What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.
| Editor's Note: Activity slows down around SJA during the summer months. Church attendance is down, events are fewer and many ministries slow down for a breather. The webteam also produces fewer stories. Webteam member JoAnn Potts offers us a look at her 'summer vacation'. We hope you find a bit of your summer in her reflections. |
Jim and JoAnn Potts went missing for twelve days. No, they weren’t kidnapped nor were they on a glamorous cruise in the Bahamas nor off to that villa in France. Instead they were on a family vacation at their daughter and son-in-law’s lake home in Wisconsin, but it was that Grandmother’s dream vacation of a lifetime.
This vacation’s destination was only a two-hour drive from home just five minutes out of Siren, Wisconsin. Siren, infamous for nearly being wiped out by a serious mile wide tornado a few years ago, is just now making a valiant comeback with new businesses but sadly, minus hundreds of trees that used to flank this lovely little town that is surrounded by lakes.
Daughter Chris’ lake home is located on Pike Lake and is a picture book setting. Tall White Pines in a wooded area surround the lake with Pickerel grass in full purple bloom near the water's edge. A quiet setting but still not too far from "civilization" – which in this case means the Twin Cities.
After an intensive five-year search, the "perfect" little clear lake with good fishing was found. Finding the "up north" look of pine country and close to the Twin Cities, is an almost impossible combination. The cabin is a three bedroom winterized rambler with a full basement, huge fireplace, double garage, some outer buildings and with a small woods as a buffer between the cabin and the road. Granted there was and is much fixing-up to do and it is gradually being accomplished.
Chris decided that having only one bathroom when housing her complete family was not quite adequate, so renting a "porta-potty" was an excellent temporary acquisition. It was placed outside near the basement door for people sleeping on that level. It was handy for the swimmers, boaters, basement dwellers and the “butt” of a few jokes as you can well imagine.
A large pontoon boat, canoe and many swimming "toys" to keep people afloat were available. Add to that Chris’ brother’s fishing boat, motor and kayak. All were put to good use.
There is a storage room full of life preservers of every size and sort and fishing rods and reels enough to begin a business. The house itself is full of areas to sleep with sleeping bags, and pull out couches, futons and bunk beds.
For some of the time, as varying family members were coming and going, a total of 20 people were housed. Oh yes, there were four dogs added to the guest list also comfortably bedded on several of those nights.
Chris’ invited the family for anytime they could make it from July 21st thru August 1st. Jim and JoAnn went up a day early to prepare and stayed a day later to gain back sensibilities that were lost from time to time because of all the usual lake activities and ever-present happy din that accompanies that type of adventure.
There was a bit of chaos when preparing and serving food, stepping over prone bodies in every corner of the two floors. With no electric dishwasher available, Jim and JoAnn would often wash the dishes that piled up in the sink every few hours in order to keep up. There was a clothes washer and dryer available and used many times during that stretch of days .
The two-dog family brought a kennel and it was sorely needed because one of the dogs was a Springer Spaniel and all he wanted to do was fish all day long even though his standing in hip- deep water did not gain him one fish to relish the whole time he was there!
There was much to keep all ages busy at "the lake". There were puzzles, books to read, games to play and JoAnn never won one game of “Go Fish” with her three-year-old granddaughter who is an “expert”!
Then there was the "grownup" group of college plus age grandchildren. So, these grandparents had their wish come true with almost their total family joining them at least part time.
It is a lot of fun but sometimes a little painful to hear the comments to each other and of course, the talk about the past and how this one or that one is mom’s "favorite" or who was naughty as a child, or was the "forgotten" one. Not too much pity went out to them. They had a good life even though they had imperfect parents. Strangely enough, and in spite of that, they seem to be VERY thankful and have taught their children to love their grandparents too!
Besides the boating, fishing and swimming activities, a lot of time was spent preparing for the next day’s activities, meals and cleaning up. Meals were fairly spontaneous with each "family" being responsible for at least one meal and participating in others. It all worked out and everyone ate very well.
In the evenings, all would gather on the large deck overlooking the lake and watch the lovely sunset and light the Tiki oil lamps to keep away the mosquitoes.
The most looked forward to event each night was the lighting of the bonfire at lakefront for the evening's dessert of "S'mores" (roasted marshmallow and chocolate in between a graham cracker) It was the younger children's job to see that everyone got their marshmallow done either soft, brown or black! (It was a surprise at how many people like their marshmallows black) The little ones looked forward to taking orders and helping roast the marshmallows.
Then came the fireworks display (legal in Wisconsin) accompanied by the usual ooohs and ahhs. The dogs’ ears had to be covered and the 3 year old requested that she watch from INSIDE the house with her mommy by her side.
Of course, the fireworks were lit only AFTER the little ones had brushed their teeth, put on their pj’s and were all set for bed. By that time it was almost ten pm and the "grownups" had to have a little chat time together on the darkening deck till the yawns would overtake the laughter and good-natured discussions.
Then, one by one, they would go off to find their particular corner where their "stuff" and beds were located and all would be quiet till morning when those early risers would sneak around and make coffee or go off on a walk or go to town to pick up the paper. Maybe even a generous dad would begin to make French toast, waffles or pancakes - some with blueberries or chocolate chips.
It was a happy summer vacation time! Most of the group had their hammock times as well as busy times and it was good to see these active people take some time to just shut down for a short time. The many digital cameras were snapping often, some silly, some nice, and it was a bit sad when the vans, sedans and trucks, packed with gear, kids and dogs, finally left for their homes, some alone, some in tandem.
Chris looks forward to this week with her family every year and she worked very hard to make everyone comfortable and welcome and happy. She did have a list of tasks for them to do. One of her brothers rented a log splitter and hauled it in and split maybe a hundred logs in record time. Old Abe Lincoln, eat your heart out!
It was a community effort to help stack the split logs. As a result, there will be enough wood for the fireplace and bonfires for several years to come. There were some fixer-up jobs and washing of windows tasks completed and everybody seemed to have a comment as to the best way to tackle these many unnamed tasks. It is a wonder anything got done, but there was still a lot of time spent together doing things that one does with children.
This has been a word picture of some of this past week's activities with all the Potts family but the best part is what can't be seen, photographed or heard. It was the pride inside two elderly people who have a family that is so very special that words can't describe them. They know that their children all seem to love and respect each other deeply and would do anything for them if there would be a need. Isn’t that every mother/grandmother’s dream?
Jim and JoAnn drove home in a silent car because both of them were so filled with emotion that can't be expressed verbally. They both knew that the other was also amazed at the wonder of how this moment in time could possibly have been more sweet. As they entered the city and their lives at home and at SJA, they are once again reminded of what they have always known for sure - that God is good!
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