Portraits in Black and White

I read a quote today, that said "When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls" The quote was by Ted Grant. So I decided to experiment with Jenna, Kayla, and Preston. He's right.

Preston, now 3 months old.

Kayla

and Jenna.
It's also said the "the eyes are the windows of the soul." Beautiful aren't they?

Pleeeze Don! Can Melinda Have a Chicken?

I know you would really like them, they're such friendly little creatures who really like to be around people.

And besides white

they come in so many different, pretty, colors.

Feed time is so fun, rattle the food container and they'll follow you anywhere.

And think of all the eggs you can use for yourself, or sell. No worry about e-coli. Really, they are a lot of fun, besides being practical! So think about it Don, they don't go in the house, they fertilize your yard, the manure is great for the garden, free eggs, meat if you want to go that way, and free entertainment! What more could you possibly want!? Plus, they would make Melinda really happy, and isn't that what you want? Huh?

I'm Home!

I've been missing in action! I went up to my brother and sister-in-laws for a couple days, and ended up staying for 5 glorious days while waiting for Wendy and Dan's car to be fixed so I could follow them home.
What a relaxing time.

We took Miss Claire to the park,

Watched Jay in his garden,

watched as Claire fed chickens with Aunt Cheryl,
enjoyed the wild turkeys

While sitting on the porch of the cabin,

and watched my other two sisters, Kathy and Marti, play.

I'm ready to go back. Jay and Cheryl make the perfect hosts, cook the most awesome meals, home made bread every day! Always a very fun time, I'd love to live up there. No pollution, total quiet, peaceful, and very relaxing.

The Little Princes'

Two little sweet babies.

Toby and Tyler are closing in on 4 months old. Toby is totally tame, and a little love bug.

Beautiful, but such a wild spirit, I still can't approach Tyler.

I'm really at a loss on what to do, Ken said he wants them gone, and he means it.

They couldn't be neutered, Toby went for shots but went completely out of control from fear, and I had to pick him up. No shots either.

Tyler is not adoptable. Toby is a one person cat, just like Andy.
So I just continue to pray for a solution.

What a Day for a Float Down!

Sunday was a great day for floating down Lake Huron, into St. Clair River. And float they did! So I went down by the peer where Dad used to fish when he worked on the railroad to capture some pictures.
Over 1500 floaters took to the water with their rafts, and tubes for the 6 hour event. People come from all over the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world just to participate in this event.

Enlarge to see the family of geese who also participated!

The shipping channel is closed to freighters during that time, to allow for safe passage of the participants.

Large groups of family and friends join in, for the fun. It was a steamy 95 degrees, but on the water, everyone keeps cool.
Young and old alike are in the water, (including my sister, niece and nephew, and my daughter-in-law) and the shores are packed with spectators. As I stood at the pier taking pictures, you could hear laughter all around you. It's an amazing Pt. Huron tradition, taking place for over 40 years. What a fun time for all who participated, and those of us who enjoyed it from the shore!

Walking Stick

I haven't seen a walking stick in years, many years! So when Wendy said there was one on their screen tent, of course I had to grab my camera. This one was quite long, and a special treat to see. When I was young, they could be seen everywhere. I'd sit on the porch steps with Grandpa, and when one would walk by he'd yell "walking stick!" , and we'd stomp are feet really fast til it walked past. Ah the fun days! Grandpa was my best buddy!

Imagine a Place...

Where children of all abilities and disabilities, can play together. A place where there is no judgments, no fears, and children are free to be children, side by side, regardless of their handicaps or limitations. A child in a wheel chair can climb a tower, swing, or play in a sand box alongside their friends. Children with downs can participate in activities they normally would stand on the sidelines for. Youngsters who are blind, autistic, those with physical disabilities, all in one place. In Port Washington WI, and in many cities in the U.S. and beyond, there are such a playgrounds. And soon, there will be one here. In our community, built by its citizens, with money earned through fund raising and donations, grants and sponsors. I'm in the process of working with Leather Associates in New York, to bring this amazing project here. Putting together a steering committee is in the works right now. Soon there will be a community informational meeting to gather interest, volunteers, and committee members. This will be a lengthy process, about a year from inception to build week. Design Day will be in November, where an associate from Leathers will be here to get input from adults, and children on what they see in a playground, as they will help design it. To know that all children from all backgrounds and abilities will be able to play together will make this venture all worth while.
I ask your prayers during this project, that the right people come forth for the committee, and that God guide us in our work for this great project!
If you'd like to see more on this project, visit Leather Associates.

Port Crescent Sunsets

One of the things I really enjoyed while on our camping trip was watching the sunsets over the water. On this side of the thumb, we get the sunrise, so it's a special treat to see it set.

I've also loved seeing the water fowl this year. The crane was up north, this swan is at a neighbors pond.

As are the Canadian Geese. They flew in while I was taking pictures of the swan.

A Summer Break

Tuesday afternoon, I took Mom and headed to my brother Jay's house for a couple days. It's the perfect place to go and relax, listen to the quiet and be still.
I've always loved this old coop that sits along the garden. It houses some of his chickens.
Cheryl, his wife, quilts. He does too, in his special way. He calls this his "garden quilt". Every patch carefully placed, and as does hers, yields a bounty of beauty and practicality. He raises chickens for food, and eggs. Jay built the new coop this spring. The wood is over 100 year old barn wood, planed. He made the cedar shingles himself from logs on their property, nestled in the national forest , and also added a potting area for Chery. I'm so proud of him, if you haven't already, visit him at Willow Winds. He's an amazing artist in primitive skills and Native American ways of life. Truly an inspiration.

Good-bye Mitch

"Follow the bouncing ball". And we did. Every week, our family gathered around the t.v. for what was my favorite show. Sing Along With Mitch. I loved this night, not only for the entertainment, but because it was snack night. Things we couldn't have during the week were a big treat, as we sang and ate along with Mitch. Frito's, chips, ice cream, were some of the fare I remember so well. And of course there was Mitch. I loved the smiley face, the way he conducted, the fabulous voices, and of course the bouncing ball, so all could follow along. I was a youngster then, but Mitch is so vivid in my mind.
When we had our puppet troupe, Dad used his records to find songs for the skits. I remember singing along back stage while waiting for our puppets turn to perform. Ah the memories. My Wild Irish Rose, Memories, In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree, all still bring such pleasant memories.
Mitch Miller died yesterday, at the age of 99. But the memories and good times shared will never leave me.

Welcome Paddy!

My sister Kathy, finally got the dog of her dreams! Paddy was adopted from our humane society. She wanted a dog that would be a little buddy, and enjoy her lifestyle. Kathy loves to kayak, bike, and hike. Paddy fell right into the routine. Yesterday he went for his first kayak ride. He did fantastic! He settled right in, and enjoyed the ride. He's a cock-a-poo according to his vet, and the perfect little dog for her!

A Big Surprise From Miss Pearl!!

When I read the post on Pearls blog, about the two girls who could use her MIL's gifts, I had no idea she was talking about my sister Wendy and I! I was so surprised to come home Friday and find a box full of goodies on the porch! This is just a portion of the wonderful things enclosed. So many pretty, useful craft and cq supplies!!! I've already used a couple, and Wendy and I split up a lot of it! Thank-you Miss Pearl! You truly made our day!!!!!