Thoughts on a difficult week
Photo by Libby age 10
You never know where you are going to go until you take that first step. This week has brought out the best and worst in people and what could be a very depressing view of the world. It is hard for someone who always sees the glass half full to admit that she is discouraged about the way the country (USA) is going. The divisiveness of the people and even more the political parties is enough to make one cover up one’s head and not get out of bed. However, by putting that one foot in front of the other and getting out there, you just might see something that lifts your spirits and gives you hope that the world isn’t all bad and that good people exist. The kindness that we have received from people after the loss of our Buckingham has been so helpful to all of us. The hugs and the empathy and the gentle words have made me realize that we are not alone and that many are rooting for us as we decide what to do next. Thank you to everyone for your support.
Broken Record
I am beginning to sound like a broken record as I extoll the benefits of daily walking. In addition, I am going to try and break my record this month by exceeding my goal of 100 miles. As of today, July 10th, I have walked 45 miles of my goal of 100 for the month and I am taking the day off! It was the encouragement of my daughter Katie and this week, my sister Margot (for whom my daughter Margot was named) who motivated me to get out there and go longer and farther than I had before. There was also some serious self-motivation that got me out of bed and putting one foot in front of the other. Most days we or I saw some deer. I missed a picture of a small group of deer with twin fawns and I was sorry I missed it. You don’t get to see that every day. However, since my sister was with me I actually have a picture of me on one of the walks. This is from the bridge in town looking down the lake towards our cottage.
My granddaughter Libby has taken up a job of walking Miss Q in the afternoons to earn a little spending money this summer. Miss Q used to walk with me but after an injury this winter wasn’t able to join me. Spirit was willing, but the leg was weak. She is up to about two miles now thanks to daily walks of a mile or so. She is getting stronger and I think a little trimmer with the extra exercise. It won’t be long before she can join me on some of my shorter walks to the village and back.
You Never Know til you Ask
I am back to playing golf again since my broken toe and I did walk nine holes on Tuesday morning. After golf, many of us stay for lunch and our great kitchen chef Didier is always there with some sort of innovation for us. He is very creative and enjoys putting together something different when asked. Since I am not a fan of things like hot dogs or grilled cheese but rather prefer to go with a salad if possible, I asked for a salad on Tuesday. Didier said he could put together something for me with some fruit. This photo shows a salad that is a thing of beauty: a lovely selection of fruit with melons and berries and some orange slices along with spiralized carrots, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce and a very light poppy-seed dressing and a small container of a vinegar based coleslaw. My golf buddy was so impressed she took it around to show the other tables. So, you never know til you ask what someone might create for you. I encourage you to ask when you go to a restaurant, don’t be shy about what you like and you feel you need. Thank you Didier for being so willing to create something on the fly for those of us who ask.
Boating on the Lake
Unexpected visitors this week. My sister and brother-in-law and my nephew and his girl-friend arrived for a couple of days. We had beautiful weather and were able to get out on the lake in the boat. My nephew even convinced me to drive the boat so he could go for a waterski. I prefer cocktail cruises, seen here, but every once in awhile it is fun to use the boat for skiing or tubing. I am a bit of a nervous Nellie when it comes to driving the boat with someone behind it – I know, surprise actually – but it is a big and very powerful boat. So going slowly around the lake with a glass of vino is my preferred travel. It’s sometimes the best part of the day particularly when it is nice and calm.
Projects Around the House
Libby wanted to paint her room so we agreed that she could do so with a little bit of help from her grandmother. It seems as if it will be a simple job to do until you break it down into all the parts and pieces that needed to be done. Her comment after the first afternoon of painting was that she learned a lot and today she is working on it by herself. The trim and the woodwork is, I guess from her perspective, the boring stuff. She can’t wait to get the yellow covered up and a light coating of palest blue appears in its place. She is learning all the little things that need to be done like taking off the switch plates and covers and preparing the space by clearing out as much as you can and then putting a drop cloth over what cannot be moved. We put on some music and bless her heart, she agreed to listen to music that her grandmother, me, would approve of. We found ourselves singing along with most of the songs from the playlist we agreed we would listen to while painting. It was a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. You go, Libby, when this one is done I have a few others that could use some fresh paint!
Recipe
This week’s recipe comes from Blue Zones and is called Simple Greek Bruschetta. I tried it last night as an appetizer. I used a sourdough grain bread that I bought at the Farmer’s Market and I used a garlic infused olive oil brushed on the pieces of bread that I toasted and I used my own beautiful fresh basil. This year the basil is fabulous; it’s the chives and the dill that are suffering some. Anyway, the bruschetta was delicious. Hope you will try it.
Have a wonderful week everyone, with Love from the Lake, Louise
[mpprecipe-recipe:41]