So much has happened this summer it makes my head spin to think about it. I've camped, kayaked, hiked, cooked, performed, traveled and marketed for the past three months in a constant frenzy! Mom has done really well with her rugs in the farmers market and now has her rugs on display and for sale at the Cooperstown Farmers Museum and Fenimore Gift shop.
I also got to spend three days camping with my dearest friend from high school. Once I got her out of her house. We did what ever we wanted. I took her kayaking on the swamp. The last time we kayaked the swamp we only got ten minutes out and had to turn around to avoid a thunder storm that quickly descended up us.
The next day we packed up and camped site 210 on Limekiln. I've known Jen for over 40 years and thought I knew just about everything there was to know about her. I was wrong. I remember as teenagers, I talked her into camping trip with my family on Raquatte. As I remember she came along but wasn't really happy about it and went home early with some friends of my parents as they were there a week ahead of us and had to leave. On this camping trip I learned from Jen that her parents took Jen and her sister camping many times as kids. ON RAQUATTE no less. I never knew that! Anyway Jen wasn't to impressed with Limekiln as its a busy family oriented campground. She said to me she was further out in the wilderness staying home. I chose Limekiln as its close to Inlet and has toilets and showers not know Jen in fact was an experienced camper.
So we got through her hot flashes and since the next morning dawned a blue sky gem we packed up and drove out to Stillwater.
As luck would have it with boy scouts and other boaters and campers buzzing around the pavilion. We got campsite 45.
After a short visit with Luke the ranger, Mother Marion and Joe. We loaded the kayaks and set out for site 45. My favorite place on the planet. It was love at first site for Jen as she stepped upon the private golden beach. She stood there taking in Stillwater's surrounding beauty and tranquility and said, "So how much did you pay for this site? " I laughed and said, "Nothing!" "It's free!" "All you gotta do is get here!" LIke me she walk around setting up the tent and kept repeating. FREE FREE This is FREE!
What a time we had drinking peach champaigne and other spirits. Singing, laughing, kayaking, cooking in the beautiful wilderness of the Adirondack mountains. I will never forget the great time we had. I do regret one thing tho and that is for not taking off my treasured silver celtic rings. I skinny dipped the last night we were there and the water took both rings right off my fingers. I will kayak out on Labor day weekend as the water goes down at summers end and if fate allows, I will find the rings. I keep my fingers crossed.
I lost my dearest friend Ed this summer. His time was coming and we all knew. Aurora came home and found Ed dead in front of the TV on July 31st. I was in Stillwater waiting for Ryan and Julie and the grandchildren. We had Marion's camp for a week. I was sad but we had fun collecting "ED" rocks for the grave site. Bill built Ed a little coffin and buried Ed out back. I see his grave from my kitchen window. I also found a lovely piece of driftwood from the Driftwood God Beach and brought that home for a grave marker. The amazing thing is, is that when Bill dug little Eddies grave, he dug up a horse shoe. Yep! Ed was a lucky dog and we all loved him so. Ed was the Club Ed mascot and chef stow away dog.
His last days tho were not so happy. I'll choose not to remember these and only the good. No more dogs for a while.
Skyway is coming! We have a lovely line up this year and I'm looking forward to is as always! David Grace had painted another lovely sign for the southern end of the park and Linday Szybist, being the Adobe photo shop queen that she is has out done her self again in poster design.
My mother has entered into her 70th year and Malcome his 50th. I helped Nancy and together with the help of her long time girlfriend put on quite a party!
While cleaning out and elderly ladies home, Bill came across of old vinyl records in mint condition and brought them home. I found a record player at BJ's built to look like and old time wooden record player for only ninety bucks and brought that to the party. Everyone had a hoot playing the old records and reading the covers.
I have a really busy weekend upcoming with 3 gigs back to back. The Colgate Bookstore Book Fair, The Colgate Inn then the Clinton Arts and Music Festival the next day. Labor Day I have a private party in Stillwater. The Skyway Festival on the 12th then....VACATION! I miss my empty days to write and record. I have another CD brewing in me. It will be interesting to see what the next batch of songs will come from me.
