The last time I rode a horse, it did not end well. And my last visit from a horse was “Charley,” alerting me to a blood clot in my calf after foot surgery! Being a determined person, however, I am making a vow to once again “horse around!” Carolyn McFarland, Manager of the Equestrian Center, doesn’t know this yet, but she will be an important participant in my overcoming a fear.
Living in Texas as a young girl, I owned a Welsh cross, while my best friend owned a quarter horse. If you aren’t familiar with horses, mine was like a VW Bug compared to her more powerful, larger, Cadillac SUV. The population of Pottsboro, the tiny town in which I lived, was 436, and the horse population well outnumbered the people. Riding often meant galloping through neighbors’ yards. Back then, hanging clothes out to dry was a common sight. One hot, dry Texas day, I decided to ride my friend’s horse. Not remembering that hers was much taller than mine, I ducked the clotheslines, as I had done many times prior on my little Welsh, only to be…you guessed it…clotheslined! I don’t remember anything else until waking up on the sofa in my home.
As an Air Force brat, my family moved to Florida shortly thereafter, and horses naturally became a distant thought. Fast forward 30 years, and here I am at Lake of the Woods. I must admit that the Equestrian Center wasn’t a huge draw when deciding to make the lake my home. Now, however, I am determined to take advantage of ALL of the incredible amenities we are so fortunate to have right here, right inside the gates!
In preparation for Ann Cameron Siegal’s visit to LOW to write the story on our community for the Washington Post, I decided that I should learn more about the Equestrian Center in order to be a proper resource. So I visited with Carolyn at the Center and even discussed a gorgeous trail ride (palms sweating) through the Wilderness Battlefield Park on a fall day at the peak of the leaf-changing-season. I was cautiously looking forward to it. As fate would have it, though, the microburst hit the lake, and I was “saved,’ as the number of downed trees forced the trail to be closed.
Being friends with Carolyn on facebook, and seeing how passionate she is about the Center and the horses, I decided it was time to face my fear. I decided that Carolyn was just the person to help me. I met with her again…and with the horses. Did you know that the Center offers pony rides, pony parties, horse camps, jumper shows, hunter shows, trail rides, and even held the first annual Dog Show this year?
I want to jump on this bandwagon of activity! I want to be able to tell my clients to whom I’ve sold homes first hand how great a trail ride is! So this fall, hopefully I won’t (fall)! I will pull myself up by my bootstraps and face my fear; I will “jump back up on the horse” and take a trail ride with Carolyn by my side. By the end of October, I am determined to have once again “horsed around!”
Until next time…it’s another beautiful day at the lake! Pat Licata, REALTOR Licata on the Lake
As much as I look forward to, and love, the spring and summer activities at the Lake, fall truly is my favorite season. My first introduction to four distinct seasons was living in Denver, CO, as a young girl (prior to my cowgirl experience in Texas from which I still haven’t recovered). And I’ve appreciated being able to enjoy each season ever since.
For those who think the lake sleeps when summer gives way to the cooler temperatures, shorter days, and crisp air, think again! Fall at the lake affords us a plethora of activities: Schutzenfest, Oktoberfest or trick-or-treating at Clubhouse Point; horse shows at, and trail rides from, the Equestrian Center; $5 burger night; an art show; and so much more!
In addition to fall activities, I also look forward to, and love, the spectacular shout of color from the trees along the shores of the lake and throughout the community, as well as the mums, burning bushes, and other fall flowering plants. I enjoy seeing the pumpkins adorning walkways and the scent of fireplaces having been stoked to temper the new season’s chill. I love the sight of the mist on the lake from the cooler, fall air touching the warmer water. I gladly embrace football, curling up with a “must read” in front of the fireplace, actually sleeping under the covers, and the need for wearing sweaters.
I must admit, however, that I am less than enamored with the harsh smack of the acorns and hickory nuts hitting the roof of my house and my car…and my head. The reality is that no person (or animal) is safe in my yard! The missiles do not discriminate; they are equal-opportunity attackers! Yes, most of my fall visitors joke about the need to wear a helmet. My daughter’s dog runs for her life from the front door to the street, as she, like the rest of us, has been the victim of an unwarranted attack.
Driving through the community, I feel fortunate to live here. I take in the sights, no matter how ordinary. Whether it is watching the children excitedly load the buses or swerving on countless occasions to avoid the squirrels and chipmunks playing “chicken” with my car, I can’t help but smile. These simple experiences are such a large part of what makes this place feel like home, regardless of the season.
And because our community is so wonderfully wooded, fall, and the winter season sure to follow, delivers new surprises. I see these surprises as gifts. Even after 4 years, my eyes still catch new sights suddenly apparent once the trees have shaken their lush green leaves of summer. I am surprised at what I hadn’t noticed and eagerly anticipate the new “find” patiently awaiting my discovery-right here, right inside the gates of LOW.
Until next time…”It’s another beautiful day at the lake!” Pat Licata REALTOR Licata on the Lake
The sounds, sights, and smells are undeniable: the lake is awake! With spring comes increased activity, and my excitement also increases as I uncover more evidence of my favorite outdoor time of the year at the lake. Although I am fortunate enough to enjoy Lake of the Woods all year, I receive droves of visitors in the spring and summer, so I share my beautiful community with family and friends most during these seasons.
Familiar sounds include the woodpecker pecking on its favorite tree, the many varieties of birds chirping, the geese honking one of their 13 calls, the owls hooting, the flapping of the swan’s immense wings in flight as they land on the lake in my cove, the quacking of the ducks, the laughter of the children as they play in the water or fish, the engines of the jetskiis and boats, the cries of the hawks, and the chatter of my cats as they watch the squirrels and birds through the screened door. What’s missing? The sounds of the frogs!
The sights are welcomed, as well: longer lines of additional cars coming through the gates, the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks at Turtle Island, the majestic blue heron’s dusk flight to its home in the tree across the cove, the swans doing the love dance or sitting on nests, the geese cruising with their quickly-growing goslings, migratory waterfowl choosing our lake as a resting spot on their way to their breeding ground, bunnies seemingly hiding in the grass, my resident chipmunk running from my front yard to the back patio to hide in the hose of the leaf blower (and I do have visions of him being catapulted out like a cannon if my husband doesn’t confirm its whereabouts prior to starting the engine), my resident squirrels playing in the yard and in the trees, flowers and trees in bloom, fresh mulch adorning residents’ landscaping, the acrobatic flight of the purple martins, people walking, running, biking, kayaking, sailing, fishing, golfing, and dining on the deck of the clubhouse.
The smells are also a sure sign: freshly laid mulch, freshly cut grass, the fragrance of the flowers, and meals being cooked on the grill.
To me, Lake of the Woods represents a community that offers amazingly varied activities for those of all ages, fantastic amenities, and the most incredible people with whom to share them both. By partaking in the community, I am enjoying wonderful experiences (while making fabulous memories in the process) simply by being a part of it. Won’t you join me in fully participating in, and appreciating, Lake of the Woods?
Growing up as a child, I looked forward to summer: longer days, staying out later than usual, no school, sleeping in, swimming at the pool, and…lightening bugs! I fell in love with the mystery of lightening bugs. I spent hours chasing and catching them; I thought of them as my own personal stars to wish upon–to capture them was to capture magic. Ashamedly, I must admit that I suffocated my fair share in jars or did irreparable damage making rings with these amazing creatures. I hadn’t given much thought to my crimes as a child until the dog I recently inherited from my daughter, Alle, began snapping them up as I watched in horror! Unfortunately, this is just one of my new friend’s bad habits that I will be spending my time correcting…
There are estimated to be more than 2000 species of lightening bugs, or fireflies, as they are often also called, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. Emanating from the abdomen/tail, the light emitted by some of these species is green, some an amber flicker, and some emit no light at all; some simply glow with a green or blue light! Typically it is the male who flies around, lighting the night as a mating call to the female, who lounges in the trees. If she is so inclined, she will light up after the male’s last emission to signify that she is a willing participant.
What causes lightening bugs to light up? The magic of two chemicals that are found in the tail/abdomen: luciferase and luciferin, which light up in the presence of ATP, the energy currency molecule of the cell that every animal possesses. When these chemicals are injected into diseased cells of humans, they detect changes in cells that are useful in studying diseases such as muscular dystrophy and cancer. Amazingly, spacecraft has also been fitted with electronic detectors built from these chemicals to detect life in outer space. On the earth, they are used to help detect bacterial contamination.
The light emitted by the lightening bug is considered “cold light” because it doesn’t produce any heat. It is exceptionally efficient, as 100% of the energy is emitted as light. Compare this to an incandescent bulb, which emits only 10% of its energy as light and the rest as heat. No wonder incandescent bulbs are no longer produced!
After mating, the female deposits eggs onto the ground, typically under tree bark and/or in a moist place. The larvae then feed on snails, slugs, and earthworms. They are able to do this because of the chemical they inject into their prey, which paralyzes it and aids in digestion. The adults may feed on pollen and plant nectar, or may not eat at all, as they only live long enough to mate and lay eggs. Some females are quite the actresses, as they trick males of another species into thinking they want to mate. As soon as he lands, he becomes a meal. Best case scenario is that a lightening bug will live for a year.
Sadly, lightening bugs appear to be disappearing! Most likely this is due to light pollution and loss of habitat. Our forests and fields are diminishing because of development, and as our population grows, so does our need for electricity. Too much light at night interrupts the mating ritual of flickering or flashing. Both of these factors are having a negative impact on our population of lightening bugs.
At Lake of the Woods, we are fortunate to provide the perfect environment for these “stars of summer” to continue to shine. My wish is that our future generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy the magic and mystery of the “flying lights.”
Until next time…It’s another beautiful day at the lake! Pat Licata, REALTOR Licata on the Lake
If you have ever visited a home with wooden eaves, most likely you have seen and heard the massive bees hovering around and softly buzzing. I happen to live in a home with wooden eaves at Lake of the Woods, so I am quite familiar with these pests that bore perfectly round holes in my eaves with such precision that you would have thought they were made by a drill! Initially afraid of these invasive bees-on-steroids, I decided to investigate.
Similar in size to bumblebees that nest underground, carpenter bees nest in wood, preferably at least 2 inches thick, or in tree trunks. The initial entryway they excavate is about an inch long, and then tunnels are made at right angles inside the wood. Carpenter bees, while a pain in the wood, shouldn’t be a pain in the neck, back, or shoulder! The male does not have a stinger, and the female is docile and typically stings only if handled. Even though I know this information, I must admit that I’m still run for cover if approached!
The real problem here is that these bees are capable of causing substantial damage. The small ½ round hole that’s visible is only the proverbial “tip of the iceberg.” The single hole made by a female is easily correctable; the issue is that the subsequent brood will enlarge the tunnel, causing more damage that you can’t see. The bees don’t eat the wood; they simply drill through it to make room for themselves, the chambers they construct, and their nests.
They winter in these tunnels, emerging in spring to mate. Then the female lays her eggs in the chambers, where she has deposited pollen on which her larvae feed. The new brood emerges as adult bees in the summer, and then it’s back to the chamber for winter hibernation.
Getting rid of these pesky critters isn’t easy. Based on my research, a dust pesticide applied inside the hole works best. However, precautions must be taken with pesticides. It may be advisable to have a professional exterminator do it. Or, another approach is to fill the hole with a wood putty and re-seal or re-paint. OR…you can try, as I have, lying in wait for them to come close enough to “hit” with a wasp and hornet jet-stream foam. Of course, it’s just my luck that cedar is their preferred wood type. I live in a cedar home.
I happen to find this comical: Their only predators are woodpeckers (which I really don’t care to welcome at my cedar home), and the Green Lynx Spider. Hmm…which do I prefer?
So here I stand, watching the squirrels continue to dig up my yard and the bees drilling holes in my eaves. The bees are good pollinators of flowers and plants, so perhaps they will assist with my landscaping that the squirrels haven’t yet destroyed. Instead of adding bees to the growing list of creatures outwitting me, I think I’ll just go jump in the lake… and hope that a turtle doesn’t get me!
Until next time…It’s another beautiful day at the lake! Pat Licata REALTOR Licata on the Lake
Sources: Answers.com; ento.psu.edu;en.wikipedia.org;buzzaboutbees.net
When my husband and I bought our home in LOW in 2008 as weekenders, our plan was to commute from Northern Virginia for several years before becoming full-timers. However, after realizing that we had made it to the lake 51 of those first 52 weekends, our plans–and status–changed. The allure of the lake was simply too great for us to resist! I naturally anticipated a huge life change. Like many residents who moved here under similar circumstances, I imagined a substantially slower-paced life, a more “selfish” life, a life of lazy, relaxed, carefree days void of long agendas and to-do lists so long that they could never be accomplished in three days, much less one. Two-and-a-half years later, some things have changed, and some haven’t.
I am a creature of habit. Each morning, I am up by 5am and off to begin my daily routine in my pajamas, uninterrupted, cell phone free! I exit LOW through the front gate in focused, hot pursuit of my first shot of caffeine. I am known at McDonald’s by my order: large, unsweet iced tea with lemon and light ice. After catching up with the early morning crew, I then drive up Route 20 and enter the lake through the back gate…where that 25 mph speed limit I initially despised is welcomed. I immediately look straight ahead to see if I will be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of wildlife near Turtle Island. As I turn right to head around the lake to prolong my solitude (instead of turning left toward my home), I take everything in. I breathe. I
observe. I think. I discover. I feel. I reflect. I relax before beginning my over-the-top crazy-busy day that I thought would no longer exist as a full-timer.
There isn’t any one event in particular that occurs on my early morning jaunts that allows me to feel so fortunate to live in LOW. It can be a traffic jam caused by stopping in the middle of the road to allow my nemesis (the squirrels) or chipmunks to cross the road without looking both ways, or spotting a swan glide across the lake through the trees, or following a hawk in the sky as far as possible with my eyes (without going over the speed limit or going off of the road), or witnessing a dad, with 2 children and a tail-wagging dog on a leash in tow, attempting to help his struggling son put the umbrella down (while getting drenched) prior to getting on the bus, or seeing those residents participating in lake life by walking, jogging, bike riding, fishing, or playing golf.
What has changed is that I thoroughly appreciate the 25 mph speed limit that demands I slow down and enables me to decompress! I don’t live the “selfish” life I thought I wanted because I’ve changed my mind; I do not want it. The LOW community has inspired me to live the life I DO want; I have found my passion. Please…don’t simply enter or exit the lake en route to somewhere else. Life is a journey, so enjoy it. Partake in the beautiful sights, people, and experiences offered to you within the gates right here at LOW–just patiently waiting for you to discover them.
Until next time…it’s another beautiful day at the lake! Photo courtesy of John Stuart Edwards
I’ve always considered myself to be reasonably intelligent…until I was outwitted by the squirrels.
Feeling a little down due to the impending dreary, cold winter months, I lifted my spirits by purchasing and planting $200 worth of flower bulbs. In my mind, I had skipped right past the visions of sugarplums dancing in my head and replaced them with daffodils, tulips, crocus, and allium welcoming my gaze from my window in a few long months!
In mid-November, I was a slave to the hard clay. Preparing the ground to accept my precious bulbs, I struggled. It took at least 3 tools to penetrate the red concrete, and that was just to dig the holes large enough for the actual bulbs. Adding at least 2 inches to each hole to account for the additives necessary to mix with our sorry-excuse-for-soil, I was exhausted just giving the bulbs a fighting chance! Virginia is so rich in culture, history, resources, etc. But why is our great state so lacking in decent soil?
After an eternity (2 days, in reality), my bulbs were planted. I mulched over the bulbs with precision, which looked as smooth as the lake on a still day at dawn (so that the squirrels couldn’t tell where I had planted). I was so proud of myself! Smiling with anticipation as I peered outside, I saw beautiful flowers smiling back at me as my mind fast-forwarded to spring. I felt a sense of accomplishment. I felt that winter would be tolerable.
I recently noticed that my yard is home to nice-looking squirrels. Not the skinny ones with the scrawny tails that inhabited it when I first moved to the lake. My squirrels could easily be mistaken for medium-sized cats: big round bellies with long, thick, fluffy tails! Yes,I’ve unknowingly been providingmy squirrels dessert, and more dessert…$200 worth of dessert! I pleaded, “You have more than enough acorns and hickory nuts! Leave my bulbs alone, please!” I begged repeatedly as I personally witnessed a few particularly robust squirrels feasting on my bulbs. Upon full investigation, that mulch that I so carefully laid over my bulbs now resembles the deeply cratered moon rather than our smooth lake. Digging around, I couldn’t find a solitary bulb. I believe they have all been enjoyed by the acrobatic creatures I’d love to hate–but just can’t.
I am perplexed. Unlike the squirrels, I am smart enough to look both ways before I cross a street. But apparently I am not smart enough to hide my bulbs. So next fall, when I’m so desperate to attempt this process all over again, I am determined to outwit the enemy. I am smart enough to ask for help! If you are smarter than the squirrels, please comment below to share your triumphant secrets. “It’s another beautiful day at the lake!”
Bella is wearing the green necklace, and Beauregard is behind her.
As you may know, Bella, the permanently injured swan, was relocated to Chicago via the US Postal Service, right from our local Locust Grove office in mid-December! I am happy to report that Bella is doing fabulously well! At this point, she has gained 8 pounds, enough strength in her wings and “good leg” that she is able to hop onto the shore from the pond! I actually never thought that was a possibility, as when Bob Knox, Bella’s new swan keeper, retrieved her from his local post office, even that good leg was not working! I was so worried that having been sitting on it for a week and unable to move it, it too, would be a useless. With council from the Regal Swan Foundation, Bob pumped Bella up with vitamins and medication. It did the trick!
Bell now has a new beau, appropriately named…Beauregard! Beauregard began courting her when Bella was segregated behind a fence, as she was too weak to swim back to the feeder if the wind blew her too strongly in the opposite direction. A fence can’t stop true love: Bella and Beauregard began doing “the love dance” with the fence between them. As she gained strength, Bob removed the fence, and Bella and Beauregard became a bonded pair!
What does the future hold? Cygnets, I hope! Now that Bella is able to stand on one leg, she won’t crush any eggs or cygnets. Had she been unable to stand, she would only have been able to drag herself on the ground, using the “elbows” of her wings. This would have made the survival of any egg or cygnet questionable, at best. When spring arrives, Bob will place Bella and Beauregard together in their own pen to ensure safety and privacy during their mating season.
I wish Bella and Beauregard a beautiful life together! I am so thankful that I was involved in such a heart-warming experience.
Earlier in the week, I received a call about a downed swan over by the small lake. I left my office and rushed over to find it, only to learn that it was dead. Last night, I was told there was a swan on a resident’s property on Birchside that hadn’t moved for days. Immediately I called Kaylee, the rehabilitator, putting her on notice while thinking the worst. I rushed over there this morning at 7:30, crate in my car, blankets, towels…all ready for a rescue. What I found was…a handsome, plump, plastic swan! Oh well, better plastic than injured or ill! An interesting way to begin my day at Lake of the Woods!
Until next time…it’s another beautiful day at the lake!
I am a creature of habit. I love iced tea from McDonald’s-unsweet, light ice, with lemon. Each morning, my routine is to exit Lake of the Woods through the front gate, get my tea, chat with my McDonald’s friends, and then re-enter through the back gate, and then drive completely around the lake. I preview homes from the exterior that have just come on the market and simply take in the beautiful sights. Today was no different, except that I was later than usual. Because of this, the lake was buzzing with activity. The usual traffic-squirrels, chipmunks, and the occasional car-was accompanied by many walkers, some with dogs, joggers, bicyclists, and golfers enjoying the course! In addition, I saw water skiiers, fishermen, and kayakers on the lake! While these may be typical sights…they certainly are atypical for New Year’s Eve! How incredible is that!!
On this morning’s trip, I found myself reflecting upon my experiences and accomplishments in 2011. What a great year it was! I arranged Lake of the Woods’ well-deserved recognition in the Washington Post (which took at least 5 months from contact to print); I had a fabulous year finding the perfect home or perfect buyer for my clients as a REALTOR; I wrote articles on distressed property sales; I rescued a permanently injured swan from sure death and found a new home for her in Chicago (thus adding swan-REALTOR to my title); I rescued a cat stuck in a kitchen cabinet of a vacant home for 3 weeks; I was honored to loan the eagle collection my husband and I own to the Locust Grove Elementary school; I launched my website and had my logo created; I won my office’s “Shining Star Award;” I made many new, incredible friends; I became deeply involved in the Lake of the Woods Association, serving on the External Affairs and Communications Committees; I received the go-ahead for my own column in Lake Currents, my community newspaper; I was chosen as a participant in the Association Leadership Development Program at FAAR (Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS) and also serve on the Education and Member Outreach Committees at FAAR. While I am proud of all of these accomplishments, I absolutely recognize that they would not have been possible without the support of my community and so many people, especially my husband, John. I am so very thankful. But there’s more… When I reflected more deeply, I realized that my catalyst is my love of, and passion for, the people of Lake of the Woods and the true community it is. This community has provided me the opportunity to commune with nature in a way I never thought possible, become involved, and truly make a difference. I am PROUD to live here. This is what enables me to get up in the morning with a smile on my face each and every day…even before 5am! I’m sharing my accomplishments not to boast, but to express that we all can rise to new heights by becoming involved and feeling good about what we do and who we are! What inspires you? Ignite your passion inside the gates! Our community offers so much-get involved; take advantage of the fabulous amenities; join a club, group, organization or committee…or start your own; promote Lake of the Woods both internally and externally. Together we can make LOW even better!
My 2012 goal is simply to top 2011! I love the direction my life is taking. I love my involvement in Lake of the Woods. I love sharing my passion as a REALTOR. I love being HIGH on LOW!
Until next time…It’s another beautiful day at the lake!
