It’s a typical north woods breakfast; blueberry pancakes with sausage links and scrambled eggs. The usual weekend assortment of friends and family arrived from the city late yesterday. The kids, who had long ago aged past that nickname, finished with breakfast, are headed to the lake. Trailing them is an assortment of dogs, all eager to get wet. Remaining around the breakfast table is a small group of graying adults, lingering over the remains of the third pot of coffee.

As I make my way to the kitchen for clean-up, I can still hear the chatter and tittering around the table. I suspect that very shortly, someone will initiate a discussion regarding plans for the day. Will the question be “what should we do today?” or will it be “what would you like to do today?” The latter gives me the most dread. I always feel an honest answer will not meet the expectations of my guests.