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Saturday, June 26
Saturday, June 26
Travel & Arrival Day
Adventures with Spock the Wonder Cat
First EVER trip with Spock. And maybe the last, depending on how things go. He is the definition of a "scaredy-cat" kitty except with people he knows and trusts; he usually screams all the way to the vet! Hopefully the 7-8 hour drive he will be able to sleep and calm down!
The photo at the left was taken before we left, as I was trying to get him used to the new crate condo. It's a one-bedroom/one-bathroom with a kitchen! This will definitely be an experience for both of us! Walloon or bust!!!
Evening: we have arrived. What an ordeal. Spock did NOT take well to traveling. The day started out at 4:30am when I woke up to leave by 5:00 and beat the traffic and construction on 294 around the bottom of the lake. NO SUCH LUCK. I was up, car packed, everything ready, and Spock was nowhere to be found. He knew I was looking for him and he went into deep hiding. I thought I would never get him and so I just sat down to watch tv and hope that he'd come out. This spot is where he usually comes and hangs out with me. THREE HOURS LATER yes, 8 am, he came in and I grabbed him. Not a happy cat.
Evening: we have arrived. What an ordeal. Spock did NOT take well to traveling. The day started out at 4:30am when I woke up to leave by 5:00 and beat the traffic and construction on 294 around the bottom of the lake. NO SUCH LUCK. I was up, car packed, everything ready, and Spock was nowhere to be found. He knew I was looking for him and he went into deep hiding. I thought I would never get him and so I just sat down to watch tv and hope that he'd come out. This spot is where he usually comes and hangs out with me. THREE HOURS LATER yes, 8 am, he came in and I grabbed him. Not a happy cat.
Delays, detours, traffic, etc. and if that isn't enough stress, Spock started throwing up all over his little cat condo. OMG. So I pull over every hour or so on the way up, just to hop in the back seat and unzip his crate and pet and soothe him. And clean up the mess. NEVER AGAIN.
Delays, detours, traffic, etc. and if that isn't enough stress, Spock started throwing up all over his little cat condo. OMG. So I pull over every hour or so on the way up, just to hop in the back seat and unzip his crate and pet and soothe him. And clean up the mess. NEVER AGAIN.
Then we get here and he hides. And hides. And finally in the middle of the night he came in and cuddled with me. So I thought, ok - he's gotten over it.
Then we get here and he hides. And hides. And finally in the middle of the night he came in and cuddled with me. So I thought, ok - he's gotten over it.
Hiding behind the couch
Hiding behind the TV
...and behind the washer/dryer.
Sunday, June 27
Sunday, June 27
NOPE all day Sunday he was a no-show. He didn't eat, didn't drink, didn't go to his liter box....didn't show his face. I started to panic. Did he somehow get out? Was he in such deep hiding he got stuck? I had absolutely no idea. I had all the bedroom doors shut so I didn't look in any of the extra bedrooms. These rooms have small very high, unusual windows in them that look out onto the hallway. Did he somehow jump 5 ft and get in there? I checked. OMG there he is, all sound asleep on the bed in a room that had been shut off since we arrived. If there were a picture in the dictionary under 'scared-y cat' it would be a photo of Spock. After that, he started to show himself a bit.
NOPE all day Sunday he was a no-show. He didn't eat, didn't drink, didn't go to his liter box....didn't show his face. I started to panic. Did he somehow get out? Was he in such deep hiding he got stuck? I had absolutely no idea. I had all the bedroom doors shut so I didn't look in any of the extra bedrooms. These rooms have small very high, unusual windows in them that look out onto the hallway. Did he somehow jump 5 ft and get in there? I checked. OMG there he is, all sound asleep on the bed in a room that had been shut off since we arrived. If there were a picture in the dictionary under 'scared-y cat' it would be a photo of Spock. After that, he started to show himself a bit.
This is how I found him.
Then he tried the window seat....
...nope. Back to hiding.
Rainy, foggy, hazy, misty, humid Walloon. At least I have a dock this year! Not much hope for stary nights in the near future. But soon. As much as I love stargazing from my deck at home, there is so much more visibility here. It's magical. And even a quick 10-minute drive up the little mountain by Boyne Mountain will get you even darker skies. I miss the night sky.
Rainy, foggy, hazy, misty, humid Walloon. At least I have a dock this year! Not much hope for stary nights in the near future. But soon. As much as I love stargazing from my deck at home, there is so much more visibility here. It's magical. And even a quick 10-minute drive up the little mountain by Boyne Mountain will get you even darker skies. I miss the night sky.
I'm exhausted. Where's my wine?! Plus it rained all the way up here yesterday, and all day today. Wet, humid, rainy, and cold. Didn't get over 68 degrees today. Early bedtime.
I'm exhausted. Where's my wine?! Plus it rained all the way up here yesterday, and all day today. Wet, humid, rainy, and cold. Didn't get over 68 degrees today. Early bedtime.
Monday, June 28
Monday, June 28
Beautiful day! Sat on the dock for hours this afternoon! Spock is settling in. And we had the first nice sunset!
Beautiful day! Sat on the dock for hours this afternoon! Spock is settling in. And we had the first nice sunset!
Gloomy almost all day, but it cleared up a bit for an evening boat ride with neighbors Dennis & Liz. More storms coming tho!
Gloomy almost all day, but it cleared up a bit for an evening boat ride with neighbors Dennis & Liz. More storms coming tho!
Tuesday, June 29
Tuesday, June 29
Rainy day, more storms coming. Decided this coffee mug should be my new mantra. And I discovered it's almost black raspberry season!
Rainy day, more storms coming. Decided this coffee mug should be my new mantra. And I discovered it's almost black raspberry season!
A gorgeous view off the sand bar at the entrance to the narrows.
Wednesday, June 30
Wednesday, June 30
Started off the day with a quick trip to the Boyne City Farmer's Market. Got some good home grown veggies and fruits!
Started off the day with a quick trip to the Boyne City Farmer's Market. Got some good home grown veggies and fruits!
Is it bad that I ate all these cherries in one sitting?! I miss Michigan cherries all year!
Then I took a couple-mile walk. Pretty flowers along the way.
Then the night came and it was clear *ish and I got to see my old friend the Milky Way for the first time in 9 months. It was so soothing and good for the soul to sit quietly listening to the waves lap on the shore and look up.
The first shot (below) was taken from my dock looking south at the Milky Way core. This particular place in the Milky Way is much sought after in photographs and with the right depth of field can really stand out. Note that I do NOT have the right dept-of-field camera so these are always imperfect images! But still breathtaking views.
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR
Poem by Jane Taylor, 1806
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Then the trav’ller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often thru’ my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
‘Tis your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the trav’ller in the dark,
Tho’ I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
The second shot (below) reminds me of a starry highway streaking across the sky. This was taken with my camera facing straight-up. I never get tired of looking at the night sky. I realize so many people have never seen it like this and I feel both extremely privileged and desirous to share this experience with everyone. I wish each of you could come and experience this at least once in a lifetime! The internet messes with brightness and takes away a lot of the quality of the photo but you get the idea!
This is a particularly bright spot in the Milky Way, shot basically "straight up".
PETOSKEY:
PETOSKEY:
Gaslight district
Gaslight district
shopping day
shopping day
Thursday, July 1
Thursday, July 1
A day of shopping in Petoskey. Not too busy or overcrowded today. Pre-holiday maybe and not as many people are up here as there will be this weekend for the 4th. Got to a few of my absolute favorite stores starting with the best book store! That's Mary Stewart Adams' "The Star Tales of Mother Goose" on display. Such an amazing book!
...and of course, Grandpa Shorter's. Top it all off with a "foot" pizza!
The night sky cooperated tonight completely. No haze, no clouds, no moon....just darkness and a few creepy bugs. I found a new vantage point I really like and can't wait to go back again.
The night sky cooperated tonight completely. No haze, no clouds, no moon....just darkness and a few creepy bugs. I found a new vantage point I really like and can't wait to go back again.
Friday, July 2
Friday, July 2
Started out this morning with a healthy breakfast. I'm usually not hungry for breakfast but this just looked delicious so I ate it all. Hung out on the porch and drank some coffee - then went for a walk (2.31 miles!) and decided the bald eagle flying overhead was my 'muse' to look for all things Americana on my walk. Here's what I found - hopefully there will be even more patriotic displays by July 4!
Saturday, July 3
Saturday, July 3
Warm day, cool evening. Haze in the air was very ominous; Jules came over to stay for a night, in hopes of getting some good Milky Way shots but alas - the wildfires in Canada again have messed with our night sky viewing. The photo at the left is of the Big Dipper, taken with my iPhone12. Hard to see because Google platforms (or most internet platforms) distort photos but still.... I couldn't believe it, but a phone can actually take dark sky pictures!
Sunday, July 4 - Happy Independence Day!
Sunday, July 4 - Happy Independence Day!
Jules and I got up ugly-early to see the sunrise. Actually Jules was up before me and she came to wake me up so I wouldn't miss it! Say what you will about the smoke/smog from the fires, but it sure does make for great sunrises and sunsets!
Jules took the one on the left of my neighbor's beautiful house with the cotton candy clouds above. Yes she was laying on the ground to get this perspective. What a photographer!
Dennis and Liz kindly invited me for dinner and a boat cruise tonight, and we finished with a front row seat to the fireworks display at Walloon right from our docks! Dennis is quite the chef and created this glazed chicken roasted with crispy potatoes that was absolutely outstanding. A lovely tossed salad, a couple glasses of very special white wine, and ahhhhh!
From sunrise to sunset, it was high in the 80s today and absolutely gorgeous! Still a lot of smoke from Canadian wildfires hanging around. Hoping for clear skies soon. Meanwhile, sunrises and sunsets are orange and stunning!
I always take a hundred or so photos of the beauty at Walloon Lake for each sunrise and sunset. I'm so glad we don't have to buy film anymore or have it developed! I'd be broke. I take 100, pick one. But it's always so worth it!
Here we are on our front row seats waiting for the show to begin!
Typically I do not like fireworks, because of the crowds of people. The past couple of years I've been at Walloon for the 4th of July and got to experience the Walloon fireworks display. The best part: they set them off on a barge in the main body of the lake, which means literally we have permanent front row seats and no crowds! I love the fireworks themselves tho. Such amazing control of explosives, and the beauty is spectacular.
The really strange part is the number of boats that come in for the show. By about 8 pm some started to gather, by 10 there were a couple hundred boats, and by 10:30 when the show started there were perhaps double that! You can see the lights from all the boats lining the shoreline and across to the three other arms of the lake. It's a phenomenon that, as a lifelong Wallooner, is almost unfathomable. I can't say I like it very much, but as Dennis says, just enjoy it, it's a once a year thing! Ok I can do that!
About an hour before showtime....most of the lights on the horizon are boats.
About 15 minutes before showtime. Sooooooo many boats!
Immediately after the show finished up. You can see the remnants of the smoke from the fireworks in the sky. The boat "parade" started; everyone, very orderly, filed out of the area and boated back to their homes. It felt almost alien when I'm used to maybe 2-3 boats at a time on the lake!
One of my favorite pictures of the night was taken on my iPhone 12 Pro. What fabulous night capabilities it has!
I wanted to do some photoshop magic with my fireworks shots. I thought about perhaps doing a timelapse (still might try that) or doing some layering/blending. I decided to try a blend of about 25 images. The results are below. It's definitely not perfect but good enough for my liking right now!
I can't stress enough how fantastic Walloon Lake's fireworks display was last night!
A blended shot consisting of about 25 images. These were all taken on my Canon t3i, (crop sensor), Tamron 16-300 lens @35mm, f/11, ISO 200, 5 sec.
Another blended shot consisting of about 10 images. These were all taken on my Canon 6D, @35mm, f/11, ISO 200, 5 sec.
Above and below are some single images from last night. The colors and the shapes were outstanding!
Friday, July 9
Friday, July 9
It was a spectacular day today! I sat and read on the dock, went in the water for a little cool off, went to Coveyou Farm for some fresh cherries, and picked fresh black raspberries from the yard.
DARK SKY NIGHTTIME.... While waiting tonight for the arrival of James, Allyssa, and Koda I went out on this moonless night and got some great dark skies to gaze at. I found the barn at Springbrook Golf Club and climbed up behind it to see if the Milky Way would show up. Absolutely!
One of my favorite spots at night is this railroad crossing. There's a lot of light from nearby houses and farms and a streetlight at the crossroads intersection right there, but it's still pretty. The first one I focused on the RRX sign, the second one I focused on the train tracks with a little light painting.
Saturday, July 10
Saturday, July 10
The Bochnovic's have arrived! James, Allyssa, and Koda arrived at 3:00 am, driving through the night so baby sleeps. I remember that! Of course, Koda got up early (I think James woke him up for sunrise as his intro to Walloon....)
Five generations now of Walloon-lovers. My grandfather Harry, my father Harry Jr., me, James, and now Koda. What a fabulous legacy! Here are a few good shots from early this morning.
I think James has waited his whole life to do this with his son. Koda, meet a Walloon Lake crayfish! Koda is very interested. Lyss, not so much! They're kinda creepy.
Koda's first touch of Walloon Lake! Cold but splashy fun!
Sunday, July 11
Sunday, July 11
Lazy hazy Walloon day! So much fun playing with Koda in the cottage and in the lake. At the bottom of this post is a collage I made today of the 5 generations of Walloon in my family.
Dennis gives James a golf lesson
That cowboy hat tho.....
....and the hat is off!
More fun swimming with both mama and daddy!
All the splashing!!!
The fam.
After dinner bonfire at Dennis & Liz's. James, Dennis and Dennis built a jenga tower of logs and whoosh, up it went! Then cocktails on their deck and good conversations. They leave for Cali today and will be missed!
Below is the collage I made of all 5 generations of family at Walloon Lake. My grandfather & grandmother, Harry Sr. & Edith, built the first cottage in 1926-27 when my dad was about 9 years old. They spent every summer up here. Then so did I! And of course, my boys too.... and now to the next generation, my grandson Koda!
Monday, July 12
Monday, July 12
Jan and Mike came over today! I'm so mad I didn't get any pictures. Totally forgot! They had been over at Glen Lake near Sleeping Bear Dunes for a few days visiting friends and decided to come see Walloon once more. We did so much in just one day!
Started with lunch at the Barrel Back Restaurant at "the foot" - Walloon Lake Village. Then we went to Harbor Springs and cruised downtown and through some of the neighborhoods to check out the area. Mike and Jan had never been. Then tried to go to the Indian Hills store but it was closed on Mondays! (note to self!) On to Bay View, then some shopping in Petoskey's Gaslight district. Always a highlight of the trip! Of course, we finished off the day with a stop at Magnus Park to pick some Petoskey Stones on the beach.
They stayed at the Hotel Walloon - and I got to go in and see the place up close and personal! It is truly lovely. What a nice visit! So glad they came.
Tuesday, July 13
Tuesday, July 13
This little sweet grandson has won my heart. I've gotten to spend so much time with Koda this week and there's more to come!
This is his 'concentration' face, it seems. I think he's the cutest thing ever!
Rainy day today, and Andrew and Susie are on their way up here. When the rain let up, all 4 of us went for a long walk up South Shore Drive and a ways down Shadow Trail. Humid! Koda did well in the backpack carrier for most of the time.
Fun-Uncle (Funcle) Andrew and Aunt Susie have arrived! Along with Max and Khallie the extraordinary German shepherds.
They are staying at a tiny-house up a little bit north right on the Bear River. No running water, an outhouse, and no electricity - but it's super cute and is all they need since they'll be here most of the days and on the boat.
Wednesday, July 14
Wednesday, July 14
We started the day at 8:00 am sharp with a trip to the Boyne City Farmer's Market and a relaxing bench sit overlooking Lake Charlevoix.
There was way too much fun on Walloon Lake today! Swimming, rafting, boating, then more swimming, rafting and boating! Today was another perfect Walloon summer day.
Coolest raft ever. Thanks Andrew and Susie for bringing it! Even the dogs got a ride.
Koda's first boat ride! Thanks, Funcle Andrew and Aunt Susie!
Koda and Funcle Andrew having a chat.....
All these people that I love. My heart is full.
Quick burgers and brats dinner out on the side deck, then Koda had to go to bed! A big day for him that's for sure! Andrew, Susie, and James went out fishing.
Thursday, July 15
Thursday, July 15
Storms overnight brought cooler temps and cloudy morning. The afternoon brightened up although the lake was really choppy. Fishing yielded nothing all afternoon. But we had fun anyway! This little peanut learned all about corn on the cob. A lifetime corn lover now is guaranteed!
Andrew made us breakfast burritos. Max approved.
The dogs absolutely love the water!
Tonight's fishing expedition was much more successful!
Below, from left - Smallmouth, Walleye, Smallmouth.
Friday, July 16
Friday, July 16
We did a couple of photo shoots with James, Allyssa, and Koda in the water today. Some good stuff here!
This boy LOVES to be read to. I might have bought him a book....or two or three. :)
This boy LOVES to be read to. I might have bought him a book....or two or three. :)
Coveyou Farm has new baby kittens! What a beautiful spot on Walloon's north arm.
Saturday, July 17
Saturday, July 17
Today/tonight the Bochnovic's go home. Sad to see them go. But not before a quick trip to the Boyne City Farmer's Market for the world's best cinnamon rolls, and to the foot to the Rumpus Room Coffee House for some Johan's donuts!
I went to the Harbor Springs Farmer's Market to see my friend, author and Stare Lore Historian, Mary Stewart Adams.
Mary signed my book. I'm a lucky girl! Mary does presentations all around Northern Michigan. Look for her, she is a fantastic storyteller, and truly knows the night sky and all the mysteries therein!
To commemorate the epic photo below on the left (which was from the very first time Allyssa experienced Walloon) we took the epic photo on the right of the first time Koda experienced Walloon. Love them all!
Sunrise over "The Foot" - Walloon Lake Village
Sunday, July 18
Sunday, July 18
Canadian wildfires are creating such incredible smoke and haze in the sky that it makes for beautiful sunrises (left) and sunsets.....but horrible night sky viewing. I was lucky several days ago when the smoke was cleared; but now it's back with a vengeance. It does NOT make me happy. Julie is coming today for a week of night sky viewing and photography. Perhaps. Time will tell!
Sunset pics below. Pink sun. Beautiful, but eerie and maddening if you're a night sky photographer!
Monday, July 19
Monday, July 19
Started the day with a delicious breakfast and a 2.5 mile walk down the road. Getting hot, 85 degrees - so we swam and floated for a while. It was beautiful in the water but the haze was ever-present.
Then we had lunch and went to Petoskey to take a clock in for repair for Jules's dad. Who knew that clock shop was there! It was amazing. Oh and btw....I want this clock.
To end the crazy hazy day, I give you.... no longer a swiss cheese moon, but a cheddar cheese moon.
The smoke from the wildfires is creating the hazy aura around the moon and turning it orange.
There are close to 100 wildfires burning in Canada and the western US. So sad for so many reasons.
Tuesday, July 20
Tuesday, July 20
Today we went on an adventure down to the Traverse City area. First stop, Acme, MI - which is just northeast of TC. A little walk and explore of the shore was beautiful because we had blue skies for the first time in days....no hazy smoke-filled atmosphere! That soon changed however.
As we drove through Traverse City and around to Sleeping Bear Dunes, the clouds rolled in; it was still beautiful weather though, around 68-70 degrees. Great weather to climb up to Pyramid Point. It's not a far distance up there, and well worth the climb - but it is a very steep climb and hike! We did it though, with a few stops to rest. What a gorgeous place. We could barely see across to the Manitou Islands.
From there we went to Leland. It was super busy today, very "people-y" but we managed to shop and explore a bit. Fishtown is a fascinating place I've never heard of before!
We tried to visit a tribal museum near Sutton's Bay called Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center. It was closed! We couldn't figure out if it was "covid-closed" or just closed permanently. Too bad, we heard some interesting things could be found there.
Then on to Sutton's Bay. Did a bit more shopping and exploring.
We found a few wineries and cidery along the way, of course.
This is Madonna's dad's winery.
A cidery on the side of a hill overlooking the Traverse Bay with a telescope inside is worth the trip
Julie and I woke up at 3:00 am to see the stars. The moon had set and we had clear, smoke-less skies for a change! No pics - just pure bliss.
Wednesday, July 21
Wednesday, July 21
Trip over to Indian River and Topinabee today. Stopped at the Cross in the Woods. Fantastic!
Then a little shopping and some coffee/tea in Indian River. Cute town!
On the Sturgeon River out of Indian River you can rent a raft or a tube and take a 2.5 hour trip down the river. I really want to do this on a hot day. Such a beautiful place.
This sign on the firehouse tells the history of Topinabee. It says:
Named after Pottawatomi Chief Top-in-a-bee (Great Bear Heart). Developed as summer colony in 1881.
Noted for pollen-free air and pure artesian wells. For many years the New York Central Railway System used Topinabee's Sanitas Springs water to fill drinking water tanks for its entire system.
Topinabee was a terminal for the overland Indian Portage Trail connecting Mullett with nearby Burt Lake, and was an important stop on the famous Inland Lakes Excursion Trips.
DINNER: Buffalo Burgers on the grill, zucchini with bread crumbs and cheese, and (not pictured) homemade hummus, veggies, and fresh fruit salad. Oh and a wine spritzer. Delich!
On our walk tonight we found this 'free' house.... we were hoping for a good foreground for some night sky photography! We think it's facing the wrong way though so --- onward!
The pic at the right was near sunset looking down the street. The wildfire smoke was back and looked like the sun had lit the forests on fire. Stunning photo, but again sad circumstances.
Thursday, July 22
Thursday, July 22
We took a walk down in Petoskey before a visit to Indian Hills - my favorite store! Ended up walking down the breakwall to the lighthouse. It was was just the right temperature and no wind so no waves. Really pretty out there.
(ABOVE) St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission Church Est. 1859
We are thinking perhaps this might be a good vantage point for some dark sky (aurora or MilkyWay) photography. What a cool foreground anyway!
Gloomy today! We thought we'd brighten up our day by looking forward to some good Thai food. We found this place in Petoskey and brought it home for dinner. It was so good! Yummy and almost as good as the Thai place we found in Fairbanks!!!
And then....to Lavender Hill Farms
What a stunningly beautiful spot and as always, the smell is amazing. The lavender is in full bloom right now and was a sight to see and smell. We even cut our own and are bringing it home. It was rather hot, but the clouds were amazing and we got there early enough that it was busy but not over people-y!
Friday, July 23
Friday, July 23
We did a tour of the area today and combined it with some shopping. We started off by going over to Young State Park and walking along the beach a bit....then over to Horton Bay. We went to the General Store and tried the bookstore but it wasn't open.
Over to Sturgeon River Pottery ....
And a quick trip to downtown Petoskey to the Farmer's Market.
Then I took Jules around Walloon and showed her my old stomping grounds. The only thing we didn't do was climb up to the meteor and Ft. Wimpy. :)
Saturday, July 24
Saturday, July 24
Rain storms today - really put a damper on the Tri-Walloon. They were supposed to start at 7:30 and didn't get going till 10:30; it was still raining but the threat of thunder/lightning was past.
One of James's best friends came to visit me today after the race. Turns out his girlfriend grew up on Walloon lake too!
Dock reading tonight. A gorgeous evening at the lake.
Decided to use this photo as the cover for the new Blackberry Creek Book Club! Several people in my subdivision mentioned a wish for one, so I've decided this will be my fall project. Wish me luck!
Full Thunder Moon, Full Crane Moon, Full Green Corn Moon, Full Mean Moon, Full Rose Moon, Full Moon of Claiming, Full Hungry Ghost Moon, Full Buck Moon. Also a 'smoky' moon from the fires. If you're interested, this poem practically wrote itself in my head while I was floating around in the lake last week....finalized it tonight. Thoughts are welcome!
Carpe Noctem
Full white orb brightens the night
When dusk harkens a shadowy sight
Hangs in illuminated black
While the heavens lack
Sparkle - through which time bided
Ancient mariners glided and sided, guided
By that full white orb light of the night.
Half mast, the orb‘s light wanes
Last quarter rises over waving plains of grains
Delayed illumination adds infatuation
Waiting for the rise of speculation …
Craters on the planisphere there and here disappear
Now the orb isn’t but a hemisphere
That half-bright orb light of the night.
A crescent that rises in the wee hours
It glows and sets with its superpowers
Hardly visible, it’s daylight’s prey
Eaten by sunlight begging it to stay
Skyward cattle add whimsy to the battle
Violin serenades, a cat shall dazzle
That crescent glowing in the wee night.
Black new orb obscured by the sun
It’s bright face hidden, almost undone
New beginnings give hope that our telescope
Will catch a glimpse of the stellar kaleidoscope
Night sky heavens breathe the mystic sky
listen to the stars’ wisdom to abide by
That black new orb obscured by night.
Luna’s phases one and all
Bring magical power at nightfall
Control the nightlight big and bright
in lackluster darkness bathed in fright
With abandon, our terrestrial sphere dances
A dark and light dichotomy of circumstances
All phases of our lunar satellite.
And wait.....it's still July! What's up with the maple changing color already?
In actuality, this happens every year it just looks so funny when it's almost 90 degrees outside. Colors of things to come. Someday I'll be able to come up here in the fall for the colors. Michigan fall color is so much better than Illinois fall color, in my opinion!
Maybe our hunting trip to the UP will be at the peak of the color. Fingers crossed.
Monday, July 26
Monday, July 26
The wildfire smoke took a tiny break this morning for my walk; found this delicious barn I'm hoping to use as a foreground for a Milky Way shot later in the week! The smoke is forecasted to be here for the foreseeable future, unfortunately.
Crazy cat spot #1
Crazy cat spot #1
This is my beach bag. He somehow got inside, curled up, and made himself at home. On top of my hat and sunglasses.
Crazy cat spot #2
Crazy cat spot #2
On top of a hamper that has a swinging lid that I'm certain he isn't aware of. That is a small bag of mine on top of it. And a cat.
Tuesday, July 27
Tuesday, July 27
Thanks, wildfires.
From the smoke maps I've been studying and the Astrospheric app that shows all that good weather stuff, tonight might be a good night to photograph the Milky Way again just before the moon rises. But obviously ... there's still smoke in the air. Sunsets here are stunning but this photo shows the layer of smoke that is super obvious at the horizon. This makes me mad, but my discomfort and lack of ability to photograph the night pales in comparison to the thousands of people and animals in danger from the fires.
Up a hill behind South Shore Drive and across M75 there's a barn we found on a walk. It was my hope that it would be facing the right way so I could get the Milky Way behind it. Foreground is important! Here's what I got tonight. I had to put my tripod, fully extended, on top of my car to get high enough. I wanted to be able to see the fence, it adds to the interest. There looks to be quite a bit of airglow tonight and yes, smoke. But it's not quite as bad so this turned out ok. Even caught a meteor! Just a disclaimer - there are usually WAY more stars visible in this Bortle3 night sky!
While I was photographing the above, I got an aurora alert. I was skeptical. But she was there - faintly and through the haze and smoke. When I first got out there, the Bz was -4 but soon bounced to a +6 so I gave up. Also the smoke was really obvious when the moon rose. See below.
This is the moon, still almost full, rising through a bank of high clouds and the haze from the fires. If I was thinking maybe the haze was going away, this moon glowing orange convinced me it was still here.
Otherwise, it was a beautiful night! Warm and clear. Just had one critter encounter - a raccoon wasn't happy about me stopping in the road by the barn to take pics!
Wednesday, July 28
Wednesday, July 28
Just some flora around the house....
This lime mint sparkling water with a twist was just the right refresher on a hot and humid day. Finishing this book was a definite highlight of the week - what an outstanding book. Odd writing style but as you read it really fits the mood and genre (dystopian) and didn't interfere with my reading and enjoyment. What a relevant message in a book written 8 years before our Covid19 pandemic about a pandemic. Hope and love and the stars.
When Will I Be Home? - by Li Shang-Yin
When will I be home? I don't know.
In the mountains, in the rainy night,
The Autumn lake is flooded.
Someday we will be back together again.
We will sit in the candlelight by the West window.
And I will tell you how I remembered you
Tonight on the stormy mountain.
Thursday, July 29
Thursday, July 29
This morning my cousins and I had a small ceremony in memory of my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Jake on Walloon. Tears, yes - but even more good family memories. All of the members of that generation of Hendersons, including my dad Harry, his brother Walt, and twins Betty and Barbara are gone. The last one, Barbara, taken by Covid19 last year.
I will never forget them and the memories I have of them, both at Walloon in summer, and back home at holidays, etc. Too much to write - but I thought this photo of Walloon taken just minutes before embarking, was fitting in black & white. A somber occasion.
Cousins Fred, his wife Audrey, his daughter Jorie, and her daughter Josephine after dropping me off.
Found this cool atmospheric scene last night before dark. I'm really not a fan of this home/complex in the neighborhood, but somehow this scene worked! The sun had set and the glow behind the clouds was perfectly reflected in the lights on the walkway/stairs. Love the fairy lights until they interfere with the darkness.
There are only a handful of things I can think of that this weird, eerie sky light is. #1: remnants of sunset (sunset at 9:12 pm, it's 11 pm now) Or, it could be an odd non-colored aurora. I think however it's #3 - light pollution from Petoskey to the north that is bouncing off those low clouds and lighting up the clouds. OK and #4 it could be aliens. hahahaha!
One of the strangest night sky pictures I've ever taken. This was just a test shot, thinking there were lots of clouds because I didn't see many stars. Facing north-northwest from my dock, this is what I got. At 11:00 pm. No moon yet, rises at 12:15 am; and it's very windy and still humid but cold, 59 degrees. Other conditions were odd too; solar activity was kp2, solar wind speed 451, bz -1, density 5. There are only a few people who understand what I'm talking about, you know who you are!
Friday, July 30
Friday, July 30
The other day I heard about this thing to help you stay motivated to walk. It's called an "AweWalk". You find one thing on your walk that makes you feel awe. I'm trying to walk 1-2 miles every day and up here, and it's really easy because all the scenery you encounter is beautiful. So I'm hoping to make it a habit for when I get home and the scenery gets boring! Here are a few things from my "AweWalk" this morning.
Today was an absolutely beautiful bluebird skies day! Cool, barely made it to 70 degrees; I went on a drive; first stop, Fisherman's Island (just south of Charlevoix) to beach comb. Found Petoskey stones, charlevoix stones, crinoid stems, and horn coral ... among other pretties. Then a drive a bit south to scout a good spot for a milky way photo shoot. Was in search for a field of sunflowers! Found it!
Saturday July 31
Saturday July 31
Cleaned house today while waiting for Andrew and Susie to arrive!
Spock even came out to love on them!
The worst ever smoke in the sky tonight. It looks like cloud and fog (water vapor) but I asked the expert and he said nope, it's smoke. You can smell it.
Sunday, August 1
Sunday, August 1
My last full day at Walloon for the year! Bittersweet. I miss my home in Elburn but will miss Walloon terribly. Still smoke in the sky today; hard to tell from this picture-perfect picture! It sure doesn't seem as dense but the smell is worse!
Cousins Tom and Donna came and picked me up for a boat ride this morning. It was wonderful to see them and get out on the lake again! It's interesting how the weather is so different depending on where on the lake you are. For example, on my dock on the south shore it was cold and windy. Across the lake on the north shore, it was not at all windy and much warmer! Lake life!
The Walloon Lake Fine Arts show is this weekend and I stopped by. The best part - a lady is making fabulous art out of giant gourds! They're truly works of art. Might have to buy myself a birthday present!
Birthday dinner cooking in progress. I'm one lucky birthday girl!
AND the finished product. WOW. Just wow!
This is:
Seared tenderloin over roasted root vegetables and smashed crispy potatoes, with a cold corn avocado salad.
Chef Andrew and sous-chef Susie created the best birthday dinner EVER!
A nice, crisp night for fishing! And a rainbow for my birthday. It was nice of Mark to be a nice colorful message in the sky. Love you too!
Monday, August 2
Monday, August 2
One last pre-sunrise picture of the foggy lake. Sad to leave. Look at that water vapor rising from the warm lake. I love that look. Glad I got up early one more time. Good bye Walloon!
NOTE to SELF: Spock does NOT travel well. More vomiting and crying most of the first 2 hours of the trip. Then he slept, then he was so scared he never moved. Then occasional yowls just to let me know he was still there. Then more vomiting. I don't know if this is car-sickness, or just his attitude about life is - "don't mess with my normalcy".
The good news - after a couple of hours of hiding when we got home, he was back to normal. Wierd-0 cat!
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