cARTier trail

I can't believe I never shared any of these with you before, but apparently not.

Cartier Park in cooperation with the Ludington Area Center for the Arts has installed three large frames that have art displays that change every few months.

The three currently on display are: "Peace" by Francie Skarritt. She "likes to have fun experimenting with different ways to portray real and abstract images." (part of the text that is displayed below the image)

This one is "Thy Own" by Erin Houghtaling. She "explores the interplay between identity, memory, and myth through the medium of collage."

The third is more traditional "Lincoln Lake Birch" (and the park is on the shore of Lincoln Lake) by Helen Heddens. "Landscapes are her favoirte subject; the natural beauty around this area of Michigan lends itself to many beautiful scenes."

Someone has also decided there should be a little Christmas cheer in the park. I found three trees that had a few decorations hung on them. This is the most showy.

So the day got off on the wrong foot. I have two appointments... tomorrow. But I went to town for them today. Um. That didn't work. So I went to the park and walked instead! That did work.

The biggest project at home was getting 20 inches of packed snow off the trailer roof. I really goofed and didn't get it covered before snow hit this year. I got it pretty well cleaned, but not dry. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I don't think I can cover it then. We are supposed to have three days above freezing next week, so I'm taking a chance on being able to do it then.

Miles hiked in 2025: 472.8

Cartier Park, Ludington, MI. Twice around the loop plus spurs. 2.8 miles

See Photoessay in Black and White

West Shore Concert Choir- Christmas 2025

Tonight was the full concert of the West Shore Choir. This is the choir that sang several songs at St. Joseph's last week, joining with the bells to create a full hour of music.

They had eleven pieces, an ambitious program for only one rehearsal a week! But it was great. Director Becky Sopha always gets mega music out of the group. Of course, quite a few of the members are friends of mine, too.

These young people, Grace and Carson, sang "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Let it Snow," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

It's really hard to get pictures to focus in the low light. I took lots more, but you are seeing a few of the better ones that show some of the variety.

The final segment of the program featured several selections from Handel's "Messiah." For those there was a live mini-orchestra. I love it when local performances take advantage of local talent. I didn't manage to get all the instruments in the picture- the light wasn't consistent and either one half was too dark or too light. But you get the idea.

And this is the soloist, Neysa, who sang "O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion."

There was a visit from Santa Claus, more solos, and the ensemble I showed you at St. Joe's that sang "Carol of the Bells."

I skipped a Zoom meeting to attend this. No regrets.

In other news, I was super-good today. I edited and stuff like that. Did several jobs outside since we are going to have a mini thaw and I need to finish up a few tasks, then I took a short snowshoe walk, went to bell practice, and then to this concert. Full day!

Miles hiked in 2025: 470.0

Ludington School Forest- various trails, 1.1 miles.

See Concert at St. Joe- 2025

Two More Snowy Miles

Cathy and I and a third person went and did another two miles on the NCT on snowshoes. We went where others had hiked just before the weekend, so the snow was not completely unbroken.

Even though there was a path (partially filled in from new snow), we were perfectly content to just do a mile in and then back out. That was tough enough. I apparently have less stamina on snowshoes than I used to have.

It was cold, but we bundled up and were plenty warm. Good to be outside!

I had another event this evening, but I'll tell you more about that later.

Miles hiked in 2025: 468.9
Miles hiked on the NCT in 2025: 253.8

North Country Trail, Manistee County, MI. North from Udell TH one mile and back.

See Spirit of the Woods Hike- December

We'll Be Home For the Holidays- 2025

I guess I've managed to miss this concert most years. Seems like I've been to one since 2018, but maybe not. Between Covid and my NCT hike, three years got knocked out of the possibilities anyway.

This is the annual Christmas concert at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. LACA has expanded and improved mightily since it's beginnings about 15 years ago. All the performers are local to the region.

Their building is the former Methodist Church, and it is right downtown. The auditorium has been converted to a stage.

The music was a great mix of different instruments and styles. There were two piano solos. This one, and one by a boy.

LACA now has a Youth Chorus. They sang two songs and did a very good job with them.

There was a clarinet band! Four different range clarinets playing together.

One male soloist with guitar did "Mary Did You Know?" very dramatically. And the closing two pieces were a female duet that were very, very good. The closed the concert with "Sleigh Ride."

Several soft rock/folk bands played and sang. This is the group 80 Cows that also played at the vendor event I did in October.

And of all the goofy things- this was totally unplanned. I went to my favorite audience spot in the balcony, and friend Loren was there! So I sat with her.

The pics aren't stellar- it's hard in the lower light. But still fun.

In the middle of posting this, Doug came to plow our driveway, and we had to move the cars to do that because Om wasn't able to get all they way up this afternoon. But, this means the driveway should be in good shape for the week. Hopefully, the rain on Thursday won't turn it all to ice. I've got a lot going on this week.

I'm enjoying hitting some extra Christmas concerts again this year.

See We'll Be Home For the Holidays- 2018

Blue

No, I'm not feeling blue. I just like the approximately 30 minutes, right at dusk, when photos look blue.

I don't even mind that this looks fuzzy. Actually, the air was kind of fuzzy. It's not snowing, but it's like there is a mist hanging around making layers out of the various distances.

And I've shown you one window full of my blue glass collection previously (link below). But here is most of the rest of it. The real cobalt blue glass does not fade in the sun. Some of the pieces are no big deal, and some are kind of special. Maybe I'll talk about individual pieces some time.

This is the left side of the kitchen window. The pieces that look yellowish in the photos are white milk glass.

And the right side.

I really love it! Blue is my favorite color, except when it's yellow. Blue and yellow together really make me happy.

I got myself in gear today and did some editing and cleaned up the kitchen yet again.

BONUS: Here is today's LOL moment. My friend Sue posted this. She said she had proof that today was pretty cold.

See Unusual Apparitions