Currie Lake and Love to Diana                                            September 6, 1999 

We’re spending a week at Currie Lake.  A week of real peace and quite.  A week in the Wisconsin North Woods.  Currie Lake is between Tomahawk and Minocqua.  And for those who need a bit of geography help, it’s between Wausau, WI in the middle of the state and the Canadian border.  Currie Lake is small, clean, clear and quiet.  There are about 40 houses located around the lakeshore, most camouflaged by pines.

There are loons on Currie Lake; they look a little like ducks.  These loons have a black head, a white and black striped chest, a broad white band with thin black stripes on their neck and bright red eyes.  They have white spots along their dark black wings.  We’ve seen them and heard their unique and wonderful call in the past, but not yet on this visit.  

We’re staying in a small, two bedroom, wood-paneled cabin right on the lake.  It’s already getting cool.  From the week-end's mid-80's, tomorrow’s high is supposed to be about 60.  Fall comes early here.  Life at Currie Lake is simple, especially as a guest, rather than as a property owner.  Today we played Scrabble (yes, Dick won).  Tomorrow we’ll play golf at a very nice course just 15 miles away.  There’s also a practice course just 3 miles away.  Earlier, (before the nookie) we went out for a ride in the paddleboat.  And now, there’s finally time for reading; I just finished John Irving’s "A Widow for One Year" – I give it a score of 4 (out of 5).  Mostly Currie Lake is one of those places where the world can disappear.  We’re definitely "on vacation" here.

Judy and Al Lidtke own the cabin.  They’ll be joining us late Friday.  Judy was my roommate when I started dating Dick (just a short 25 years ago!)  She and my other roommate, Margie, were definitely on Dick’s side when I was considering how seriously to take his attentions.  They’ve been among his favorite people, and our very good friends, ever since.

This was a good week to get away and contemplate.  Diana Eggerding,  who was matron of honor at our wedding so many years ago, died this week.  Although we been concerned about her health for several years, she died unexpectedly.  And, as is too often the case, I didn’t get to be with her before she left us.  I wish I had had the chance to bring just a little more happiness into her life.  But mostly, I wish I’d told her how much I loved her.  I think she knew that, but I still wish I had told her.  Diana’s passing is a real sadness for me.  I will miss her.

And so to all my friends, I want to let you know -- YOU have brought some happiness into my life.  Thank you for the relationship we have.  Please take care,

Witta

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