A Summer Like No Other

I guess we can all say that about our summers this year. Here’s a summary of mine.

March

For me, summer started a little earlier than usual. March 21st to be exact. Alone at the time in Florida, I remember feeling increasingly anxious and isolated as the crisis built. What if I got stuck there? What if they got sick at home, and I couldn’t get to them? What if I caught it flying back? What if I gave it to someone flying back?

When I finally made my decision, it was quick and inexpensive. Flights were readily available and cheap. I made it back home (maskless because masks weren’t a thing back then) on a cold, clear day in March without apparently being infected or infecting anyone else. And my summer began.

April

After a month of nesting in the new condo (so much to organize!) without ever venturing out even to the grocery store, my thoughts kept traveling to the lake. But would New Hampshire welcome those of us from the red state of Massachusetts? Was driving up there an okay thing to do? We filled the car with gas and Instacart-bought groceries and headed up with the intent of going from point A to point B and back to point A with no other points between.

Walking in the door that first time was, of course, difficult. Our departure the previous fall had been sudden. So I was greeted with a sweater draped over the kitchen chair. Reading glasses on the side table. A pair of Crocs at the foot of the recliner. All items to put away one last time.

That kicked off a summer of clearing out cabinets and closets. My mother was a funny one. For example, I found new kitchen towels stored in the back of the bathroom closet. I’m guessing she was saving them until the current kitchen towels, like this one, were ready for her well stocked rag piles located under every sink in the house. And in the laundry room. And in the garage.

The towel struck me as funny. First, I wondered what she considered to be her first talent. Second, I’m not sure I would list cooking as one of her talents. Yes, two or three of her recipes – ones that she cooked back when we were young kids – are favorites among the grandchildren. But she didn’t do much experimenting.

Which is why I was surprised to find a stack of recipes snipped out of newspapers and magazines and printed out from emails that she saved away. Like these:

The last one cracked me up because, back in 1977, she was cooking for a family of six or seven.

May

Okay, back to the summer. (Sorry, this is going to be a very long post. Settle in and take your time.)

As I said, we got a jump start on the summer and got the dock in the water before the last snowfall.

We had a number of celebrations up at the lake this summer starting with Nicole’s college graduation. Yes, she was one of those seniors in college who got sent home early to finish up her classes remotely. The celebration was actually quite special – sipping mimosas while attending an online ceremony that was well conducted by the college. After the ceremony, we picked up the new boat with a slightly inebriated Nicole in her cap and gown. The salesperson did not think it odd at all.

Later that month, we worked up the courage to take a longer road trip. To New Jersey. Where Meagan and Chris have their first house. Because we could not do touristy things or go out to eat, Meagan was worried I would be bored. Ha! I patched and painted a few walls, did some electrical work, installed a new utility sink, and cleaned out the shed.

June

In June, we ventured out once again. This time to my grand-nephew’s Christening where a small group of us were socially distanced in the church and lunch was outside. I hadn’t seen this little guy since Christmas, and I wasn’t able to hold him that day. Imagine me not holding a baby within my field of vision. I had to dampen the frequent urge to tackle anyone who went near him who was not in his immediate circle.

July

As with many of you (though not all), this is when we lost quite a bit of our self control. Here are some of the things that we did:

Heather traveled on a plane from LA

with a dog.

We had a memorial service for my mother and a wedding shower for Amber. On the same day. With the same guests.

Meagan told us SHE IS HAVING A BABY.

Because we could not social distance at Braun Bay, we established The Yellow Buoy Bar with our own line of seltzer. Moody Seltzer. Because the world needs another seltzer.

We also created an amazingly funny TikTok video. One that needs to be watched often to catch the nuances and details. To this day, I cannot understand why it didn’t go viral. It’s driving me crazy, but I can’t get it to embed here, but go to this link. I don’t think you will need an account to see it, but if you do, follow Olivia, Nicole, and Lil’ Carrot Nose.

August

At this point, a few of our North Carolinians decided enough was enough and joined in on the fun. As did a couple of boyfriends. (Funny how all the lake pictures show us holding a beverage.)

After a 10 day quarantine period (close enough?), part of the Murphy clan came to the lake for a few days. This time I got to hold the baby. NEXT SUMMER HE AND HIS COUSIN WILL BE HERE TOGETHER.

September

Summer was still going strong at this point when we attended Amber’s wedding at Foxwoods the lake with about 180 30 guests. It was wonderful wonderful. Heather attended as a bridesmaid. With a plus one. Dave attended as the minister. With a plus one. And Nicole crashed. With a plus one.

And, oh, the setting for the bride and groom.

All wedding photos by Kelsey Converse.

October

Over the long weekend, while enjoying grilled cheese and tomato soup (which Dave insisted on making because Megan was not there) and cider donuts (because Meagan was there), we buttoned up the place and called an end to summer.

Yes, it was a summer like no other. One with the weight of striking a balance (the right balance?) between risk acceptance and risk avoidance hanging over our heads. One of quarantining and swabbing to mitigate those risks. One of missing family and friends who were kept away because of the risks. … And one of thinking of my mother at just about every turn when at the lake.

On the other hand, it was a summer just like any other. One with sun. And fun. And love.