We have been back at the lake for a week and I am still in my annual honeymoon period so thought I would, once again, share the many joys of “coming home.”
It started with the first thing we saw as we turned off 109 which was a male pheasant crossing the road in all his colorful glory. When we arrive at the lake in the spring we are immediately aware of the high level of activity in the bird world; it’s so loud in the morning it’s almost deafening. Maybe they are just gleeful, like us, to have survived another winter and happy to be out and about doing their thing. The porches have been power washed, the outdoor furniture cleaned up and set out and the bird feeders filled so summer lounging and bird watching has commenced, although I am still waiting for the robin to set up shop in the nest on my front porch. I must not forget mention all the honking Canada geese active morning, noon and night this time of year as they mind their goslings in the marshes.
The ice is out and in all its sparkling blue wonder the water is moving again set off by the freshly mown green grass. I enjoy the periodic hum of fast moving fishing boats headed north at quite a clip where the fish must be biting. I stopped by my first fishing tournament weigh-in this weekend to show support for several neighbors who were out on the lake all day; they both caught big walleye’s that were quickly released after the weigh in.
The trees are slowly leafing out, the tulips are blooming and the lilacs appear to be ready to take off this week. I picked and cooked some fresh rhubarb that I enjoyed with Greek yogurt which is always a treat early in the season. Our asparagus is producing and we have enjoyed several meals with it already. Paul has been experimenting with asparagus soup recipes as well. We made chicken parmesan using our homemade marinara flavored with red wine and numerous Italian seasonings; boy, was that good! I already enjoyed a tasty burger and fries at a local establishment while catching up with a friend and I must not forget to mention the joy of eating locally made Gouda and my first peanut cakes of the seasons. Yum!
Other items of note include the milk trucks whizzing by on Hwy 109, talking to the cows in the adjacent field while taking my daily walks up the hill, along with all the familiar friendly faces and welcoming warm embraces we have received. It is so nice to have good friends, especially the unexpected new friendships made later in life. The May flies are out in force but will be gone within the week and I am working on my first set of hand woven table mats in summer holiday colors of red, white and blue.
While Paul hikes his way around Scotland and Spain, I am home alone enjoying the fireplace that takes the chill out of the air in the morning and evenings while I happily read a good book wrapped up in my homemade quilts. It’s is great to be back in the area enjoying all its joyful offerings this time of year.