Noticed my last entry was in June and I haven’t reported anything to my readers (have I lost you?) since then. Apologies are in order. It’s been a busy and most enjoyable summer based in Cleveland. I made two nostalgic visits with family and both of them were rewarding. As a young girl, I spent my summers at Conneaut Lake, Pa. at my parents’ lovely, old-fashioned cottage, perched on a hill overlooking the lake. What a thrill it was to revisit and find that the present owner has restored the cottage to it’s former glory and even added some much-needed amendments. It was such a lovely trip back in time for me, and a thrill to see what loving care and a great deal of cash can accomplish. The rest of the resort area had changed tremendously and made me somewhat sad. The forbidden amusement park across the water is no longer in use. Most of the concessions are either gone, or rusting away with age. The Blue Streak roller coaster is slowly being restored, but right now the once bustling park looked like the perfect setting for a movie(possibly a murder mystery or an eerie out-of-time concoction). I would love to see the Park bustling with activity again and hear those screams of terror as teen agers ride the mighty Blue Streak. The turn-of-the-century Conneaut Hotel, located in the Park, looked great, but appeared to be empty and possibly only used for events. If the Pa. laws would permit gambling, this would be the perfect set-up for a casino. Why not? Las Vegas is billed as a family resort now, so why not Conneaut Lake Park? Hearken you investors. Buy it all up now, while it’s probably a bargain. I don’t even know if it’s for sale but someone should put this place back on the map. It’s still a lovely lake with beautiful surroundings.
Our other trip down memory lane was a return to our family farm in Va., where my children spent their summers. Due to financial constraints,(these large, second homes can be real money pits) we sold out our ownership to a cousin. As the farm passed through the generations, it was finally owned by eight third-generation cousins, brothers and sisters, many of them feeling strapped by the expenses of a 600-acre farm and house and guest cabin. Although the expenses were divided among them, it was difficult and time-consuming to reach a consensus on maintenance, etc. so we were fortunate to sell to one cousin who could easily afford to improve the land and buildings. He tore down the main house and started over, which was upsetting to most family members, but in the long run was the only sensible thing to do. My daughter, granddaughter and I were sure that we would be upset when we saw the huge, new structure that had been erected. To our surprise and relief, we were pleasantly amazed. With landscaping, the house somehow looked as though it had been there forever. Our cousin and his wife had spent a great deal of time researching and using much of the antique furniture and siting the house in order to take advantage of the wonderful views. Again, I came away with a wonderful sense that we had done the right thing and the house and land were owned by a family who loved it as much as we do. It is a blessing to be able to visit and stay in the little cabin where my husband and I began our visits with our children. We all fear change, but it is often inevitable and often for the best. It was truly a pleasure to visit and enjoy the farm without worrying about chipping paint, sagging gutters, wells running dry, and septic tanks clogging up. The time comes when it can be a relief to give up all these responsibilities, if we don’t resist the change. And, the mountains, fields and river were still as beautiful as ever and hadn’t changed.
No politics, this time but I intend to address some issues in my next blog, possibly after I return from our annual leaf-peeping trip to Vermont. I am finally energized after a miserably hot, hot and humid summer. Enjoy the changes that life brings, just as we enjoy the beautiful fall color that turns the lovely green leaves to gold, red and finally brown.
Come little leaves said the wind one day,
Come over the hills with me and play.
The days grew cold and the leaves grew old,
And now my tale is told.
My mother sang this silly ditty to me at this time of year and I always think of it as summer leaves us once more.
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