Adventure 760: Ferguson Family Lake House/Post F

Last night at the lake this year. Most of the thin gruel has been forced down our gullets. We've extracted as much beach time, water time, berry time, game time, old memory time, and of course several belly laughs. It's been a good week. We've booked this place for next August. It suits our numbers, our demographic split, and we've all decided the beach front is exquisite. Today is Judy and my 33rd wedding anniversary. When we started blending this family back in 1989, things weren't quite as rosy as they are now. Let's just say there were a few bumps and bruises along the way. Some say time heals all wounds. In our case, time has led to bonding. It's pretty satisfying. We feel lucky, content, and can honestly say that life is good, especially today.

Our morning ritual: Cribbage. We play penny a point; nickel a game. We pay up every month.

Sarah enjoying a little quiet time with her phone.

It might be artificial intelligence.

Libby put out a little snack tray.

Emily entertaining Falcon.

Poor planning in terms of her anniversary, but it was Mimi's turn to cook.

Falcon doing some "boy" stuff.

The "Cool Cats" gathering around the buffet table for dinner.

 Liz and Judy off on an excellent adventure.

Mimi saying, "That's all folks."

Adventure 759: Ferguson Family Lake House/Post E

By the fifth day of lakin' all bets are off. Everyone has melted into whatever shape and routine they want. We still had two die hard huckleberry pickers, but the rest of us found a corner of the universe to exist. Some bathed in the bright sun. A few hid under cool covers inside. All did whatever they pleased. Such is the way it goes when life is good, especially today.

Nothing better than creating art. Here's my duo: a bass and a small accordion.

Libby looking good.

Thunder and lightning on the way.

Selfie of the day: Just us.

More lightning on the way.

We've headed down to secure the waterfront.

Mother Nature is truly awesome.

Liz strutting her stuff.

Holy Migas, Leticia!

There goes Tia in the kayak.

Hey Falc, see that fish?

Beach babe.

  

Just listen to what I'm saying, Falc.

A pair of Mimi's looking good.

If we're lucky we'll see another fine morning.

 

Adventure 758: Ferguson Family Lake House/Post D

We think the more the merrier, so we were happy to welcome Liz to the fold. We're uncertain about the status of the fire North of us, but no planes circled today. We did see a couple of helicopters trailing buckets head toward the fire. The main adventure today was Leticia and Sawyer trying to master the air wing while riding the paddle board. The rest of us did normal lakin' stuff. Some went huckleberry picking. Some played in the water.  For dinner we enjoyed Angela and Sawyer's spring rolls and pineapple fried rice. Yummy to the tummy. Dessert was a poor sister. Mimi put out a few red vines on an upside down casserole lid she used as a serving dish. Truly meager. We then numbed our minds with three rounds of Mexican Train. Seriously though, many laughs sprinkled themselves amidst the turns, so naturally, life is good, especially today.

Really, just a candid shot.

Make your own spring role.

Wing sail girl, Leticia, just a minute before she becomes famous.

Fancy dessert tonight.

Coming up Mexican.

Mimi started the day off with her dad's famous Abe K French Toast.

Young chef in residence, Sawyer.

Selfie of the day: Better living through grins.

Emily hiding under one of Falcon's pillow forts.

Tia taking Falcon on a kayak ride.

Abe K French toast with huckleberry syrup and fresh raspberries. Maple syrup optional.

Liz says, "I can figure this espresso machine out.

Tonight's chef team.

Liz and Bonnie waiting for the "cool cats" to move through the spring roll line.

Adventure 757: Ferguson Family Lake House/Post C

A squadron of four water planes spent the day circling the cabin dropping gallons of water on the fire North of Lion Head. Right now, it's a zero contained burn about forty acres in size. The planes, along with two helicopters, dropped water most of the day. The reports says about seventy personnel are fighting on the ground. Hopefully, the firefighters will be successful knocking this thing down, but there are no evacuation notices right now. If the wind changes, that could too. As for the lakin' crew, today was create your own adventure. One bunch went huckleberry picking, another went kayaking, and still another took the paddle boards out. I hung out under the umbrella watching Falcon dig in the sand. Tough duty, but someone has to do it. I made a come back to edge Sawyer in a close game of horseshoes.  For dinner, we enjoyed Libby's enchiladas, corn salad, and watermelon. Another excellent meal. Justin showed up just before dinner, so that's good. You should have heard Falcon squeal, "Daddy's here!" Tomorrow, our friend Liz Ulmen will join us, so more fun will be had by all. Clearly, life is good, especially today.

Libby whipping up enchiladas and corn salad for dinner.

Water planes sucking up water to douse the fire.

Emily "air walking" off the piling.

I think this was the "ringer" I threw to edge Sawyer 21-18.

Tia

Falcon snarfing the enchiladas.

Dad and son fun.

The view from the deck.

Falcon taking a break.

There goes that air walker, Emily.
 

Adventure 756: Ferguson Family Lake House/Post B

Chad Gearin, a private pilot and Sawyer's dad, flew into the Coolin airport from Portland. We enjoyed a visit with him at lunch and then he took most of the crew flying over the lake. All reports indicated great fun, a bit of nervousness, and a most excellent adventure. Mimi, Libby, Sarah, Falcon, and I held down the fort. Every time Chad flew by he buzzed pretty low by the cabin, tipping his wings in salute. High quality fun for the crew. Otherwise, it was lakin' as usual: beach time; food; game time; food; nap time; dinner; Mexican Train; watermelon and biscotti for dessert; bed, most likely dreams of what we'll eat tomorrow. As for today, a good time was had be all, so naturally we think life is good, especially today.

Falcon, freshly showered, smelling sweet.

A view from the cockpit.

Mimi showing her kayak form.

There goes Chad!

Chad on take off from the Coolin airfield.

The cousins, or grandkids, however you choose to look at them.

A fire just North of Lion Head had water planes working to douse it all afternoon.

Mimi and Libby enjoying the five o'clock Mojito.

There goes Chad!

Angela and Sawyer off in the kayaks.

Sarah working the paddle board.

Leticia getting ready to handle the "stick".

Tonight's thin gruel: Mediterranean  chicken with pita, greek salad, and tahini sauce. Yum.