Forest Bathing

It’s a real thing; you can pay money to have someone guide you through a bath.

But, no guide necessary here—just follow the path…the big loop path…down the drive, by the TotoTom pier, past the big, raised bed garden (under construction), alongside the chicken coop, and then along TotoTom Lake to the point, where you turn to ascend the ridge, keeping Interlachen Lake on your right, eventually wending your way back toward the cabin where you follow the flagstone path around to the flight of stairs leading back down to the boathouse. And, the whole way, all along the route, enjoy the company of trees—many trees, a variety of trees, magnificent trees. Red oak, red pine, white pine, birch, hemlock, locust, alder—and some of these trees have been here for ages. Big Bertha, a towering white pine, challenges two people to reach around her trunk and is perhaps 150 of more years old.

Oak

Oak

Fern

Fern

and Paxton wandering among the trunks

and Paxton wandering among the trunks

Good Buds…

…redbuds, that is. Quick visit to Oconomowoc to say hi and drop off a few things, then back home to gear up for serious packing. As of now, the trailer and truck are rather well loaded.

Yes, the border is still closed, and we are locked out of our summer home. But on the up side, we have been invited to the Janowiec summer home in Lac du Flambeau, where we will have diggings in the boathouse. (Both families have been sheltering carefully, so the risk is low while the benefits are high.)

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Nota bene: the old fridge seems to be working somewhat consistently, so the new fridge will be cancelled come Monday.

Shade, Glorious Shade,

or, Bees Among The Blossoms. Maples in full leaf. Oaks and apples halfway there. And, on a hot and sunny day, shade is appreciated, not least by Pax. I’m pretty sure he’d like to go jump in the lake.

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Puddle on the floor this morning beneath the fridge. Motor burned out, after running continuously for 10 years. A refrigerator is a useful appliance, and living without requires a little adaptation.

BULLETIN: Five minutes after I wrote about the demise of our refrigerator, it came back on—after being dead for over 12 hours. Is this the stuff of miracles? Should I take a photo of this miraculous machine and post in online? (Of more practical interest, should I cancel the order for a replacement?)

Tranquility Base

All quiet in this little town. Lots of people walking dogs. Many singletons out, but widely spread—batting baseballs, jogging, shooting baskets, riding bikes, playing the French horn.

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Farmer’s market operating, but in limited fashion. Most people wearing masks, and everyone providing lots of elbow room. Two bags of boc choy, two dozen eggs, and a bunch of spinach.