Tree for Two

 Omer always does a really nice job with the lights. This was a couple of days ago.

And decorated. This is totally Omer's doing. He's the Christmas lover.

Although, I will be doing a couple of things. I'm already working on them, but I had to clean some stuff and whatever. You'll see...

In other news: a lot of editing, a little writing, shopping, laundry, the above-mentioned decorative efforts.

See The Lay of the Land

Adventurous Woman 2 - Alice Ramsey

The next adventurous woman on my list is Alice Huyler Ramsey. You may never have heard of her, but I love her story. She was the first woman to drive an automobile across the United States. The car was a Maxwell, and the year was 1909. She was 22 years old.

Alice had plenty of experience driving and had even won some competitions prior to her trip, despite the fact that women were not encouraged to get behind the wheel of a motorcar. She was accompanied by two sisters-in-law, and a 19-year-old friend named Hermine. None of the others knew how to drive.

This particular book reprints Alice's original work, Veil, Duster, and Tire Iron, but adds additional material by Gregory M. Franzwa. The extra material adds some background and clarity, but the original work is the gem.

Only 152 miles of the 3800-mile trek were paved. The infant AAA provided maps, but more often the ladies followed telephone poles in hopes that they would lead to some sort of town. Getting fuel was an ongoing problem.

Marie and I alternately roared with laughter and gasped at their predicaments as we read this book for one of our selections on a hike.

Alice was the first woman voted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. She continued to enjoy driving her entire life.

In other news: I did some editing, wrote my column for LDN, and Om and I watched Addams Family Values. I've loved Addams Family since childhood- the cartoons, then the TV series, and the first movie. I was a little skeptical since sequels are sometimes lacking. But this was hilarious. If you have any sacred cows, don't watch it, because it has all the glorious upside-down values of the Addams Family. Wednesday and Uncle Fester are the stars, but baby Pubert definitely comes to the rescue.

See Libby Riddles

Thanksgiving on the Table

 We have been trying to figure it out, and I'm pretty sure the last time we had a Thanksgiving dinner on the dining room table was in 2013. One year we went to Indiana to meet Loretta, we got invited to eat with someone else a few times. The years we were both working at the newspaper we were too tired to do anything ourselves. We went to community dinners a couple of times. Then there was Covid, and trailer prep for the hike, and the hike...

Anyway. Ta-da!

We had pork chops, and they turned out really yummy. Josh was supposed to join us, but he didn't show up. He has no minutes on his phone, so we couldn't call him. I was kicking myself that I hadn't simply said we'd pick him up. O well, he came an hour later. He had fallen asleep and didn't wake up. Then he didn't really want to do anything, so after a while he left. I refuse to get stressed about Josh. I guess he was happy, and he did get fed.

Here was my attempt to have a little fun. There is a veggie one in the link below.

And what about that pie? We managed to discipline ourselves to not eat some for breakfast. But we definitely enjoyed it for dessert. It's up to standard.

Other than the cooking and meal prep, I did not do a thing all day. It was nice and relaxing.

See Thanksgiving 2013

Pie Day

 Is it possible that I haven't made a pie for four years? Apparently.

We love pie. I make good pie. But the number of desserts Om and I should be eating is approaching zero. And real pie is impossible to resist, so the only way to avoid temptation is never to allow more than a piece of pie at a time, and the only way to limit pie to that is to buy a slice at a restaurant.

And I'm a pie snob. I know good crust. I will eat other crusts, but they don't make me happy. OK, so this one got a little too done one one edge... it's because I eked out enough scraps to put a little crust in the small pan.

Anyway, I shopped for tomorrow. I made a real pumpkin pie. The little baby one was to go with dinner tonight, and Om ate his half as soon as it came out of the oven. Mine is now gone down the pie hole as well.

I wrote a little bit, but my motivation was low. Oh, and Om and I sorted some Christmas decoration boxes. I guess that counts for something.

See Dinnerpieme

The Lay of the Land

 Had time to go for a little walk before bell choir practice. I didn't measure it, but I'm going to say 1.5 miles. Forgot to take dinner with me, so I had to go buy something.

The walk was in the Ludington School Forest, and with the leaves down, I was surprised to see that there is a fairly significant hill in the middle of it. Well, not hugely significant, but I really thought there was almost no topography in there, so I was surprised.

The lay of the land at home is leaning into Christmas. Om and Josh put up the tree today.

Yes, it's small. Those of you who know us will recognize that this is a recent switch. But I've finally convinced Om that we should get trees that we can lift without help. It was just fortuitous that Josh came by.

Right after bell practice, I went to Writer's Group. I will see if I want to continue doing these two intense events in a row every other week. Just got home, after 9:30 pm, so you can see it's a big chunk of concentrated time.

I did also manage to write part of my next column for Ludington Daily News and double check some research for Vacation from DMS.

Miles hiked in 2024: 532.

See Christmas Arrives

Heron Art from the Paddling Excursion

 My friend, Bruce Micinski, drew this picture from the photo taken on September 27 on Round Lake. He does great work, eh?

This is the reference photo.



This, and some other artsy things going on around me make me want to practice drawing again, but I really have way too many other things to do.

I wrote my column for MCP, interviewed someone for my LDN column, contemplated another issue in my own book, answered a bunch of questions for other people, did some work around the house. It just chews up the time.

See What a Perfect Morning

Ludington State Park and More

 I needed to do some research for Vacation from Dead Mule Swamp. This involved taking a hike at the State Park. I know, it was a real sacrifice, but writing is my job. Fortunately, this is in the portion that's open while they do their major renovations. Cathy went with me.

This is on the Juniper Loop. These loops are ski trails south of the river.

The color was still nice on this bush, but I'm sad to tell you that this is the invasive Japanese Barberry.

This is the kind of landscape that is both in the opening and at least one later chapter of Vacation from Dead Mule Swamp. I needed to be sure that I hadn't set up part of a scene that would be incorrect enough that I'd get feedback about it later. Not many people walk these trails. It's very secluded and disorienting.

We hiked 3.5 miles, mostly in loose sand. That was plenty.

Then we went to Cathy's and, guess what? I did get to be in on the end of the "Ice Riders on the Chesapeake Bay!"

Even though this is a Charles Wysocki puzzle, it's a much more realistic style than many of his other paintings that have been made into puzzles.

I also did some editing, and wrote part of one of my articles for the Mason County Press.

Miles hiked in 2024: 530.5.

Ludington State Park, Evergreen, Juniper and Dune Loop trails. 3.5 miles

See New to Me

Adventurous Women 1 - Libby Riddles

 I have a few series of posts going that I add to from time to time, because, honestly, some days just don't have anything very exciting to write about.

There is a feature on Amazon called Listmania. You can still find it if you dig deep although it used to be given better exposure. The list I created was called "Adventurous Women." I love adventure books, and particularly stories that feature the girls who are out to push their physical limits and find that thrill of sport.

I'm going to add this feature to my blog possibilities, and review one book on that list from time to time.

First (for no particular reason), I'll tell you about the book Race Across Alaska, by and about Libby Riddles. She was the first woman to win the Iditerod sled race, in 1985, at age 28. The book was written in 1988.

The narrative jumps right into the race, with a day-by-day account of the action. You don't need to know anything about racing sled dogs, because you'll learn it all as you go. It's an exotic enough sport for most of us to hold the attention. Small maps accompany each entry. Background is woven into the narrative.

There are also sidebars explaining some of the background information needed to understand terminology or sledding philosophy.

Riddles' fame has been somewhat eclipsed by Susan Butcher, who went on to win the Iditarod four times. But Libby Riddles was the first woman to have what it takes to win. And the name of Mary Shields has been completely forgotten. She was the first woman to complete the race. Her time wasn't good, but in 1974, most people didn't even think women could do something like that.

I actually liked this book so much I read it onto tapes for my mother when she was still alive. Maybe that's why I'm sharing it first. It was one of the first books I read about an adventurous woman (although I had read a bio of Amelia Ehrhart before that for sure, and probably others)

In other news: all the usual- I edited, I worked on projects. I wrote chapter 39 in Vacation from DMS, 604 words.

See Books

How to Flip a Day

 You can see how the day started. The deer don't care if I mow or don't mow. They just take over anyway.

I was working on various projects. But I ran into (temporary, I hope) roadblocks on a couple of them. So I decided to deliver something to Cathy.

Ha! That turned into playing Mexican Train Dominoes with her and her mother...

And of course, she had a jigsaw puzzle going in her basement. She had most of the yellow done already. The rest is detailed and fussy, and more difficult than a lot of the Charles Wysocki puzzles. This one is called "Ice Riders on the Chesapeake Bay."

We got a lot of it done, and she fed me pizza. So I'm happy. I always hate to not be in on the finish of a puzzle, but it's ok.

I edited, I tried to do some other things with online tasks attached... some serious issues there. Sent support emails. I worked outside a little, but then it started raining. So, I went to Cathy's!

See Table Fix

First Snow

 We did get that promised first snofall. This is 8 a.m.

Going by 10 a.m.

Still going, 11 a.m.

Gone at 2 p.m.

I did a lot of editing, and Omer and I went to see Bonhoeffer this afternoon. He knows a lot more about this than I do, and he says it's pretty accurate. Lots there to think about. The man has always been "controversial," but he lived in very difficult times. Some questions are unanswerable until you are actually faced with them.

See First Snow 2023

Almost Before

 Here's the afternoon sky. They are predicting the first snow of the season for tonight. Does this look like snow clouds? Not sure, but I like the lighting.

If we get snow, it's not going to last.

I found out about an herbicide from a friend that supposedly really kills the autumn olive. Roundup, when put on the cut stumps only slows it down. In about 3 years, it's back. However, this one, Tordon, motivates me a lot more effectively since it apparently really kills the stuff.

I'm going to keep working on the hedges of it that now surround our yard this fall until the weather becomes too big an issue. I like it cool for doing the hard work of sawing and hauling.

This is an "almost before" picture because I didn't think to take one before I had cut out several of the trees. There is a picture of this area from the other direction in the link in the footer. It will also motivate me to do enough work on this that you will be able to see a difference when I decide to do an "after," or at least a "partway" picture.

The hole is a garden pond I dug, and actually had water in one year. The deer and Maggie punched holes in the too lightweight liner, and I never could afford to get a sturdier one. But, ever the optimist, I don't want to fill it in... just in case. I'm not dead yet, right!?

The larger tree, right of center, is a mulberry that gets to stay. Near center back are the maple I told you I planted 30 years ago and some quaking aspen. Behind them you can see the white pine that I blogged about last year. It was 4 inches tall in 1992, because I ran over it with the mower. Almost everything else is autumn olive. Will I get it all this year? Heck no. But I'm going to try to make a dent.

The autumn olive is alleopathic which means it kills other plants that try to grow near it. I'm hoping that the aspen clone will reassert itself if I kill this horrible stuff.

It was a heavy, heavy editing day. I'm working on some of my own stuff too. And still contemplating the next few chapters of Vacation from DMS.

See I want my garden back

Just Fun

 It's been a long time since I've posted about any online games I might play. Actually, I gave up both of the ones I liked before the big hike, but Marie got me playing one different one again. Royal Match.

It's fun. It doesn't take the time commitment the other ones did. I usually play it to wake up in the morning. Anyway... recently they had a card set (you get extra stuff for collecting sets) with a hiking theme. I thought it was interesting what they chose.

Cabin, cliff, trekking poles, climbing rope, lighter, hiking shoes, rucksack, sleeping bag, "on top."

In other news: I edited, I did a bunch of behind the scenes work on my own books, bell choir, shopping. It's enough.

See Lazy Self-Indulgence

Last Time this Year?

 Remember that I picked up the mower on Friday? Gone Saturday, too wet yesterday. Nice weather today! My goal was to try to get everything mowed once before snow comes.

I got everything around the house.

And most of what we would like to keep mowed down by the road. At any rate, I did everything I could without cutting and chopping out more autumn olive.

I know this looks like a lot of space, and many people ask why I don't let it go to native plants. So I will state again, for those who may not have seen my answer, it goes to autumn olive, spotted knapweed, and sweet pea. There is plenty of native milkweed in the field next door, and I encourage it to grow there. I wage constant war on the autumn olive. We feel like this is minimum space to mow to keep the deer, mice, woodchucks, mosquitoes, etc somewhat away from the house, and hold those invasive plants in check.

I rarely mow it ALL in one day, but today was the good weather window, so...

This was only the second mowing of the whole season. Constant lawnmower troubles (not my laxity this year), and I have a hard time paying for repairs. I may have to get a sturdier mower.

I also managed to dry laundry outside. Yeah, I know the lines are sagging. Not much point in tightening them until spring, at this point.

Also got in some time editing.

See Climbing the Stupidity Ladder

November Handbells

 We played two songs this morning, "What a Friend," and "Raise the Songs of Harvest." Both are composites of two hymns. Sorry the camera isn't aligned very well.



"Raise the Songs" combines "We Gather Together" and "Raise the Song of Harvest Home."



We were especially pleased to get that long run correct (three measures, 19 notes) without messing up. It was hard.

In other news: I puttered at small things, not working on any of my big projects. Back at it tomorrow.

See Paddling and Playing Bells

Fruitport Library

 Today was a vendor event at the Fruitport Library. They really do a nice thing for authors. The tables are free for the first 12 who sign up. They have free coffee and provide free lunch (taco bar from Qdobas).

It was held in conjunction with the Friends of the Library used book sale.

There were tons of book options (and CDs and DVDs). The Friends did an amazing job of sorting their offerings, including a special holiday section and gift packages.

In my experience, books-only events don't usually pull in enough traffic. I thought maybe having it organized by a library would change that. Well, not really.

But, I've got no complaints. I had additional ideas for the day... take a hike afterwards (I thought it lasted until 3, but it was really 4), so there wasn't enough time to do that before dark. I thought I'd get some groceries on the way home, but I didn't bother.

Bottom line... I met a lot of new-to-me authors, sold a few books, but came home tired. I'm going to chill with a book because I have to be back out the door in the morning for bell choir.

See Date with a Polar Bear

Climbing the Stupidity Ladder

 So, I got a text today that the lawnmower was ready to be picked up. I was given a choice of ANY time to do so today. I chose 3 pm. Stupid. The pickup is exactly across from a school on a four-corner intersection.

There were buses and cars coming from the south. There was a large truck hauling a trailer with a backhoe coming from the north, and a line of vehicles backed up behind it. There was all the usual traffic on the highway. I was sitting in a driveway crosswise to the side street with the mower on the trailer.

Let's just say I had time to call Marie and chat before I got out on the road.

Got home. It started right up. Couldn't get it in gear. Checked the lever you need to move to drive vs. push it. It was fine. Darn thing wouldn't go in gear. Felt like an idiot. Texted the fixit guy. Parking brake was on. OK... in the three years I've owned this mower, I've never yet been able to get the parking brake to work. Got it released. Put the mower away. Still can't get the brake on. Do I feel dumb?

Everything is too wet to mow any today, but I am pretty sure I'll be able to mow one more time before the snow hits, which is my goal. Yeah!

I'm feeling smarter about plants. I'm almost done with the 2010 Flower Show pictures. With all the plants in my database, I have about 210 genera so far, and about 360 different plants. I have to say "about" because I'm not quite done with the Flower Show, and I could identify a few more than that. I have that many for sure.

Sound like a lot? Ha! There are over 2000 plant genera, and the estimate for the number of species is 391,000 with 2000 new ones being described every year (mostly in underexplored places of the world).

No, I'll never remember all of them. Hopefully, the ones that I see most often (in addition to the plants I own or are native here).

I'll show you three that look similar- succulents with thick overlapping leaves that aren't related at all. The first is Haworthia viscosa. Native to South Africa.

Then a hybrid called 'Buddha's Temple.' It is a Crassula, otherwise generally known as a jade plant. This was created in 1959 by plant tinkerers. You won't find it in the wild.

I'll bet some of you have heard of this one. It's Monkey Puzzle Tree, Araucaria araucana. Native to Chile and Argentina.

Closer to home, The bloody cranesbill geranium is still bringing some late-season joy.

Edited, worked on projects. No writing for the book... am working out a plot monkey puzzle in my head.

See Once More Unto the Breach