cottage life
April 19, 2010 
The days are long, up with the sunrise and down with the sunset. Those are the days of my cottage life. I have spent most of my summer lives at a cottage, first with my parents, then renting a cottage while my children were young and now at our cottage on an island.
My question, why am I two different people? I have my cottage persona and my town identity and as I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for the ice to melt to allow a safe passage over to Hunter Island, I wonder why am I two different people.
Perhaps the explanation is the warmth. You see being warm is my favourite state of being. I love the sun, hot weather, snuggling under my quilt when the cool morning air blows off the lake and when the sun fades in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, the warmth of the wood stove, my wool socks, my sweatpants, my plaid shirt and my moccasins. All of this leads me to believe that I love my cottage life partly due to my wardrobe. I dress for the day, not for the event. My cottage clothes are my second skin.
This week my sister and I were participating in a coffee café with some other bloggers and the conversation focused on what would be our best day. Kath and I both are emphatic that it would be a day at the cottage, together and alone. We have never been alone at the cottage because the “kids” never miss an opportunity to be there as well.
I love the times when the cottage is full, with friends, babies and family. I love the love everyone has for each other and for the simple experience. It would be a blue moon the day I bake muffins in the city but at the lake I love to wake all the sleeping bodies with the smell of baking, simple and special.
There is something about tripping over your family and friends on a rainy day as they play scrabble, cards, beer pong and of course, some taking the obligatory nap. On a sunny day the activity on the dock starts with early morning coffee and a book and within a few hours the boat is flying those same bodies over the water at mach speed, the less adventurous gang drag out the canoe and fishing rods.
I understand who I am at the lake. I am happy with the simple things.
Reader Comments (17)
To be honest, Margie, I think you hit the nail on the head in your last sentence: "I am happy with the simple things." Also, the fact that you "dress for the day, not for the event. My cottage clothes are my second skin." I can so totally identify with all of this. I also think something happens to me when I'm around my family that doesn't happen in my other world. My ex-husband commented on it, as did partners from my past lives. Do we revert back to "something" we once were then but no longer are now in our new world? It's a strange phenomenon, one I try to pay attention to (because maybe I wasn't always able to be myself around my family??). But bottom line, you are so right: what you are talking about here is the two different lives of our existence, when we have to put on a mask to face the world, perhaps, and when we can take it off to be totally accepted the way we are. That image says it all!
It's amazing how the simplest of things show us our truest colors. It's as if the connection and tie you have to weather and nature up there allows you to be who you are - comfortable and at ease in your own skin.
And - where is Hunter Island? Because I know so many of those parts..I'm curious.
Your story leaves me yearning for those summer days...
Beautiful!!!
What a wonderful post. It sure sounds like the best place to be, and I can see it in the picture too.
I think that "cottage life" (or vacation or being in the great outdoors) heightens our senses. We smell new smells; become more aware of our surroundings; have an easy, relaxed sense of adventure. Our regular daily lives often times become just that -- regular.
And aren't we soooooo grateful that we are fortunate enough to have "cottage time" (or vacation, etc.)
It sounds divine! After hearing about your "perfect day" yesterday, it's so nice to know more--and to get a peek at why you love it so much!
Me too. I think that's why I love being in the Arctic so much too ... there's a deprivation of stuff that allows you to simply be.
xo
I often fall into the 'split personality' syndrome. I'm a loner by nature...the sound of my own breathing is like music to my ears, LOL but I love when my family is together....the laughter...the warmth and joy we all bring to one another...is a gift. A love of the simple things is always the best kinda love...
The reason you like cottage life, is simplicity. People, children
friends run or walk in with wet or sandy feet and no one says. Clean your feet.Casual and the simple things are why you are so relaxed
dorothym
Most cottagers would agree with you: There's no place we’d rather be than at the cottage. I know what you mean about a split personality. Roy MacGregor once wrote in a story for us that the cottage is where we find our “truest selves.”
Penny Caldwell
Editor
Cottage Life magazine
Yes, the simple things in life are the ones that mean the most. You made me wish for a cottage on the lake, lazy times, summer days.
P.S. Your Kilroy picture really cracked me up!
that was such a vividly written post my friend..i like the way the cottage sounds!
Oh I love the description. Makes me wish I had more summer days at a cottage when I was little. What great memmories you are making for your family.
Um...Margie?? Do you want to adopt a sister from another mother?? I don't take up much room? Just a small corner somewhere...I'll bring my own pillow! Cottage life on the lake sounds heavenly. I'm so glad to read, no - continue to read, about the wonderful relationship you have with Kath, and the rest of your family as well. Wonderful post!
Your cottage sounds great, and what a wonderful tradition to pass down through the family. Yep, having the whole family together and enjoying each others company - that is one of the happiest things in life.
Ooooh! I'm coming with Toni, I can give Italian lessons and I don't eat much :) Cottage life sounds wonderful!
a wonderful description of a place that you obviously love :)
This could have been me :-) We just opened the cottage after winter. Next weekend on Walpurgis night we will have our first sleep over.