Capturing the vacation feeling is as important as going on vacation. Anticipating vacation is far better than the real thing. A huge part of maintaining the vacation feeling is buying a large quantity of Kellogg's Fun-Paks and Pop Tarts. Fun-Paks are not what they used to be, but they still work for vacation. Years ago, …
Month: June 2022
Aunt Olive’s Tractor
I always loved going to Aunt Olive's farm in Gladwin, Michigan. It was actually Uncle Wellington's farm too, but he was never there when we were because he worked in a car plant Detroit. The farm was a world away from the city where we lived, and a welcome opportunity for a scared kid to …
Tragic Fire in Holly, Michigan
We have enjoyed going to Holly for many years. Attending the Detroit Model Railroad Club open house during Thanksgiving weekend was an annual event for us until our children were grown. The Dickens Festival, with many attractions along Battle Alley including a live presentation of "The Christmas Carol", was always a favorite. I looked forward …
Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 25: Finding Sylvia Meisner
Everyone loves a parade, and the good folks in Maple Valley are no exception. When news quickly reached everyone that Sheriff Pete Terkinberry would soon patrol the three streets of town in a new squad car, excited anticipation of a parade swept like a wind-blown grass fire. From one end of town to the other, …
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Awesome New Top for a Patio Table
Many years ago we bought a white metal table with four matching chairs. It had a glass top that measured twenty-eight by forty-eight inches. We purchased the table at Forward's Up North Store in Pinconning, Michigan. The antique-lodge decor-knick-knack store was a favorite stop on our trips up north, always followed by breakfast at H …
Altered Designs in Holly, Michigan
It's always beautiful in Holly, no matter the weather. But when it's sunny and 72 degrees like it was today, that's hard to beat! Holly, Michigan is the home of Altered Designs, our favorite place to shop in town. Many people who visit Altered Designs comment on how friendly everyone is. All guests are greeted …
It’s All Straightforward
There are many things I don't understand. Many things. I would love to try explaining smart phones to my grandmother. One time I asked her, "Do you know what you call a cow with no legs?" "No," she said. "Ground beef." She laughed politely. Grandma was like that. Several weeks later I asked, "What do …
It Was Hard to Sell My Radio Controlled Airplanes
/i I started to purchase my first radio controlled airplane in 2003. The Avistar 40 trainer was on layaway at a local hobbyshop. It was just about paid in full when we bought a house that needed a lot of work. I turned in the plane receipts, took the cash, and bought power tools for …
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An Up North Poem
A mayfly landed upon the rimOf my Tilley hat near the brink of the brimAnd it rested there while I mowed the lawnAnd it made me think of days, now goneOf fly fishing, of the line and the fliesThe anticipation of the hoped-for riseOf a fish, of a trout, now the take and the tugas …
Mama Duck and Her Ducklings
It happened to be a Sunday morning when I first noticed her. She was standing in the back yard, not far from the house. She wasn't between places. She was here with a purpose. I thought it was strange. Ducks don't usually visit us. We're more of an oriole, mourning dove, cardinal, black-capped chickadee and …
A Coffee State of Mind 