Musings

Whatchu see…

Curtain reflection

This is the second story of what’s essentially a strip mall. I don’t know what’s behind the curtains because there are no signs or words on the windows, and the curtains are never open.

Ponytail grass

This is just a pattern. Mesmerizing almost as much as a flickering fire.

Winter is coming

Blushing apple

Tonight we dined on fresh applesauce, delivered still warm by chef Cousin M.

Brass chest reflection

While she was here, we chatted for a bit on the front porch, nicely sun-warmed to the low 70s after a low this morning in the upper 30s (brr). I thought at first there had been no frost, but I did spot some on the roofs—but the field seemed untouched.

Refuge autumn

Maple color shrub

We ventured over to the wildlife refuge to check on critters and color.

Tree skeleton

I got distracted by a tree skeleton…

Stump skeleton

…and a stump skeleton…

Swan family

…as the bird count was low, and most we saw were far away. We did see a loon (near the loon overlook, of all places), a very few Canada geese and mallards, a wood duck, and this family of swans. The mostly-grown goslings cygnets, to the left, still have slightly brownish-grey feathers; I do not know when they become white.

Image day

Lake view

Much of today became about images to me. Our day dawned without dawn, just a lightening that followed rain in darkness. That’s Lake Superior, our witness throughout most of today’s adventures.

Patella xray

This is today’s most image-y image. That’s my patella, upper right, and I am told I have loose knees. One has been ailing, got a shot, and I think at least temporary recovery is in sight.

Thunder bay inn

Recently, I got my book club to read “Anatomy of a Murder” and see the movie. This is the tavern were the movie scenes were shot. It was a wing built onto the hotel for the shooting of the movie in 1959. The book is based on a real murder that happened in this town.

The stuffed peacock upper right is a nod to the present owners, the Peacock family. No peacock was on the menu.

Lighthouse BnB

You can stay at this lighthouse B&B. Prepare for a windy time.

Autumn maple

The sun was out (briefly) as we toured by this stunning maple.

Mushroom beach

Then we found what we called mushroom beach. Mushrooms peppered the forest floor under the (planted pines) and we even found them among the (planted) beach grasses.

Active ore dock

This is an active ore dock just north of Marquette proper, and quiet today. Last time we visited, there was an ore carrier docked but no loading happening.

Happy forks

We had a most excellent meal. The cheesecake with marinated cherries did not last….

Northcountrysunset

And, then, appropriately in our rearview mirror, sunset….

Of dust bunnies and ear trumpets

Chihuly overhead

Somehow these delicate funnels evoke ear trumpets to me. Not that I’ve seen many ear trumpets.

“Dust bunnies” refers to the cleaning sprint we did. Where does the bunny-material come from? The AC filter? I’m mystified.

Not grey

Terry light

I had some idea for pairing these two photos, but whatever it was escapes me now. I liked this light on a pewter(ish) blue terry bath towel, but it looks…strange here. And grey not blue.

Stained CU

All the color in this stained glass is in the glass; none is painted on. Somehow, this image is less interesting than I thought it’d be, too.

There’s always tomorrow!

Color & B/W

India block print

I was in a mood the other day, and ordered two sets of cloth dinner napkins for everyday use. This is a block print (I think) from India. Brilliant colors. Maybe it’ll distract diners from a ho-hum meal?

Shower light

This isn’t exactly B&W; close, though. Light in the shower.

Highway views

Three high rollers

Three high rollers, no?

Ice cream trailer

Ice-cream-cone trailer, with sprinkles.

ATL gulleywasher

And, as we finally deviated from the Interstate, we drove into a gullywasher, with knee-deep water gushing across the city streets in some places. Didn’t last long, though—whew!

Situational ambience

Ladder security light

Eye-catching golden glow from security lights….

Orange cone lineup

Height-challenged orange-cone soldier lineup….

These photos were taken about two minutes apart, although they don’t look that way…in the dark vs in the open street.

Midwest glimpses

Kimmys Korner

You know if this was your neighborhood, you’d sure shop sometimes at Kimmy’s Korner Groc.

Midwest abandoned outbuildings n barn

Silo sentinels of the Midwest often flank barns, but not all are dilapidated and deteriorating, like this specimen.

Deshler viewpoints

What is not in this photo is a modest-sized drone far above…a backhoe and a drone witnessing latrine use…glad I was on the sidelines.

Friendly still life

Orchid in window-still-life. Very welcoming. (Thnx.)