beluga

beluga

Sunday, September 1, 2019

End of summer

The end of the summer season is here, already....   There will still be plenty of nice weather until we leave, just less people around to share it with.    We haven't been doing anything much different since I last posted - it's summer at the lake!

If you're still interested, I'll show you some pictures.

The weather has been up and down.  Rainy and sunny.  Hot and humid, dry and cool.   Interesting skies and rainbows.


something's coming!


morning fog

One week was so rainy and damp that we had to take plastic bags out on the dock if we wanted to enjoy happy hour without getting a wet seat!    We won't be deterred....

 
We continued to enjoy the company of old friends....some older friends than others.   I reconnected with my very first girlfriend this summer.   Our mother's were best girlfriends and Patty and I spent a lot of time together when we were little girls.    We lost track of each other in our late teens, each going our own way.    We haven't seen each other for at least 35 years, she'd met Dave when we were all 17 but I'd never met her husband of 39 years!    It was such fun.   The two guys got along famously and Patty and I talked and talked and compared our "adult" lives.   Still so much in common.

Patty and Jim

One Friday we drove out to Dave's brother's campsite on Lake Alice.   We had a great visit and then went out for hot dogs and ice cream - it may have turned out to be a two ice cream cone day but don't ask about that......

Arline and brother Mike (also, Dave's knee)

A few days ago friends Judi and Barb came down for another overnight.    We took a peaceful boat ride around the lake and then enjoyed Bushy Tails and corn outside by the warmth and light of the chiminea.    After dinner we stuffed ourselves on Judi's homemade cheesecake and watched movies.

Barb (her nose is healing nicely)

Barb, Lewis and Judi

Visiting friends aren't just of the human persuasion.    We have a couple Mergansers that work the cove waters almost every day.    We consider them friends.


looking for dinner

The Rabbit Room continues to be our Thursday night dinner preference (with Tom and Robin most often) but our favorite waiter, Michael, has quit to take another job in Geneseo.   Word going around is that the owner's of this wonderful and unusual restaurant will close it down soon to concentrate on their other place here on Conesus Lake.

Tom commiserates with Michael on his last night

We've tried eating there (The Hook and Spoon) a few times, most recently last week.   A Rabbit Room caliber restaurant nearby would be wonderful for us.  But... it's not the Rabbit Room -  not the food or the service or the ambiance.  In our opinion it isn't the sort of place we'd return to.   Sigh.

interesting hanging fish sculpture at the Hook and Spoon

We don't just eat out, even though it sometimes sounds like that.   We're in the middle of farmland here and summer's bounty is irresistible.  Last week I used that morning's freshly picked sweet corn, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and basil to make New Orleans' inspired maque choux.    A few grilled shrimp on top made a yummy dinner for the two of us.

Maque Choux with Shrimp

Our  marigolds and zinnias and coleus are waning.   Their programmed summer strength is giving out, their time is short.    Weeds, however, never seem to fade.

pretty, prickly thistle



Lewis is still enjoying his summer life.  "Getting busy" wherever he wants with no one at the end of his leash, getting a drink in the big water bowl when the spirit moves him, barking at passing boats, sleeping in and fishing after dinner.

the tiny radio controlled boat drives Lewis insane when it's operator zooms it around near our dock

he's not happy about this girl "surfing behind the sleek ballast boat - he thinks it looks boring.


Lately we have added a new dimension to his second cup and happy hour routines.    Usually he lies quietly beside us and gently accepts tidbits of whatever we are dunking in our coffee/tea.   For the past week, however, we've given him a raw, meaty bone to gnaw on when we're outside.   He LOVES it....thinks he's died and gone to heaven.

nom nom nom, slurp slurp slurp

He takes it from my hand and hustles down to the grass or into the ivy without a backward glance.    He turns away from us and chews and chews and chews.   I'm hoping it will clean up his teeth a bit since the tartar has become to build up. 





Today a small boat parade passed by our dock.   A sweet, small town end of summer ritual.     One boat was pulling 4 water skiers behind but I wasn't fast enough to get a picture. 



nearby Lakeville's fire boat


My lap top hasn't been feeling well, shutting down unexpectedly for a month now.   It's been to the doctor a number of times so I hope this blog will post without incident.   Finger's crossed.














9 comments:

  1. Of course it has a lot to do with the timing, but we found the BEST veggies in NY. There'd be a bag and a coffee can in front of a house with a note suggesting a $5 donation for a full bag of whatever we wanted ... and we ate it all!
    Hope your winter travel plans are coming together, looking forward to where they may lead.

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  2. Such a sweet winding down of summer...time with friends and family, sunflowers, and end-of-summer rituals at the lake. I'm so glad we got to experience the Rabbit Room with you this year, and so bummed that they're closing down. It truly is a unique place.
    Your Maque Choux and shrimp looks delicious!

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  3. What a sweet post...so peaceful and relaxed. We always enjoy the updates and stories on Lew. So sorry the Rabbit Room will be closing. The sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds remind me so much of summers in Georgia. Although my favorite were the Black-eyed Susans. Hugs to you, Dave and Lew...gay

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  4. What a perfect summer you have had! Lewis looks so happy, he's in dog heaven.

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  5. I can't tell you how many of our favorite restaurants closed when they were still doing well because the owner wanted to try some new concept or the lease terms became unreasonable or something else. So frustrating... We had several go-to places in D.C. that shut down out of nowhere. Always so disappointing.

    Love your weather photos - especially the foggy morning one. Such a great capture! The end of summer boat show is certainly bittersweet, but a nice way to welcome fall. I have never had Maque Choux but it's on my list now!

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  7. Who needs to go out for dinner when Sue Bank is in the kitchen?? Shrimp dish looked amazing.

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  8. That varying sky is wonderful. Love the foggy morning!! Great to have such entertainment to enjoy on your beautiful deck. How fun to reconnect with Patty after so many years. Bummer about the Rabbit Room. It just doesn't seem fair!! Glad Lewis is enjoying his bones while having to put up with those pesky water nuisances - lucky boy.

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  9. I would say you have the most relaxing summer at home. Reconnecting with friends especially with your long lost friend Patty! That's a lot of years to catch up and fill in the lost years.
    So Lewis like chomping meat from the bones, (of course mine is cook!)hmm did he know that I like doing that too :)
    The Maque Choux looks and sounds yummy, should I research the recipe or I will get it from you? Ha ha
    The morning fog looked ethereal!
    Cant comment again!- ML

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