Alone Again, Naturally

It’s my turn.  Now I am alone in the woods on an island in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH with only my two dogs for companionship.  And as hard as this may be, I have to confess: I gave Steve a hard time, but the truth is it is a privilege to be here, and for a lot of reasons.  Most of them are obvious.

I’ve been here since Sunday evening.  The days are beautiful Indian summer days, however the evenings are quite cool – low 40’s – and today I must go prowl for wood for the wood stove.   I’m almost out.  I may have to pilfer from the neighbors.  Since they’re not here, they’ll not be needing it – this week anyway.

This morning I woke up to the sounds of an animal on the roof.  It’s a new  metal roof, and so I could hear everything.   It sounded bigger than a squirrel and it caused my poor 13 year old Labrador to worry.  I climbed out of bed and curled up on the floor next to my trembling dog.  He’s very sensitive and unfortunately, the older he gets the more he worries.  He’s fine now though.  He’s curled up in a ball in the sunshine out on the deck.

Steve and I bought this cabin 6 years ago in the hopes that perhaps someday, we’ll get to spend time here – together.  Now that we have an empty nest it may be easier to arrange – someday.  So for now, Steve and I stagger our visits.  He spends most of the summer here.  I get here when I can.

It just dawned on me this morning what I like most about coming here and being alone.  It’s a real vacation – from myself.  While here I simply don’t worry about:

• Chores?  Only the ones I assign myself, when I feel like it.  Last night’s dishes are still in the sink.
• Shave my legs?  Not if I’m not wearing shorts this time of year.
• Shower?  Only ’cause I can’t stand the "bed head" look for more than two days.
• Make-up?  The wild turkeys may, but the dogs aren’t running in the opposite direction.  Why bother?
• Deodorant?  There are some things I can’t do with out.  The dogs may run with the turkeys.
• Happy Hour?  Hmmm.  It’s only 9:49 a.m. but hey, what’s that saying?  It’s 5:00 somewhere!
• Cooking?  Peanut M&M’s have protein.  So does the cheese I have with the crackers I have with wine.  I’m good.
• Dust?  I’m living amongst the spiders.  The dust slows them in their tracks.
• Husband?  He says he’s missing me but if I need a vacation  – from myself – I can’t help think that he could use one from me too.

Still, having said all that, as nice a break from myself as this is, I’d trade it all in if I could have my husband here with me.  I don’t need a vacation from myself THAT badly…

~ Connie

Author: stevekuusisto

Poet, Essayist, Blogger, Journalist, Memoirist, Disability Rights Advocate, Public Speaker, Professor, Syracuse University View all posts by stevekuusisto