APPS FAMILY AT THE LAKE

                                                                            Photo by Jerry Apps

 In 2002, Ruth and I started a tradition that we continue to this day.  When the tradition began, I was teaching a writing workshop at the School of the Arts in Rhinelander.  We invited our grown kids and their spouses to spend the week with us at a cottage on Lake George.

We’ve continued the tradition, now gathering at Long Lake in the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes. This year some 20 of us have come to the lake from Boston, San Diego, Minneapolis, Avon, Co, Gunnison, Co, and Madison.

Each evening is a special event: birthday, graduation, and anniversary celebrations.  And a creativity evening.  This year the creativity evening featured everyone sharing their own “Old Timer” saying.

Here are some of them:

            “We all must become more comfortable with being uncomfortable”—Christian

            “In these turbulent times, five letters to remember: R-E-L-A-X”—Josh

            “I was addicted to the ‘Hokey-pokey,’ but then I turned myself around,”—Nick

            “Of all that I do best, doing nothing is at the top of the list,”—Blake

            “Happiness takes time so don’t rush looking for it,”—Libby and Grace

            “The sun sets no matter if no one is watching,”—Ben and Alyssa

            “Everything is better at the Lake,”—Tyler (8 years old)

            “Prior proper planning prevents poor performance,”—Annika

            “Life is tricky so make sure you plan for some time at the lake,”—Sue

            “Behind every great man is a woman—rolling her eyes,”—Jeff

            “A tree’s strength comes not from how far its branches reach, but from how deep its roots grow,”—Shanna and Pat.

            “Darn, why did I come into this room?”—Natasha and Steve

            “Never curse the rain, unless you live in a tent,”—Sandy

             “A trip is measured in miles, but captured in memories,”—Shanna and Pat

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: SO MANY THOUGHTS; IN SO FEW WORDS.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS:

To purchase my books, go to your local bookstore, order online from bookshop.org, or purchase from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.  and look at their great selection of my books, including my new ones, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414. They will be happy to help you.