And The Lights Went Out

7:00

7:01

7:07

It's 7:30 and Evie and I are sitting here, drinking coffee, listening to NPR, ogling the lake, empty of summer people, their boats and jet skis.  Here, at Chautauqua Lake, the lights literally go out the day after Labor Day, as things tend to close down, many weekenders bring in their boats, lifts, and docks and things slow down, traffic diminishes, yet one of the most pleasant months of the year begins.  It is hard to understand but I am not complaining.  Today might be the last day of summer weather, as tomorrow, weather changes, the rains and cooler weather supposedly are coming.  The weatherman, however, has been wrong before.

Labor Day was uncomfortably warm and humid, as we almost wilted when walking outdoors. Nevertheless we did, after all, its Labor Day, the last day of summer.  As I mentioned, I kayaked early, to avoid the swarm of boats and then jumped in the lake to cool off, a great way to start my day.  We then cleaned up the kitchen, dirty from the previous night's dinner, and I watered our plants, much in need of rain, as many are beginning to turn brown.  Despite the heat and humidity, my intrepid wife, went out to enjoy the dock, swimming, reading, what we do at the lake.  We were waiting, actually, to boat over to the Viking Club for their annual Clucks and Bucks benefit.  Unfortunately, when we arrived, there were no slips open to park our boat, so we raced home, jumped in our car and drove over.  The club was packed, inside and out, with members drinking beer, eating barbecued chicken.  We knew a few of the regulars, those we have gotten to meet on Wednesday's during the winter, but for the most part, all were strangers.  We sat outside because of the dining room and bar were packed and hot, picked up our half of chicken, with potato salad, beans and rolls, but neither one of us were too taken with the chicken, too much salt and dry.  It was much better last time.  We stayed to see if we won any of prizes...we didn't and went home, a bit groggy from an afternoon beer and dinner.

We then took it easy the rest of the afternoon and early evening, sitting on the dock as the lake began to empty of weekenders, the air began to cool.  I am really into my book, EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU, so I was happy.  It's a Chinese American family drama, which  pulls the reader in with a shocking opening: "Lydia is  dead. But they don't know this yet.  1977 May 3, six thirty in the morning, no one knows anything but this innocuous fact: Lydia is late for breakfast."  When I read these lines, I was tempted to put the book away but continued on, glad I did.

Around 7:30, we decided to take a boat ride over to Bemus, to say goodbye to summer, to the last evening for the Lenhart Hotel.  Bemus was settling down for the evening, a few boaters out, a few people on the porch of the Lenhart, no one on the floating stage or dock of the Italian Fisherman. The lights were beginning to blink, fade.  It was a lovely night to be on the lake, the sun setting behind Tom's Point, as we slowly boated home.  Few lights were on any of the homes along the lakeside.

A 7:34 Sunset At Tom's Point

When we got home, we both were hungry, so Evie fried us some duck eggs, a bagel and we ate watching some of the US Open, the Ohio State Football game, and HGTV's 'Tiny House, Big Living.'  I was anxious to get back to by book, so I went up early.

It looks like a kayak morning for us, the lake placid.  We love it.