Best of Summer 2024

First, a really excellent way to ensure tips in Leland.

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Hey guys. Long time, no talk. Guess what I've been up to? Not much! Just kidding. It's my usual story actually - my job consumes me from March-October and if there's a chance to come up for air, I spend it at the beach.

I know this is cliche, but did this summer zoom by, or what? I think the late start we got, along with all the rainy weekends just made the season feel short to me. Weather is like having babies though - you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. Unless you do, and I do. I complained about the weather a lot this summer.

But, you know, we went after summer with a business-as-usual attitude: we went outside as much as we could and did a whole lot of swimming. We made our annual pilgrimage to Michigan's Adventure and ate tons of pizza. I read some books. So no complaints from me.

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On the reading front, I've felt like everything is kind of "eh, okay" so I don't really have any serious bangers to share, but there were a few that caught my attention.

Tom Lake by Anne Patchett - local friends, this takes place in Traverse City, and (probably?) Interlochen. A woman with three grown daughters tells them the story of the summer she dated a real movie star. Her story unravels as they pluck cherries from the trees on their orchard, which is V Traverse City-ish. Couple of fun local call outs (Cherry Festival! Cherry Festival Queen!)

Happy Go Lucky and Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris - I will always come back for more helpings of David Sedaris. The usual variety of funny non-fiction essays and journal entries that read like short essays.

Prince Charles by Sally Bedell Smith - I enjoy reading non-fiction and particularly enjoy the English royal family after getting hook, line, and sinkered by The Crown, but mostly I just shake my head and wonder why exactly does the monarchy still exist? PS they're just like us - a family with disappointments and clowns and in-fighting and gossiping, etc etc forever.

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Did some camping and by "some" I mean exactly one trip. We went over my 36th birthday and spent a large swathe of the weekend on kayaks, which was just perfect IMO.

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If I'm reading I'm eating. Usually. Or I'm putzing around Benzie County for nachos and a spicy marg.

Some well earned guidance, if I may:

The nachos at Five Shores in Beulah. I usually get them without meat, but you can add beef or chicken and it is a GD meal.

The Cabbage Shed is generally overpriced, but the vibe is right and look at the size of that basil. I didn't even know they came that big. I like to perch up on the deck with a glass of rose or Sauvignon and spend an entire afternoon.

Furnace Street Distillery in Elberta is a true hidden gem. With a fleet of adirondacks overlooking the Frankfort bay, you cannot beat the seating arrangement. I recommend getting a spicy marg and after two of them, a margarita pizza.

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Beaching, boating, and chewing my nails while Duke fearlessly rushes out into the waves. I caught myself waving him back towards shore a few times and boy, does that make me feel like my mom.

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As it does, Labor Day arrived too quickly and brought crisp mornings and generally cooler temperatures with it. Duke starts school tomorrow and that's what makes summer really feel over to me. No more lazy mornings, letting him sleep after I leave for work. No more popsicles for dinner because it's too hot to eat anything else. No more late movie nights. We're back on our bullshit and I am not here for it.

So for one last weekend, we really went for it.