My dentist's office sits on a ridge above a deep wooded ravine. There is a trail at road end just before we park that I've wanted to walk but somehow something always got in the way - work, snow, rain, obligations - until today. The path leads to the Kleinstuck Preserve, a 50 acre woods with … [Read more...]
Canadian Geese Say Hello – Camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
In the spring and fall big flocks of geese fly overhead in long V formations, going north, or south, or over to the next puddle of water to take a break or stay for the summer. We didn't see geese or ducks much when I was a kid; in fact we didn't have nearly the variety of birds at all that we get … [Read more...]
Uh Oh! Truck Trouble In the Middle of Nowhere: The Kindness of Strangers
Dave and I honeymooned in Grand Marais, Michigan so have fond memories of the beautiful lakeshore and tiny town. It is 18 miles from Grand Marais Michigan to Muskallonge State Park where we camped, about 12 miles are unpaved and bumpy and there isn't much traffic. Luckily you can see dust plumes a … [Read more...]
Beach Transformations – Lake Superior Waves, Sand and Rocks
Last month Dave and I camped at Lake Muskallonge state park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula right on the shore of Lake Superior. Our Great Lakes are nothing like small natural lakes or dammed reservoirs; they are huge, too big to see across, with wild storms, deep and cold. Lake Superior is enormous … [Read more...]
Watch Out! Little Green Frog in My Pool
A little green frog likes to sit on the top of our pool liner, right below the overhang. He's hard to see unless you are swimming. I notice him even without my glasses on because he is vivid green against the dark blue liner. He's tiny, about 2 inches long. The swimming pool is not a good … [Read more...]
How to Make Apricot Cherry Jam
Apricot cherry jam is luscious! A combination of sweet and tart with plenty of fruit and flavor it tastes superb on English muffins or toast or in jelly roll. We first heard of this from the lady we bought cherries and peaches from when we lived in Midland. She said it was freezer jam, about … [Read more...]
Critter Wars 2016! Here We Go Again
It's been a while since I posted about our ongoing battles with rabbits, moles, deer, chipmunks and squirrels. We maintained a truce the last few years: We won't trap or poison and they can do what they want. Some truce! Now the stakes are higher with this big hole right in the middle of my … [Read more...]
Marked for Death: Pokeweed! Kill This Invasive Weed
Last summer I noticed a new, big weedy plant in sunny spots alongside the road we live on, pokeweed. When pokeweed has only a few leaves it looks like a 4 o'clock plant but it's obviously different once it grows a bit. Later flowers develop. They are white in pointed clusters, rather … [Read more...]
Volunteers In The Garden: The Good, The So-So And The Bad
Some of our annuals from last year volunteered seedlings this spring. Last summer's annual candytuft bloomed in blah colors, but the volunteers are blooming in pretty shades of purple and pink. I didn't need to plant the cosmos seeds we bought because my garden is full of seedlings. Our … [Read more...]
Grazing My Way Through Kalamazoo: Visiting Family Guest Post by Deidra
My daughter Deidra surprised me with this blog post. It's all about family. ************************************************************************************************** Summer is an interesting time. We seem to have more time for some things while others fall by the wayside. Visiting my … [Read more...]