I was sharing with my friend Paula in Canada that I spend most of my time in communication with people elsewhere: Oregon, NYC, CT, Michigan. I go to the post office here and see this music event or that theatre happening taking place, none of which I will attend. I love the lake, but do I socialize at all?

And then, lo and behold, I was out kayaking this morning and I ran into Melanie Sikh who used to own the house next door and now has a cabin a little further away, but still on the lake. She was out paddleboarding and sharing about her 4 children who are similar ages to mine. One son had recenlty passed away (so young!) She then told me about another son who bought the Mary Chase – once an Inn- that overlooks Little Squam Lake. (I had wondered who bought that.) And that he’s marrying a girl who’s mother lives on that lake. By the time we parted, I was full of her story.

I paddled on and waved to Chris as I passed by his house, one in a group of 4. He recently bought the place and clearly loves it: I see him all the time: swimming, boating, playing with his daughter.

I noticed no one was home at the next property, David’s. He’s had tough foot surgery and rented his vacation home for the month of July. I’ve seen these renters in other years but they must be spending time in the mountains this year – I seen them only once swimming in the lake.

As I got closer to home, Maggie Mumford was sitting on the shore: she had just finished a swim and was waiting for a boat to come back from the island her family owns. She apologized for all the swear words I might have heard when she tripped and spilled prepared food she was trying to carry to her dock. (Darn! I missed that!)

This afternoon I went on a walk with my close friend Jan. What do we NOT know about each other’s lives? We are close friends.

It’s her sweet grandchildren that stopped by on a hot day in early July. Thank goodness Jonathan (“Uncle Dow”, or as Sophie tells me that he now is “Uncle Wow”) was along. The 9, almost 10 year old girl and her 7 year old brother wanted to try every swim toy. Never mind that the wind was ready to blow them away in a hot minute! Those 2 had all 3 adults on our feet!

I didn’t want them to blow up on the beach near Helen and Howard’s house. Or the next dock that belongs to Phil. And where is that nice gentleman that comes up from CT every summer and swims from what looks like a mile to get to my swim dock?

Okay, so I know a few people. A few good friends. And others: acquaintances. enough to say, hi and chat a bit.

This summer is the first ever that I haven’t had at least some of my children visit. In prior years the issue might have been about had how to organize who sleeps where. The place sleeps 15 comfortably, but the groupings are the complicating factor.

I had thought I might feel terribly lonely. this summer. I do feel sad that my famliy can’t be with me to enjoy this place at its prime. But this summer? I had expected I might be busy with business, but it’s BUSY. And I knew I wanted time to heal from Lyme but, it’s hitting hard.

So – when do I feel lonely?

When I talk to my neighbors and they see me alone, I think they think…. But do they?
Meantime, I’m taking notes on what floaties or kid kayaks, etc., might make next summer that much more fun.

And I’m planning: business will be ALL SET by then.

And Lyme will be history.

“I just got in from a dip” – soggy Peaches.