I was surprised to find this document blank when I opened it today. In my mind this article was already written. I have come to think of this process in phases of readiness. Because I never want to leave, I am always cognizant of the month’s I have left at the lake and start getting a little sad about the middle of September after garden preserving is done and our fall trip up north is behind us. This is also about the time fall cleanup in the garden and yard commence and I have found this process lingers on for an entire month. The garage slowly fills up with yard and garden pots and paraphernalia. This year’s canned goods have been boxed and labeled for friends and relatives and patiently await loading in the garage. This is also when I stock up on pumpkins, gourds, squash and Indian corn to properly “deck my halls” for fall. I also like to grace my home with seasonal twinkle lights this time of year, fire up the gas fireplace and settle into my easy chair under handmade quilts in the evenings. Cozy and comfortable is what I am after this time of year.
By the middle of October the temperatures have turned and we have had a few cold rains, maybe even a little sleet/snow, leaving no doubt about what is ahead. The various bird species have congregated on the lake and are engaged in late season foraging along the shore before they head south for the winter. The numerous gaggles of squawking geese passing overhead further sets the tone as we move into late fall. All the boats have been taken out of the lake with their accompanying lifts and docks lined up along the lakeshore. By the end of the month the leaves are finally all off the trees giving the lake landscape a whole different look and feel. Gorgeous sunsets and the harvest moon are upon us.
Around November 1st, I turn my attention to inside preparations. I try to take something out of the freezer every day to work this inventory down before we head out for the winter. Even though it is mostly produce, I worry about the electricity going out during the winter so don’t want to leave too much behind. I clean up and organize the pantry deciding what needs to travel back to Arizona with us. I pack up my craft supplies which include a few tubs of material along with my sewing machine. I will be taking a break from my weaving over the winter so will leave all my weaving supplies at the lake ready for next year’s weaving. I also turn my thoughts to clothes packing which is determined by where we are planning to spend the winter. This year we will spend Thanksgiving in Louisville with Paul’s daughter’s family and celebrate Christmas with family in Flagstaff. We will be spending most of the winter in New Zealand so my summer clothes need to be packed along with necessary cosmetics and medications. This is also when I ponder my regrets of the season which include all the things I didn’t get to this year. I actively use the Notes feature on my iPhone so most of these items make their way onto next summer’s To Do List.
The final week of preparation has me “actually” packing my suitcases, tidying up the house and cleaning out the refrigerator. I also pack up any books, journals, magazines and paperwork I want to bring with me. Paul makes the service suspension calls and moves the porch furniture undercover. We start saying our goodbyes to family, friends and neighbors as Paul packs up the truck a day or two before we head out. The night before we leave, we make sure all of our electronical devices get charged and enjoy a nice meal with a bottle of wine toasting another great summer/fall at the lake and wishing for safe travels ahead. The day we leave we wash our breakfast dishes, turn off the water, drain the pipes, turn the thermostat down, lock the doors and we are ready to go! By now it is mid November, the lake has begun freezing over and we sometimes even have a low snow drift or two to barrel through on our way out of the driveway. I always sadly exclaim “Goodbye lake house, we’ll see you in May!” Goodbyes are always tough but they make for fond Hello’s! Have a good winter all!