Christian J Painterooski

The Cottage Chronicles Christian J Painterooski

When the Cole family buys a cottage by a tranquil lake in Cass County, Michigan, little do they know that this idyllic refuge can also be a source of constant hard work and vigilance - against friends and relatives who may sometimes forget that the cottage is not their personal playground. Spanning almost three decades since the 90's, the author's Cottage Chronicles meticulously depicts the struggles and triumphs of the patriarch, Tony Cole, who dares to dream the great American dream and rolls up his sleeves to make it come true. But the author's account is not just a cautionary tale; it is also the story of a family that bonds through a shared delight in working through challenges and convening at their lake house year after year. At the heart of this migratory ritual lie the cottage and the lake, their sights and sounds lovingly detailed in passages chronicling fourth of July weekends, cookouts and lake parties. Through it all, the author masterfully guides us through the inner workings of a modern American family, with a warmth that spills beyond the written word.