Sun Rising Through Mists

6:57

7:06

Up at 7:00, in time to see the sun break through the clouds, the lake a piece of shiny glass, and it's 65 degrees.  We had a heavy rain yesterday afternoon (6/10ths of an inch to be exact) so everything looks washed and clean, the grass and garden, a rich green again.  It's amazing how a little water can change the natural world.  No wonder the ancients worshiped water as a magical element.

Yesterday, the Tuesday after the Labor Day, felt like the area had emptied, few if any boats on the lake, one person next door, some docks in, a quiet day, with some leaves on the ground, as summer in my mind has  officially ended, fall begun.  I decided to go for a bike ride yesterday morning, hoping to explore some of the roads in the area, seeing how I could navigate the hills (I couldn't).  I rode down #394, starting with a ride through the campground, then down to the CI, back to Davis Road, then over to the Stedman/Chautauqua Road.  I started up the first hill, quit as it was too steep, and just headed back to Davis, down to Victoria and home, across the Woodlawn and Victoria yards.  Ten miles, about an hour, discouraging because the hills defeat me.  Obviously, I have to train more vigorously, get in good enough shape to ride them.

Later in the afternoon, Evie went off to Lakewood to do some shopping, get some things done and at 4:00, the Mc Clures and I met Evie at the Lakewood cinema, just as the rain was starting, to see the film Hope Springs, with Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carrell.  We all liked the movie enough to give it a B or B+.  The acting and writing made what could have been your typical stupid comedy not only funny but touching, even moving, as a couple who have lost their way, with the help of therapist Steve Carrell, rekindle their feelings for each other.  Carrell plays the part with empathy and care, no humor, such a different role for him.  There are funny moments, mostly the result of a curmudgeonly Tommy Lee Jones, whose metamorphosis is the center and most moving part of the film.  Stay for the credits, a celebration of love and marriage.

For dinner, we drove through a heavy rain storm to the Rod and Gun, had a few beers at the bar, blew a bundle trying to win and bundle, and had dinner, the specials, Swedish meatballs on noodles or stuffed shrimp.  Our meals were average, as we expected, nothing too excited, as Ron says crappy but cheap.  Not crappy but not worth writing about.  We are slowly figuring out where to go and when around here after thirty one years.  For example, movies on Tuesday because soda and popcorn are half price, Wednesdays at the VFW for wings, Saturday at the Rod and Gun for prime rib, Thursdays at Taco Hut for half price Mexican, and Taco Tuesday at the Viking Club.  You can tell we are all on retirement and soon, we will be going to the 'early bird specials.'