Time to breathe

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson



If you're one of the few people who read all my 50 million blogs (Betsy, Leedra, Mildred, Benny & Patsy) - then you know that I've been posting my Loon chick all over the place. The photo above was taken last weekend on my kayak. I was so happy to see this Loon baby grow up successfully in spite of all the dangers it encountered this summer (as do many other loons.)

This Loon was born on a stormy night and its' sibling did not make it. There were predators (eagles, turtles, pikes) and people to avoid and survive. I can't tell you how many jet skiers I yelled at from my kayak to "slow the !@#$ down" - because the baby Loon has a hard time diving down into the water to avoid them. Sometimes in my cabin I would hear the loon's tremolo call and start worrying that he was in trouble. Then I would have Greg launch me in my kayak so I could go check.

But in spite of all of this he made it. I feel like a proud parent that is now able to let their baby go (April, your post on letting your daughter go to college made me think of this!) Until next year when the next set of Loon babies hatch....then the worries start all over again!

Never Forget

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I do - I remember I was at work and saw the 2nd tower hit in real time at the t.v. at our office. It was at that moment I realized we were under attack and all of our lives would forever change.

Those images of people jumping from the burning building, the towers collapsing and seeing those dust covered people running still haunt me. My heart breaks for all those innocent lives lost to such a cowardly act. On this day, please remember those who were lost and those who continue to protect our freedoms in the United States.

Scout misses you!

Well Scout was complaining that she missed all of you and could I please put down my schoolbooks and say hello! She's 4 months old now, weighs over 30 pounds and is still trying to win over Marvin the cat.





Marvin wanted me to let you know that there's a free Bernese Mountain Dog available and that he'll throw in the dog biscuits if you pick her up next week! (Marvin is a little perturbed at Scout for chewing up his fuzzy mouse toys...)

Hope you are all doing well - I promise to catch up with you this week. The first few weeks of school have been a little overwhelming and I've been trying to get into a routine. I have 3 classes and feel like I have 10!

Let's get in the fall mood....

It's no secret that Fall is my favorite season. I look forward to October when Michigan shows her glorious colors. I'm dreaming of eating fresh apple pie, drinking cold cider and decorating the cabin with several pumpkins and mums.

And of course I'm going to have to rake a leaf pile to jump into! The yellow fall leaves are my favorite! What is your favorite fall leaf color?

Let's take a look at the Autumn photos I shot last year in northern Michigan...











This one was actually taken a few years ago from the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.


*I apologize f0r my lack of blog posts and visits. I've been busy getting ready for school and started classes this week! That will be another post. Hope you have a lovely weekend and I look forward to catching up with you!

The dog (and cat) days of summer

When summer gathers up her robes of glory,
And, like a dream, glides away.
~ Sarah Helen Whitman



Can you believe that autumn is almost upon us? I already have leaves that have turned red on my maple tree. Pretty soon I will be putting pumpkins on my porch. (And I'm sure the squirrels will have a field day eating them!)






We finally had a hummingbird visit our feeder but alas soon they'll be migrating on.







Scout is dreaming about snow....that's what Bernese Mountain dogs live for!





And Marvin, well let's just say he dreams of a new home for Scout constantly...

Making friends on the kayak

It's time for me to take you on another kayak ride. The sun is out, a little warm at 80 degrees but we'll feel cooler once we're out on the lake. Are you ready?


Let's paddle at a leisurely pace and see what we can find.






Here is one of the many water lilies that float on our lake.







Look up ahead! Do you see something in that tall birch tree? Let's get a little closer.








Well it's Harry the Blue Heron! He thinks we can't see him and I'm glad. It allows us enough time to admire his beauty and snap a few shots.





Whoops - looks like he has an itch! We'll just give him some privacy and keep paddling.






Look - there's a family of ducks up ahead. Let's paddle over there.







Well aren't they a fine looking family! They're quacking now, so I'm going to leave them be. Now I hear something else across the lake....






Scout is barking at us from the deck of the log cabin. We better head back and give her a biscuit. Hope you enjoyed today's kayak ride. Scout said next time she would like to ride in the kayak with one of you. Any takers?

This cracks me up!

We're back from a long weekend at the log cabin. The weather was great and it was nice to spend time outdoors. Greg did some fishing with my stepson and I spent time kayaking and taking photos.

But I digress.....I know Greg is going to kill me but I just had to post this photo! Greg was trying to show Scout that it was okay to sleep in the the crate.....




Are you laughing??????? Cuz I still am!!!