Both Janie and Charlotte (Auntie La) have been gone for more than a year now. Their spirits are definitely still here. I spend a fair amount of time looking over my shoulder mom. They were born in 1929 to William Huston Thomas and Charlotte Valance Thomas and lived very full impressive lives, spawning the bulk of the 5th generation of the cottage. Three willow trees were planted in their honor in the front of the cabin in the thirties I believe. The middle tree was removed in fairly quick order since it was interfering with the view of the lake and more specifically the sunset.
Now the other two trees are gone. They had also lived out full lives (for willows). The north tree stump remains. Rather sizable since it’s diameter required a bigger saw than the tree guys had. That’s ok. We are entertaining suggestions on that stump. A viewing platform? An artistic carving?
From the shore the view is different, but there is more lake view. The south tree, removed last year) is already quite bushy and will soon block the view of the barbarians.
The view from the lake is a little sad. My whole life on the lake was “look for the green and white cabin between the two willows”. I’ve told that to untold numbers of visitors….oh well. Now we are the property next to the very long ling of boats. Even easier to see (thank you SC).