Maybe bittersweet is too emotional a word, but I did have mixed feelings handing over the water testing duties to our new Water Quality Chairman, Gary Clair. I really enjoyed the process and the learning involved. It will make my life a little easier, however, not to have to schedule time to do the testing.
Gary is certainly able and is a quick study. We spent more that 3 hours going through the process - and yes, that is quick! His wife, Carol, helped. I will be on hand to help out the next time, also.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the testing for dissolved oxygen. That is what is most involved and takes most of the time. Our lake has been testing for DO for several years and there really hasn't been a notable change in the results - from when Wes tested, through when I tested. Instead of the chemical testing we've done, DO meters are available. They, however, are expensive and have their own set of complications. Conversations with the DNR have indicated that DO testing may not be necessary any more.
If you see Gary and his wife on their pontoon boat, anchored over the deep hole (west end of the lake), you may wave, but please give them a wide berth. A quiet lake makes the testing much easier.
If you see me anchored over the deep hole, you can come say hello. I'll just be there for nostalgia's sake.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
GLAA Meeting
Should we or shouldn't we? With the over-night power outage still in effect at 7:50 a.m., the question was, should we have the GLAA meeting or not? Good call from our president, Wes Klages, to go ahead with the meeting, even if we couldn't *gasp* have coffee. Net result? Power came back on just in time to perk a pot.
The meeting went well. One particularly interesting thought - the zoning rules for lake-shore building will change in February. It may (or may not) be smart to wait with your building project until next year. The important thing is to check to see how your particular project might be affected.
Another storm last night. I slept through it, but those who were awake said it was a doozy - winds reported from 50-60 mph in the area. If a storm occurs and one sleeps through it, did the storm really happen? It will be interesting to see what this rain drop did to our already high lake levels.
BTW, when trees fall in the lake, do you leave them or neaten things up? I, myself, am delighted that the current wisdom is to leave them where they lie, unless they impinge on beach activities. This justifies my, ummm, casual approach to landscaping.
This week: another Kids' Camp. More stories to follow.
The meeting went well. One particularly interesting thought - the zoning rules for lake-shore building will change in February. It may (or may not) be smart to wait with your building project until next year. The important thing is to check to see how your particular project might be affected.
Another storm last night. I slept through it, but those who were awake said it was a doozy - winds reported from 50-60 mph in the area. If a storm occurs and one sleeps through it, did the storm really happen? It will be interesting to see what this rain drop did to our already high lake levels.
BTW, when trees fall in the lake, do you leave them or neaten things up? I, myself, am delighted that the current wisdom is to leave them where they lie, unless they impinge on beach activities. This justifies my, ummm, casual approach to landscaping.
This week: another Kids' Camp. More stories to follow.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Rain & Grandkids
OK, OK, we get it. It can stop raining now. We see that the worrisome low lake levels of a few years ago were not permanent. We'll remember and not worry so much next time. Promise.
Grandpa, and I and my sister had the grandkids for the first week of summer Kids' Camp last week. We loved having my sister, known to our grandchildren as Aunt Gramma Marge, staying at Stone Lodge and acting as Activities Director. She's a wonder - beloved by all, especially kids. Next time her grandchildren may be able to come too.
We had only 4 little ones this time, but they are young: 6, 6, 4, 3. We needed all the help we could get. We will have the kids here one week each month this summer to create Gilbert Lake memories.
The four extra staff I ordered (I wish!) never showed. And - hmmm - no one told me about the laundry.
We all had a wonderful time. Visited 4 area playgrounds, had picnics, did innumerable craft projects. The big hits were the mud-pies in the driveway and swimming twice a day - no matter how cold.
My sister and I are going to create a booklet about this venture - including all of our adventures and her great craft ideas. We're calling it Where's Jack?
Grandpa, and I and my sister had the grandkids for the first week of summer Kids' Camp last week. We loved having my sister, known to our grandchildren as Aunt Gramma Marge, staying at Stone Lodge and acting as Activities Director. She's a wonder - beloved by all, especially kids. Next time her grandchildren may be able to come too.
We had only 4 little ones this time, but they are young: 6, 6, 4, 3. We needed all the help we could get. We will have the kids here one week each month this summer to create Gilbert Lake memories.
The four extra staff I ordered (I wish!) never showed. And - hmmm - no one told me about the laundry.
We all had a wonderful time. Visited 4 area playgrounds, had picnics, did innumerable craft projects. The big hits were the mud-pies in the driveway and swimming twice a day - no matter how cold.
My sister and I are going to create a booklet about this venture - including all of our adventures and her great craft ideas. We're calling it Where's Jack?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
First to know
You are the first to know - as measured on June 6th, the lake level is up 8 1/2 inches since September 14th. That's huge! Usually we get 2 or maybe 3 inches in variation. I had to wait until it felt like swimming weather in order to reach my benchmark. Had to search a bit to find it at all. It required wading in waist-high water. Shiver!
This measurement has no particular meaning outside of comparing it to other measurements. It translates to over a 12 foot rise of the water on my shoreline. What about yours?
I love the lake. It doesn't pay attention to you or me. It just listens to its own Gilbertness. Thanks, lake, for teaching me to be humble.
This measurement has no particular meaning outside of comparing it to other measurements. It translates to over a 12 foot rise of the water on my shoreline. What about yours?
I love the lake. It doesn't pay attention to you or me. It just listens to its own Gilbertness. Thanks, lake, for teaching me to be humble.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Loon
The loon went swimming with us yesterday. He was about 100 feet from our raft. We'd just gotten out of the water. What a treat to see!
The lake has cleared quite a bit. No actual measurements taken yet, but visually it looked a lot better. I think the wind and high water had stirred things up about a week ago.
The pollen is coating the lake now, but that will disappear soon. These days it's smart not to smile when you're outside if you don't want yellow teeth! You can grin, tho.
It would be fun if you would comment here if you see some interesting wildlife of the nonhuman variety. Any stories out there from this spring?
The lake has cleared quite a bit. No actual measurements taken yet, but visually it looked a lot better. I think the wind and high water had stirred things up about a week ago.
The pollen is coating the lake now, but that will disappear soon. These days it's smart not to smile when you're outside if you don't want yellow teeth! You can grin, tho.
It would be fun if you would comment here if you see some interesting wildlife of the nonhuman variety. Any stories out there from this spring?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Back
I'm baaack. I'd decided to drop the blog earlier this year until I was inundated with people asking me to continue. I thanked them both, and will now blog away. I'd hate to disappoint my numerous reader.
We had an excellent Board meeting on May 28th, guided by our fearless - and very hard-working - leader, Wes. I will be leaving the Board as of July 2. I've enjoyed being involved in the workings of the Board. Most of all, I've appreciated the chance to get to know the fine folks on the Board.
Summer's here. It's going to be a busy one. The lake level is very high this spring. We'll all adjust, I'm sure. That's how it works - we adjust to the lake, not the other way around.
More later - I promise.
Lynne
We had an excellent Board meeting on May 28th, guided by our fearless - and very hard-working - leader, Wes. I will be leaving the Board as of July 2. I've enjoyed being involved in the workings of the Board. Most of all, I've appreciated the chance to get to know the fine folks on the Board.
Summer's here. It's going to be a busy one. The lake level is very high this spring. We'll all adjust, I'm sure. That's how it works - we adjust to the lake, not the other way around.
More later - I promise.
Lynne
Monday, February 21, 2011
Fudge
Winter is always interesting at Gilbert Lake. The snowstorm of the century a few weeks ago missed us. I was looking forward to it! Then the big thaw came - we cavorted in shirtsleeves.
And now it's "be careful what you wish for" time. The big snow is back. This time it's not that sugary fluff but a heavy layer of white fudge. [I must go on a food metaphor diet.] The pines that were pretty with snow early in the storm are now drooping with the weight.
Driving the unplowed roads of Waushara County in the storm was an exercise in snow plowing. Not that the snow was up to our bumper, [must be about 8 - 10 inches out there] but it piled up in front of our tires as we pushed through it.
It's a black and white landscape outside the window, punctuated by the brilliant red of the cardinals. Stunning.
The snow has stopped now. More tonight.
And now it's "be careful what you wish for" time. The big snow is back. This time it's not that sugary fluff but a heavy layer of white fudge. [I must go on a food metaphor diet.] The pines that were pretty with snow early in the storm are now drooping with the weight.
Driving the unplowed roads of Waushara County in the storm was an exercise in snow plowing. Not that the snow was up to our bumper, [must be about 8 - 10 inches out there] but it piled up in front of our tires as we pushed through it.
It's a black and white landscape outside the window, punctuated by the brilliant red of the cardinals. Stunning.
The snow has stopped now. More tonight.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Neva in winter
Hmmm - recent post not showing in the blog. I'm such a newbie at this - -
Beautiful snow again Sunday and yesterday. The birds need an additional feeder - not enough room on our current set up.
Fishing shanty right out in front of the cottage. Neva barks and barks but the shanty never barks back. Neva's a lovely dog - really. She - a big black dog - went out to lounge on the deck on Monday. A big white dog came in. That's her favorite thing to do. She doesn't shake until she's in the house. She's a lovely dog - really, she is.
Just had to go back through this blog and remove the second space I automatically put after each period. It's no longer permitted by the typesetters of the world. Hmpf - and me an old (shall we say ex) English teacher. Hope my students weren't paying attention all those years ago. Thinking about that - I'm sure I'm safe in that hope.
And are all of you who flocked to the sunny South happy with your decision? Are you sure you don't miss this beautiful winter? Think of the fireside cups of hot cocoa you're missing - no bracing walk to the mailbox. Still happy, huh? Well enjoy! See you next summer.
Beautiful snow again Sunday and yesterday. The birds need an additional feeder - not enough room on our current set up.
Fishing shanty right out in front of the cottage. Neva barks and barks but the shanty never barks back. Neva's a lovely dog - really. She - a big black dog - went out to lounge on the deck on Monday. A big white dog came in. That's her favorite thing to do. She doesn't shake until she's in the house. She's a lovely dog - really, she is.
Just had to go back through this blog and remove the second space I automatically put after each period. It's no longer permitted by the typesetters of the world. Hmpf - and me an old (shall we say ex) English teacher. Hope my students weren't paying attention all those years ago. Thinking about that - I'm sure I'm safe in that hope.
And are all of you who flocked to the sunny South happy with your decision? Are you sure you don't miss this beautiful winter? Think of the fireside cups of hot cocoa you're missing - no bracing walk to the mailbox. Still happy, huh? Well enjoy! See you next summer.
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