Ruth Lake

After a few days off I thought I had best get back and write a few lines. I will be gone on vacation for the next week. My youngest daughter and grandson are going up to Ruth Lake with me and we plan to just plain relax. I have dibs on the hammock!

The very first thing we do when we arrive at our place is to put the American Flag out. The flag is also the very last thing we put away before leaving. The lease lot that we have had for about 25 years now is really special. It is one of the few places that have oak trees on it and it just has a real charm to it. It is tucked away and very secluded. The property around the lake cannot be sold so they lease out the lots of which there are only around 200.

After the flag goes up we throw a table cloth on the picnic table and insert
the large crank up umbrella. Once that is done the place starts to feel alive. Of course we have to make things ready for nightfall so we have a few strings of light bulbs that go from pillar to post to tree. They really light the place up and cut back on the number of Coleman lanterns we need to fire up at night.

The first thing you notice when you arrive is the wonderful smell in the air. The heat brings out the smell of the trees and brush and the aroma is intoxicating and fresh. Since we dwell on the coast where we are used to the fog we also appreciate the bone penetrating warmth from the sun.

When night falls and the campfire is lit we also bring out the bug zapper. I am proud to be a redneck ~ and it is something that no redneck would be without! I am here to tell you that some of the beetles out there are ginormous! There is no better way to relax than sitting around a campfire telling stories. It is a great time of year when we all catch up on each others lives.

It is also true that food tastes better when you cook outdoors. Why is that? I particularly like it because everyone pitches in to prepare a meal and it does not fall on just one persons shoulders! You have to eat early in the morning before the yellow jackets wake up ~ but we have bee traps everywhere so they usually only visit if you put off breakfasts to long.

I cannot wait to put my "floatie" in the water and read my book. It is the rare time when you actually have time to read more than a chapter. I have been known to read two books in a week ~ and that is the only time I have that leisure. It is hard to believe that summer is almost over. I hope to soak up enough warmth to carry me
through the winter.

Until next time ~ God Bless ~ Cheryl