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Back again from time spent up north. This time around the weather was close to perfect, and I would almost describe the days as halcyon. Except for those pesky mosquitoes. Not their size, mind you, but their numbers. We have had so much rain this summer that new crops of the buggers seem to hatch on a daily basis. Deet is the answer or I would never be lakeside.

Every trip to the cabin calls for a stop at a locally famous candy store which just happens to be on our way. It caters to tourists and remains open nine months of the year. When it closes in January for the winter I am always hugely disappointed. Somehow, candy brought up from the Cities never tastes quite as good.



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The small town Sweets Shoppe crammed
with smiling parents and excited kids
carries a carnival vibe
as a contortionist stretches towards taffy
a weight lifter picks up rock candy
Siamese-like twins grab at jelly beans with four grubby hands
Godiva chocolate beckons a bareback rider
a slight-of-hand artist palms a wallet
the fire-eater searches for wintergreen
an animal handler leaves with peanut pockets
the high-wire worker sticks with toffee
some clown asks for free refills
gummi bears slip from the bag of the big game man
and Ring Master fathers finally marshall their troops out the door
ready to get the show back on the road for a weekend at the cabin.



Marilyn Aschoff Mellor