Summer is racing along. I write to you today from the halfway point of our Farley's stay. Hard to believe we are here already. At the same time, we did fit pretty much an entire summer's worth of recreation into the first month of vacation, so I suppose it makes sense. I am gratefully soaking up each minute of this lake time, intensely aware of the blessing it is to spend two full weeks here in paradise.
Before we left we kicked off July with the 3rd Tigershark's meet of the season, ensuring that our kiddos will be able to swim in Championships later this month. It was our first home meet so this time the weather didn't matter (and of course it was a stunning morning outdoors). Inside was pretty great too, though. We got to cheer for all these awesome kids and chat with our parent-friends, Jack and Ivy each won a heat, and the whole assembled crowd got to help celebrate Violet's birthday with singing.
Nat and I also celebrated our 16th anniversary. It does not seem even remotely possible that 16 years have passed since that lovely day in Aurora. Especially when we have not aged a day.
We didn't make any big plans this year, what with California and all the hosue shenanigans. We did hope to catch sunset at the E 55th St Marina but the weather had other plans. So we went out for a nice dinner at the Anatolia Cafe...
... and then went out again the next night for that sunset drink.
In other news, our cat spent pretty much the entire weekend in this cardboard box.
We also had a lovely celebratory brunch with Gram and Kirk after the meet.
And then we were here!! Just in time for the busiest weekend on the Point, with friends and family literally everywhere we turned. It was wonderful and intense.
(but mostly wonderful.)
Immediately upon our arrival Izzy and Reese and Ivy were together... and within the hour they had taken over the little cottage to bake brownies and Rice Krispie treats and otherwise prepare for their annual July 4th lemonade stand extravaganza. I hadn't had time unpack a single bag in that place but no matter. What's a little more chaos? Bring on another gin and tonic.
We were treated to more time with Jamison and Casey, who'd arrived the night before. Seeing them every two weeks? We could get used to this.
Randy and Amy and their family were staying the week at the yellow cottage too, which is always wonderful. Such an ease and a taking-for-granted to have the people we love here in our happy place, just wandering by and sitting for a chat and a drink...
First night sunset.
Making flyers and plans and picking up right where they left off last year. Lake friendships are pure magic.
Started day two with a 2 mile run and a canoe with this guy...
We paddled over to Eagle Cove because we were intrigued by these large white things we saw floating over there. Turns out they were swans. Four white swans are now living in Eagle Cove. It's like this place sat and thought to itself, "now, how can I get more perfect?" and it was all like, "I know! Swans." Seriously. I love these guys, even if they won't let us get any closer than this, smoothly gliding away from us as we paddle forward, moving like the magical beings they are.
Parade time! A bit more low key than normal this year. The whole Point seemed to be less populated than most years, for starters (not counting our family/friend crew who came out in force). And sadly, Jay White, one of the patriarchs of the point, fell and fractured his hip early that morning. So we were missing his cheerful presence and his family too. Not to mention the events of June 24th and my general protest mindset. I'd had every intention of protesting the holiday entirely, or at least wearing black and taking a knee during the anthem. But it is just so hard for me to say no to cute things. Like this parade. And everything about this place. And Nat reminded me that at least we are here in NY State, one of the few good ones left, and so maybe it would be ok to celebrate those things that still (for this moment at least) make this country better than Afghanistan. So I marched in the parade and rang our big schoolbell to help our little crew make more noise. And I led the singing of God Bless America because you don't say no when Barb asks you to do something. I think maybe this poor broken country of ours needs all the blessing it can get right now. And certainly this community of friendly souls is worth blessing too.
The day proceeded as usual from there, with a nice bit of downtime after lunch, then firecrackers in the road...
... family dinner...
... dog parties and wandering neighbor-kids...
.. a celebration of the triplets' graduation (or two of them at least as Sarah was at work)...
(side note- how is it that these tiny babies have graduated from high school?? and how is it that they are so completely the same as when they were three tiny bundles lined up in a crib? )
.... bottle rockets off our dock...
... and fireworks in the North cove. Our neighbors brought the magic (so close some sparks hit our dock!) and we were so grateful. I might not love our country's leadership and policy right now, but I DO love fireworks.
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