Sunday, October 31, 2010

All Hallows' Eve, October 31, 2010











The Flower of the Day is the Canada Hawkweed. It appears in August and stays until late September. I don't know if it is a legal or illegal immigrant, but then we don't worry about Canadians all that much.

Important at this time of the year are fall leaves and fall colors. I never get my fill of them. I hope you enjoy the pictures that are included.

Also important at this time of the year as we move from summer to winter is Halloween. Halloween has an interesting history. It originally was a Celtic feast and its original name may have been Samain. The Celts were a very superstitious people and they saw the time of seasonal change as being very dangerous times of the year. And none was seen as being quite as dangerous as the passage from fall to winter, because for the Celtic people, this was the time of the year when all of the forces of evil and death were released from the underworld to celebrate the final death of nature, and the coming of the dead and the gloomy season of winter. The Church in its wisdom tried to divert the people from their association with demons by establishing All Souls' and All Saints' Days, but it was not very successful, because there is still a lot of Samaintide with us today. And this evening the ghouls and the walking dead, the spooks and the demons, the ghosts, the haunts, the hobgoblins, the evil spirits and the "little people" who drove the ancient Celts to a last frenzy of fear before the dark days of winter set in were seen on our streets and at our front doors. Fortunately for us they were quite benign. They only demanded treats

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Thursday, October 21, 2010





The Flower of the Day is the Cardinal-flower. It's not an easy flower to find on Drummond, but when found, its rich red color makes it one of the showiest of wildflowers. Also, of interest, is that Indians made cough medicine and a love charm from it. The love charm plus two birch bark canoes was said to work wonders.

Our drive home was uneventful -- the way we like it. We spent one night on the road. The Fall colors were waning in northern Michigan when we left, but the color picked up south of Cadillac and was especially good just north of the Indiana border. And then the maple tree in our front yard welcomed us home with its Fall apparel.

A good summer and now we are ready to settle down and enjoy winter in Missouri with all that encompasses. And if any at Lexington are reading this, that includes you -- see you Sunday.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tuesday, October 12, 2010









The Flower of the Day is the Large-flowered Trillium. It is not only beautiful to see, but it provides a breathtaking scene in the dark hardwood forest -- white flowers like a carpet as far as one can see. So different than anything we've seen before, and they bloom in mid-May, so they will be a treat for us to look forward to when we return.

But we are now in the process of leaving, not returning. Greg and Lori helped us this past weekend. Flower containers were emptied, deck furniture moved to the back ready for storage in the shed. A haircut interrupted the work as did dominoes and cards. We have done some packing, but we still have clothes, food and a few more things to pack, and a cabin to clean.

We now plan to leave this Friday, if we can get everything done. We are anxious to be on our way, and again back home with those we love and care for -- family and friends.

And one last item -- the picture that was taken on an early morning last week. Just more of the amazing beauty that God has blessed us with.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday, October 8, 2010








The Flower of the Day is a medley of summer flowers -- St. John's Wort, Chicory, Queen Anne's Lace, Ox-eye Daisy, Common Mullein, and Spotted Knapweed. They remind us of this past summer and the beauty that was by the side of the road, but Autumn comes early in this northern place which means that we enjoy the leaves now, and will enjoy them again when we are back in Missouri. Other changes -- frost and an early morning mist, and boat traffic that will be shut down for about 2 1/2 months beginning in January -- ice and winter conditions.Hopefully, the economy will call them back to work in mid-March. The boat pictured is from The Netherlands.

There will be one more Michigan "blog" next week and then we will be back in Missouri. Greg and Lori came today to the heavy work that allows us to make our transition south. We look forward to them being here, not just for their good work, but also because we enjoy their company. Dinner at the Northwood was, as usual, excellent -- all you can eat Whitefish, choice of potato and salad -- $12.99. Best deal in town. Peace.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Friday, Sept. 3, 2010






The Flower of the Day is the Canada Hawkweed. It showed up this summer around the middle of June and was with us for much of the summer, but is now long gone as are most of the wildflowers. The color has shifted to the trees which are quite pretty. The picture of the small Aspens was taken yesterday on Maxton Plains. The Sandhill Crane, like the wildflowers, are gone. They might be over Missouri right now on their way to South Texas. Our friends Art and Carol have been with us this week and on Monday they will be heading home to Texas. We won't be too far behind the Sandhills and Art and Carol, but not for Texas.

The only other thing to "show and tell" is St. Stephen's Church in Detour where we spend our Sunday's. It's our weekly anchor. We hope that all is well with all of you.