Saturday, 4 August 2018
The urban scooter fad has hit our neighborhood. I can’t tell if it’s a true contribution to the actual function of the local political economy…or no. Certainly, the casual data looks like…well, they’re here and there, almost strewn “everywhere” by the time daylight arrives.
At least two brands of scooters are…hanging about mornings. Maybe they’re an afternoon/evening thing? Or perhaps I misunderstand.
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
My hypothesis is that the Kroger buyer who nabbed these very expensive ceramic grimaces has already been…fired? sequestered? downsized?
And how to store????? After the holiday AND until the holiday! After all it’s JULY!
Monday, 9 July 2018
Indeed, the focus of today’s expedition was seeing Lake Superior. That’s me in bug- and sun-resistant clothing. No fashion plate am I. Turns out, today, almost, close-to NO bugs in this area.
There at the mouth of Hurricane Creek we spotted two lampreys. I never remember seeing them in the wilds before. Scarred fish, yes; the critters, no. That brown “ribbon” across the middle of the frame: lamprey.
Instead of our usual return-to-Grand-Marais to lunch, we continued west and dined in a deli-coffee-bookstore in Munising. Yum. Such a lovely place.
On a lark, we also did the Marshland Tour at the Refuge, and of course saw many Canada geese and swans. Most of the swans were far from the car, but this wee-family was close by. I will not mention the clouds of deer flies that rode on our rear-view mirrors; such a contrast to the near bug-free conditions on the south shore of Gitchee-Gumee.
Tuesday, 3 July 2018
Shopping in a store you don’t normally visit, in a different area than you usually shop, increases the potential for finding items new to you. I’m heh-heh stumped about this. The words are clear; the meaning is easy to guess, but the utility of the product, even 100% real and natural, escapes me.
These labels, on the other hand, are extremely clear. The Logo-Guru approved. Interesting: all are the same proof, but the prices range from $31.99—vodka and rum—to $51.99—bourbon, with gin and clear whiskey in the $30s. So many mysteries in the world….
Quick plant report: this is one of the most drought-and-heat stressed specimens of lupine I’ve seen so far this season on the farm. Too early for this deep a dry spell.
Sunday, 1 July 2018
I give thee the common name grey dumpling puffball (approximately golfball-sized).
Sunday, 24 June 2018
Cooking down some Zin and fresh sweet cherries to make a sauce to go with the (charcoal) grilled lamb….
Oh, man, it was so tasty, it made the moon rise.
Luv.
Saturday, 23 June 2018
Train and…reflections.
Fern and…forest-floor floral friend.
Waterfall and…reflection.
Stars and…you know.
Lovely day to take a long, slow train trip, a slightly hustling walk (The Foot, of course) during…intermission(?), and the same long, slow train trip back. Not a loop; instead, an up-and-back.
In a foreign country!
Great fun!
Friday, 22 June 2018
I’d like to think I’d recognize the names of several of the large freighters that use the Soo Locks, but not the smaller ships. We climbed to the top floor of the viewing platform to get a great angle on the lock-action.
We could see the huge Edwin H. Gott freighter rising ponderously in the second lock over, and watched the Sam Laud prepare to enter the lock (up/westbound) right in front of us, then ease in, staying close to our side. The Gott I’d heard of, but the Laud I don’t remember. The disembodied voice on the speaker said the Laud was smaller (river class, I believe) and thus was used for the smaller harbors, and consequently repeatedly has grounded. Oops. Downside of smaller harbors….
Started chatting with the folks on both sides of us and a lady by herself to our right said she was there to pick up her husband the captain of the Laud going off a 60-day shift (for 30 days off!). Sure enough, on the deck, as the Laud slowly rose, we could see a guy with a backpack and duffle waiting for the deck to reach the level of the sidewalk. Then he debarked, showed papers to an official, then walked through the fence-gate, and he and the lady were smiling and in each other’s arms.
Monday, 18 June 2018
Lake Michigan was quiet (for it) yesterday when we cruised by, and our lake was relatively quiet later today…after rain last night and breeziness mid-day.
And, this evening, plein-air dining…with birdie pepper/salt shakers! And rhubarb spice cake! Yum!
Friday, 15 June 2018
The ATL overhead signs perhaps have begun their summer vacation? We weren’t sure; this morning all we saw read “MESSAGE 3.”
Above, the ninth doctor of course refers to the Dr. Who played by Christopher Eccleston, in thirteen episodes broadcast in 2005. This plate requires less decoding.
Is it stainless or china was my first thought. Obviously stainless. And made in China.