Spirit of the Woods Hike- January 2026

Twenty-seven people showed up despite a 19 degree temperature to hike. The five dogs didn't care what the temperature was!

Each year, each chapter can present an "Honor Award" to the outstanding volunteer of the year. This year, that was Jack Barnhill, a relatively new member. He's showed up for almost every work opportunity and eagerly helped. Jack's on the right, and chapter president Dan Driesenga on the left.

The trail had been walked by others, so that made things much easier. Most everyone went out past Leaf Lake, just over 2 miles outward bound.

And look who came! My hiking buddy Bill drove over just to participate with us. Did I remember to take a picture of us together? No. But here is proof of the adventure.

About half of us went out to eat afterwards. I did get a picture of one of his Christmas presents. This is a knife made from a piece of metal from the Mackinac Bridge. When they replace parts they sell the pieces. Lots of people have sections of the grating (some of the roadway is grating to help with expansion). I have never seen a knife like this before. Notice the interesting pattern on the blade.

So I have the first 4.2 miles toward my Hike 100 Challenge for the 11th year!

I've decided to count treadmill miles (yesterday), but I'll keep them separate.

Total Miles hiked in 2026: 6.7
NCT miles hiked in 2026: 4.2
Treadmill miles 2026: 2.5

North Country Trail, Newaygo County, Nichols Lake north out and back 4.2 miles

See SPW December 2025

Assorted

What characterized today was more of the cold rain, but I don't feel compelled to show you a picture of that!

Partly because Om and I will be running all over this summer and won't see much of each other, and partly (mostly) because I wanted to try a recipe, we had a nice meal at home.

And what recipe is that, you ask? Rhubarb Glazed Chicken. It is yummy. Here is a link to the recipe I used, but I left out the hot sauce. Rhubarb Glazed Chicken. We added asparagus and a baked potato. There's chicken left for a couple more meals.

Worked a little more on the knitting project. I can continue to show you until it becomes obvious what it will be. Then you'll have to wait until it is bestowed upon the intended recipient.

And, oh yeah. I won an award at the Michigan Outdoor Writer's Conference.

I managed to work on most of my other tasks too, but the chicken was a little labor intensive because I stewed another big batch of rhubarb (and didn't need all of it for the chicken), and had to make an unplanned trip to the store. I don't usually goof up on that sort of thing, but I sure did today.

See A Little Project

Blue Ribbon Roosters

  I am marginally proud of my accomplishments to get some of the thousands of items in my possession sorted this past year. Here's a little goodie that surfaced.

Way back when, I was actually entering various handmade items in the county fair. Most of them won awards, but I'm not sure any more exactly what items took what place. However, I do remember that these crocheted rooster potholders took a blue ribbon.

However, they are no longer in pristine condition. I gave them to my mother, and she displayed them in her kitchen as decorations. When she was in failing health, but still living at home, one of her helpers apparently couldn't find the everyday potholders, took these off the wall and used them. The were badly stained, and you can see that one of the rings is missing.

I soaked them several times and washed them. They came pretty clean, but they'll never look like new again. You can see a couple of the stains even in the picture. Here's the back. I lined them with fabric scraps from a favorite shirt of mine from that time period. I made the shirt, of course, and there was always some leftover fabric from any sewing project.

Now they will be documented and put away with a lot of the other fabric items I cleaned and sorted this year.

In other news: I worked really hard at the editing, took a short walk, and started a small jig-saw puzzle.

See More Crochet Fun

In the Mail - Hike 100 Patches and a Fun Surprise

 
Two very fun things came in the mail today- my Hike 100 Challenge patch and certificate from the North Country Trail Association for 2019 is the first.

I'm happy to say I will not be out there hiking on December 13th this year, trying to finish up my miles!



The second thing that arrived in the mail was totally unexpected, and is even more fun than the author realized.

Remember that two weekends ago I led a hike as part of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association conference? Well, the key word in that phrase is "writers." I should have suspected, when Andy said he had something to mail me, but I didn't at all. Andy Duffy, along with Mandy his wife, were the two who came on the hike. Andy sort of decided at the last minute. In fact, in this article he says that to him "hiking feels so pointless" without a shotgun or rifle. But apparently, he was surprised to discover that he had a good time. So he wrote about it in his outdoor column in the Cadillac News.

Of course, I'm delighted! And he made me smile even more. I'm sure he has no clue that weaving part of a poem, "The Merry Guide," by A.E. Housman, into the narrative is drop-dead perfect. Some of you readers know that I was raised in a virtual bath of poetry from this era, thanks to my Granny. Although I wasn't familiar with this particular poem, I do know another of Housman's, which begins, "Loveliest of trees, the cherry now/ is hung with bloom along the bough,/ and stands above the woodland ride/ wearing white for Eastertide.

Anyway... he had a good time. I had a good time. I'm sincerely happy to call Andy and Mandy my friends, not just conference acquaintances.



He quoted from "The Merry Guide," "By valley-guarded granges/ and silver waters wide,/ content at heart I followed/ with my delightful guide." What fun!

By the way... Andy also took home a MOWA award for a story about hunting a black bear.

	See Another 100 See Hike with Andy and Mandy
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Buckeye Trail Patch

 
It is late and I am tired. I'm going to do a quickie post to show you that I finally received my patch for completing the entire Buckeye Trail (finished in May 2017).

I love patches!



In other news: It was a busy day. I worked on the book in the morning, and on Long Distance Hiker recognition in the afternoon. Then I walked 3 miles, had writers' group and did grocery shopping. I'm ready for bed.

	See Buckeye Trail- Last Day
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Another 100

 
2018 was the third year the North Country Trail Association has offered the Hike 100 Challenge. The idea is that you hike any 100 miles on the NCT in the calendar year, and you get a patch. You can hike 100 different miles, or the same mile 100 times. Whatever.

For this past year, they also offered a Hike 50 patch in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System.

Mine came in the mail today.



We all know I'm a sucker for patches, but every year I do wonder why I feel compelled to do this. I sure don't have to prove myself any more. (Reminder, I'm the 9th person to E2E the whole trail, and the first woman to do it completely on foot.)

Nevertheless, I want the patches. And it just seems like it would be bad form not to do it, unless I really can't hike that far any more. Because I want to support the NCT.

Of course, this year, I hiked 300 miles on the Midland to Mackinac Trail that didn't count at all, and some other odd hikes here and there as well.

Of course, I really pushed the timing for 2018, finishing my 100 miles on December 13! Yikes. Hope to do better for 2019. I already have 11 miles done.

	See Hundreds of Miles
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Boardwalk Repairs

 
You know we've recently had some bad storms that left a mess along the North Country Trail. This week's chapter work outing was already scheduled for the Sterling Marsh Boardwalk to deal with some frost heave and minor repairs.

However, two sections of the boardwalk took direct hits from falling trees. Here's one of them after the tree was cut off.



We had a huge group of people turn out to work, close to twenty. This was good because there was a lot to do.

After clearing the first broken section some of the guys made a pile driver with a log and board to smack the heaved sections back down. (They also used car jacks to lift some sections that had sunk.) So the boardwalk is close to level again.



Meanwhile, another guy and I went on ahead to start taking apart the broken place pictured above. Other people were unloading and cutting lumber, carrying it and tools to whoever needed it, etc.

Around noon we broke for lunch, and to have the annual chapter meeting. We have done this in the woods before- most notably one under a tarp in the pouring rain- and incidentally while working on first building this same section The Wettest Meeting But today's weather was great.

One of our members, Steve Webster, finally received the national award he was given this spring. It's the "Sweep" award, given to someone who likes to work behind the scenes but is always out there working for the trail.



After the meeting, we headed back out to continue working. As bad as that broken section looked, here we are already putting decking boards back in place.



And around 3 pm. we picked up the tools and headed back to the cars. This picture is that same section above that was completely broken up.


Sue and Sophie (with Sophie's sister Anabelle) were there. I hadn't seen Sophie in a long time. This little dog really likes me (and I her)! She kept wanting me to pick her up and hold her all day long. Well, I don't mind that.



In the roadway that got us back near where we were doing work were bear tracks, but we were making so much noise I'm sure no bear was anywhere nearby.



Great day, amazing accomplishment to get all those repairs done in one work day.

Because of all the walking back and forth, I'm counting 2 more miles toward Hike 100. Total 69 miles.

I didn't do a blog post yesterday. For some reason, after I got home from working at Shagway (extra hours, but it's not like that is difficult), I was so tired I went to bed with a book and it wasn't long before I couldn't even hold the book up. Went to sleep and slept through till 7 am!

One more week till I leave on my hike. Time to get seriously busy!

	See Boardwalk Celebration
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An Award and a Goal

 
This blog post is basically all about writing. At least that's the vine from which all the tendrils will emanate.

In the heyday of blogging there were a lot of awards floating around. I received some of them. They were/are more fun than meaningful, but that's OK.

Over a month ago, I was nominated for the Liebster Award by (Donna) D.B. McNicol of Romance and Mystery... Writing My Life. Thanks, Donna!

"Liebster" is a German word meaning beloved or dearest. It is an online recognition in form of virtual award which started in 2011 passed on by bloggers to fellow bloggers for enjoying and valuing their work. The idea is to recognize the effort and give credit.

I did realize that Donna was a writing acquaintance (also Facebook friends), but hadn't been aware that she writes small town mysteries. Had to sample her fare! I bought the first book in her series, Not A Whisper, and was delighted. Not only does she nail the small town atmosphere, but the plot was good, the characters fun. It's got more romance than my mysteries, but all tastefully done. Today, I bought the second one, Barely a Spark, because the books just flow from one to the other, like a serial story. Have to see what happens next! You can find links from her blog or locate her on Amazon.

Not only that, the books are set near Bradford, Pennsylvania, on the fringes of the Allegheny National Forest. I spent a weekend more or less sitting on curbs in Bradford a long time ago with car trouble. Marie, David and I had just finished our first long hike on the North Country Trail, which goes the length of the ANF. I felt at home in the stories.

So, here are the terms of the award.

The Liebster Award is received by writing an acceptance post. The rules for accepting the award are straightforward:

Thank the person who nominated you.
Answer the 11 questions you were asked.
Nominate 11 people and ask them 11 questions.
Notify each of the nominees on their blog.

Here are the 11 questions. Some have been answered from time to time, but I'll play occasionally.

1. What prompted you to begin blogging? This has been answered many times. See The Raison d'etre of My Quality Day

2. Which language would you like to learn? I have a half-forgotten knowledge of French. I'd like to revive that, or maybe learn Russian.

3. What was your favorite experience in the past six months? Hmmm. That just manages to exclude finishing hiking the Buckeye Trail, so I think it was correctly identifying the plant Picris Hieracioidies, and having the sample accepted to the University of Michigan Herbarium.

4. What one location in the world you would like to visit? Why? One? I have to choose one? I choose all of them. Why? I have terminal wanderlust.

5. Do you have pets? If yes, please introduce them. Not any more, except maybe the daddy-long-legs in the shower. Many of you remember Maggie the Vizsla.

6. What is the strangest food you have ever eaten? A pork brain patty sandwich in a diner in Ohio.

7. What is your biggest struggle while writing? Sitting down and turning the 10 million ideas into actual words.

8. Who would you like to receive a week of training/mentorship from? No clue. I have learned good things from expected teachers and mentors, and good things from unexpected sources.

9. What is the first thing you drink in the morning? Juice, preferably tart.

10. How many books do you read per month? This has slipped a bit since I have discovered online games (insert sheepish grin). but it's still somewhere around four.

11. What was your favorite time of year when you were growing up? Spring. I love the fresh smell of air and earth and all the flowers and buds popping with life.

I'm not sure I can nominate 11 other blogs. I don't think I read that many any more. I'll nominate the ones I do still visit. They can accept or not. These bloggers have all become friends beyond that casual use of the word that we fling around with online discussions. Some have become real-life friends. Some are also writers. At any rate, they are all people I feel a lasting connection with who still blog fairly regularly. Alphabetically by blog name, with the "connection":

Ann's Snap Edit Scrap Ann Thompson- crafts and dog
Dennis' Diary of Destruction James Viscosi- dog, humor, writing
Everyday Adventurer Ratty- my first blogging friend ever- love of nature
Seasons in the Valley Stew Hilts (The Furry Gnome)- love of nature, trails
Secondary Roads Chuck Hutchinson- country life, faith
Some Assembly Required John Sealander- dog, writing- we are similar in many ways, eerily so at times.
String too Short to Tie Dave Lacy (Vanilla)- country life, writing, faith

Accept if you want, folks!

And now for the goal- another writing tendril. This involves two decisions. I decided almost two weeks ago that I wanted to finish Dead Mule Swamp Druggist in time for people to buy it for Christmas.

However, there was a second related decision. Just wanting to do it wasn't going to get it done. There aren't very many days that I have a brain that isn't just a pile of mush. I'm tired from working a lot. So, I have to decide to write more, even when it's hard and I don't think I can. Like today. But I managed to squeeze out half a chapter. It was slow. Not efficient. But it was progress. There will have to be progress made almost every day. (A lot like the trailer project, which isn't going very fast either, but that's on a different vine altogether.)

Anyway. I'm putting this out there because you folks may help me be accountable. Here's to Dead Mule Swamp Druggist!

	See Peaceful, Productive and Pink
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Hundreds of Miles

 
I'm so pathetic. I didn't even mention it when I completed the 2016 Hike 100 Challenge on the North Country Trail. Now I've also got one for 2017, and am working on the Hike 100 for Parkinson's.



This challenge has been a really great idea for the trail. Over 5000 new people have gotten involved hiking sections because of it, but it has seemed like something of an afterthought for me.

Here's the patch set I'm really proud of.



You could have pieces of this too. If you've hiked all the NCT in any state, or more than 1000 different miles, you can get the central patch and the appropriate rockers. NCT Long Distance Hikers.

You get to see this because I still haven't finished the goal I was working toward on Monday! Thought I would have it today, but got rained out. Maybe tomorrow.

	See The Party's Over but It's OK
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The Versitile Blogger from Susie

 


Another award! I had a long run without any. Not that I'm complaining; not at all. I've received quite a few over time. It's fun to pass them around, but some people don't like to play. That's fine; some people have more serious blogs, or don't have time to get their heads around the requirements.

This award is from Susie Kelly at No Damn Blog. Susie is a new friend, a Brit who lives in France. She has terminal wanderlust on a level with mine. I've read two of her books, Best Foot Forward, and Travels With Tinkerbelle - 6,000 Miles Around France In A Mechanical Wreck. I love her books! They are funny and filled with all of the mishaps that hikers and travelers experience. (Find them at Amazon or Smashwords.)

Anyway, I'm supposed to share seven things about myself.
1. 10 am- I cleaned a kitchen
2. 11:30 am- I cleaned a kitchen
3. 12:15 pm- I cleaned a kitchen
4. 1:00 pm- I cleaned a kitchen
5. 1:30- I cleaned a kitchen
6. 2:15- I cleaned a kitchen
7. 3:15- I cleaned a kitchen

Yup, my resort cleaning job started today. I don't think I've ever cleaned seven kitchens in one day before. I know I'm tired! I get to do it all over again next Friday, and the next...

The bottom line is that it wasn't that bad. However, I have to say it felt a little bit like a bad joke about hell. As eternal punishment for not cleaning my own kitchen, I am doomed to clean an endless succession of kitchens forever.

Now, I have to give the award away.

First goes to my buddy John Bain, at Don't Unplug Your Hub. He's an artist through and through. Wish I could paint or make music that well.

Next, I'll hit John Sealander at Some Assembly Required. He's a total dalmatian lover, and we have a lot in common.

How about Jim, Dennis' dada? I just have to love those goofy Vizslas at Dennis' Diary of Destruction. Did you know he's an author too? I recently read A Flock of Crows is Called a Murder. I'm not a fan of paranormal books, but it's just enough to be creepy without being ridiculous. A good read.

He doesn't have the kind of blog that will probably accommodate awards, but I'd like you to take a peek at my friend Ken Brown's blog. He authors the You Can Learn Series. He recently interviewed me about my writing, but that's not the point. Ken was the founder of Adgitize, when it was still a viable blog advertising system. He is a talented businessman with many interests.

Here's another artist- Rose at What I Made Today. Everything she touches turns into art. I'm really jealous!

OK... I think I'm done.

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Kreativ Blogger Award

 
It's been a long time since I've received a pass-around blog award. Kind of fun! I received the Kreativ Blogger from Linda Ann Nickerson, at Practically at Home. Thanks, Linda!



I'm supposed to begin with answering ten questions:

1. What is your favorite song? I never can do favorite things. Hmmm. "The Happy Wanderer," or "Bed is Too Small for my Tiredness," or "Shine, Jesus, Shine," or...
2. What is your favorite dessert? This one is easier. Maybe. Moose Tracks ice cream, or rhubarb pie, or cherry pie.
3. What ticks you off? People who lie to me. Don't try it. Seriously.
4. What do you do when you’re upset? What do you think? I take a walk... it's my solution to everything.
5. What is/was your favorite pet? Well, I've blogged about this. Can't choose between Chips and Butchy Boy I.
6. Which do you prefer, black or white? Can't I have black and white? Chiaroscuro is so dramatic!
7. What is your biggest fear? Of being useless? Not sure.
8. What is your attitude mostly? Cynical- I have to fight it all the time.
9. What is perfection? "Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of Lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17 (Phillips)- I don't usually say much about my faith on this blog, but it's one of the questions, so I answered.
10. What is your guilty pleasure? this week? Doing w...a...y too many online jigsaw puzzles.

Then I'm supposed to tell you ten random facts about myself. What? Didn't I just do that? OK, I suppose they weren't random.

1. I was once kissed by a camel. Wonder if I can find the picture that proves it?
2. I was the same height I am now in 7th grade, but 40 pounds lighter.
3. I used to have 20/10 eyesight. I miss it.
4. My least favorite color is pink, followed closely by red.
5. I'm tired of talking about me.
6. My list of "heros" is really, really short.
7. I need a shower.
8. I can't think of anything else.
9. Maggie says "hi."
10. I took all the recyling stuff to the drop-off sites this week. Big Hooray!

Now I have to pass this along to seven other blogs. Wow. This is a big project. I'm going to spread it to some blogs which are somewhat out of my inner circle of readers, just to encourage folks to look at some blogs they may not see all the time.

1. One of my favorite dog blogs is Two Greyhound Town with the adventures of Joey and Scout.
2. Chase and More is a family's journey with a much-loved son with Down Syndrome.
3. Canadian Doomer probably won't accept the award, but she and her family are working hard to live closer to the land and have a smaller "footprint."
4. Rebecca at New York Traveler because she keeps going to places I know and love.
5. Ohio Biodiversity, a serious nature-lover's blog
6. For some serious philosophy, visit my friend Fred at Photon Farms.
7. Dickster's Random Thoughts will give you anything from music to politics, to stories of his son who attends a special school.

OK... I've done about as much with this game as I can!

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A Versatile Blogger

On January 10, Jean at Jean's Musings gave me the Versatile Blogger Award. It took me a while to "pick it up," but here it is. There are rules, of course, and I'm going to do some of them.

I'm supposed to:

• Nominate 15 other bloggers (not likely)
• Inform my nominees (OK)
• Share 7 random facts about myself (hmmm...OK)
• Thank those who nominated me (thank you, Jean)
• Add a picture of the award to this post (done)

I will nominate a few other blogs, choosing to move outside of the circle of my most frequent commenters. I've given most of you several awards in the past:

Canadian Doomer a family trying to live in an extremely self-sufficient way.
Missing Moments where Reena tinkers with photos and writes poetry.
Along the Trail with Rochelle, who makes beautiful jewelry and takes wonderful nature pictures.
Some Assembly Required- John and I have a lot in common, although he does it all on a much larger scale than I do. Nevertheless I keep shaking my head over so many similarities.
String Too Short to Tie, because Vanilla's writings have become some some of my favorites, and he has been a frequent commenter, but I don't think I've ever given him an award.
Random Stream of Consciousness, where I've come to know John, whose hometown is just 40 miles from me.
Dickster's Random Thoughts, another blogger whose random thoughts appeal to me.
Right Where We Belong, because Karen and Gerard need something good to boost their spirits right now (Gerard and their dog Abby were attacked, Abby was hurt badly, and Gerard was bitten on the hand.)

I'll just close with snow on sumac branches- a typical image from my walk today.



Oh, wait! I'm supposed to tell you seven random things about me.

Are you sure you don't know it all already?

1. I bought a complete set of Gilbert and Sullivan DVDs with Christmas money
2. I have been bitten by dogs three times in my life
3. I've been practicing Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (by Leon Jessel) on the keyboard
4. I'm wearing PJs with flying cows
5. I'd like to clean up my house, but it seems pretty hopeless
6. I don't like to talk on the telephone
7. I was insanely in love with horses as a child- took riding lessons, but never owned one.

	See Sumac Times Three
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Stylish Blogger Award

I've been awarded the Stylish Blogger award simultaneously by Glynis of New Scribbles from Glynis Smy and Chuck at Secondary Roads, both long-time blogger buddies. We are supposed to tell 7 things about ourselves, and pass this along to 15 other blogs... preferably ones recently discovered.

Seven things you don't know about me Well, you already know a whole lot, but here goes...


1. I love jig-saw puzzles and used to have a collection of hundreds of them. (Quite a few specialty ones, old favorites, themes, extra-hard ones, etc.) It was destroyed in a freak accident, and I haven't ever regained my enthusiasm. You saw my only recent indulgence with When I Waste Time I Do it Right, and Coke Puzzle

2. In high school I had a TIA (a mini-stroke), and actually went blind for about three hours. It's the one health condition that I may be at high risk for. You can read some good Warning Signs of Stroke at Sir Rob's blog.


3. I love broccoli! Usually, I eat it, but not always! See Veggie Fun, and More Veggie Fun


4. I currently have no black toenails, and that big toenail almost needs cutting! See The Last Official Toenail Casualty of my Quest, and You Know You are a Long-Distance Hiker When...


5. I'm a Fugitive junkie. David Janssen was the best. The remake was a loser. The movie with Harrison Ford (1993) was excellent! Can't count how many times I've watched it now... If anyone every bothers to psychoanalyze me, they can ponder why I'm so in love with the fugitive theme. And I'll almost admit to having a high school crush on David Janssen. I own some of the episodes, but that complete set is on my wish list.


6. I have the programs from every play I've attended post high school. I'd go to more if: a) I could afford it. b) I wasn't so addicted. Plays are to me as drinking is to an alcoholic. Seriously... I get swallowed alive.

7. I finished my training today as a Field Data Collector for Mueller Services. I've been assigned to a manager, and will be given some real assignments beginning next week.

Giving this award to other blogs. There is no way I'm going to come up with 15 choices. Here are six excellent blogs that I've become familiar with since my last award.

1. Ann's Scrap and Edit. Ann has become a good blogger bud, but I don't think I've ever given her an award. She's crafty, and has a cute Westie named Duke.

2. Be a Lifesaver of Goodness. Sir Rob is in health care, and blogs about health issues and his new baby boy.

3. Some Assembly Required. John does photography and web design, and is very involved in the Dalmatian Rescue program.

4. Random Stream of Consciousness. Another John, loves outdoor pursuits, and plays in many places that are familiar to me.

5. Together With Dogs. Meet two boxers, Sisko and Juno, and their "mom" and "dad." Lots of good dog info and food for thought.

6. Fungal Threads. Casey is my newest blog discovery of interest. Lots of great outdoor pix.

OK... that's all I can deal with, but I do hope you'll visit them.