The peanuts I tossed out for them yesterday were taken this morning by the nasty grey squirrel. That dear animal also tried to ride one of my chimes just in case there was food on the top.
We are still without hot water ….going on a week now… but there is hope in sight. Finally found a dear electrician (Jonathan Larrabee) who responded in one day (a record for Maine in summer) and concurred with Peter that the elements were burned out. One was nothing more than a button…rest of element must be inside the water tank? He spent more than two hours trying to find a replacement ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!) and finally had to call Sears National Parts Center and we are scheduled to receive by expedited (?) shipment the elements Tuesday. The electrician will return Tuesday to install it if they send the correct replacements. Naturally the parts are not standard and the story of “make do” continues.
It was kinda funny listening to the grandkids taking showers in lukewarm lake water all week. Made for quick showers and held down the chance of flooding the septic tank…. So there was a blessing in no hot water folks!
It was sad for me that Adam and JoAnna were not here when Katie and grandkids were here. They always have such a great time. Ditto for Linda and Bill (where are you Bill, it has been so long since you enjoyed Maine camp and you really would not recognize all the “improvements”?) and all the DeGothseir grandkids. And Mat and Kim…. At least Mat and Kim made it up in June when we had hot water and much fewer mosquitoes….
We had a grand time (hear that Ryan) with the Innes folks. Weather was pretty good for Maine in summer.. in fact it was great all but one day when we had rain and threat of rain. Most rain was at nights so the days were sunny and tolerable except for one hot and muggy (Philly style) day near the end of their stay.
Fishing was not too productive but Kyle and Casey were game. Unfortunately Ryan was not interested and Tim had little success when we went fishing in the cove Wednesday evening. There are fish but they must not be very hungry. Kyle caught several sunnies and small bass off the dock including one sunny about two inches!!!!I will try to send a photo. It is the smallest catch I ever saw. Kyle has a good sense of humor and still had fun.
I have not caught anything this trip except for lots of seaweed and one sunny. Got my prize last time, I guess. Pretty pricey fish when you consider how Maine jacks up the price of licenses for the “outsiders.”
We had grand time playing games at night and in addition to Kings in the Corner and Go Fish we played Clue (or at least I tried) and the kids played some fancy Disney game with the TV? More than my limited brain can handle…
Lowell and I got some painting done before Katie and grandkids arrived since they were delayed until Friday. We did the deck and some outside trim but there is more to finish.
Yesterday, I began to paint the wooden planks on boat seats. Put on primer coat and today I plan to paint the seats a woodsy green?! Lowell says we have so many shades of green now… But this is Grandma Joan green and I am sure it will be just fine. Will see. I thought the inside of boat was tan but Lowell says it is salmon or rose??? Humm. Bring your sunglasses when you take out the boat!
Lowell went around and touched up the trim (yellow) on the windows; only problem was he forgot to change his shorts so his almost good shorts now have spots of yellow to go with white he added to them a year ago. Fortunately we discovered his lapse before he really messed up the shorts and he changed into his painting pants before he finished. Ah…. Memory is the first to go?
It is what you call Maine fresh today. Must have gone down to the 40s during the night and it is chilly now. I think the air outside is warmer than the camp but we did not turn on the heaters. We probably should test them since we have not had them on this season.
Shower water is beyond cool today. Guess if I really want a shower I will have to get it in the lake. Sure that is warmer than what comes out of the cold tap and we have no water in the water heater pending the arrival of the element.
We have to decide what we are doing this week about closing. Until then we are trying to take care of a number of “camp problems” that have surfaced.
Which brings me to the important point of just how much Ron and Marj and John and Donnie did to preserve Maine camp after Dad died. There are so many signs of their ingenuity and sacrifices to keep things running and to keep the camp for the rest of us to enjoy. No amount of talk can fully describe how many things they did and how much their talents and love are crafted in this camp. I am so grateful and feel so blessed they were willing (???) to put so much sweat and energy into the camp. I do wish they could enjoy it as much today as we are… most of the time. Hopefully the next generation will appreciate their work and enjoy it.
Right now we are looking at rebuilding the walkway to the dock which came apart when the dock shifted after we brought in the boat Thursday afternoon. Looks like the strain was too much for the old wood at the joint so now we need to figure how to rebuild/repair. I do wish they would have allowed me to take shop in high school. I know it can’t be all that difficult once there is a plan. Lowell has become pretty good at figuring solutions to our challenges here so maybe we can come up with a plan over the winter?
Right now we have to fix the window over the steps to the loft. The frame at the lock is separated. We plan to brace it for now. I had hoped to replace the loft windows by now but things seem to keep pushing that down the list of “to do’” items.
And we discovered what appears to be a break in the top roof. Must be 25 years since Dad and Ron put on that roof….That will be a job for a roofer after we sell the condo, God willing…..
For now we will hope it is not too serious. At least that is slanted so the roof will not hold the snow and ice as much as on the other two roofs…..hopefully.
Still have not solved the gutter issues. Lowell wants to extend gutter entire length of side near driveway so water doesn’t run to area of septic tank. Sounds good to me but we didn’t get to it this year so it is back on “to do” list…
Ah, good thing the paper is looooooong.
Oh well….. there is always something to keep us busy in Maine.
But lest you think it’s all work, worry not. Lowell is sitting at porch table playing solitaire and watching westerns. I am listening….as I write. And we see Red Sox games and other sports.
We may go to a concert tonight if we can get the paint off our hands and hair…
And we spend time sitting and listening to the loons and the wind chimes which are quite active today in the brisk wind. Love the sound of the chimes… like the clang/chimes we used to have here. Don’t know where they went but I do love the chimes. I now have two and maybe if I am real foolish I will buy one of those really big ones for next summer.
Speaking of big, I found a greenhouse here, thanks to Linda and Paul Voyer, which has GREAT BIG bird feeders which are squirrel proof. Will order one when I get home and retire the ones I now have which the squirrels attack with ease. The greenhouse is Longfellows and what a GREAT find… in addition to all kinds of plans and shrubs they have a delightful gift shop with all kinds of wonderful items…. Worth the trip…….
I have been fishing and just enjoying the chipmunks and the wind on the terrace. Really God’s country. And cooking and having fun with washing dishes in boiling water….
Well, it must be time for breakfast. And then out to paint…. And then to the dump (and swap shop) and then to the laundry.
I took the load of laundry to laundry yesterday but the YMCA had taken over the Laundromat and so it still is piled in back seat of car. We had to scurry last night to find warm clothes in the cool night but we managed. It is supposed to be cool for couple days and then it will warm up to 80s first of week. If we decide to close up, we will be leaving Thursday or Friday.
Wish we could stay longer but I can’t wear out Lowell’s good nature and patience with my dream camp… he has been so willing to make the trips and has really been a big help with all the fun projects….
Well, off to breakfast and work and play….. wish all of you could enjoy this as well…truly a gift from God from whom all blessings flow. Praise the Lord and thank you for your many blessings.
Love to all who read this…
Grandma Joan
No comments:
Post a Comment