I don't remember much from chemistry class. I wish I did. How does moving water turn into ice? How does it create such amazing structures? Those are the questions that arise when you visit O Kun De Kun Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the end of March. More photos and thoughts below... Flowing water … Continue reading Icefalls
Yay! Spring!? Nope....not yet. In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, spring teases you. One day it's here and the next, it's gone. Actually, it is "here," officially. The calendar says so, even if my eyes don't. The vernal equinox, spring's astronomical arrival, occurred a week ago. At my other home in Zone 7 (Virginia), daffodils are blooming. … Continue reading Spring? Not!
More than 3' feet fell in some places. In the end, it was an historic winter storm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula -- in some places. But not right here. Almost 40" fell on Mount Arvon, just 15 miles away. But here on the west side of Huron Bay, maybe 16" based on my twice-daily shoveling. … Continue reading Winter Storm – Prediction Vs. Outcome
Sometimes, you have to "lose" something in order to find something else. News of an expanding war is distressing to many of us military vets and retirees who served during the Iraq War and 9/11 and have studied wars through history. The "what's-happening-now?!" question lives too much in our brains. The "what-happens-next?" question follows closely … Continue reading Losing “The War,” Finding Nature
Human-animal interactions are complex! At least for us humans; maybe not for the animals. I've been observing this dynamic close-up -- and participating in it, too -- and it's raised some questions in me. At what point does a wild animal become a pet? When is it a bad idea to support wild animals and … Continue reading Dogs & Deer + Humans = ?
Most full-time locals are tired of it by now -- they've been dealing with it since November. But I'm a "seasonal resident" (albeit one who visits in all seasons). And a "remigrant" (one who moved away and came back.) My northern winter started at the end of January. And I love it! Here on the … Continue reading Winter on the 46th Parallel
Here on the 46th parallel, we're closer to the North Pole than the Equator and the arrival of spring isn't always apparent. March and April bring mixed weather...60-degree melt one day, re-freeze the next. It keeps things interesting for both animals and humans. Herewith, photos of how it looks these days on the north (Lake … Continue reading Spring?
Enough. Can we stop yelling publicly at each other, please? Yes, we are living through extraordinary and disruptive times, even historic times. Yes, name-calling has become "the new normal," modeled from the top. So yes, strong emotions by the rest of us are natural, even justified. But is it productive to share them in public? … Continue reading Peace, Be Still
How satisfying to fill the porch with family - my first overnight visitors! And we have more furniture. And gravel. Things have been busy both indoors and out as the Cabin at Many Moons continues to come alive...so busy that I've had little time to write. Here's the update from the far-north in photos and … Continue reading Family, Furniture & Gravel
Nature continues to entertain us as the kitchen takes shape in the Cabin at Many Moons, on the waterfront in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Cabinets are in and countertops are on the way! We are now one year into this building project. (For Day 1, see this post.) It's consuming but tolerable, since we are surrounded … Continue reading Cabinets Are In!
For Many Moons 