Monday, August 31, 2009

he's how old?


another photo I thought I'd have to share. in keeping with lake-side birthday laughter, this was from 'the river' on my birthday.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Colin's 30th Birthday

August 24 is the day the world celebrates the birth of that remarkable individual, Colin George Haspedis Dixon. His nearest and dearest usually look forward to celebrating the day WITH him at Twin Lakes. This year we all suffered without his physical presence but we kept his spirit in our hearts and thoughts, making decisions we knew he would be making for us, were he there.

The day began with sunshine on the lake and Canadian geese shouting his praises. Lynne and Linda started the day on the golf course. Amy and Erin headed into Couer d'Alene to do a little bit of work at the wifi bakery, in order to feel free of work for the rest of the week. Barb and Claudia rode bikes into Hayden for coffee, enjoying the comfortable morning on the Rathdrum prairie.

Around 2:30 pm everyone convened on the dock. Anita was already sipping her first G&T to start the celebrations off right. Sunscreen was passed around and banter shared. Lynne commented on the great waterski book in the cabin (from Colin to Barb at Christmas). Barb threw out the challenge: Hey, why don't Lynne and Claudia and I triple ski together? Lynne said, " Sure- great idea!" and we were off... I just stood there stuned while all was prepared around me and before we knew it, but after a quick G&T for courage, we where on the lake. Linda had her initiaion as a ski boat driver and all went extremely well. Who even believed it would happen- not BARB!
Of course Cameron was entertained by the episode, so Lynne asked if he wanted to ski with her and Barb. He said maybe Wednesday but Lynne and Linda would be leaving next day. As soon as Kurt got home from work, Cameron and the Haspedis blonds were out on skiis. It took a couple of tries for Cameron to get the wiggles out and feel confident, but he made it up and so did the "girls". That is what the lake is all about- passing on the tradition of prodding and pushing from one generation to the next. Great times!!

Now it was time for the kids to perform. Amy disclosed her shame at not jumping off the swinging tree 10 years earlier. Lucky days! The cocktail cruise that evening passed right in front of the swinging tree. With Erin's tutaledge, Amy followed up to the platform and quickly plunged into the water to the applause and toasts from all.

But the day was not over. After a great dinner, wine and relaxing there was just enought time for "peep smores" around the fire. The stars were bright and the evening warm. As Claudia moved away from the fire to enjoy her her perfectly roasted peep, she stepped off the patio a little higher than she judged and sprawled along the driveway. " Where is my peep?" she queried after assuring all that she was uninjured. The beam of the flashlight found it stuck to the back of her shoulder! Really, can a day be celebrated with more hilarity!

So Colin, you were missed in body but loved and celebrated in spirit. The coming year can only hold more adventures, hilarity and love with this kind of start.

Love,
Mamallama

Friday, August 14, 2009

Girls weekend and beyond

Girl's weekend kicked off August but the sunshine was not around much to show us how August in Idaho is suppose to feel. Still, there was lots of relaxing and fun to be had. Barb made us all feel like slugs by doing the Coeur d'Alene triathlon with a best ever time. She has now recognized a new training module for success: train all winter like crazy then, when the sun finally comes out, eat drink and make merry. This seems to result in equal and better times on the racing circuit. Next year she may push the envelope to see where the breaking point between training and drinking really sits.


It was a small group at the lake this summer, just Anita, Barb, Judy and I but we truly focused on relaxing. We read on the dock, swam ever so often and took walks every day to keep moving. It was actually pretty difficult to return to accomplishing tasks on Monday, when we all returned home. Judy had the most to face, what with final tasks moving into her new home and out of her old one. Clint is getting married in 4 weeks, so there are all kinds of family arrangements to make her insane as well. Even she acknowledged that is took 3 or 4 days for her to care about the insanity. That is the sign of a GOOD vacation. She is now starting to think about retiring!.
Barb is carrying on in Seattle, drinking coffee and putting on rain gear for the first time since May. We still want lots more summer and are hoping it returns for Erin and Colin so we can all play just a few more times. The boat needs a better work out at pulling skiers. I have been working on fiber projects in the wet days this week but plan a big garden weekend this weekend, to start pruning for fall and of course redesigning a couple of spots. I planted a few fall vegetable crops with hope and a prayer- green beans, peas and favas. It is surprising how dry my soil is despite all the rain. There have also been lots of kitchen tasks- drying sweet cherries from Eastern Washington,baking chocolate zucchini cupcakes, making peach pies, drying a few of the peaches before they spoil and making blackberry jam. All part of summer, with more harvests and preserving to come, I hope.
Now I am to the post office and a few errands. I hope everyone is feeling the warmth of summer and remembering to use that warmth as an excuse to enjoy the moments of living each day. It is never easy to make time when life demands many directions from you but if you don't make the time to stop and share smiles of happiness and love, all the other directions become tangled and lost. So- make time today to laugh when you might not feel like laughing and have a slow walk when you think you should be running.

Love you,