Flashes of lightning so powerful they illuminate the dark billowing clouds in the sky, creating a late Independence Day fireworks display. Faint and distant roars of thunder continue as if they’ll never end, with an occasional boom for effect.
On Golden Pond
I’m rubbing my hands together to warm them in the cold front that traveled in with the rains, yet I cherish this old screened-in porch so much, I cannot skip a morning here. Each morning I come here with my coffee and my breakfast, and it’s where I end each day to enjoy the warm afternoon light as it floods the distant trees with orange. After dinner, it’s where I sit to enjoy the silence, with an occasional welcome interruption from the cry of the loons. This is Golden Pond.
Three Views
The porch is an octagon with lake views in three directions, views of the old moss- and pine-bough-covered shingle roofs in another direction, and the old lakefront fireplace on the other side. Once there stood a boathouse, when ladies wore long white dresses and men in ties and seersucker suits and round straw hats stepped into the old launch to properly cruise these lakes. Today the boathouse, the launch, and the people and their customs have disappeared. We’re much more informal, and future owners will look back on our photos to see our flip-flops, T-shirts, and plastic kayaks. Perhaps they in their drone boats will look at us as antiquated.
Deep Traditions
In spite of modern times, our little chain of lakes and its history remain deeply rooted in tradition, partly because most of the families on the lake have been here since the camps’ founding 120 years ago. In Late July and August there are sailboat races in old wooden boats constructed for the lake, boats that have been sailing for 12 decades. There is a Labor Day tea, where awards are presented to winning sailors. I’m proud that my son Berkeley has been the recipient a couple of years in a row.
Gather to Worship in a Unique Way
On Sundays many of us gather at the old stone church, open only in the summer months. To get there we have to hop in a boat and go to a distant landing to get to our cars. In the old days, lake families would gather at “Pulpit Rock,” where the preacher would stand with families who came there in old wooden boats to listen and worship. Then on Sunday nights they would gather in one of the camps (the name they use for homes here) to sing hymns. The tradition has continued for 120 years and has been in the same camp for the last 60. It’s a wonderful tradition. And somehow families keep it alive to keep the lake from losing its character.
Time Tunnel
Living here in the summer is like living in a time machine. Life is slow — only recently did we get Internet, the one thing that allows those of us who work to work from here. Families gather socially all summer and show up in their old wooden boats. (Something we don’t have here but aspire to acquire one day.) Some have televisions, while others, like us, prefer life without them. I can go the whole summer without seeing the news, and my news comes only via the grapevine, which is refreshing. Frankly, I love life without the news and don’t like that they get us all keyed up and polarized so we’ll watch more. It’s an addiction I can do without.
Feeling at Home
Laurie and I had never lived in an old house until we moved into this camp recently. Like all things old, it’s a bit of a money pit, as harsh winters make repairs necessary each spring. But we have our meals in the old kitchen or dining room where families have connected for 120 years. Within a week of moving in, we both felt like we had been here forever. It’s like living in grandma and grandpa’s house. We feel very much at home.
Swinging Back
There is a book called Generations by William Strauss and Neil Howe that talks about how society changes and how, about every 80 years, our tastes change as we go through generational cycles. It’s true in art too. And it reflects our attitudes, which is pointed out in the book Pendulum, written by my buddies Roy H. Williams and Michael Drew. And I can feel the pendulum swinging back in a different direction.
Moving Away from Digital
There is a lot of evidence that younger people are starting to swing away from digital and move back to the things they didn’t have growing up, which is why vinyl records are hot, why young readers are returning to printed books and magazines, and why they are looking for ways to engage in real life experiences. They are not shedding their digital worlds, but starting to seek ways to escape being all-digital.
Escape to Civility
I for one have found that escape is critical. At my events I make it a point to tell people that they will be asked to leave if they engage in political discussions because we’re there to escape the noise of life, stress, and politics, to be replaced by connecting with people on a deeper level, making friendships and enjoying nature as we allow our creative bones to rattle a bit. Though we all care deeply about our country, we have become very polarized and have lost the civility to hear the opinions of others, and it is resulting in friendships lost.
That is why my “no drama” rule applies to politics at my painting events, and here in paradise. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s that I care more about the people I love finding things to talk about that don’t include politics. I’m thinking of making a sign: “Politics Not Spoken Here.” Imagine how much richer our lives and friendships would be if we could keep our opinions about politics to ourselves and enjoy our conversations and friendships, and stop disrespecting others because they don’t think they way we think. It shows how we’ve become narrow thinkers when we all think we’ve evolved.
Take Advantage of Summer
Summers are a special time, a chance to get away, a chance to reconnect, a chance to work a little less and enjoy a little more. What would happen if you created a mental escape from the things that cause stress, that cause disagreement, the things that make you fume?
Be an Ostrich
I’m taking a media vacation this summer. I’m not watching the news, I’m not listening to the radio in the car, I’m not reading the papers, and I’m avoiding social media that involves news or politics. I refuse to read a news website all summer. If the world comes to an end, I’ll be the one that didn’t stress about it for weeks leading up to it. I’m avoiding news, debates, and any political discussion with anyone. If politics comes up, I change the subject. If it continues, I politely excuse myself. And I’m happier for it. Last summer I took a two week “email and cell phone” escape. This summer I’m escaping media.
Can you do it for a summer? Can you create a mental escape? Can you get your friends to do it?
I’m not exactly sure how many people are reading this each Sunday, but I’m told these e-mails get forwarded a lot. What would happen if all the readers, and their friends, took the summer off for a mental escape?
Join me. Your tense, stress-filled, disappointed, and outraged brain will thank you.
I promise you won’t miss it.
Eric Rhoads
PS: The no drama/no politics policy will be in effect at our Fine Art Trip this coming October when we go behind the scenes to see the art world around Provence and the South of France, the French Riviera, and then Scotland. It is one of the finest ways in the world to see art, to make new friends, and to have a great lifetime memory. There are just a few slots still open.
Last week I had an amazing experience. I spent two days going through the archives at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, working on a project. It’s a wonderful museum, and they are celebrating 50 years, so it’s a good time to go. And just down the road is Chesterwood, the home and studio of Daniel Chester French, the sculptor who did the Lincoln Memorial statue of Lincoln. (I was pleased to see Fine Art Connoisseur on sale in the gift shop.) And there are lots of museums nearby. The Berkshire Museum is a lovely old classic museum building with a wonderful John MacDonald show going on, and the Clark Museum nearby has a Renoir show. Lots to do and see this summer.
Love this. I started unplugging from my cell on the weekends, and started a few months ago just watching the weather then turning off the news channel. I am going to take the media vacation! WOO HOO!
Thank you for your wonderful essays and comments on society, art, and stress-relieving habits to embrace.
Hi Eric, I SO get it! unplug and unwind! We do that as often as we can at our trailer in the Adirondacks… here at home we unplugged the cable and live without A/C or dishwasher, our car has roll down windows,,,, living in the 50’s as much as we can , ok mostly 60’s we play our music on a turntable!
Hope you enjoy your new (old)camp and the rest of the summer- I’ve used your no drama line from Paint Camp many times, hope to make it to the 10th–
best regards to you and the kids for a wonderful summer
(if you don’t get to read this til fall thats ok!)
I’m so glad you’re enjoying your beautiful “camp”, and that I can picture it as you describe it! Happy summer to you all.
Hi Eric
I thoroughly enjoy your Sunday coffee conversations and take many positive ideas from them. I was fortunate to enjoy summers at a cottage on Green Bay in WI while growing up. No tv or phones. This was in the 1950’s. It was delightful….played lotsa cards with family as well as outdoor recreation.
I tried to open your France trip for more information but could not. so I will try another way.
Kathleen
I do so enjoy your Sunday Coffee Email!!
Love the thought!!!!!
I follow the same principles in my home …….when I shut “the gate”…………it symbolises the environment that I DO have control over……and therefore my home is a paradise I get to live in everyday….. complete with art studio and huge craft room …it’s a sanctuary beyond comparison…even tho I live in suburbia
When I go away in my little caravan…life is even simpler and TVs etc are NOT invited!!!!!
Bliss
I agree that it is healthy to remove the electronic miracles from our lives once in awhile and just “be”….appreciating some of natures’ miracles instead.
I do think the tension we feel is not because we cannot agree politically. I believe it is the realization that everything we thought of as our American way of life …the values that we believed were shared by everyone except the fringe elements, the racists, the misogynists…are no longer universally shared. And maybe they never were…this is the shocking fact that has formed huge wedges in today’s society.
Aaaaa-men! That being said, while the withdrawal symptoms may seem impossible to overcome we gotta start sometime. Now would be a good time.
I remember years ago chatting with you about a particularly difficult career decision I would have to make, your advice to me was, “go sit on a beach or on a mountain for a week. No phone, no laptop, no noise. It will do wonders to clear your mind to make a good decision”. I’ve never forgotten it and have used that great counsel a number of times. Still holds true.
A great idea. I had a similar “away from all news experience” last summer and it felt so healing. That said, what happens when your state’s Governor totally eliminates all funding for the arts (100%) as Alaska’s Governor is doing this summer and we’re all taking a holiday from the news?
Eric Rhoads, I LOVE Sunday Coffee emails, and share them all the time! I, too, have been on a news break for 2 years, and absolutely don’t miss it. I’ve been on a tv break for 3 months and don’t miss it either. Thank you for starting my Sundays with inspiration and reflection.
Barb Verser
So happy for you and your family at the lake. I have heard it as being a “news fast” promoted by a well known physician. When I was growing up, we spent our summers camping along the Shenandoah River in WV. No electricity, no camper. We had a bath house with cold water showers. We went to the swimming pool everyday and also the lake. We hiked everywhere and played cards and board games in the teen room of the clubhouse. It was very much a family time and everyone knew everyone else. Our one concession to TV was to watch The Twilight Zone on Friday nights in the TV room. It was wonderful. A few people had party line phones in their cabins. It was such a wonderful experience that I wish more people would realize is so important to our well being.
I recently upgraded my TracFone to a Smart phone after fighting against it for years, but I still turn it off most of the time. When I taught high school, I was appalled at the time my students tried to spend on their phones. . Glad to hear that the trend is reversing. Keep up the great morning missives from your screened in porch.
Eric, I can’t tell you in words how enjoyable I find your Sunday “talks”. You always seem to have a refreshing and clear approach to the world around you. It sets me thinking about what you are discussing and has actually gotten this 72-year-old brain to shift to wards a different perspective about some things. I particularly like your idea of turning off the news. It’s been some time since I last watched a news program. And, if I never watch another I will not feel I have lost anything. I’m not a great painter, still working towards being a good one. The only thing I would regret if the world were to end tomorrow is that I stopped painting for 20 years before starting again. But if it did end, at least I will go with a paint brush in my hands. Thank you for the cuppa coffee.😊
Thank you for this beautiful post. The news are not about the news but about the politics and so is social media. Good idea to hit delete and look at the view behind us. One of my art teacher told me that the best view is often the one behind you, the one that you do not look at.
I absolutely agree! I am house sitting at a friends and when out of your usual routine, it is easy to change things up. It’s been two weeks since I’ve watched the news and I am the better for it. Additionally, my friend has a large garden that needs tending. Being that I live in the mountains, there is little opportunity to garden, as the deer eat most of it. While keeping up their yard, I have come to realize how much I miss gardening, which for me is very relaxing.
I can see your orange and golden sunset in my mind’s eye, you are a very blessed man.
Wonderful. Thank you.
Excellent words of wisdom.
Thank you for this post.
Please tell me where your summer retreat is located. It sounds like heaven.
We’re in the Adirondacks best Lake Plavid, NY
THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! This entire “resist” people who do not agree with your politics has gotten out of hand! Enjoy the beauty of
your family home and the legacy of your incredible parents in PEACE!!! : ))
Thank you for faithfully doing this each Sunday
I look forward to it each Sunday morning and often refer back to it through the week
Love the concept of a no media break and using the “ostrich” technique 😁
All the best for a continued summer of rest and restoration with those you love