Purple Latex Glove on Sapling

 
We had the coldest day of the winter so far, about 25 degrees. I had to run an errand that took me past a North Country Trail crossing, so I stopped for a short and brisk walk. There was a little more snow there than at our house.



Despite the cold, the sky was lovely, and the sun occasionally warming a shoulder.



Just a large shelf fungus, way past its prime, but providing some interest.



And, inexplicably, the "Purple Latex Glove on Sapling." One has to wonder what a surgical glove was being used for in the forest. I'm reading a true crime book right now, and the associations are not pleasing.



But the book is great. I'm going back to reading now.

Freesoil Trailhead south, out and back, Lake County, MI

	See Grilled Cheese on Snow
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No Skiing Just Yet

 
First snow. Not enough to hardly notice. Grand Rapids had ice and slippery conditions. We didn't even get to that level of serious.



Well, there you have it. Winter's first effort. I'm thinking it didn't try very hard.

Off to work with me.

	See First Snow 2014
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens

 
Yes, I'm posting very late (really early the next day) because we just got back from watching Star Wars: Episode VII- The Force Awakens.




I was prepared to be disappointed. But I WAS NOT. This was great stuff if you are a Star Wars Fan. Classic, simple, a twist or two. All the old folks like us at the theater were loving it, but the younger viewers were too. The group behind us clapped and cheered as loud as we did.



I won't give anything away (except to say the plot is not like the authorized books). I'll only say that this movie verifies that the series is as much the Shakespearean story of a family as it is about intergalactic politics.

As always, we stayed through ALL the credits because they show where it was filmed dead last. Remote locations: Ireland and Iceland (for the places that aren't just CGI and Foley screens).

Can't wait for VIII and IX!

	See Star Wars: The Cold Insurgency
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Smooth Puffball

 

Look at these interesting little things. They are about three inches tall and maybe an inch across. Growing right in the middle of my trail. There's always something new to find!



I'm pretty sure they are smooth puffball, Lycoperdon molle. The closeup of the one on the right is really a good match for the picture in the book. They have a little hole in the top where the spores escape. It says they are common, but not abundant. I don't recall ever seeing them before.



And that makes them very cool!

	See Giant Puffball
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Concert at St. Joseph's

 
Tonight was the combined Christmas concert with the West Shore Choir and the United Methodist Handbell Choir. Except this year, I was a participant!

The church is beautiful with great acoustics.



The handbells performed in front. Lots of work to haul all that stuff around, but we got it sorted and set up.



The choir sings from the loft in the back. If these pictures look disorganized, they were taken before things really started, just warming up.




Once things began, I only got one picture, of a solo harpist. She's only 16, but played very well.



I recorded a couple of songs on audio only with my camera sitting on the pew. They are pretty good, thanks to the good acoustics there. Maybe I can get them edited and post another day. There are some videos on Facebook already, but the recordings don't pick up the lower sounds very well.

Best one can be seen at John Reed's videos

	See West Shore Choir at St Joseph's
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