makielb

Thinking about warmer times

I’m sitting across from our wood stove at Whitefish Point in a warm room looking outside where the temperature is currently 7F. Tomorrow we’re heading into eastern Chippewa county in search of some winter birds. Who knows how that will go? But I am also thinking about last week when Susan and I visited GallupContinue reading “Thinking about warmer times”

Chariot of the Gods?

Erich Von Däniken died two days ago. I read his book Chariot of the Gods? soon after it came out many years ago. With an undergrad major in anthropology I was both intrigued and appalled by the book. He managed to turn his fanciful look into ancient structures and their construction into a cult following.Continue reading “Chariot of the Gods?”

American Gestapo

ICE, aka the America Gestapo are acting just like a fascist police force should. They are hurting, arresting and killing anybody who is against fascism. ICE is the fascist arm that is helping to kill democracy. The only way to slow down this fascist takeover of America is to hold them accountable, while there isContinue reading “American Gestapo”

Happy Insurrection Day!

I can remember sitting and watching the Insurrection unfold on live television back in2021. It was perhaps one of the scariest days of my life. The fascist supported insurrection was stalled, but forgiven by our current fascist regime. Now we’re invading other countries, berating citizens, destroying our health and economy. There’s little that individuals canContinue reading “Happy Insurrection Day!”

Back in Ann Arbor

Our second full day back in Ann Arbor and it’s time to get out shopping – for suet for the birds! So we’re walking down to Knight’s Market. But, who knows what we’ll find on the way? The best place in town to get suet, and lots of other stuff as well, like Italian sausage-broccoliniContinue reading “Back in Ann Arbor”

Influenza and other viruses

I hope that everybody reading this is vaccinated for influenza because the flue season is pretty harsh this year. Of course a lot of people throughout the country have little idea that this is happening due to slashes in the CDC by MAHA (Make America Hurt Again). The most disturbing aspect of this flue seasonContinue reading “Influenza and other viruses”

Eugene: Day-13

I’m sitting writing this at 2:30 am PST. It’s 48F outside, which is almost as high as it got yesterday 53F. Yesterday, even though it was our last, was packed full of stuff. There were the ever-present cats – Leonard and Sheldon. There there were the last walks in the neighborhood, the last games andContinue reading “Eugene: Day-13”

Eugene: Day-12

When I got up this morning it was a lot warmer than yesterday (47F versus 31F) and while it’s overcast and foggy it’s not raining. We spent the morning yesterday outside looking at plants and listening to birds. Every year I keep a master list of “living organisms.” Last year I had 666 species ofContinue reading “Eugene: Day-12”

Eugene: Day-11 Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe that it’s now 2026. This grand journey started three-quarters of a century ago for me at least. And what a great and wild ride it’s been getting here. So, I’m starting the year with humor, walking and games. Here we go – Starting the year with Snoopy & Woodstock celebrating theContinue reading “Eugene: Day-11 Happy New Year!”

Eugene: Day-10

Another beautiful morning in Eugene. The day started ay 31F. Susan and I walked over to the house on Tiara Street that had a lot of bird feeders. I was amazed that somebody had a heated hummingbird feeder. Since Anna’s Hummingbirds are hear all year it sure makes sense. In fact we’ve see two pairsContinue reading “Eugene: Day-10”