A Summer's End by Janice Carter

 The summer isn't really over yet,  but by the time my next post is due, it will be. It's turned out to be a hot, humid one for the most part here on Garden Island, at the beginning of the Thousand Islands in Canada, where the St.Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario, where my family and I have been fortunate to hide out from the realities of Summer 2020. In spite of the sobering news stories every day and the dread that lurks constantly in the back of my mind, there were some highlights.

1. The area here opened up another Phase so we could 'bubble' with our small family - two adult daughters, their partners and our toddler granddaughter - for all of July. Living with an almost-two-year-old was both rejuvenating and exhausting at the same time. We ate our meals out on the deck, where the cottage's crew of chipmunks (or chippies, as we call them) quickly learned to hang out. When morsels of food were accidentally dropped, they were instantly carried away. My granddaughter thought this was amusing and began tossing bits off her high-chair tray regularly. "For the chippie," she deadpanned when scolded.

2. Each summer some island resident (or two or three) gets an itch to play a prank. Last year there was a 'murder mystery', complete with yellow caution tape, the outline of a body and clues planted around the island. This summer two large trees were axed by power crews because they were rotting and beneath power lines. When we wandered down the lane one morning, this is what we discovered. The site is now a magnet for photo-ops, usually with children.

3. City living doesn't permit much star-gazing, for lights are never really dimmed. Spotting the Comet Neowise with binoculars was a big highlight for me. It seemed to be suspended in the night sky, like some organism beneath a microscope, though it was traveling at phenomenal speed. Apparently it won't be seen again for about 9,000 years - a fact that stayed with me all night afterwards, as my mind dwelt on the immensity of the universe and our own small place in it. (If only I could have taken a photo!)

4. We're always more aware of the weather here, than in the city, so sky-watching is a daily past-time. We study the clouds, guessing when bad weather might be on the horizon. 

Storms are breathtaking and awesome in their power and strength. Fortunately they're seldom dangerous here.

But nothing compares to sunsets in a sky unimpeded by tall buildings, trees and power lines. We never tire of watching.

5. A personal highlight this summer was the release of my 14th Harlequin romance, His Saving Grace. We had a small celebration with Champagne - just my family and just the way I like it.

In spite of the ever-present threat of Covid-19 as well as national and global problems, we managed to enjoy our summer. Looking back on this list, I know the highlight that meant the most - and always will - was the first one. And in that, I also know I'm not unique.

How was your summer? Special highlights?

Thanks for joining today!

Janice Carter