The story is about this cottage and its magic

Hi Joe;

How did you enjoy the long weekend?. We were invited out to visit the in-laws at the cottage and this was an experience worth telling you about. The visit went well, but it’s the aura of the cottage that intrigued me the most. Other people just wouldn’t notice things that I was attracted to.?

The story is about this cottage and its magic on me as I first viewed it in its cornered shaded and heavily treed lot. It had a certain timeless grace to it and its little nooks and carnies held little stories of their own. As I wandered around in the cottage I saw lots of well worn furniture and special blankets, pillows and afghans in each piece as well as the beloved wooden chairs. And the pictures on the wall old and faded and significant.

And then there is the smell of the cottage. Many different smells and complex aromas have been generated with the people going about there daily lives and enjoying the simple pleasures this offers. Its like opening a can of coffee and you breath deeply and the calming effect this has on your self, the cottage has the same effect as well.

The bathroom was small, about the size of a closet on the boat. You think this area would have been the largest for the amount of people that depend on it. Maybe there was an outdoor can that was available for the men only. No, more discussion on that, but I can sure write a story if required.

There was no air conditioners, a ceiling fan in the kitchen, it was the cross breezes from windows and screened doors., Certain doors gave a squeak in protest of been opened and closed. The appliances all had their certain uniqueness and you could see notes to help the next cook figure out the stove. Charming and homely would describe this place and I could imagine all the special memories this place held to the Family. It was like putting on a comfortable sweater against the cool of the evening.

There no electronics, no TV’s, no phones, just a radio with rabbit ears, that captured some faraway signal, once in its life. A few jig saw puzzles and game boards were stacked neatly in the cupboards. Kids will bring their hand held games but there is a time limit on them, enjoy the out of doors, play with them later.

And the outdoor family Fire pit is always ready to warm and cook snacks like s-mores. It had a character of its own and it was easy to see why it was close to the house as many meals were served off its hearth. Gas Bar-b-ques are more efficient, and will in time replace this timeless treasure.

As I looked around, no dusty bunnies or cobwebs were to be seen, either very good house keeping or the breeze sure is stiff in here. There was a bit of carpet but mostly good old vinyl flooring and it was in good shape. The bedrooms were all arranged for adults and kids, so theoretically you could have slept anywhere. It was well cared for and neat as a pin when empty of guests.

The front deck was ample, with tables and chairs, perfect. There was a lot of room and with a rail on top to hold your plate of food ,all you need is a chair and that’s how you eat your meals. You could see every one and talk without our spraying them with your food. Ain’t, life grand.??. Life experience, priceless.

But, because of the age of the principal owners this was surely the last year this cottage would have its original Families here as the place was going to go up for sale and no one was willing to buy it and carry on the traditions. I think that, All the special memento’s would go in the trash and then it was a done deal. The usual kids treasures of stones, drawings and feathers and pieces of drift wood.

That is a sad thing, as the grandkids and their ilk will never know how unique this place was to their great-grandparents, thee grandparents and the parents where they sent all summer long here, learning to swim, growing up and bonding with the land they called the Summer Place by the Lake. Telling a kid about it is one thing, but let them live it, the experience, is another. Lessons about life.

I don’t know what the reasons are that the younger age group of kids are turned off about. If it’s the price of the cottage or the hassle of getting there that makes less attractive. Perhaps the lack of luxurious accommodations and surroundings. They are perhaps the ones that find going to the “the Blue Mountain Chalets” as perfect source of activity. Not, the same.!!

Best time of all is when everybody is making supper and dinners and as the burnt offerings are been prepared on the Holstein grill and its smoke and aromas whetting everyone’s appetite. Hot dogs for the kids and burgers for the adults with corn on the side and a famous homemade salad and crusty buns.. I can imagine the noise as everyone was digging in and trying to talk with a mouth full.! Towels and napkins, please.

Its like ritual happening 3 to 4 times per day that a makes this all special, all I know is when you are near water you are always hungry and the kids are twice as hungry. Cooking outside is better than a hot kitchen, everybody gets a break and only one is a fryer aka a cook.

That warm and fuzzy feeling you get when its over, plates are loaded, people fed and your dinner is cold. Yes, been the camp cook, is a privilege all onto its own.!! No dishes to do.!! And you are expected to do this again.??? Anybody else, want a turn??. Many a fine times are spent at this location and the chats that were held, beyond priceless.

This nostalgic moment is brought, by Many Beers and Ales, and mighty fine wines, brought here ever since the cottage was built, a lot of malted beverages was consumed here, processed here and left here to mingle with the earth from whence it came. I am sure if you scouted around you could find some empties of glory days waiting to see the light again. Cycle of life, you bet.!!

Hey, Joe, want to buy a cottage, I hear we can get a real deal.??. ,those nooks and carnies sound interesting .!!.