Relatively continued

This time a marriage, an up event after attending a cousin's funeral Thursday. Congratulations to our nephew Jim and his new wife Kelly on their marriage Saturday. He is the son of my sister Kathy. Nice ceremony and reception. Ian had come home for the weekend to attend which was terrific for Carol and I in of its self. Saturday was the end of a hot and muggy stretch of weather and with a brief period of scattered thunderstorms none of which amounted to anything the temperatures and humidity dropped making today ideal to catch up on the general yard work leaving time for reading and napping on the deck. I guess I'm ready to get back to work without anything to complain about.

Relatively lost

In life there is death. Yeah, that's not profound, probably a quote from somewhere. At the very least it's an obvious reflection. Today with other family members I attended the funeral of one of my many cousins. He was 9 years younger than I and it was an illness that laid him to rest. He was someone I never got to know and remember him more from childhood. Looking around at his surviving siblings and their families and other cousins plus aunts and uncles I have a passive detachment with their lives that plagues me when wishing to connect with them. Repeated several times today as at previous funerals "it's too bad that we only seem to get together at a time like this." Too true, time and distance is probably the main reason and the lack of time and energy to make it otherwise.

BTW, if that wasn't someone's quote... put me down for it.

Water time with the ladies

Finally dragged out the kayaks for the season so Carol and I headed to Crescent Lake where we met up with her sister Elaine for a paddle on Tenney River to Panther Pond. Sunny and muggy - didn't matter, just nice to meander along and be on the water. Some regular traffic share the river with us, canoes, other kayaks and motor boats at traveling at less then wake speed.

Carol and Elaine enjoying some drifting.

Hitchhikers welcome.

Family day on the shore of Panther Pond.

Another family we passed on the return trip which I believe were Common Mergansers. There may have been 8 or more duckings but before I got a good bead on them with the camera they spooked and left the scene like their tails were on fire.

 

Blogger at rest.

True summertime in Aroostook County

Another 4th of July has rolled around and Carol and I have hauled the camper up to the lake. There are other family members here at the camp so like pass years we’ve brought up our rig as have Lois and Jim. Ours is parked overlooking the lake while Lois and Jim’s is up the by the roadway with a sight through the trees toward the lake. Hard to do better at most campgrounds we stay at. The weather has been terrific, on the muggy side but being at the lake makes up for it. So, as family gathered lakeside in the evening of Wednesday the 3rd the preliminary firework displays began from several camps along the shore, many more than previous years since its now legal statewide for private individuals to buy and use them within local community’s ordinances. Thursday, the 4th began with the Swedish Pancake Breakfast at and benefiting the Christen Boys Brigade Lodge. Later in the morning was the Town of Stockholm 4th of July Parade then back to the camp for lunch, reading, napping, game playing, whatever. I grilled up some chicken for supper then it was back lakeside for the actual holiday’s fireworks and a campfire. Today everyone is going in different directions, other than a quick trip to gas up the truck hanging around the camp has been the order of the day foe me and will be the evening as well. Tomorrow, looks like we might leave about mid-day. A lot to get done Sunday before going back to work Monday.

 Sunsets are a little more to the right than I take during my August vacation.

 One of the "I have fireworks but can't wait until tomorrow" displays.

 Prime campsite as taken from the lakeshore.

Let the parade begin.

 Some of the Swedish clan with 1st class front row seating.

Yep, that's my brother-in-law Greg enjoying the Parade from within.

Here's myself, Ian and his cousin Lena and her husband Jim L. playing a game of Forbidden Island. The island sank - we lost.

 Various boaters passing by.

 Lois  and Jim heading out to pay a visit to some family friends.

 Greg back from an afternoon run. Patches keeping him company.

 Pre-fireworks sunset.

Patriotic passerbys.