Sunday Snippet

The One More Embarrassing Moment Edition...Sigh

Holy cats, kids, it's Sunday again! No idea how that happened. It's been an eventful week here at casa Reinhardt, although as I look back on the last few weeks, what sticks out is work. I've been working a lot this month of June and now as July appears on the horizon, I find myself wondering what happened to the first third of summer.

But this week has been all about fun and lake life because I had my dear friend Minnie with me for a few days up at the cottage. It was delightful to share the lake with her and I think she had a good time. I sure did and so did Husband and pals Mo and Har. We swam the first swims of the summer and water was chilly but grand. We did lunch at the winery--great wine, good food, and wonderful company. We took a couple of boat rides and showed Min the amusement park and enjoyed the sun on our faces as Husband took us all around the lake.

We got take boat rides because we got the boat in the water finally--motor's running like a top, thanks to Husband's mechanical skills. One rather embarrassing moment for me happened before we launched, which I'll share because I know y'all love it when I give you an opportunity to laugh at/with me. Our landlord usually launches the boat for us, but he wasn't available, so his son did the honors this year. K is a sweetheart of a kid--just graduated from high school and has big plans for his future. We've watched him grow up in the last 14 years and he's charming and kind and smart as a whip.

Anyway, the story--which Min is no doubt still giggling about, and I'm trying to laugh rather than cringe when I think of it. Min and I asked if we could ride along to put the boat in the water with Husband. K graciously, said, "Of course." His pickup is a nice one, but he's added about six inches to its height. I had no idea what that meant, but it didn't worry me a bit as I came up to get up into the back seat area. I figured just put one foot on the (very high) running board and shove up, right?

Nope. Could not launch myself into the truck. The knees just weren't cooperating, and there was nothing to grab onto in the small back seat. Finally, K, the darling boy, put his hands on my butt and pushed, while Minnie pulled from inside. Terrified I would tip backward on K and crush the kid, I finally fell into the truck. Poor K is probably traumatized for life after having to cup a 71-year-old's behind and shove her into his truck. He was so good-natured and kind--if you're reading this, K, you're a peach! Minnie and I laughed every time we caught each other's glances for the next couple of days. So yeah, lake life...ya know? Sigh.

Son's fishing boat is in the water, too, which makes him very happy. We all agreed, "Okay, now it's summer!" Isn't it funny how we count our time with events like that? And how much comfort we find in those kinds of things--getting the summer cottages open, putting the boats in the water, first swim of the season... our summers may not be full of new and exciting adventures, but they are full of comfort and joy.

Summer writing moves along. Cassie, my new heroine finally started talking to me. It's odd how that happens. Sometimes the people are right there from the start, and you can't write fast enough to get their story told. Other times, the story is there, but the people are quiet for a while at first or maybe just one of them is talking to you. Bo's been chatting away, but Cassie's been in the shadows. It's coming along though and I'm so excited about my trip to Montana next month, so I can really know and experience the setting where I'm writing.

Life goes on, and when I manage to step away from work and writing and breathe in the beauty of my world, I see that despite all that's happening that is so terrifying right now, life is really very good. How about you, mes amis? You doing okay?

Gratitude for This Week: Time at the lake with Minnie; the boat is in the water; first swim of the season was wondrous; a fun lunch lunch at the winery with good friends; a fun wine tasting with family and new friends on Friday night

Stay well, keep speaking out--it's our best defense, always choose kindness, and most of all, mes amis, stay grateful!