Closing up the Cottage

It’s hard to close up the cottage for the winter. The cottage itself is somewhat rustic, with the odd creature comforts such as running water. On the other hand the water is lake temperature and hot water is heated on the stove if you must have it. There is an outhouse a walk away from the cottage no comfort there but it does have a water tap and a basin. I think it is the quietness of the place that I enjoy. At night, the absence of sound is somewhat is startling. Except that lone mosquito that seems to be buzzing right near your head when you’re trying to sleep. I’ve gone on mosquito hunting excursions in my cabin, armed with a flashlight and bare hands I would follow that bug until it’s whine has been silenced. Nobody bothers to turn the TV on except late at night and the radio is mainly used for weather reports. I get to read when I’m there. That is a luxury that when I’m in the city I just don’t have the time for. Sticking your feet in the water and just staring out across the lake, letting thoughts skip around with abandon. Helping out with the ongoing projects, which I should do more of but if it involves a ladder I just can’t get up the nerve. Here I am conjuring up images and memories wishing we could make just one more trip up north. On the last boat trip back to the landing where the truck is parked the waves were horrendous and for the first time I was actually worried that we were going to be swamped by the waves. The weather in the fall is so unpredictable that it is too chancy for another trip across the lake. I guess the closest I’ll get to the cottage until the springtime is a desktop picture of the lake.