A Partly Cloudy Sky On A Windy Lake Erie Morning

View Of Lake Erie At 7:59 AM

It's 7:30 and I am sitting in my sister Linda's family room, looking out at a rough Lake Erie. It's getting cooler here in Euclid, quite a contrast to Friday's 86º. 

Saturday began as usual with a nice long paddle, down to Sandy Bottom and back. We were leaving for Euclid around 1:30, so we had all morning to get organized, clean the kitchen, gather the trash and take it to the Transfer Station. So it was a pleasant, leisurely morning. We both showered, packed an overnight bag, and were on our way by 1:45.

Euclid Patio

Rough Lake Erie  

It's an easy two-hour drive and we arrived just before 4:00. Once we got settled and started catching up, as usual, Linda and Rich's kids started arriving to say hello, which is wonderful. Richie, Sally, and their two boys, Richie and Vince, stayed for an hour. Then, the mayor, Kirsten, and her husband Kevin arrived and stayed until dinner time. And their son Patrick came, because his wife, Courtney, was out of town, and he helped make dinner, grilling steaks outside on the grill. Like us, they have grandchildren graduating this weekend, Shea from the University of New Hampshire, and Owen from St. Ignatius High this afternoon. So somehow, they were able to fit us in for a Saturday and Sunday morning. By the way, the highlight of the dinner was Patrick's crème brûlée, the best we have ever had. 

Dusk

View From Family Room

It's always fun to come to Euclid because of the hospitality of my sister Linda and her husband Rich and the visits of their kids and grandkids. We last visited for a night in November, on our way west to KC and also in September, for their annual clambake on the shore of Lake Erie. We stayed up until 10:30, talking about the good old days and all the friends, teammates, and relatives we have lost, the downside of living into the eighties. We four are so fortunate as we always keep reminding ourselves

Today, we will sit down to a great breakfast, a brother-in-law special, then drive to Trader Joe's to fill up on goodies and wine for the summer, then head home. 

Clearing UP

 

7:01

8:21

It's 8:30, and I got in a decent 50-minute paddle. The forecast of rain never materialized, and blue skies and sun now reign. Unlike yesterday, I saw no interesting waterfowl, just the omnipresent turkey vultures. 

Kayak Morning

Some Blue In The Northern Sky

The Sun

More Blue

Friday was a busy day for both of us because we had two couples for dinner. That means Evie spends a good part of the day prepping dinner and I am her helper. The day began with a good paddle, the blog, and breakfast. Around 9:30, my boat guy called and asked if it was all right to bring my boat over. So about 10:00, he dropped the boat off, and I drove him back to his truck and trailer at the Prendergast boat launch. Evie had started prepping on Thursday, but no matter how organized she is, we both end up spending a good part of the day getting ready. I guess that's normal for anyone who preps for company. I just think it was easier when we were in our forties. Duh! No kidding; everything was easier when we were younger. 

Lunch was easy, the leftover pizza and I watched my show, read some, then took a nap and woke ready to help Evie in the kitchen. Most everything was done by 2:30 so we were able to relax until our friends arrived at 5:30, after we both showered. We were lucky it was such a nice evening, so that we were able to sit out on our front porch for the first time this year. We enjoyed our wine with a couple of cheeses, crackers, grapes, and edamame for the healthy ones. 

Dinner With Pat And Dave, Julie, and Tom

We had fun talking about the old days of Woodlawn, reminiscing about the changing families over the years, because both Tom and Julie grew up on Woodlawn in the 1950s and 1960s. Dinner was a rack of pork, cut into chops, a cabbage/cheese/ onion strudel, a salad and for dessert a raspberry cake. All were delicious,s and we sat around the table until 9:00 when everyone went home. It was a really fun night. Once everyone left, Evie put away the leftovers and went up to bed while I stayed up and did the dishes. I was going to watch the Celtics/Knicks game but when I put it on, it was a Knicks blowout so I watched an episode of my show, The Killing, and went to bed. 

Partly Cloudy And Warm

Great Blue Heron

7:37

It's just about 9:00 and I was out paddling for over an hour. At the moment, the sun is out, Evie's up enjoying her coffee as I begin the blog on a 67º morning. 

Kayak Morning

Sandy Bottom

North

Sun Over Long Point

Osprey

Same Guy

Heron Fishing At Mouth Of Woodlawn Creek

Yesterday was a bizarre day for me, typical for Evie. I was up early, around 6:30, and got in a paddle before driving over to Bemus for breakfast with Jack. I was home by 9:00, wrote the blog, and drove off with Evie at 9:30. I was dropped off at Keystone and picked up my Outback after getting new rear brakes. Evie headed off to school and I drove into Jamestown to Lifted Cannabis Dispensary and picked up a couple of tins of sleep gummies for Evie. On my way home, I stopped at Evans Liquors and picked up another more popular mood enhancer, a couple of boxes and bottles of wine. Next, I stopped at the bank and picked up some cash, and ended my stops at the post office. I didn't get home until 11:45, a surprisingly busy morning. 

I wasn't very hungry so I toasted two slices whole-grain bread, topped them with peanut butter and jam and that was lunch. I watched my show, The Killing, set in Europe, then napped for an hour after reading some. Evie didn't get home until later than usual, 3:30, and was exhausted from her kindergarten. I completely understand; they can be needy. I then did some yard work, pulling weeds and digging up some crabgrass. I hope to fill some of the low spaces and use some weed and feed. While I was outside, Evie started prepping for tonight's dinner, so we decided to have an easy dinner, pizza from Coppolo's in Bemus Point. I picked it up at 5:00, came home just in time for winetime. We had the pizza and a salad at 6:30 and the pizza was really good, with extra sauce and pepperoni. We watched Colbert, started a new show briefly, had enough, and went back to the tried and true, Everybody Loves Raymond. Evie went to bed at 8:30 so I watched the first half of the Denver/Oklahoma City game, won by Denver, tying the series at 3 games apiece. Game seven will be Sunday at 3:30.

Overcast, Some Sun, High In 70s

6:36

It's 7:30 and we are both up, enjoying our coffee. I just returned from a 40-minute paddle, my usual route down to Sandy Bottom and back. I am surprised at the lack of waterfowl, just a couple of mallards and nothing else. What's most troubling is the absence of purple martins; they should have arrived in the houses by now. It's 9:10 and I just returned from breakfast at Lake Life Cafe in Bemus, a good way to start my day, paddling, breakfast in Bemus, and yoga. 

East

Starlings, Not Martins, Unfortunately

Yesterday was a good day because we got things done. Our friend, Austin, arrived at 8:30, and between the two of us, we put together the dock ladder and mounted it out on the dock. After that, he power-washed some benches, and we took everything off the back porch and he power-washed it, the walls, and the floor. Next, he fixed some of the kitchen drawers so they move smoothly, and finally, he painted folding doors in the bathroom and closets. By 11:30, he was on his way to his next project, having gotten many things done. 

Although he did most of the work, we either helped or organized so by noon, we were both tired, maybe from insufficient sleep. By 12:30, I was enjoying lunch, the leftover stir-fry and looking forward to a nap. I was up and reading by 2:30 when I decided to get a few things done in the garage, taking down summer things like gas cans, window boxes, etc., all stored in the garage attic during the winter. Evie mowed on and off and got through most of the yard before she had enough, so I finished it off for her. Once I was done, I charged both batteries so the mower would be ready to go the next time Evie wants to mow.

5:56

We had our wine time and then fried potatoes, eggs, and salad for dinner, easy but good. We watched the usual because we couldn't find a series we liked, and Evie went up to bed around 8:30, after having some cherry pie, Yum. I watched the Knicks lose to the Celtics and then went up to bed to read my new book, The Whisper Man.

Overcast And Windy

7:12

8:07

8:07

It's 7:50 and I have been up since 7:15, listening to the wind, watching the flag flutter. Because of the 12 mph winds and waves, I  decided not to kayak. It would be too much of a struggle to fight the wind.

Tuesday was a different day for me, the same for Evie because she had school. I got in a good paddle to start my day and was back by 8:30. I then had a leisurely morning, coffee, breakfast and the blog. Evie was off to school around 9:30 and I showered and got ready to drive to Erie for an appointment with my cardiologist at 11:20. It's a forty-five-minute drive to his office, literally on Erie Harbor. I didn't wait long and was quickly weighed, had my blood pressure taken, and an EKG. I then met the doctor for five to ten minutes since everything was copacetic with my tests and afib. I left around noon, drove around the corner to the Bakery On Fifth Street, a Turkish bakery. For lunch, I had a su borek with coffee, and relaxed for a half hour before heading home. I stopped at the Northeast Exit on #90 to pick up a cherry pie and chocolate milk for Evie at Orton's Fruit Market. 

When I returned home, I tried to nap to no avail so I finished my book. I was having trouble with the brakes on my Outback, so I dropped it off at Keystone Garage and Evie picked me up on her way home from school. She was exhausted from school and I was tired from a bad night and driving to Erie so neither of us did much the rest of the afternoon.

We had our wine time, however, and by 6:15, Evie had the veggies and marinated chicken ready for me to stir-fry. I cooked the chicken first in the wok, added the veggies and sauce, and by 6:15 we were enjoying a tasty stir-fry over rice. We wondered why we don't make it more often it was so good. We have been having a hard time trying to find something to watch and end up always going back to Colbert and he news, Evie went to bed around 8:30 and I then watched the Cavs lose to the Pacers, ending their season. Yesterday, I forgot to mention that on Monday night we watched the Men's NCAA volleyball finals. Long Beach State, led by a 18 year old six foot ten setter/hitter from Sofia, Bulgaria, defeated UCLA 3-0. This kid is amazing and was named freshman of the year as well as player of the year. Remember his name: Moni Nikolov

Overcast, Drizzle And Windy

7:13

It's 8:00, and we have both been up since 7:00, wishing the sun and blue skies were back. It's 61º and supposed to rain a good part of the day, in fact week. I wasn't going to kayak but by 8:00 it cleared up enough for me to kayak for a half hour, on a wavy, windy morning. 

Kayak Morning

Paddling Into The Clouds

Monday started with a long paddle on a blue lake and sky. I was the only one out there, which surprised me because I would have thought that the fishing guys would start early morning fishing. They will come. We had the day to ourselves since neither of us had yoga or class. Evie wanted to mow and I had no plans other than checking the price on an aluminum ladder for our dock. So while she mowed, I drove to Mayville and bought a half-price special (supposedly) ladder for $120.00. And that was it for me for the day, buying a ladder. 

Evie took breaks while cutting the lawn, and I read, then heated up the last of the eggplant pasta for lunch and finally finished my series, Joe Pickett. Once Evie finished the lawn, we both sat out in the side yard on our chaise lounges, enjoying the sun, lake, and an 80º afternoon.  We enjoyed out happy hour outside because earlier, Evie had prepped our dinner, breaded two thick pork chops and popped potatoes in the oven. 

A Spectacular Spring Afternoon

The pork chops were delish, as good as a restaurant and along with baked potatoes and a salad, we were both happy. We watched Hometown, then a Colbert before Evie went up to bed, tired from the day. I then watched the Knicks defeat the Celtics, going ahead in the series 3-1. I didn't stay up to watch the Timberwolves defeat the Warriors. I am getting my fill of basketball.

Sun, Blue Skies, And A Light Wind

Great Blue Heron On Dock

7:33

8:41

It's 8:45 and I just returned from a 50-minute paddle, a bit boring because of the lack of wildlife, no herons, no ospreys, no eagles. It was nice, however, to be the only one on the lake. Just as I was about to publish, I noticed the above heron on our neighbor's dock. 

Kayak Morning

Spring Blue And Green

Sunday was a day of rest for both of us. We didn't get much done, just sat in the yard or the TV room.  I did get in a good long paddle to start the day, finished the blog, and had breakfast by 9:00. Since our neighbors' grandsons were coming over to play at 11:00, we did get a few things done. Evie took the covers off our porch furniture, cleaned the front porch while I worked on our docking poles, and attempted to organize my messy garage, putting things we no longer need in the attic. When Arlo and Louie, arrived, I decided to go for a bike ride in Mayville, so I mounted my bike and parked in the Mayville parking lot. I was not very enthusiastic about riding, but I did it, out for 50 minutes, on Webbs Trail, then down and back on Sea Lion Drive. A few bikers and walkers were out as well because it was such a beautiful morning. 

Webb's Trail

I was back by 12:30, and when the boys left, Evie made me a Turkish omelet and a bagel. I watched my show, then, because I was tired out from biking, I took a nap and read some. The rest of the afternoon was a waste, as neither of us did anything other than enjoy the afternoon, watching the boob tube, sitting in our yard, surfing on our phones, reading, or just enjoying the beauty of a Sunday afternoon. Why do we feel guilty when we don't get something done, when we fritter away an afternoon?

We were happy when 5:00 arrived so we could do something, have our happy hour with a glass of wine and some goodies Beth sent Evie for Mother's Day.  It was such a surprise to receive a Wegman's delivery. We had planned on a pork chop dinner, but neither of us felt like fussing so we enjoyed the leftover pasta and eggplant from Saturday night and put the chops off for Monday.  We watched Colbert and 60 Minutes and when Evie went up to bed, I watched a few minutes of the Cavs getting destroyed by the Pacers, a sad day for Cleveland fans. I watched another episode of Joe Pickett, wondering when it was going to end, before going up to bed.