Author Archives: makielb

Barton Dam and the only open water along this stretch of the Huron River. The temperature when we started this walk was close to 0F. The tree here were covered with hoar-frost, as the mist was rising from the river below the dam. We decided to adhere to the “No swimming” sign. While it wasContinue reading “A cold morning along the Huron at Barton Pond”

We spent the afternoon yesterday at the border-to-border trail in Dexter. This was an interesting pillow that we saw at a shop in Dexter. A strange find was this hops vine. I was somewhat surprised when I found this, as I immediately recognized it and wondered why it was growing here. The bird of theContinue reading “Dexter border-to-border trail”

Woodpecker revenge! Dinosaur hunters? They’re really just big lizards. Reminds me of A sound of thunder by Ray Bradbury, which is an excellent short-story. I always wondered how to stop getting those. Well, for me at least I stopped having migraines when I started my neuro meds. Even though I haven’t taken any since 2021,Continue reading “A cold and funny morning”

Yesterday we walked to Juicy Kitchen which is a 15-20 minutes walk from home. This is perhaps only the third time we’ve gone there since the pandemic began. It is a wonderful place to eat. Even though it was barely 30F, we sat outside enjoying our lunch. This morning we headed downtown to meet outContinue reading “January dining in Ann Arbor”

I guess that it snowed in Ann Arbor. After being in the north for over a week it was a nice surprise to get home and find snow, especially since our young neighbor Jackson had shoveled everything. Now, back to the north. One of the highlights of our cabin at Whitefish Point is definitely theContinue reading “Catching up for the week, again”

Believe what you will, but climate change is real. Just because there’s a lot of snow someplace doesn’t support disbelief in climate change. Here’s something you forgot – reality! Does this apply to Santos? Oh those pesky viruses and bacteria. If we only had cures, or preventative measures. This reminds me of the twin volcanoesContinue reading “Some snowy humor to start the week”

Sunrise, as we started walking towards the point. For me the real attraction was having the ability to get close to a lot of lichens. Parmelia, Physia, Tuckermanopsis, Everia, Ramalina and Usnea. Lots of variety. The mountains in Ontario, due north of Whitefish Point. Wild wormwood (Artemesia campestris). The seed heads above the snow. PowderedContinue reading “Birds and snow at Whitefish Point”

From the Byrds to Crosby, Still & Nash and then Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young I enjoyed the beautiful voice of this man. His songs still resonate with me some 50 years later. A painting of Crosby by Joan Baez. A digitized slide (that I should redo some day) of Crosby, Stills Nash & YoungContinue reading “David Crosby”

I got up this morning in the cool darkness and started a fire which quickly started warming the house. Then I got the coffee going. The perfect start to the day. Heading into Paradise, eleven miles from our cabin, we spotted a Ruffed Grouse on the side of the road. Needless to say I didn’tContinue reading “A snowy day in Paradise”

A lot going on in this photo. You can see the Q-line tracks on both sides of Woodward. Then there is the Hudson’s site, where Hudson’s once was, and is now becoming home to a new building. I can remember watching the Thanksgiving Parade here as a kid. Waiting for Santa to arrive was soContinue reading “Downtown Detroit and more”