I always have mixed emotions with the arrival of spring. Don’t get me wrong; I love the longer days, the warmer weather, and the explosion of color that’s replacing more of the gray shades of winter each day. But spring is petal-to-metal busy around here. The next eight weeks is when Tim and I transition our home from a winter sanctuary to the welcoming lake house so many friends and family help us enjoy each summer. Landscaping repairs, pruning, mulching, power washing, dock repairs, window washing, boat maintenance, outdoor furniture set-up, and the list goes on . . . And that’s just the outside. Inside, guest rooms need to be freshened up, the extra dishes and glassware used for entertaining need to be washed, summer menus drafted and new recipes tested, the pantries and bars stocked, visitors confirmed, and well, there’s more but just rattling this much off is exhausting.
At this point you’re probably wondering why the hell we do it. Believe me, thoughts like that cross my mind every off-season. But each May when the lake comes to life and our visitors start rolling in, our spirits are immediately lifted as we shift into our annual vacation mode that lasts through September. While no two summers have been quite the same, each has bestowed its own unique excitement and rewards. But more about that in a bit.
I can remember ten years ago, the first year we lived in Rarity Bay full-time, wanting everything to be picture-perfect for our visitors; the spring cleaning master to-do list was three pages long, single spaced. We worked day and night chasing each detail and by the time that first car pulled into the driveway, everything was indeed perfect. And the planning didn’t stop there. I had a folder prepared for each group that summer, complete with menu, daily itinerary, and hourly workplan to get me through the visit without a hitch. And I even had contingency plans in the event the weather didn’t cooperate. I share this ridiculous micromanagement only to provide a point of reference; clearly, retirement was not something that came naturally to me.
But with each passing year, a little more of Tim’s chill attitude has rubbed off on me and as I sit here today I can proudly say my compulsive tendencies have diminished significantly. I think it’s partly because as I’ve gotten older, the work seems a whole lot harder; but mostly because I’ve realized much of my obsession for perfection was lost on everyone else. Gradually I’ve narrowed my effort to the special touches that make our guests most comfortable and the advance preparations that will allow me to enjoy our precious time together. I wish that meant I didn’t have to spend the next two months cleaning and preparing for the new season, but that’s just not how things work. It’s long been my contention that anyone who thinks you can entertain week in and week out without effort has never done it. But, I finally feel like after a decade of opening our home to family and friends, I have mastered the art of the summer lake house.
My goal of course is to make it seem effortless, and maybe someday I’ll write a lifestyle book about just how I do that. Now, before the Martha Stewarts among you look down your noses at my self-proclaimed entertaining mastery, keep in mind I’ve intentionally lowered my standards. Martha would no doubt scowl at the awning with frayed edges on the upper veranda, the wrought iron fence in need of painting, the worn spots on many of the outdoor cushions, or any number of other signs of wear that I just don’t have the interest or energy to deal with. Each year I stray a little farther from the notion of maintaining a perfect home, opting instead for an increased emphasis on relaxation, enjoyment and bonding with our guests.
This weekend Tim and I have been tossing around ideas for Spring Cleaning 2017. It’s Sunday afternoon and we’ve roughed out our plan; no need to type it up, the handwritten variety will do just fine. So, without much fanfare, and more than a little dread, the annual clean-up will begin tomorrow.
While spring cleaning will consume us, it’s the allure of summer that motivates us. Warm, sunny days out on the lake: boating, swimming, jet-skiing, or even just floating with the people we love spending time with. Followed by relaxing evenings when we’re all back on shore for casual dinners and leisurely conversations that linger well into the night. We live for those visits when real life is put on hold and we have no purpose beyond enjoying each other and allowing everyone to recharge their batteries. We’ve found there’s something very special about our setting that seems to promote rest and relaxation. There’s a renewal of spirit that happens so naturally as you swim in the crystal-clear lake with the Great Smoky mountains as a magnificent backdrop. And as the sun sets, there’s that calm that takes over. Sitting by the fire under the stars, far from the city lights, it seems so much easier to see what’s important in life.
Nothing so wonderful is ever without effort, so a lot of work goes into this lifestyle every year. And there have certainly been a few visits when we couldn’t catch a break; like the July 4th week a few years ago when it rained for six straight days keeping fifteen people in the house…IN being the key word. And often by the end of summer, I’m just plain worn out. But despite it all, these summers have been the best. Our lake house years will always be synonymous with my transition into retirement. And they’ll always be treasured because they have allowed us to reconnect in such a meaning way with so many people dear to us.
