There’s something about being at the cottage that inspires me to put pen to paper. It’s always been that way for me, And now, during this 2020 Pandemic Summer, when it’s only ever the two of us out here, I feel that urge more strongly.

            It could be the absence of any form of social media. With no access to wi-fi I leave my laptop and tablet at home. I don’t miss them. They have changed me. I’ve  allowed myself to become distracted by screens. My attention span has shortened, and I find myself flitting between tasks, so that half the time I can’t remember what I was doing. I have to force myself to sit and listen to my breathing. Journal writing helps me make sense of my crazy new life.

            Over the past 35 years I’ve done lots of writing out here by the lake. Back in the day when substantive edits to my childrens’ novels arrived in the mail as hard copy from the publisher, I would sit on the deck in the shade of the willows and ponder the editor’s suggestions. I love doing revisions. The hard part is already over.

            Today is a rainy Sunday with high winds. Long waves pound the rocks on the shore, sending up sheets of spray. Next week some of our family from Pembroke will come to use the cottage for a few days. We haven’t seen them since Christmas. We may not see them now. If we are invited to visit we’ll have to “social distance” because we are not part of their “bubble”. Or should that be their “cohort?”

            Our oldest granddaughter, a doctor, will use the cottage again in September while she tours this part of Ontario. We are happy that someone can enjoy this place because we have decided it’s time to sell. Maintenance has become increasingly difficult. Our kids loved it out here once, and I hope one day another young family will have the opportunity to do the same.

And I will have to find inspiration in another of nature’s quiet corners.