more week at the lake

The morning was gorgeous, lake like glass.

And the lilies are back, blooming in the swamp like they do every July.  

I love them.  They remind me of when we bought this cabin, another July a long time ago, lilies blooming then too.

This picture reminds me of then also.

Jay took this picture that day, a few days before Julia was born, and it was the beginning of a new chapter in this family's life--a complicated cabin chapter.   This was a bigger endeavor than we even imagined, and no regrets.

Yesterday, Joe's mom and grandma came to visit.  They haven't been here since last year, and they're easy company on a summer afternoon.

The kids got busy building a volcano in the sandbox, discussed and moved sand and did it over again. Dannell and I dug in the cupboards for vinegar and baking soda.

Then the little guy wanted the hose, said it was going to be a moat, and he had some big plans.--not a problem, but I definitely know what a sandy-mud mess looks like.

"Ask your parents first.  Just in case."

"NOOOO!  Absolutely NOT."

"It will be a moat!"

"No. It will not."

Nice try.

Here we are at the beach.  John was shaving using his phone camera for a mirror.  Pretty resourceful.

 

This is the fine office I've been working in all week.  It's a good office, but man I do not feel like working when I'm here.  

This fridge on the other end of the office was full of kebabs from last night though, and those were also distracting.

Today the whole gang went to Hayward for the day while I worked.  This  canine is a fine, quiet associate.  She's good.

Back to the lake afterward:

John and a kid brought this paddle boat the final distance and placed it in the water.  Kids took off down the shore to see what they could do with it.

That cloud even carried a rainbow, but there was no rain at all.

Took a walk to the dam:

When our cousins walked to the dam a couple years ago, I teased them, "Enjoy that. I paid $500 for that."   They laughed.  As dams go, there it is, and that's how assessments work.

Later on, sitting in the lake, felt something scratchy against my foot.

Yah!  A giant chunk of glass, kind of terrifying where we all walk.  It must have been in the sand a long time though because it was completely dull.  The edges weren't sharp in any way.  Into the garbage.

Then these kids showed up to stay overnight, and the air fryer got going, and the pizza rolls and video games, and what a nice night this has turned out to be.

Love you all, Grandma