Are we there yet? Henry loves the cottage and knows when we are getting close! In my opinion, even dogs need a break from city living, time to smell fresh air, really look around us, watch the small things, listen to the lake lapping on the shore and lie on the dock just feeling the sway of the water. Henry likes lying in bottom of the canoe, watching the world go by. And he gamely clambers over boulders, up hill and along narrow trails on his short little legs, never falling behind…unless I do.

And for me it’s a time to read. I take a milk carton of books every time, as well as my iPad filled with kindle ebooks and read, and read and read. This year I read The Luminaries, a huge book that I was rather worried about because of its size. But I soon forgot that, pulled into the most amazing story, written in a style that reflected the period perfectly. Of course I read at other times too, but not the wonderful swinging on the deck, swaying in the hammock kind of all day reading. That’s for the summertime. Part of the getting away from it all, not having to work sort of experience we all need. Even dogs.