It’s the 5th day of the UBC and July. I’m counting the days. I used to hate July when I was a child. July meant no school, nothing to do. In small town Saskatchewan, everyone seems to go away to the lake for the summer. Everyone, except us, the Chinese families who have a cafe. Now, in the big city of Saskatoon, everyone still seems to be away at the lake. That is except me and the guy. It’s by choice though.
We did the lake thing for a few years. It was new to me. It’s not that I didn’t like it BUT. We even had our own lake lot and trailer. Though I didn’t hate it, I was not enamoured with lake life. For one thing, it was a bit lonely. I didn’t fit in with the lake community, being a newbie to the scene. There was not a lot outdoor activity. You can only walk so much a day. Besides, the only people walking was me and my dog, Sheba. I didn’t see anyone biking. In fact, I didn’t see many people out and about. Where were they – in their powerful boats and big 4 season cabins?
I guess I’m a city girl even though I was born in a village in China. I remember a time of no electricity, no running water and outdoor toilets. How time flies and how we change. And how I digress. This is not at all what I mean to talk about! I meander and now it is July the 6th. I ran out of energy and failed to finish and post.
8 o’clock Sunday morning and the sun is shining bright. I look up and out the window. Two little birds are perched on the deck railing and one in the hanging basket – a lovely and cheery sight to start the day. My deck is another sight to behold. That was my big project yesterday. I was tired of the dust and dirt, all my seeding trays, containers, potting soil and what have you on it. Then there are our shoes that we never put away/rid off. I set my mind to at least cleaning it. So by gosh and darn, I did it. It is not perfect. I haven’t thrown out anything and it’s not all put away. But it is ordered enough there’s room to sit and to walk around. The big carpet is hosed off and drying a covered raised bed. The sky just clouded over. Oh, summer time when the living is not so easy.
energy
onethousandandtwo 
I live in a lake community. In the summer lots of tourists come. The community feels so alive for a few months. Then… they all leave… and winter sets in and it’s quiet and peaceful.
Lily, we could probably each write a book about not fitting in. I am proud of you for walking the dog around the lakeside, even though there was no one else. I am also proud of you for clearing the porch room and washing the carpet. Some days are meant for small achievements, not huge ones. You are precious, regardless of the size of the achievements.
Thank you, Kebba.
For me, I think I would perfure to walk around the lake with my dog. I never much fight in with anyone, so you are not alone there.
Thank you, Brenda. Somehow when we don’t fit, it seems like we’re the only ones. It’s nice to know that is’t so.
Sometimes, just sometimes, you need to go to them. Don’t wait for others to come to you. I know, its not easy.
Which lake are you talking about? I’ve been to Candle Lake.
We were at Bright Sand Lake near Turtle Lake. It’s a 3 hour drive from here. We no longer have lot or trailer.
We have a trailer on a lot at the lake. I love going there, but I have to admit that when I’m there I do get bored and think of all the things I should be doing at home. lol
We’ve sold the lot and trailer. They now require that you build a permanent building on your lot.
A family member lives on a lake – has lived there for 20 years now – if not more! You sound just like her – and the same with the tourists! LOL.
My wife always talks about wantint to live on the water – but that would be on the ocean! I would prefer the calmness and tranquility of a lake. With that said, when I went to school at Rochester Institute of Technology, we would head up to one of the great lakes, Lake Ontario. That is a great lake for sure!
Thanks for sharing!
That’s a big lake! My partner sold his previous sailboat that he built to someone down there. He drive all the way from Ontario to Saskatchewan to get it.
This reminded me so much of that Sex and the City episode where Carrie tries the cabin weekend with Aidan — she bakes a pie, burns herself, gets eaten alive by mosquitos, and bolts back to the city. Her verdict? “Squirrels are just rats in cuter outfits.” 😂
I don’t think I’d be a lake girl either… unless the cabin had Wi-Fi and a mosquito forcefield. Still, I love the quiet moments you describe — and a freshly cleared deck is a serious summer win.