How to fill time in retirement

Growing up in Middlebury, Vermont, we spent a lot of our summer time at Lake Dunmore.  Two places I remember are Branbury Beach, the State Park on the East side of the lake, and the Waterhouses, the privately owned Campground and Marina on the West side. On this trip I was looking for a place to eat lunch so I posted the query on FaceBook. My cousin Courtney mentioned Paddler's Pub, a place she works. So I headed down Route 7 to the Lake. Too bad Courtney was working dinner but I already had plans. It was lunch or not! I do not remember a time when the Waterhouses were not there. I saw one web site say it opened in 1963 and another said 1876. Whatever is the right date, it seems to be all of my life. Sign along the Road Sign in the Parking Lot The place was not to crowded but it was Monday. Some of the choices people gave me were closed. A lot of restaurants are closed on Monday in Vermont. It must be the Monday blues. No one wants to go to work on Mondays. I saw at the ...

After dessert, it was time to get out of the dress shirt and long pants and get back into my normal wear for the past two years of retirement, shorts and a golf shirt. My clothes were up at the Inn so again, I made the walk. No one was up there but I did check in on the bird family nesting on the front porch. My God, there were five of them in that little nest. Nice family photo I took. Old Lantern Inn porch nest When I got back to the Barn, it was great to see that the bride had also gone comfortable. Here she is dancing with a friend... Kayla dancing My brother John changed behind Jared's truck. When he came out buttoning his shirt, something looked kind of funny. I yelled to John to put the little boy back in his pants. I zoomed in with my camera to take a picture of what it was; it was just his belt sticking out. Brother John enjoying himself while dressing Somehow, the photographer was able to convince Kayla to get back into her wedding dress for some more photo...

The ceremony was over but the party was just beginning. Izzy on a stoop, dreaming of the day he would be married I have included this photo for two reasons.  The first reason is that it shows a contemplating Israel, happily sitting amongst his re-enactment friends, after a long day doing battle. He is thinking "Life is pretty great and in June, I will be married!"  The second reason is it shows a group of people who have had a day of accomplishments, just like the wedding party and organizers, and now it is time to go party and to celebrate how wonderful life is! Wedding Party heads back to the Old Lantern Barn The barn was not just a place to get out of the sun, it was a place where family and friends were gathering to partake in a grand reception for the bride and groom. To find a cold drink, a nibble of food, maybe use the restroom. I found the bar and the cold beer on tap, one of which was Switchback. Oh well, my memories of the day would be gone, but that is wh...

As three o'clock approached, as far as I could tell everything was running smoothly. Izzy had finished the guest gifts, frosted his cupcakes, but he was not going to be able to go get the flowers. Lisa, being the greatest wedding organizer, immediately had a backup plan for getting the flowers. The time had come for a wedding.  I went into the barn to see what was needed. There was my brother, a very proud father, with his two boys. Jared already married to Sarah, and now Israel getting married to Kayla. Jared, John, Israel It did not seem that long ago I had taken a similar photo, but with the added benefit of my father Harold being present. He and my mother Stella would have had a hell of a time at this wedding. I am sure they were there in spirit.... John with Jared, Grandpa Harold with Izzy I have to share this picture of Israel I took the year he was born.... Israel The large maple tree I had photographed earlier now became a focal point for the guests. The su...