Aannnd . . . We're Back!

We’re opening the lake cottage this week—de-winterizing, refilling the cabinets and fridge, scrubbing bathrooms and the kitchen, vacuuming, dusting, airing out the place. Next to any time that brings Son, DIL, and Grandboy into proximity, this is one my favorite times of the year. I love being at the lake, and when I can get my kids at the lake, life is pretty near perfect. It’s sorta funny—by the time Halloween rolls around each year, I’m ready to stop making the two-hour drive up to the lake and just stay home to enjoy fires in the fireplace and get ready for the holidays. But by March, I’m itching to get back up to the lake, ready for sunshine-filled summer days on the water, cool lake breezes, swimming, hanging out with our lake buddies, and boating. And a giant bonus to being at the lake is being closer to Liz, so we can meet for those three- or four-hour lunches more frequently. YAY!!

Another great thing about being at the lake is that I relax here more than at home. I’m not sure what’s different here because mostly when we come up here, it’s not a vacation. I’m just picking my act up and taking it on the road. I work both places, write both places, clean both places, cook both places, do laundry both places . . . you get the picture. So why is it different here? 

I think for a couple of reasons. One is that I’m away from television—not that I watch TV all that much at home, but Husband frequently has either the TV or the radio on, so the noise of it is in the background. It pierces my concentration—political discourse is particularly distracting. For sure another reason is that the lake is here—I can walk down to the dock and sit and watch the water. It’s very calming. Somehow, I’m able to focus better, think more easily, and create better here at the lake.

I guess we’ll see how well that holds up this season—I have to get three synopses finished, a query letter written, and at least 10-20K more words produced in the next month. Hold a good thought, okay? We’ll see if the lake can work its magic for me again in 2016.