Time

Time never stops.

Time is one of those things like death and taxes; it passes by at a continuous pace, and we can't stop it. People say time is precious, or time is fleeting, or time flies.

A dog waiting for the time to walk.

Part of the year, I have the gift of extra time, and part of the year, I can't seem to find the time to slow down and sleep or take a deep breath.

Summer is my active time.  Like a bird building its nest, I flit back and forth to social engagements, meetings, walks, porch chats, and trips to the beach.

This summer, I realized just how full my days are when I tried to sit and write posts for this blog.  It takes time to think and create a written work.  Creating a written work takes time, from selecting photos to crafting words, and I just can't find enough of it!

Fernanda and her friend Alex during a brief trip to Alexandria.

While driving the other day, I panicked because I had still not finished my Japan notes.  Travel posts are very time-consuming to put together.  When we travel, I love to take photographs.  The Japanese trip alone was closed to 1000 photos which means 1000 photos to peruse through and decide which ones are just right.

Sesquicentennial quilt made by members of Bay View

In addition to writing the blog, I volunteer on several committees in the small community where we live.  For decades, I never did anything other than follow the kids around and make dinner.  Grownup children mean more free time.  But the only way a community such as ours will continue is if we all take our turn volunteering.

A flower on a local nature trail.

Almost a decade ago, I had more time to myself, so I volunteered on one committee.  The first couple years, I didn’t add much, but I attended meetings and learned the ropes.  Since then, I have joined another committee and worked on a special project for the music program here.

Bay View Brass students performing at a Cottage Concert.

Since music is an integral part of summer time here, I like to give back to the younger musicians who come to learn and perform here for eight weeks each summer.  This past week we had a Cottage Concert in our backyard. 

The soaring sounds of brass instruments filled the streets and yards around us.  As the young musicians played, a gentle breeze blew, and a chickadee darted through, adding its own song to the performance.  It was magical for all who were there. After the concert, we sat in our house and had pizza and drinks, while getting to know eacvh other better.

Summer concert at a local nature preserve.

Summer time also means trips to our small community library.  This building holds so many memories for me.  I remember two summers as a youth curled up on the second floor of the small brick library reading every original Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery I could.

To this day, I make a point to stop by the library once a week to select a new book to read each night before bed.  And if it is a rainy day, I will spend the entire day on the porch, or on a cheery yellow couch inside, sewn by my mother, reading.

Summer also means time spent walking with my lifelong friends.  It also means lunches at Julienne Tomato and ice cream at Yummies after dinner.

Kayaking is an excellent way to spend time.

Sumer also means kayaking down the Crooked River with a friend who works for Little Traverse Nature Conservancy, exploring recently donated property that needs a name.

Meeting of the Michigan Welsh Terriers

Several weeks ago I hosted a Welsh Terrier party at our cottage.  Welsh and their humans drove from down state to spend time together with my two, walking around our little community and going for a dip in Lake Michigan.  It was an afternoon of barking, sniffing, marking and great conversation.

Celebrating Roberta at her White Coat Ceremony this summer.

The time I have here this summer is limited this year because of two special occasions.  First, our eldest daughter, Roberta recently celebrated her White Coat Ceremony, signaling a recognition of her future career as a doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

Secondly, I am taking an entire week from this place I love to go fishing in Ontario, Canada with three other people.  I have never fished on a small boat for an entire week at a time.  I also only know one of the three men that I will be fishing with!

Sailing on the Angelique last year was out of my comfort zone.

So, as I mentioned many posts ago, I am once again going to step outside my comfort zone and see what time spent fishing reveals to me.  With no town nearby, I will have plenty of time to learn and share with my fishing companions.  With very little light pollution to interfere with the night sky, I will be able to tilt my head way back and look for shooting stars.

Moon over the Potomac River, Alexandria, VA

When I come back from fishing, it will almost be time to return back to Virginia.  Time will begin to speed up again, and I will long for the time I get to spend here in Michigan, where my days are busy but time is well spent and treasured.