What I've Done, Where I've Been

I've changed Chip's name.

On Friday night, when the girls from Minneapolis were here for dinner, I was telling them how much the chipmunk enjoys eating green grapes. One of them--I think it was my sister-in-law--said I should call him Gilbert. Gilbert Grape. You know, like the movie, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?.

Now why didn't I think of that?

On Sunday we had a very enjoyable outdoor service and picnic at the church. At mid-afternoon, we drove up to the Cottage on the Big Lake.



I got warm sitting on the dock. When the Chap reported that the water was almost 70 degrees, I decided to go in the lake.



I stayed in forever.

When the Minneapolis girls showed up, I came out. They've continued their efforts to spruce up the cottage (the master bath is awesome and unrecognisable), but also took some time out for canoeing and tennis.

While we sat chatting on the dock, our friend the loon stopped by.



Then we all (except the loon) went down to the village for a Chinese dinner.

Yesterday was another tidying-up day here at the Lodge, with a quickie meeting in the city squeezed in, and an evening trip back into the city for Ruth's obedience class. We learned and practised "Sit-Stay," "Down," and "Come." She performed all three very well. This week's homework is going to be very easy, I think.

Today we had guests for lunch, bestselling author and wonderful friend Tess Gerritsen and her husband. They were passing through our territory as part of her current book tour, for The Mephisto Club (Vanish is out in paperback, too, and also selling like crazy!). During a previous book tour a few years ago she stopped by, but this was her husband's first time at the Lodge.

We had a lovely time together, as usual, and there was much clicking of cameras--as usual. They were introduced to Gilbert Grape, the chipmunk. Because my Key Lime pie obsession hasn't abated, our lunch guests were required to have some. The current variation is a home-made cracker-crumb crust (instead of a pre-made one from the supermarket.)

After our guests departed, I walked Ruth to the mailbox. We chatted with one of our nice neighbours, heading from her cottage here down to Massachusetts to vote in the primary election.

Another set of neighbours from Massachusetts have trapped a garden gnome. He's hanging in a basket from a tree limb.



I've got a couple of articles to crank out quickly this evening, while the Chap is away chairing a meeting. It's hard to concentrate, because I'm eagerly awaiting our next visitor. My best friend from high school arrives tomorrow--she had a conference in Boston--and will be with us for a few days. Her first visit to the Lodge!