HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL IN TENNESSEE

Lake Ripley Revisited

Well, it’s here again. It’s hard to believe the summer is almost gone, and a whole year has passed since the last Cambridge News’ annual Lake Ripley edition.
I don’t know what I can say about the lake that I haven’t already said. So I’ll say it again.
It seems like only yesterday that,
my dad saw a little ad in our local paper-cottage for sale. We piled everyone into the station wagon. He walked down to the lake, gave the Realtor a hard time, and bought the cottage without even going in.
every Saturday we would pack up the car. As soon as Ted, Sr. would come from work, we were off north. About 4 a.m. Monday mornings we would yawn and head back to work and home. Funny, though. As we were leaving the cottage, we felt like we were leaving home instead of going home.
Ted Sr. always drove ten mph down the road, just to "look at the lake."
the kids learned to water-ski. One of the girl’s boyfriend skied on ping-pong paddles. Ted, Jr. would ski on his elbows and knees, among other things.
we might spend most of the night on the pontoon, just watching the stars and moon.
we had our first bonfire which became a tradition.
I quit my job, packed up my mother, and moved to the lake.
It has been several years, but it seems like only yesterday that I was sitting on Roger Kelly’s boat, and he told me the real story of the Lake Ripley Monster.
The good part of these memories is so much of it is still a part of us. The other day Deb’s best girlfriend , Pat, came for her yearly summer visit. Lying on a float in the water she said, "This is the life." We’ve heard it a lot over the years. We’ve said it a lot.
Today I like to do things that are not so strenuous. One of my favorite things is to walk down to the lake very early in the morning, and sit on the pontoon, with only the birds and fish for company. I don’t make very good coffee, but that morning cup tastes mighty good.
The lake is there for whatever you want it to be. I like to putz around the shoreline. I never tire of the scenery, and the lovely homes. Then there are the times when, as my daughter says," the need for speed" has to be satisfied. Safely, of course.

A day trip is to Lake Ripley Park is a treat, especially for the kids, with its nice sandy beach and good swimming.
Summer is the busy time. But all the seasons have their perks on the lake.
In the winter when the lake freezes, the ice shacks are hauled out, sometimes too soon. Hockey rinks are smoothed out from under any snow. Snowmobiles and ATV’s can be heard roaring across the ice.
Year round you can enjoy the lake without going near the water. Walk, ride, cycle, skate drive, the lake road and just look at the lake. You’ll love it.
What doesn’t change is my worry about what there is to eat when everyone comes up from the lake. Nowadays, they take care of themselves. But, occasionally the mom in me has to make something. I like to have it made ahead of time. Casseroles and one dish meals are my favorite.
This is one (you have to like sauerkraut) my daughter makes much better than I do. I don’t know why. She must have a secret.
Deb’s Pork chops and sauerkraut.
You will need:
5 or 6 pork chops
½ stick melted butter
one large and one small can Frank’s Kraut, rinsed
one Granny Smith apple, diced very thin
one medium onion, diced
2-3 bay leaves
brown sugar
one cup bouillon
brown pork chops
layer in baking pan
cover with kraut
layer onion on top
mix apple and bay leaves with melted butter and layer on top
top with brown sugar to taste
cover and bake at 350 for one hour, uncovering the last 15 minutes
Serve with smashed potatoes. Enjoy.