Further progress on the shed

Ken spent much of the day making further progress on his shed remodel. Today he pulled up rotted floor boards and began rebuilding the floor.

At last, the lasso golf balls have hooks worthy of their importance. Ken spray painted a bunch of old metal wall hooks and placed them strategically (according to my instructions) throughout the shed.

Puzzle-ing

One thing you can't do with a toddler around - so we didn't even try - is put together a puzzle. After the kids left us here to our own devices, Ken took out the puzzle I gave him for his birthday (a picture of dozens of beer labels) and got started on the frame.

I like the sound of Ken putting together a puzzle. As he leans slightly to the left or right to place a puzzle piece, the old oak chairs creak just slightly. It's a cozy, reassuring sound.

Black Lake is blue

Everything is so blue. Sky blue, above and below the horizon. Blue blue blue.

I'm a little blue, too, after waving good-bye to the last of our kids.

But as I move about the cottage today, putting things away and watching my husband do the same in the yard, it all comes back to me. I am one of the luckiest people in the world and I'm going to savor every moment here in this beautiful place.

Instead of completing our work in the house and yard, we take the pontoon out on the lake, with no particular destination or agenda. Once Ken turns off the motor, the boat responds to the wind, waves, and current; turning gently and drifting back toward shore. We read, stare at the lake, and even fall asleep. Sometimes at the same time.

Final departures, Labor Day 2012

The Balcoms got the ball rolling early on Tuesday to get back home. It timed out perfectly for Adam's travel needs as well. They loaded the enormous amount of travel necessities (for the little boy) into the Equinox and Ben gave us hugs and waves and blown kisses. I was a little misty-eyed as they drove away. 

Suddenly, so quiet.

Loaded in the carseat for the long drive home

Adam riding shotgun, probably checking his flight time.

A little pontoon fun before leaving

Joe and Ash wanted to spend their last morning having some fun on the lake, so we motored out to deep water so they could jump and dive in. You're seeing them jump off the boat and try to catch the football or frisbee thrown by Adam (in the water, out of the picture on the left).

Jen and Mike went to Mackinaw City as a family excursion, bringing back salt water taffy, smoked trout, cashew bark, and of course, tons of fudge.

Now Entering the Bozone

Despite my aversion to clowns, clown noses have become a part of the family culture.

I bought Ken his first red nose many years ago from a little magic shop in Petoskey. He used it to amuse family and friends (but mostly himself) until it quite literally fell apart. Since then there have been many more red foam clown noses in our lives (and the black ones Ken calls his "formal" noses).

It seems like no visit is truly complete until someone dons a clown nose. Ben spotted one in the basket on the counter; add a formal nose for Daddy and Grandma runs for the camera.

Side note:

Sue Holmes, another known coulrophobe, is none the less a particular fan of Ken's clown noses. Knowing this, Ken packed clown noses for all when we went to Key West with Sue and Steve; one night we dressed for dinner and walked along the streets of Key West wearing them: three black noses and one red one.

As we walked to the restaurant, we passed a couple of homeless guys sitting on a curb. One of them leaned over and said to the other:

"Look at those clowns."

Numnuts on the lake

Those who have visited the cottage know the whole story of the S.S. Numnuts (Grandpa Woodruff wrote it out by hand in the Cottage Book). Suffice it to say it was an orphan that found its way to a useful retirement at Black Lake.

Today, Mike and Adam donned PFDs and took the old girl out for a spin. They toured up the lakeshore north and west of the cottage to the area just past the six million dollar property (beyond the end of North Shore Drive). They got out of the canoe in a shallow, stoney area, then swapped places in the canoe and paddled past the cottages even further up the lake.

Upon their return, they shared with us their special find: a fish skeleton (mostly skull).

Sturgeon?

A little omelet, a little boating, a little pizza

Wally Kew, operations manager at the Lodge, stopped by our table and turned on all the overhead fans for Ben.

A nice ride in the little raft Grandma bought.

Cheeeeeeeeeese........pizza!

All that pizza had to go somewhere.

Baby bath in The Outhouse

The new kitchen sink baby bath in The Outhouse was a huge success. It functioned as designed, and once the bath was over, entertained the bather. Thanks Great-Grandpa Woodruff for the great idea and the backing to make it a reality!

Saturday

Joe and Ashley were nice enough to delay their trip north so they could pick up Adam at Detroit Metro  and bring him along. Adam got everyone up around 5:00 a.m. so they could get here early and enjoy the day.

Ben had his first pontoon ride, all the way across the lake to the UAW beach and back. He wasn't a big fan of the life jacket he wore, but he liked sitting with Aunt Ashley once Grandpa cut the motor to let the kids swim and toss the football.

Playing with dust motes

Today Ben noticed the dust motes floating in the beam of sunlight that pours in the kitchen window every sunny morning. He tried to catch them; before long Grandpa was in on the action.

Life with Ben

Ben loves to walk out into the lake with Daddy. This time, he let Daddy tickle his toes in the water.

Ben likes hanging out on the pontoon, even though we haven't taken it out of dock yet. The gates keep him corralled, and he like being in the driver's seat. Today he startled himself by hitting the horn while playing with the console buttons.

My new down comforter from Overstock.com arrived today, and Ben immediately gave it his stamp of approval. He grabbed one corner, dragged it into the next room, and fluffed it all up to make a cozy nest.

Having an active 20-month old child around is like a fitness program. Even with a ratio of 4 adults to one toddler, we are all pooped at the end of the day. Except Ben, of course.