Home From New England

New York City Skyline from Hoboken, N.J.

I haven't been to the Big Apple since I was a kid. It's still big. My niece Lindsay and I tooled around Manhattan for a while after visiting my Aunt Helen (more on that later). I saw just enough to leave me wanting for more. Contrary to what some people think, I'm not just an outdoor girl. I need my fix of "City" at least a couple of times a year but last weekend I got just enough of a great American city for a little tease. The contrast of this bustling metropolis to my everyday life is fascinating. It's on my list of "gotta go back to" places right after Ireland.

Times Square

Empire State Building

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy Birthday, Mom. July 23, 1926

You would have been 82 today.

You taught me so much about life and people. Some of it didn't sink in until after you were gone. How's Ireland?

Love, Mary

Inside Jokes OR Life in a (Very) Small Town

Grumpy came to visit today

I toad you he looks Grumpy!

Happy Birthday, Erik!! - July 18, 1983

First Birthday Cake

Two and a half years old

Happy Birthday, Erik! 25 years old. You know the day of your birth was one of the all time happiest days of my life! I love you. You have become such a fine young man and I couldn't be prouder. Love, Mom

Erik, Linda

Erik

Woodland Visitors

I had three visitors to my backyard yesterday morning. A small doe, a larger doe, and a five point buck! He was a little guy, but displayed some fine looking antlers in velvet. They ate ground hemlock and a few flowers, stared at me for a little while, then meandered into the woods.

I used to see a lot of whitetail deer in my yard but not as many in recent years. This is the 3rd time these guys have visited in a couple of weeks, so I'm happy to see them back again. Didn't that little buck pose nicely?

Technology

My cousin Denny's daughter Kerra called me today to get an address for an invitation to a reunion. Having sent a flowering tree for them to plant in her mother's memory, I had checked the tracking for its delivery. I knew it left Lansing early today so I alerted Kerra to its imminent arrival. Seconds later, at 2:06 pm to be precise, she said a FedEx truck had left their driveway and they must have left the tree at the door! Instinctively, I clicked on the tracking number link in my confirmation email and there it was, clear as day, "2:05 pm, delivered, Belding, MI, Left at front door"!! Now THAT'S service!

Playing With Fire

These photos are much harder to take than it would appear...

Summer Joy

Ohhh, the sheer joy of childhood in the summer! It looks like Lake Michigan, feels like the sun, tastes like watermelon, and smells like freshly cut grass.

Wooden Watercraft Wonder

I headed into Harbor Springs with my good friends from Grand Marais, Ed and Dawn, for a little Saturday kayaking. There was a demo at the waterfront and I fell in love with a most amazing hand crafted cedar kayak. It's lightweight, roughly half the weight of my 15' P&H. The artisan (because boat maker doesn't describe this man's skill) is Allen Deming and his wife Susie from Grand Ledge, MI. and their company is Mackinaw Watercraft.This craft slices through the water without the slightest hint of drag and is a peice of art as well. Come on, Dave, give me a hyperbole...I'm at a loss to describe this beauty.

I am currently saving for my very own 14-foot cedar touring kayak. I only have $4,995 to go. Anyone care to contribute to the cause??

I got to take her for a test run - lucky me!

A canoe, too!