Crickets, Katydids and Fireflies

We have a little cottage on the Allegheny river. It is nothing special but everything special to us.

My grandfather built the cabin back in the 50's when my mom was a little girl. He passed away this last spring but will always be with us there. Last week was the first time I've been there since he's been gone.

Last summer with my good friend Audrey

Growing up we had lots of fun swimming in the river, catching frogs, water skiing, fishing for minnies, doing crazy kid things like riding in the center of an inner tube down a hill into the river (don't ask). I played my first game of jarts there...does anyone remember those? My sister and I shared our birthday parties there...we are both June babies. So many memories that when I visit, the cabin talks to me. I can hear my grandma getting mad over a game of Aggravation and still smell coffee early in the morning even though we are tea drinkers.



There is a screened in porch with two day beds and a swing that I think came from my great grandma's house. Sleeping outside on a hot summer night was the best. Falling asleep on the porch with a chorus of katydids and crickets while the fireflies are still dancing around and a hint of the dwindling campfire still in the air is heavenly. In the morning when you wake up you can see the fog lifting off the river and the sun rising over the mountains. It's beautiful.


Simple things....how easy it is to forget that when it comes to happiness simplicity is the key. My grandfather knew this and I hope to pass it on to my daughter.