Summer is here, spreading a fine layer of pine pollen on my newly cleaned surfaces, as I attempt to clean the lodge porches. Eight weeks post-op for a radial head replacement on my elbow after a fall, I am cleaning and opening up as a one-armed bandit.
Weeding the perennial garden is daunting, but two days of rain made my single-arm weeding easier. Peonies, Irises, Geraniums, and Social Garlic are in bloom. Lupine and baby Irises flank the campcraft hut. It used to be so much easier to lift myself off the ground in my younger years when weeding and I bemoan the aching bones.
This season my hubby is scraping and painting hut one next to the lodge. The screen door, main door, and trim will get a fresh coat of white paint to offset the olive green siding of the other buildings on our property. This is the first summer of total retirement for him, as we sold Wicker Hills Golf Course to his cousin Judy Stuckey and husband Mike from Texas. (Daughter of our ex-partners Blanche and Aaron Starks.)
My goals this summer include assisting members of the Hale Historical Commission with a summer exhibit with a great portion of the Camp Maqua memorabilia and artifacts donated by me from the lodge. My other goal is lofty—attempting to bring back the donated photos, albums, camp sentimental saves, and news clippings back from the Greater Bay Region YWCA archives. When the offices moved a few years ago, the accessible archives were moved to a vault with no public access.
Ex-camper Laura Taylor recently visited Camp Maqua. As a long-time resident of the Bay area with numerous connections, she promised to help me with my endeavor. If there are any contacts in alumni land with connections to this project, please email me at walkbake@gmail.com.
We’re expecting three of our four children and their families this summer. No family will be present for the ever-delightful 4th of July parade on the lake, but we expect a sunny day for the fun of participation and joy of those who go over the top decorating their boats. Photos to follow!
Happy 2021 after a year of isolation and changes. Throw open the doors and windows on the world and in your place of happiness!
