I spent the week getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend at the cottage. I waxed the bottom of the Glastron boat and tomorrow I'll launch it. Last weekend I put in the dock by myself. Where the hell were all our kids?
I turned on the water system for the summer several weeks ago. It took an hour to get the "sand point" system filtering good clean lake water. I mowed the grass, washed some windows and put screens on the doors and selective windows. Where the hell were our kids to help?
I went out to Menards to pick up extra life preservers, a fire extinquisher for the boat and some towing ropes for water skiing. I bought some things for smaller kids to play with like goggles for diving, floating toys, shovels/buckets along with some extra lawn chairs. Where were our kids to haul all this stuff home?
I just got back from taking the boat to gas station to fill the 20 gallon tank plus I filled up three auxillary gas cans. Did I mention a special trip to our local boat dealer to get outboard motor oil to mix with the gasoline. I don't remember the correct ratio of gas to oil. Where were our kids to help?
As the cottage season begins, the refrigerator needs to be restocked. My trip to the grocery store includes pickles, ketchup, mustard, soda, buns, snacks and meat for grilling. I forgot the charcoal. I paid cash and my receipt says $235. Lots of bags. Lots of 6 packs of soda (and beer). I filled up the trunk of one car. Where were our kids?
Tomorrow morning we will all pile into the car with the boat hooked up behind and trek to the cottage. Everyone has a different intention for how the day will unfold. Did I mention that several kids brought friends to enjoy the weekend.
Can this be right. Tomorrow (Saturday) they are forecasting rain. Oh, sh--! There go the plans. The fantasy is in jeopardy. Wait, we'll switch plans to Sunday. Oops! We can't run our outboard motor boat on Sunday. Only sailboats are allowed. Then I remember we can run our motor boat on Sunday until the second weekend in June. This is getting complicated.
We arrive at the lake. Our neighbor Floyd has planted some trees on our lot line. Floyd also raked all his weeds and debris from his frontage onto our sandy beach. What a guy!
Undeterred we clean up the mess from Floyd, the boat fires up, kids jump into the water, brats hit the grill and the summer begins. Now I know where all the kids are. They are here!
By now you know I am only dreaming about days gone past. The cottage life represents a different fantasy for everyone. Despite all the preparation and work, we were lucky to have the special place with the best location on the lake. It was a fun time.
Wishing you an enjoyable (non-cottage) Memorial Day weekend.
Love,
Dad
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