Yesterday, for the first time since the pandemic closed everything, I worked a volunteer shift at the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop. I’m excited to be there again. We’ve been in business since 1932 and provided millions of dollars, both in gifts in kind and in real green money, to individuals and organizations that need it. … Continue reading Shop and Fetch
Category: Michigan Stories
Random Reading
One of my profs in grad school espoused what he called random reading. “On the way to the library,” he said, “memorize a license plate number. If the first number is odd, turn left when you enter the library; if it’s even, turn right.” Succeeding numbers determined floor, aisle, shelf, and book. However many numbers… Continue reading Random Reading
Baby Business
Wildlife nest-and-baby season is well upon us near the end of a Michigan June. My friend Sue saw wren babies hatch, fledge, and leave. She said they were remarkably cute. So are the baby mallards we’re seeing now. They’re at the stage where they have pretty gold markings incised into their brown fluff, each duckling… Continue reading Baby Business
Hot as Hot
“HOT AS HOT” was the TV weather report this morning. The map behind the cheery meteorologist proclaimed “SEVERE STORMS.” We woke to rumbling thunder. The sky got darker and darker, till it looked like the last moment of twilight before night falls. The dog was frantic. He always is when there’s thunder. He… Continue reading Hot as Hot
Ooh. Ahh.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Marilyn asked, after dinner. I’d already been for two long walks that day. We set off. “Okay, but I don’t want to go too far. Or too fast. Also, I don’t want to use my right leg.” “How’s that going to work?” my sister… Continue reading Ooh. Ahh.
Flights of Fancy
There is a boardwalk at the halfway point of one of the walks the dog and I take. It offers an elevated view of a large pond, and we always pause there while I look out over the water. We stopped there on a windy day recently. There were the usual Canada geese in the… Continue reading Flights of Fancy
Rain n’ Cats n’ Dogs
I visited my sister and brother-in-law in northern Michigan a couple weekends ago. Carol and I were at their house on Friday when she got a phone call. Black River Ranch was on fire, the caller told her. A moment later, Paul walked into the house and she shared the news with him. “I just… Continue reading Rain n’ Cats n’ Dogs
Sturgeon
Sturgeon are spawning on the Black River, and they are a sight to behold. I traveled upstate last weekend to see them making their way upriver. Sturgeon were extirpated in generations gone by, but they are on their way back. The fish are prehistoric and huge. It is a thrill just to see them. … Continue reading Sturgeon
Livin’ Large
At last, it’s the time of year for Rascal to loll in the grass. He’s been licking grass for some weeks now. He feels that water is at its tastiest when licked off grass. In fact, he’ll spend long enough licking grass that, as far as you can tell, he’s trying to find which single… Continue reading Livin’ Large
Barn Quilts
My friend Janice and I have just returned from the “Tour de Barn Quilts” put together by the village of Manchester, Michigan. Manchester is small enough and remote enough from Ann Arbor that few Ann Arborites swing by on a regular basis. We need a reason to go there. Ta-da: barn quilt tour. Barn quilts… Continue reading Barn Quilts