Cottaging From a Senior’s Perspective

Summer’s first true holiday weekend is in full swing and older adults may enjoy the quieter aspects of cottage life than their younger family members who are ripping up the lake on a jet ski or leaping from rocky summits.  The early bird often catches the best glimpses of wildlife in the north country and whether on foot or by canoe or kayak, it’s never too late in life to develop a renewed passion for the outdoors.

Bird watching may sound dull but in fact, enticing hummingbirds to a feeder and possibly even hand-feeding them can be exhilarating.  Patience gained with age and time freed from the demands of young children can make this an ideal pastime for seniors spending time at a cottage this summer.  Learning what plants and food attract colorful birds can add the enjoyment of this hobby and provide an excellent excuse for indulging in a good camera, another ideal up north occupation.

Rainy days were made for games, books and puzzles.  Grandparents can help occupy youngsters stuck inside on rainy days with games from their own childhood.  Freed from electronic devices and Netflix, grandchildren are more willing to try something new, play an old favorite card or board game or participate in a round of charades.  These are opportunities not to be missed and will be looked back on fondly during the busy school year.

Take pictures!  Parents are often so busy playing cruise director on holidays that they don’t take the time to gather the family for photos or snap candid shots when Katie learns to get up on the wake board.  Older family members are a treasure if they can be the designated family photographer and compiling pictures to be framed or added to a photo book is a pleasant job for after everyone heads home.

Picking local berries and teaching kids to bake or make preserves is a tradition that allows kids, busy with sports and academics in an increasingly competitive world to slow down and savor the fruits of their own labor, so to speak.

Young and old alike will look back with gratitude for taking the occasional break from the need for speed to slow down and reconnect with nature and a sense of history while on summer break.   In a world of busy, on-demand lives, summer offers a unique opportunity to breathe deeply and unwind, something the seniors in our life can help facilitate with a lifetime of experiences in a simpler time.