Lake House Diaries 18

      A local Real Estate office was contacted and an agent was tasked with the selling of the Lake House in the spring of 2026. The family was informed that sales were slow and therefore they should not expect a high sale price like they were suggesting. There had been very few lakefront properties sold in the last two years and historically, it was the Canadians who were buying them. Cross border visits by Canadians were declining monthly and there seemed to be no interest in them purchasing an American property with the $CAN so low. The family reasoned that because they were not desperate to sell, they could wait it out if the price was too high and there were no offers.

     The realtor consented to start the pricing at a figure considerably higher than what she had suggested. The family took into account that the asking price was always the starting point for offers and counter offers and where they might end up would be near the suggested price offered by the realtor. Tod and Em were at the Lake House with friends when the realtor's right hand man arrived with the "FOR SALE" signs. There was a momentary stab at their hearts when they realized that things were becoming real. There was no time left for remorse or second thoughts. 

     Activity picked up in the next few weeks as various articles and mementos were assigned and distributed. There was a certain amount of holding back as it would all be for nothing if a buyer did not show up. It was with surprise and relief when the family got a notification that there was an interested party and an offer was forthcoming. Again, that little shot of adrenaline as "Oh yes!" and "Oh no!" battled in the minds of the sellers. 

    The offer was considered very 'lowball' and after discovering that the potential buyers were owners of a company that flipped and/or developed properties, it was considered that the offer should be rejected outright. There was a strong loyalty and consideration of the neighbors and the family did not want to saddle them with the unknown for the next number of years. Would it be rented? Would it be torn down and re-built? Would it sit abandoned? Would it become a come and go party house? These were the considerations as the offer was being contemplated. 

    

Improving on Beauty

  These beautiful Dahlias were photographed in the sunshine, but didn't need to be. 

  Poppies in the misty rain. Very moody.

    If I could paint Hollyhocks. 

    I was very curious to see what would result from a request to turn this sunset Mission Bridge photo into impressionistic art. Wow! I might print this and hang it on the wall. 

    No need to wait for the moon to rise. Take the photo without the moon and then add it in. 

    A skydiver dropping in at the Regency Towers. He would be way off track if he were real. 

    This was just a pretty cow pasture until the Railroad put a track through it and sent this old steam train. 

    Painting Sunflowers with a spatula and heavy oils just got really easy. 

     I did nothing to this one, just to see who is paying attention. 

    This scene in Glenn Valley was spectacular and I have always admired it but thought how fortunate it would have been if those heavy storm clouds would spew some lightening. Well, what do you know? My wish came true. 
 

Lake House Diaries 17

     There was change coming, and it could be felt. The number of family members that were utilizing and enjoying the property began to fall. There was no appetite for going back to the 'user pay' model of covering expenses, so the 5 remaining couples who were on title as the owners of the property had to come up with funds each year. The $CAN was dropping and the expenses were going up. The hired landscapers took on more responsibility for grounds upkeep because there was not always someone there every week to do any of the yard work. They did not work for free!

   The next door neighbors, Bobby and Ellen, who were permanent residents, had always kept an eye on the property whenever it was unoccupied, were now aging and could no longer do it. Wes and Megan were there more than anyone else and kept the property up to date and viable, but also having a share in owning the property next door divided their loyalties. There was an unspoken consensus that something had to be done or something had to change. 

    The situation was beginning to make no sense from a financial point of view. Each owner was paying a substantial amount of money each year for a week or two of vacation. And not all of the owners were even using the property at all, despite the fact that they were paying. The question seemed to rise organically and a vote was taken as to whether to keep or to sell the Lake House. When the unanimous vote was "YES", it was both a relief and a bit of a shock. Was this chapter of the family story really going to come to an end?  The Lake House had been a part of their lives since a young age, for most of them, and certainly for the grandchildren. 

     Wes and Megan had a special connection to the Lake house and made an offer to buy the property from the other 4 owner couples. It was not unanimous, but their offer was rejected as being too low. It would have been ideal. They would get to have sole ownership of a place they loved and cared for, and it would stay in the family, ownership carried on by the family name. 

     There were some second thoughts and the sale date was postponed for a year. The whole family needed time to process the decision and to take stock of how the sale would proceed and how to dispose of a 45 year accumulation of 'stuff' when there were so many memories attached to everything. The extra season would also give everyone a chance to spend a last summer getaway there and say their goodbyes. The reality of putting the Lake House behind them was starting to hit home. But, not putting the cart before the horse, all bets were off unless there was actually a buyer. 

    The summer of 2026 would reveal all. 

Cowboys and Critters

    This could have been reality because there is an Air Show here every August. 

   The hills near Nighthawk in Washington State were crying out for cowboys and cattle. 

   This sunset photo of the sun reflecting on the RR tracks in Glen Valley needed a touch of wild life and what better than a Coyote family. 

   Willband Creek trail has a  cool and shady rest spot for a hot walk on a hot day. It needed someone or something to take advantage of it. 

     This Fox is not in the Henhouse, but peaking out from among some wild flowers growing beside the RR tracks beside the Abbotsford Mission Highway. 

    A family of Canada Geese filled in what was a minimalist photo. 
 

Lake House Diaries 16

     Greg and Ethel's health issues were on the rise, and the inevitable became reality when they announced that they had spent their last summer at the lake. They had made some very dear friends in the close knit community of the bay in which they lived, and that would be the most difficult aspect of staying away, perhaps never seeing their friends again. Over the last few years, they had had an abundance of time to process this eventuality and they seemed to come to terms with it graciously and without remorse. Some of the best years of their lives had been spent at the Lake and now it was time to move on. 

    It was some time during this transition that talks were underway between Greg, Wes, Paul and Helen in regards to the future of the Lake house and how it could be kept afloat financially. An exceedingly generous offer was made by Greg to finance all expenses. The money could come out of Greg and Ethel's reserves and would last until such time that they needed the money for their own care in an assisted living facility. It was decided and arranged, and a few weeks later, when Wes and Megan were sitting down to dinner with Tod and Em that the news was broken. Tod and Em were speechless. They had no idea that this was in the works and were offended and disappointed that they had no say in the matter. The rift in the sibling relationships was deeper than they had suspected. The worst thing was that Tod and Em could detect no reason for it. What was apparent, was that communications between some family members was deteriorating.

   For the next few years, the Lake House did not seem like a 'happy place'. It was a constant reminder of the alienation happening between the owners. True, there were no financial pressures to burden any family and there was cooperation in the scheduling of which family got which week, but everything there was a reminder of happier days and days when Ethel and Greg were there to anchor the family. Wes and Megan gradually became the 'caretakers' and had a handle on all systems, policies, and procedures. Megan's family owned the property immediately next door, so they were there often during the summer months, and not only kept an eye on things, but did many repairs and add-ons over the next few years. They were greatly appreciated by all and became the 'life-blood' of the Lake House. 

     When the COVID years hit, they still had access to the property and kept it running during the absence of others and during the installation of a new roof and the sweeping wild fires that came raging down the mountain just west of the property. But everything and everyone survived, except Greg. It was during this time that Greg succumbed to a deteriorating health condition. Ethel was now on her own, staying in an independent living facility. Living without Greg's income, and dipping deeply into her savings for monthly expenses, created a situation where subsidizing the Lake House became an untenable situation. 

    This put a different light on the Lake House's financial situation once again, and adjustments were going to have to made.  

 

Lake House Diaries 15

      The family dynamics took a turn after that meeting. There were changes blowing in the wind and perhaps the meeting was just the catalyst for something that may have been inevitable. The eldest son Greg Jr., had previously had a falling out with his father and then the brothers with whom he had been in business. He and his wife Lil and their girls were the family that used the Lake House the least of all of Greg and Ethel's children. His in-laws had a vacation property elsewhere and they seemed to prefer to spend time there. It did not make sense to him to pay a share of the expenses at the Lake House if he and his family were not there much. As a result, when Greg and Ethel passed on the property to all of their children, 6 couples, Greg decided to opt out soon after and insisted that his name be taken off of the title. 

      The others thought it was a rash decision, but the papers were finalized and then there were only 5 owners. The burden of responsibility was now on these 5 couples as Greg and Ethel were winding down their time there. Paul and his wife Hannah slowly took over the book-keeping and all the financial details that job entailed. All income and expenses were handled by Hannah and she did a great job. The issue of how much to charge the "campers" was often discussed as the expenses of running the property continued to climb. But discussions were no longer held at the Oroville meetings. In fact the Oroville meetings became a thing of the past when Paul declared that he was no longer calling meetings nor would he attend if there ever was one. He did not want to be "blind-sided again". 

    This left a few family members perplexed but business was still discussed via phone calls and emails. As time went by, certain topics and decision were only talked about by certain family members. For some unknown reason, Tod and Em were left out of the loop and would not be a part of the discussions, but decisions made by others were simply announced to them after the fact. Small fractures between individuals were not resolved but were left to fester and soon there were some real divisions. Of course, not knowing any of the disputes in the family, Greg would say to his children and grandchildren that he was so happy that he and Ethel had built the Lake House and that it was such a source of happiness and unity in the family. The enjoyment part was very true, but the unity was turning onto disunity, and it was mostly because of the Lake House. 

    The youngest son Rick and his wife Willa divorced themselves from the family and moved out of province. They still came for their week at the lake but would not so much as rub shoulders with any other family member. It seemed to be a continuation of the falling out he had with his brothers, similar to Greg Jr.'s. And then a decision was made that changed everything. 

Getting Started

  These are some of the first AI assisted photos that I attempted. On the Big Island of Hawaii there is a beautiful little park on the ocean with this peaceful cove. I know that Hawaii was not plagued with pirates, but I thought a pirate ship at anchor here would be fun. 

   What would happen if you were stranded on the road on a windy rainy night and you tried to flag down some help. These are two versions of the same thing but with different weather. 

     As with many of my photos, the scene is very pretty but there is something lacking. This evening scene after a rain shower needed a sail boat. The rainbow is real. 

   This spring the Cherry blossoms were spectacular. I cropped one of my many photos of blossoms and had AI insert a Robin. It chose an English Robin!

     A very well finished custom street rod but in a much better setting than a hot sticky asphalt parking lot in the middle of a big city. "Off roading" with this beauty is not advised. 
 

Rat Problem

     

      We live in an upscale Condominium complex and we should not have rats, but we do. There are two or three main reasons for this. Our property borders a small business mall which has a restaurant and a pizza joint. The garbage bins behind the establishments are not always closed tightly so rats can feed at will. Then they come to our complex where the landscaping  consists of much cement block and bark mulch, making it a good nesting site. We also suspect that some residents are leaving cat food in their outdoor areas and rats love the stuff. 

    The pest control company that has a contract to eradicate the rats is not very successful. The regulations around rat poison prohibits them from using lethal doses. Go figure! As a result, we see rats scurrying about day and night. 

    I finally decided to take matters into my own hands a few weeks ago. I started with the very sticky sheets that have a smell that attracts rats and mice. Shortly after laying one down in between the shrubs, I heard a commotion. Much to my dismay, a beautiful little bird had been caught. There was no way I could extricate him and I had to end its life humanely. On to plan B.

    For $5 I purchased a real rat trap, a snap trap. I soon found out how powerful it was as I was baiting and setting it. I quickly learned that I should have worn gloves. Let's just say that had my brains or heart been in my fingers, I would be dead. I used peanut butter as bait, not just any peanut butter, but my favourite, Adam's all natural Crunchy. No self respecting rat could possibly turn that down. 

   The next day, much to my dismay, I found the trap sprung, but no rat. And the bait was completely gone. I still have no idea how that happened. Believe me when I say that, because the trap has a "hair trigger". Then I got to thinking, as I sometimes do, that if I bait the trap again, but do not set it, the rats would get the idea that the trap and the bait are safe and soon they will throw caution to the wind and pounce on the bait with gusto, as I do my peanut butter toast in the mornings. 

    Much to my delight, the deception worked. I set the trap a day or two later and in only a few hours, I had my first rat, a clean kill right on the neck. 

    I have become somewhat of an expert now and have just notched my 10th kill as of this writing. I still get nervous setting the spring and have "snapped" myself several times, but now I wear gloves. I hope the rats don't get the same idea. 

Reworking Photos

    Our vacation property in Oroville gets some pretty spectacular skies, but nothing as good as this, thanks to the AI generated lightening. The photo is exactly as I took it. Amazing what a streak of jagged light can do to add drama. 

   The Ghost town of Molson revisited. A child of yesteryear comes to life with a little help from AI. 

        Again, 100% my photo, and a good one, I think. The added Moose makes it spectacular. 

   Another moose on the loose in a local field taken on a foggy Autumn morning. Funny, but there was a horse in the original photo. 

    Central Washington State is so much like Saskatchewan. I would like to say that is an old, old photo, but it is not. 
 

Lake House Diaries 14

     Paul, the third eldest in the family, had recently been showing more of an interest in the affairs of the family and of the Lake House. This was the first meeting where there seemed to be an official MC or facilitator of the meeting. He took charge of the discussion in a manner of speaking, and indicated that they would go around the circle and get each couple's dream for the future. Nothing written in stone, only an idea for the future and perhaps a guideline for further developments and actions. Just talk, mind you.

    As the couples were voicing their ideas and opinions, it was becoming evident that they were dealing with a heritage and a legacy, and the property would be there forever for future generation to come. Perhaps one of the couples would live there in the future, like Greg and Ethel did now. But who that might be was left unsaid. The main thing was to help Greg and Ethel run things smoothly, and let the future take care of itself. 

    And then it was Tod and Em's turn. Tod had been brainstorming with Kris and they both saw the possibilities, agreeing on the principle, but not the details of what Tod was about to say. Tod began by laying out the math. A sentence or two in, the room fell silent. Undeterred, Tod continued. His premise was that if they sold the property, as a family, and of course after Greg and Ethel were gone, and if the assessed value held, the revenue would be around $US1.8 million. Divided by six couples that would be $300,000.00 per couple. At that time, the interest rate was around 10%. Simply put in the bank by each couple, that money would generate $30,000.00 per year. They would no longer have the Lake House to vacation at, but imagine the vacation they take each year with that kind of money. And, Tod emphasized, it would be a real vacation, not one where you had to mow lawns, pull weeds, trim hedges, prune trees, clean up after spiders, etc, etc. 

    Kris was sitting next to Tod and it was his turn, after the silence became uncomfortable. Kris said that he agreed in principle with Tod's idea, but would not expand on it. He sensed it was not being taken well. And indeed it was not. 

     The meeting ended shortly thereafter and everyone went their own way. There was a sense of foreboding and Tod and Em talked about it on the way home. It was only an idea thrown out there, and yet there was something deeper. Tod expressed the idea that he was an in-law, a "married in" and perhaps what right did he have to any opinion at all, let alone the opinion to sell the family legacy. Tod learned something, that night, about the family he had married into and had a sense that things were going to get rough. And he was right.