Author Archives: makielb

Susan and I spent the night at our house rather than a party with friends. It’s the fourth day of our five day isolation after arriving back in Ann Arbor from our trip to Oregon. It was quiet. We watched some of the Orange Bowl and the Red Wing hockey game. We welcomed the NewContinue reading “Welcoming 2022”

We started the year spending most of the time in our house and walking around the neighborhood. We enjoyed daily sightings and listening to Carolina Wrens and Red-breasted Nuthatches. In March we started traveling from Ann Arbor to our cabin at Whitefish Point. where we were treated to many Common Redpolls at our feeders andContinue reading “2021 – Natural History year in review”

Following Christmas, it was time to get packed and ship what didn’t fit in our suitcases back to Ann Arbor. I’m not sure if Sheldon and Leonard wanted to be shipped with our package since I was the one that was feeding them at Alexis’. The big surprise was snow on the morning of theContinue reading “The hectic journey to Ann Arbor”

Christmas Eve and the tree and stockings are waiting for Santa. Alexis relaxing after the kids went to bed. The elves waiting with treats for Santa and the reindeer, hoping to catch a ride back to the North Pole to start working on next years toys. Even Sheldon and Leonard were relaxing waiting for SantaContinue reading “Oregon – Christmas Day”

The day started with the elves riding a dragon and a unicorn, so the kids were really excited and energized. After breakfast it was time for a “pre-Christmas” present from Grandma and Papa – sticker puzzle books. Both Milly and Oscar had a lot of fun with these. Then I showed Camilla a jigsaw puzzleContinue reading “Oregon – Puzzles and the park”

Oscar had never been to an aquarium, or a zoo for that matter, so we decided to make the trip to Newport to go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The jellyfish exhibits was delightful. I was also taken by the goose-necked barnacles. The number and diversity in invertebrates was wonderful. In the piles of sea-starsContinue reading “Oregon – The Oregon Coast Aquarium”

It’s been a steady rain all day. Even the sidewalks are flooded. But the elves are happy playing in the house, after a long night of frolicking near a delightfully decorated Christmas tree. A lemur crowing the tree has been a long-standing tradition with Alexis. Along with Yoda and Snoopy standing side-by-side. With more SnoopyContinue reading “Oregon – getting ready for Christmas”

The weather for the remaining time that we have in Eugene is less than optimal, but we will still enjoy our time here. Now on to the market. The street is closed to traffic, and a great place to find fresh food, or an interesting mural. From the outdoor market we went into a delightfulContinue reading “Oregon – Eugene Farmers Market”

It was time for Oscar and Susan to make twist-twists. Oscar was quite proud of his monkey apron. Oscar was also quite happy waiting for the dough to chill and watching the work on the sewer line in the driveway. Then it was time to walk to the park, seeing some interesting plants along theContinue reading “Oregon – more time the kitchen”

Camilla and I went to Monroe Park before her karate lesson. She was intrigued with the seed heads of the Sweetgum. Ultimately she collected a bunch for an art project. I think of Sweetgum as a south-eastern US tree, but they are quite common in and around Eugene. Now on to karate! The karate lessonsContinue reading “Oregon – karate at Monroe Park”