confused as you can see. :D