When the weather is really hot, a flock of cedar waxwings likes to fly through the spray of a fountain near here. They are no doubt feeding on the wing, but they look like they’re playing. The fountain, an aerator in a retention pond, shoots water fifteen feet or so up into the air, and… Continue reading Officially Fall
Early Autumn
The birds around here have been putting on a show. Red-bellied woodpeckers—mom, dad, and junior—have been going house to house pecking on roofs and siding. Their hearts aren’t in it, though, and the birds are gorgeous, so folks don’t mind. Our back yard is full of drama, both within and between species. Flickers, blue jays,… Continue reading Early Autumn
Going to the Fair
My friend Mary and I went to the Saline Community Fair last week. I love fairs. I love looking at the animals and interacting with them, when they’re so inclined. Petting llamas, for instance, is a treat. You pet them on their necks, and their wool is so long and fluffy that you don’t… Continue reading Going to the Fair
Concert in the Court
A few weeks ago, my husband answered the door to our neighbors, Bill Edwards and Vicki Botek. Would he be willing to sign a form agreeing to a concert on the island in our court? Of course. And so were all the other neighbors. Fliers went out in the intervening weeks to remind… Continue reading Concert in the Court
Mosquitoes, Moth, and Mourning
It’s been quite the summer for mosquitoes. A wet spring assured a robust early hatch, and we haven’t run low on them since. As prey animals, we find ourselves speculating that the sheer numbers of mosquitoes have sharpened their hunting skills and the speed of their attacks: there are just not enough of us to… Continue reading Mosquitoes, Moth, and Mourning
Sadness
Doing the right thing with “items of no significance” from my late aunt’s estate has been a major focus this week. First, there was washing whatever needed washing. Next came the listing of items going to nonprofits: pen refills, 20; swim goggles nose-piece replacement kit, 1; shoehorns, 4; and so on. Then came the delivering. … Continue reading Sadness
Raucous Ruckus
There are three birdbaths in the back yard, and we hadn’t seen much action at any of them this summer. That changed Tuesday afternoon, when the big one with the Water Wiggler suddenly became the place to be. It was robin versus starling out there. Also, starling versus starling and, apparently, starling versus birdbath. … Continue reading Raucous Ruckus
Death of a Grande Dame
My aunt died this week. She and her three sons and two daughters-in-law had gathered for birthday-eve dinner at the yacht club. They’d been having a lovely time until it became clear Aunt Norah was becoming unwell. There followed the Heimlich manoeuver, CPR, paramedics, ambulance, ER, ICU, the EEG that offered no hope at all,… Continue reading Death of a Grande Dame
Summer Pleasures
Each of the seasons in Michigan comes with its own pleasures. Summer is at its height now, and its pleasures are sweet. A favorite among them, for my husband and me, is the Dexter A&W drive-in–a major part of the fun lying in the getting there and back. Two-lane back roads take us… Continue reading Summer Pleasures
Jack and the Art Fair
Our nephew, Jack, and his husband, B.J., spent some time with us last week. They came for the art fair. Each July, barring a pre-vaccination pandemic, about 400,000 people come to Ann Arbor for the art fair. As the population of the town itself is under 120,000 souls, this represents a major infusion… Continue reading Jack and the Art Fair