When Life Hands You Lemons, Listen for the Loons

On finding joy in our daily struggles.

With Memorial Day behind us, can we say summer has unofficially begun? I’m ready for it! How about you?

I arrived back at our Minnesota cabin on May 19th and, after two weeks of up-north living, I’ll head back to Michigan on Tuesday. I’ve already enjoyed many of the perks that comes with our cabin life—lively dinners with neighbors, invigorating bike spins with Tom, captivating views of the lake and eagle sightings, relaxing kayak rides, Minnesota brats (sausage mixed with wild rice and blueberries), and evenings spent reading with loon songs—my favorite thing—in the background.

But, it hasn’t been pure bliss. I’ve also faced some of the downsides of owning a second home. That is…maintaining a second home. Last summer, it was the kitchen appliances that went out, and deck improvements we needed. This year, it appears the heat pump bit the dust, and the roof will possibly need replacing. I guess that’s what happens when you buy a place “as is” at that un-magical age (around 18 years) when everything starts to wear out.

When I arrived, the temperature was dipping down into the mid-30s at night, and the heat wasn’t working, bringing the cabin temps down into the mid-50s. Brrrr. 🥶 My good neighbors had some space heaters to get me by until I could get the HVAC company out. A few days later, it appeared they had fixed the problem, only for it to conk out again after 24 hours. Now, we’re considering replacing the whole system. In the meantime, it has started warming up outside, and will be downright hot this weekend (89 by Sunday). I’ll have no more shivering nights, but since the heat pump provides our air conditioning, I’ll endure my sauna instead.

Listen for the loons, Linda.

We’ve also spent some of our time this week prepping for our kids’ and grandkids’ visits later this summer. We rented a Rug Doctor to clean an area rug we bought at a thrift store for $10, and after much finagling of furniture, mattress, and bedding, put it into place under our bed. It feels great under my bare feet when I get up to pee during the night (which I often do 🙄).

Then, after jostling junk from one basement storage area to another, and finding a carpet remnant the previous owners had left behind to be in great shape, we laid it out in what will now be our overflow sleeping room/toy room. We’ll need the overflow space for an air mattress in July when there will be eight of us here for a few days. The toy room will help us manage twelve days of Lala/Papa time with our grandkids (ages 5 and 2), while their parents go on a 10th anniversary cruise. I daresay we’ll be ready for a vacation after that!

After cleaning the rug, moving heavy objects, and hunching over (did I mention our basement/crawl space is only five feet tall?), my back was screaming at me by the end of the day.

My neighbor Ann always laughs as she reminds me, “Relax, you’re at the lake!”

Listen for the loons, Linda.

All this is to say, sometimes life hands us lemons—like broken heat pumps and aching backs. It makes us whine, worry, and complain.

But even in our troubles, there is always joy to be found. Listening for the loons—i.e., looking for the beauty, truth, and goodness in our lives—will soften our struggles. There’s always something to be grateful for, but looking—or listening—for it takes some intentionality.

What are the loon songs that are getting you through the day?

What are you paying attention to that brings joy and light into your life?

I’d love to know and other readers might too!

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On the subject of “joy,” I want to remind you that Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment is now available wherever books are sold online!

Want a sneak peek?

I took a joyride with Jodi Silverman on her wonderful podcast, Beyond Empty Nest. We talked about the twists and turns of the empty nest years—how to embrace them with grace, purpose, faith, and even a sense of adventure. I shared some of the wisdom I’ve gained from raising four kids, loving on my grandkids, and leaning into this season of life with an open heart. 🩷

I also gave a glimpse into a few favorite topics in the book. From preparing for an empty nest before it begins, to improving communication, and to being ready for life’s unexpected “bumps in the road,” this episode is full of hope to help you thrive through change.

🎧 Listen in for an honest, hope-filled conversation.

Let me know you were here by “hitting the 🖤” or leaving a comment! I’d also be so grateful if you’d share with a friend.