The joke is on me.

The family laughs when I shout to announce an eagle flying past. They say he's just doing that to get my reaction. He's saying to his buddies, "Hey, guys, watch what happens when I do a fly-by!"

More snow

Beautiful snowfall last night and today. The trees are holding perfectly still to receive their sugary decorations.

Our Christmas tree grew the minute we got it in the house. Much bigger that when it was in the field! It's round and takes up 1/2 the living room. I lopped some branches make it resemble a Christmas tree. Now it is round with a scrawny point on the top. It makes me smile, tho. Reminds me of our bounding dog - enthusiastic.

I will light the enthusiastic tree tonight and decorate it tomorrow. Maybe I should have left it outside to be adorned with sugar.

Crisp

It is cold here. Minus 19 overnight. Warming right up now - it's 0.

Sitting at my desk looking at sunshine on the frozen lake, it looks beautiful. Not doing much tromping around outside, however. Maybe later -

The heavy snow that came last weekend (probably about 8-10 inches here), along with the strong wind, made spectacular drifts, completely redoing the landscape. I suspect that the residents that are heading south after Christmas wish they'd done so a little earlier.

My electric moose is on the deck, swinging his head back and forth. He is so corny. I love him! Makes me giggle and drives the dog nuts.

Merry Christmas everyone!

frozen?

You'd think the lake would be frozen by now. You'd think - - . Checked the lake at the boat landing to see if it were frozen at that end. Nope. The lone loon seemed to be enjoying all of the open water.

Tonight, however, might do it. Getting down to 0 degrees. I'm picturing the lake seizing up all at once. Zap! Frozen.

The Christmas party, BTW, was so nice. Fun to talk with folks. Everyone seemed in a merry mood.

Off to the Gilbert Lake Christmas Party. We have a nice dusting of snow for decorative purposes only.

This should be lots of fun. I hope that folks will be reading children's Christmas stories to each other. We'll see -

Several people have spontaneously offered to donate door prizes to add to the festivities. How generous! True Gilbert Lakers.

Hope to see you there!

Eagle still here

Lots of things to look forward to this almost-December afternoon, but it all suddenly pales as a bald eagle swoops in to perch in front of my window. Just wow.

Fog

Foggy this morning. I can't see the other side of the lake. I love a foggy morning. It reminds me that what I see isn't always the truth. What I see now is a blank wall just beyond my shoreline, but I know that the far shore is still there - beautiful as ever.

The deer are lining the roads. They stand side-by-side and stare as we drive past. One forgot the rules and went dashing in front of us. Not good.

The lake level is up. "How much?" you might ask. "Some." No Measuring in knee-deep water this time of year!

Invitations to the Gilbert Lake Christmas Party are going out today. Will you be there? It's on Saturday, December 4th, at Silvercryst. Cocktails at 5. We'll be reading children's Christmas books aloud. Don't you love to be read to? Join us.

more downed trees

Found two more trees down - across the driveway. Plus there was a large branch that fell. It missed the boat that we had just taken out of the lake, but hit the car. Side window needs to be replaced.

Still windy, tho it should slow down today.

I hope to get a chance to look around the neighborhood today or tomorrow.

Keeping our heads down -

Wind

Wind continues - Tuesday, today, into tomorrow. Gusts up to 50 mph or more, I'm told. We haven't been out and about to check for damage. We did have a tree go down - heard it rather than saw it. I still don't know where it fell.

The power was out for about an hour today. Not too hard to handle.

As we get out and look around, I'll blog again. Actually, I think the trees are loving the exercise and fresh air.

October summer

It's summer again at Gilbert Lake. I noticed that several summer cottages are occupied. News of 80-degree weather in October will do that. This is the Indian Summer we all talk about. Note: wear your woolies if you're going swimming.

Will anyone be trick-or-treating around the lake this year? Probably not, though one year we did have 3 spooks show up. What will your costume be? I make a perfect witch - heh heh.

The Face of Fall

Very windy today. Pine needles are raining down putting a fresh, new carpet on the woodland floor. It's as beautiful as snow.

Gilbert Lake has a new face each season. She's best known in summer, all carefree and buzzing with life. In the fall she's clear and composed - showing her depth.

Do you know your lake in all seasons? Magical any time.

Water Testing

Are you there but wish you were here? Gilbert Lake has gone very quiet since Labor Day. We miss the summer bustle and lazy swims, but the lake is especially beautiful this time of year. It is sparkling and clear, and when mirror-like, the falling leaves float on the surface like little sailboats.

We've completed what is probably the last full water test of the year, though we may get a chance to do another set of Secchi and temperature readings in October. The DNR doesn't much care about readings at this time of year, but I find them interesting. Do you?

The lake level is down 2 inches since the August reading. Temperatures in the top 30 feet ranged from 68 to 64 degrees - quite a change from the 80 degree readings we spotted in August. Clarity remains good - holding the 13-foot Secchi reading we had in August.

I'm sure that you are busy gearing up for the fall and winter seasons at your homes. Those of us who remain here are hoping for another, if brief taste, of summer. But I, for one, love the Fall season. I do, after all, live at Autumn Lodge.

Important day

It's one of those rare days in Wisconsin - perfect temp and humidity. A little windy, perhaps, except for those with sails.

We treasure that which we know will be gone soon - -

Another important day - this to put on your calendar. The Gilbert Lake Christmas Party will be held on the first Saturday in December. Here are your instructions: go to December 4 on your calendar. With your Magic Marker, write G Lake Party in the square. Draw a little Christmas tree in the corner. Await further instructions.

All joy - all the way around.

September 11

Rainy this morning, but last time I looked it was sunshiny above the clouds. I'll hold that thought.

Remembering that other 9/11. Also remembering God's goodness that never fails. I'll hold that thought too.

Gilbert Lake Picnic

The Gilbert Lake family picnic was held on August 14th - really less than a month ago? Labor Day marks the break point. Not thinking about cooling off with a swim but finding my favorite sweater.

But - back at the picnic - did you go? Did you enjoy it? A major focus for the picnic was a simple get-together with friends old and new. Another was keeping it easy enough that planners could relax also. The committee would like your feed-back [groan]. Comments are welcome.

It was a dark and stormy night - -

Wind, rain, with fog closing in. Light your fires and get out the bunny slippers. I have lots of wonderful, scary mystery novels for you to read, but remember, it's not a night to open your door to strangers.

Stay cozy!

The Last Pier

How does Fall know to arrive exactly on Labor Day? It happens more often than not, I've noticed. Pier not taken it? Too bad. It will be a very cold job from now on.

I am exaggerating just a bit, but we always seem to have one of the last piers shivering in the lake. Maybe it's not a mysterious Fall coincidence, but simple procrastination. Hmmm - I'll think about that later.

New blog

I introduce this blog, dedicated to Gilbert Lake, WI - my favorite place to be.

I hope you'll join me to read bits and pieces about Gilbert Lake and the things and non-things going on here.

Comments that I write are mine alone and do not represent the positions of the Gilbert Lake Advancement Association, though I do currently serve on that board. I may, however, shed some light on the highly secret machinations of the workings of the Board. For instance - at today's biannual meeting - we were served kringle. Now there's a tidbit I did not want to miss. Yum!

You will forgive my shoot-from-the-hip style, or not - as you wish. It's what I do best, and worst.

For today:

• weather is windy and sunny - fall temperatures.
• fall Board meeting was held this morning. It was organized, fruitful and blessedly short.
  
• Labor Day weekend sailing regatta has be postponed until tomorrow. Sometime the wind is just too much. BTW - isn't it cool that Ross Richards has organized this?
  

Onward! Come back tomorrow to see if I've prettied up the blog.