Last cruise on the pontoon this year

I always get a feeling of melancholy this time of year.

When I was young it was brought on by the realization that school was about to start again, that the endless days of summer were not so endless after all.

Now it’s brought on by those necessary seasonal chores summer’s passing requires, one in particular. We pulled the pontoon boat out of the water last week. We’re not done fishing yet, but we have another boat for that and it’s kept in the garage when we’re not there. The pontoon stays in the water almost all summer.

Tied to the dock on the bay below the cabin, it’s ready to go when we a...