The news had been warning us about a record heat waving coming our way. Not only record heat, but tropical humidity. Like... 95 to 98 percent humidity. Sure, we could have stayed home and hid behind curtained windows basking in cool air. We could have, but we didn't.
We had this brilliant idea that it would be better to head to the cabin. The airconditioning-less cabin.
Jack and I caught a ride with my parents early Saturday morning. My parents would leave Sunday, and Tom would arrive Sunday evening after work. Just one small detail: I forgot my cell phone, the cabin has no land line, and does not get TV reception. No internet or cable either. That first day and night with Ma & Pa Artsy was full of typical cabin fun.
Sunday morning we woke up to dense fog, heat and humidity. Did I mention humidity? It was fine as long as you didn't exert an ounce of heat-generating energy. The minute you moved, you were instantly drenched in sweat. Mom and Dad hung around till mid-morning and then started packing up. They left me Dad's cell phone for emergencies. I told them it would be fine... my darling husband should be arriving by 5pm. That was a mere seven hours away. They hit the road and I decided to check in with Tom. I picked up Dad's phone only to find out that it was broken! The humidity was so high that condensation was all over inside of it. I could get it to power up and display a blank white screen.
Panic started edging in. I don't have a phone. I don't have a car. I don't have internet. I don't have a TV. What if Tom broke down? What if we had a medical emergency? And I didn't even know what time it was! Then Common Sense kicked in and reminded me of a neighbor in residence all summer a few properties away. Common Sense said that there was plenty of food in the fridge. Common Sense told me to turn on the radio to catch the time and weather. Common Sense laughed at me while saying 'NINA! Stop worrying - you are turning into your Mother!'
Ahh, Common Sense. You are so smart. I relaxed and enjoyed the heat... until Jack pooped in his swim shorts. While he was in the little blow up pool. Surrounded by a million water toys. And the funniest part was that I didn't even REALIZE it had happened until it squished out of his shorts and last nights corn made a reappearance. *gag* Yep, the fun was over. After a quick shower it was nap time for Captain Poopypants and clean up time for me. Oh was that fun; mesh liner in the shorts, tons of toys to clean and a 4 foot pool to rinse out in crazy heat and humidity.
Fortunately the heat knocked little Jack out for almost three hours. I was able to clean up and then resume Operation UnConnected. Instead of checking email, I read a book. Instead of writing a blog, I sat on the dock and dangled my feet in the water. Instead of sending Tom inane text messages, I enjoyed the sound of the lake lapping at the shore and loons singing their crazy songs. I cut mushrooms and onions for dinner, I seasoned steaks, I shucked corn and set the table. All without any Electronic Intrusions.
It was nice.
I have a few more stories from our weekend to share during the next few days. I was attacked by fish, I met Bernie in Duluth, wearing Chanel No.5, cooking chicken backs..... Stay tuned!
