Hey Nicole, I know I don’t have to catch you up with everything that’s been going on in the world since you left it a few months ago. You’re everywhere, now, and I’m guessing you can see all this from all kinds of crazy perspectives that elude each of us individual humans. It must be…
I’ve been hesitant to write. Hesitant to pick up an instrument. Hesitant to plan anything lest I find myself daring to look forward to something only to have it cancelled or indefinitely postponed (which, c’mon — as mortal beings in an infinite universe — don’t those two mean the same thing?). I thought I might…
I feel like I maybe disappeared from the world for a while… stepped inside my little hermitage and shut everything out for just a while. It’s not so unlike me to do that from time to time. Longtime friends have learned not to be alarmed. The cause is usually intense concentration… on something. This time,…
Since 2012, James and I have made it our New Year’s tradition to go for a long hike in the woods every January 1st. While it’s just one more reason not to stay up late New Year’s Eve, our little tradition often provides us with our fondest memories of winter here in Northern Michigan. When…
Years from now when I look back on this Christmas season, what am I likely to remember? I’ll remember the loss… Our dear friend, Nicole, passed away very suddenly on November 11th, just as the holidays were about to begin. Nicole was our neighbor for many years in Evanston, made countless road trips to Michigan…
The sound and the feel of wet sand gathering and falling away from my well-worn shoes as I walked down the lane on a late-October day, recently, alerted me of how quiet it is, now. The sky was nearly clear — a miraculous sight to behold after so many cloudy days and half-light. Looking up…
After more than a week of what could only be described as “glorious” weather — sunny skies, pleasantly warm afternoons, perfect evenings — we now find ourselves in day two, three, or maybe seventy of impenetrable clouds. The sun comes up, but it looks more like twilight — all day. When the sun refuses to…
Today, as the earth firmly plants itself into upright position and both day and night are on equal terms, I thought it was time to take a look back at the last few bits of summertime we’ve been cherishing and collecting. It has been a wimpy summer, weather-wise — a pattern of weather some experts…
The last of our summer guests created an historic event by traveling together for the first time ever: Part III: Mom, Maw, & The Aunts No, not an obscure bluegrass band, but my mom (Brenda), my grandmother (Maw Vern), and my two aunts (Darlene & Lisa)! We were so excited to have them all under…
Just as we were feeling pretty gloomy about our first set of guests having to leave so soon, we were delighted to open the front door and find our next guests: Part II: Georgia & Rick James’ sister, Georgia, and her boyfriend Rick were up from Ohio for a summer visit. Their visit was even…
Life Up North 