‎63 Years of Memories....

‎63 Years of Memories....
that's what I have now. The photo below shows the chair on the point which for so many years was my father's favorite after-supper place to contemplate and cast for walleye. As much as I feel guilty about what's happened, I know he would understand and even say there's nothing to forgive. He lived life fully and moved on many times. I'm the one with the unique experience of being attached to a beautiful place for my whole life. And despite all my best efforts, yesterday the 'cabin' was sold. I signed the papers and, truth be told, a weight was lifted. A new life lies ahead without the obligations, but with all of the wonderful memories. My unrelentingly positive attitude says this is truly how it is, but my heart is still sad.

There are some things in life for which the balance between the obligation and the joy of ownership often cannot be sustained forever. It became clear that I was no longer up to the task of taking care of the place quite a while back. However, knowing what needs to be done and doing it are often far apart. Finally, no choice was left. It had to be sold.

Now it's gone. No more worrying about how long the grass or how deep the snow is up there. No more sublimely pleasurable early morning cups of coffee sitting on the dock when the color of the lake is like pale blue glass and the air is completely still. No more endless repairs, high taxes, and utility bills. No more late nights around the fire pit with friends and family - warm from both fire and friendship. No more frozen pipes or emergency calls to the furnace guys. No more saunas and midnight skinny dipping that make you feel like you'll live forever while your connection with nature is confirmed by the gazillion stars of the milky way and the loons calling out in the dark. No more concerns with low well water levels or water so hard and full of iron the clothes turn yellow and your newly washed hair feels like brillo. No more finding the way home by boat in the dark after a long day on the lake feeling like this is the only place you really, really belong. No more praying that the boathouse will make it another year without collapsing. And ultimately, no more making new memories with friends, family and loved ones. No new memories, that is, at Half Bay, Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN. New life... here we come!

How do you thank a place for memories?

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Soren goes to RenFest

This little guy took us to the Renaissance Festival last weekend.

the festivities...
...entertained Soren to no end.
The actors

The art.
One for Tania.
A fuzzy critter for Britta.
Back at home.

I know this post is kind of an overload with photos. Each of them is pretty good but click and view full size for the caterpillar, queen, dragon and old man photos as there is a great deal of detail that isn't readily seen in the smaller format.

Recently I have been posting more and more photos with fewer and fewer words. I have always considered myself more of a writer than a photographer but it is very fun to tell my stories in new ways.

The differences between photographs and written words aren't as they seem. With a photo you are seeing a present tense expression of a different time. I look at the scene and compose with forethought a photo that tells of a "now" that is past by the time you see it. With the pen, I use my memory to recall a past that becomes the "now" when you are reading it. I find enjoyment in regarding the differences between my thens and my nows.

Even now I find myself writing about how to tell the story instead of writing the story. I think these photos speak well enough for themselves but keep your eyes open for a good written story coming soon. I wouldn't want to get rusty and I have this beautiful new keyboard that I need to wear out. Now if only I could find my way around this blasted writer's block.

Until next time...
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1 comment:

Lottie Dah said...

The ongoing saga of Soren is ever so intereting. Thanks for the photos and words about the photos taking the place of words. :)
What I'm getting at is your creativity and 'good eye' come out whatever method you're communicating with. I can't wait to read/see more!
Hugs to that little guy, his beautiful mom, and you!
Mom
ps Anubis is too cute!

10:13 PM

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