“How many of you are here for the Love Train?” the lady at the Humane Society asked the waiting crowd. Everyone but me raised a hand. “And you’ve all filled out an application?” she continued. Heads nodded all around. Then she explained the process by which people would be given turns to meet the… Continue reading Tomato Tasting
Coexisting
My friend Mary’s son Isaac is quite the gardener, and he has made her yard a showplace. It’s basically one large garden. The colors and textures have changed as the season progressed, culminating in the present late-summer spill of abundance. Tall billows of purply-blue hyssop and red cardinal flower are particularly lovely now, in the… Continue reading Coexisting
Earrings and Batwings
My husband is a light sleeper–it was ever thus—but this week he achieved a personal best. I was eighteen feet away* when I heard him ask, “What are you doing?” His head was still on the pillow. “Putting on an earring,” I answered. “Why do you ask?” “I heard a funny noise,” he… Continue reading Earrings and Batwings
Teasel
My honey and I have done a fair amount of driving on the county roads large and small this week. It’s a thought-provoking experience. Where I94 and M14 meet, for instance, always takes attention. Cars traveling west on 14 have to do a triple merge. First you merge, at speed, from the right… Continue reading Teasel
Deer by Appointment
Janice and I had a close encounter with a bunch of deer last Friday. It was by appointment. Our friend Don has started a deer farm. He’s been ready for his ruminant residents for months now, but the state ag and natural resources held a long turf war about which entity should have jurisdiction… Continue reading Deer by Appointment
Height of Summer
It was a real pleasure to look into the shallows of a Traver Creek pond yesterday and find what I’ve been looking for: bluegill spawning beds. Due to our present lack of dog and abundance of construction, I haven’t been by that pond as much as usual, and must have missed an earlier round or… Continue reading Height of Summer
Smoke and Art
We have now arrived at the highlight of Ann Arbor’s calendar: the annual art fair, featuring a thousand artists over thirty city blocks and a gazillion visitors to the area. Many Ann Arborites become jaded over time, reaching the point where they ho-hum the very mention of the July event. Not me. I really enjoy… Continue reading Smoke and Art
Spinning Plates
Life around here has felt a bit like a circus act, the last ten days or so—the one where jugglers or acrobats spin plates on top of poles. If the performers don’t look sharp and step lively, the plates will topple off and break. Hardly anything happening around here has been of any consequence,… Continue reading Spinning Plates
Fireworks
The Fourth of July, when we were kids, meant getting out of bed to watch fireworks. Mom and Dad would put us to bed at the usual time, then wake us up again when it was dark and time for fireworks. We could see Ann Arbor’s display through the picture window in our living room. … Continue reading Fireworks
Chucklings and Peaches
Summer has officially arrived, and baby animals are making their way in the world. Sue reports the groundhog that terraformed the compost pile at her house has now populated it with babies. Said babies are called pups, kits, or—the best one—chucklings. They’re old enough now to come out to play, explore, and climb all over… Continue reading Chucklings and Peaches