Guarding the citadel against all comers is a responsibility our animal companions take very much to heart. My friend, Marcia, can attest to this. She had a Rottweiler as head of security some years ago, when she found a kitten in the street during a downpour. The kitten ended up with Marcia and family, and… Continue reading Guarding the Citadel
Category: Michigan Stories
Such a Feast
Such a feast we had! I’m still so full that my socks felt tight when I pulled them on this morning. My, oh my, such a lot of great food. Deciding what to do about Thanksgiving wasn’t straightforward this year. First and foremost: CoVid is still among us. Fiercely so. Maybe just the… Continue reading Such a Feast
Flat Tires
Almost immediately after leaving Sue’s house last Friday, I realized I had a flat tire. So I rolled back to Sue’s, contacted AAA, had another cup of tea, and petted Tesla some more. I know how to change a tire myself, of course—Dad made sure of that—but I question my current ability to loosen… Continue reading Flat Tires
A Trick of the Light
On a fabulous autumn day this week, I took the dog for a walk in Gallup Park. The paths follow the river so, counting reflections, there was twice as much color there as there is here. There were other people at the park with the same good idea, but it’s unlikely any of them were… Continue reading A Trick of the Light
Changed from Glory
During the late afternoon of Halloween, as neighbors were arranging treat tables in their driveways, there was some fuss among the grownups on the grass island in the middle of the court. It was covered in mushroom fairy rings. They were much smaller than the one Sue and I found in Saginaw Forest, which was… Continue reading Changed from Glory
After the Feast
We’re leaning into the time of year for feasting, and we all have our own feast traditions. But what of traditions for after the feast? When our friend Len was growing up and celebrating with his grandparents in northern New Jersey, what happened after dinner was that everyone, from oldest to youngest, would… Continue reading After the Feast
Walking on Marbles
While stepping briskly through Oakwoods Nature Area this week, I found myself suddenly fighting to keep my balance. It was as if I were walking on marbles. The path was covered with acorns that had lost their caps, rolling freely and hastening my progress downhill. Our neighbors had a similar experience near Jackson. They were… Continue reading Walking on Marbles
Burnished
Leaves are starting to turn, now that it’s mid-October. Locust leaves, small and golden, are the first ones to fall. That honor used to go to the ash trees so prevalent around here, but emerald ash borers killed them all, and locusts now lead the way. Their leaves sprinkle lawns with color, and collect… Continue reading Burnished
Pleasures and Treasures
Mushrooms are coming on thick and fast as autumn progresses. In the woods this week, I saw some that looked like brain coral. Some that looked like dainty parasols. Some that looked like multicolored, fanned-out feathers. My friend Sue struck it rich recently on a friend’s property; they looked for and found giant puffballs. … Continue reading Pleasures and Treasures
Suntrap
Sunday evening we had dinner with friends. We met early so that we could eat outside and enjoy the sunshine. The weather cooperated, and we dined on their deck, overlooking their lush oasis of a yard while their waterfall burbled in the background. Birds visited feeders, and a hummingbird hovered nearby for a while,… Continue reading Suntrap