Deadline Week

Christmas and the May Fishing Opener share a common question. Inevitably, someone will ask me, "Are you ready?" The truth often is that I am not ready, for either occasion, by the time the calendar page has turned. But the day comes, and somehow we do what needs to be done, and we enjoy the result. Really, what more can one ask for? Sure, it would be wonderful to be all organized and scheduled to finish things ahead of time, but it usually doesn't happen that way in my life.

This week happens to have a number of deadlines. The largest, of course, is Christmas, and all of the preparation leading up to it. It is also time for us to reopen the resort, and I have been working to get the cabins all cleaned and prepared for our incoming guests. And of course, we are in the final stages of a remodel project that needs to be done tomorrow.

Most resort owners seem to have a knack for finishing a project just as the guest is arriving to occupy the cabin. We have been known to do that. Try as I might, I can't seem to make that challenge disappear, so I just have to deal with it. This time, though, we have been fortunate enough to have a hero or two show up, just when we needed them most. The first was a good friend who came last week to lend a more than able hand to Greg. Our friend is better than that old TV character MacGyver. Not only is he every bit as capable and knowledgeable, but he is for real! Many thanks to him for all of his help.

Our second hero showed up on Friday night, and we were definitely ready for his assistance. He was up and prepared to work bright and early on Saturday. Looks like we're going to make our deadline, with time to spare!