Did you know that just watching and listening to a water sprinkler on your lawn provides solace and serenity. Our chocolate Labradors back from their vacation at the lake and family cottage seem eager to chase squirrels and lay in the sun on the moist grass in their own yard. What a beautiful day in July. We finally got a break from the humidity for a few days.

The labs enjoying air conditioning tire from sunning outside and decide to siesta in the family room. Jake, our chocolate lab, probably dreaming about the lake vacation romp at the family cottage, promptly starts snoring. Ahh – the life of a dog. Our backyard has a pond with four fish. The water rushes over rocks giving that soothing sound. The scenery changes at home. There is no big lake or cottage to sit by, but there is peace in the backyard with the birds chirping and butterflies flying on the bushes. Returning from a cottage always amazes me at how much you miss the beauty of the water.

I remember as a little child picking up all the flat stones to skip on the shoreline of the beach. Whoever started that must have viewed how the flat surface of the stone skipped when it hit the water. A science lesson in the works. I had contest after contest with my boys – always loosing. I believe the highest count was six skips. I also remember collecting every stone we possibly could ever find trying to find a Petoskey stone that was the prize.

The best times of owning a cottage are the sunsets that go on forever and the yummy taste of s’mores. My boys learned to make and eat dirt cake when they were younger spending those carefree days at the family cottage. What a tasty treat. The long lazy days of summer will soon come to an end. The kids will no longer be bored because studies and school now will occupy time. Enjoy the long days and relaxing weather. Find time to enjoy an ice cream, a sunset, a good novel, and your toes in the sand, a friendly face or a picnic by the lake. Discover a new adventure – it gives your life meaning.

Summer Fun
Trying to decide
Which is best, the children
laughing at the lake or
the chocolate labs digging holes in the sand. I decide
both make my day grand.
For both have found fun while their discoveries abound
by the water in the sand.
(Remember the best memories are free)
—by Dori Penning

To plan, protect and preserve your family cottage and keep your family in the family cottage to be enjoyed today and in the future visit my husband’s web site www.Cottage-Law.com He was recently named a Five Star Wealth Adviser by Hour Detroit Magazine and is available to assist you with the process of keeping the family cottage safe with a cottage succession plan specific to the needs and requirement of your family.

Dori Penning