traveling up and down the blind highway

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit the area along the St. Clair River and get a geography lesson. The river flows south from Lake Huron at the south east corner at Port Huron to the St. Clair River. The deep water of the river is a Caribbean blue. The day we stopped the sky was a shade or two lighter. The cloudless sky contrasted with the fall colors. We walked along the boardwalk watching the river flow by.
This is the new home of my daughter Ruth and her husband Aaron. Photos include my daughter and myself posing as well as a view of the river.
I was also interviewed by Ruth for her podcast, “Healing By The Numbers.” I talked about my abusive first marriage encouraging others to seek help.
Now, back to the geography lesson. The river travels to the Lake St. Clair Delta, the largest fresh water delta on the Great Lakes. The water splits into three channels. The northern flow is in Canada. While the middle and southern channel are on the state side. The delta covers one hundred forty square miles, making it the largest fresh water delta in the Great Lakes. The Delta includes many small shallow bays marshes and islands. The delta is the habitat for the blue and tricolored herons. They raise their young on the shallow bays. The islands are home to mallards and the American Black Duck populating the marshes in great numbers.
The waters from the St. Clair delta are found in Lake St. Clair located on the western edge of the delta. It is a circular lake 24 by 26 miles in circumference.
At its south west corner, the waters empties into the Detroit river. The river runs twenty six miles creating the border between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Waters continue to Lake Erie flowing northward into the Niagara river to form the Niagara Falls and on to Lake Ontario. From the last of the Great Lakes, the water travels to the St Lawrence River and to the St. Lawrence seaway. It finally empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
Native people have traveled and portaged their canoes to travel the lakes. The French discovered the lakes and claimed them for King Louie and for Christianity. This is the reason many of the coastal settlements are named after Mary and the saints, such as St. Claire. During the sixteen hundreds, settlements and forts were established along the Great Lakes.. the Great Lakes are a main coarse for commerce. Today, this route is sailed by 4 to 7 thousand ships a year.
Wishing my Canadian neighbors a Happy Thanksgiving on October 15th.
&&8*** Poem
Sailing the Lakes
Natives in birch canoes
paddle on blue water
to trade make alliances anew.
Explorer and Jesuits came to claim
the land for the King and the church
The land was not theirs. to take.
From the french to the English then to the Americans, the waters have been claimed and
divided.
But the land and waters are shared beyond borders.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 10/12/26

In our small town of Northville, there are two cemeteries, Oakwood and Rural Hill. The oldest is Oakwood. The first settlers dedicated the oak grove on Katie In 1830s. Many of the Names on stones are streets in the community.

In the 1930s, my Father lived on the street behind the cemetery. When late for High school, he would jump the fence weaving between the stones to the school on the other side of Katie. The graves were over one hundred years old them. Families are grouped, some with fences around them. Some unique stones include a four sided, resembling a crib where the remains of two young children are buried. As a child, I would lay in the marker wonder about the children buried there.

Some of the oldest stones were composed of sandstone and have deteriorated, losing the marking on the exterior. There is a lily of the valley motif of a cluster of lilies of the valley with leaves is seen on the top center of the marker, carved into the granite above the writing. Another marker is a unrolled scroll with the names and dates of the family members buried there. A small hand is reaching out to the scroll reaching to the rolled scroll and is carved a few inches from the edge of the scroll reaching for it.

A memorial marker notes the resting place of thirty five veterans from the Civil and Spanish American wars. There is an aluminum plaque near the entrance naming the veterans and a brief description of the earliest Northville settlers. Unlike Rural Hill Cemetery, the veterans are buried in their family plots.

Many of the grave markers have oak leaves and acorns on the stones. They signify strength, endurance and long life
There a colored section where the early black residences were buried..Near the gate to Oakwood, The historic society has placed a sign with the words, “Is stones could talk.” as the starting point to the self guided tour.

There is a commemorative marker notes the story of the original oak grove. There still a few remaining oaks among the gravestones. Because many of the earlier internments have no markers, the exact count of plots is not noted. In the Flu epidemic, of 1918, the Northville citizen population were hit hard. Victims were buried quickly and many have no marker and were recorded as unknown.

For the historian, the 191 year old cemetery gives an interesting insight into the early settlers in the area.

Carolaspot@aol.com
Copyright 10-5-26

This informal Q and A was created by teachers in the 1980s to encourage creative thinking and ask questions to start discussions.This has gradually expanded to include families and groups world wide. I will end this month with facts that I gleaned from Wikipedia and Alexa about the state of Michigan.
Question, What is the largest of the great lakes?
Answer, Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world. by volume of water and size. It is 31,700 square miles. It is 360 miles in length and 160 miles in width. Superior contains 2900 cubic miles of water. Lake Ontario may be the smallest of the great lakes in size but it holds the second largest volume of water in it’s basin, 3900 square miles of volume.
Q. Lake Huron has the longest shoreline of the great lakes. 3827 miles with over 30,000 islands.The Manitou Island is the largest fresh water Island with 1068 square miles.
Q. Lake Michigan is the only great lake that is surrounded by the US. It is bordered by Wisconsin on the west and Illinois and Indiana on the south with Michigan on the east. It boasts the largest fresh water sand dunes in the world. Legend holds that the three islands off the shore line resembles a mother bear and her two cubs fleeing from a forest fire.
Q. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes. It average depth averages 64 feet depth to 210 feet in its north west basin. It usually freezes solid in the winter. In 1996 Erie froze so solid that you could drive from Canada to at Erie Pennsylvania or Buffalo New York.
Q. 41 % of Michigan is rivers, streams and the Great Lakes.There is a large underground reservoir of water.
Q. Q. What is the shape of the lower peninsula is shaped in the form of a left hand mitten. The Thumb land juts out into Lake Huron. Canada is a mile away from the thumb. At night, you can see lights on the Canada side from the thumb.
Q. What is the shape of the upper peninsula is roughly a rectangle with two peninsulas jutting northward into Lake Superior. The Keweenaw Peninsula which extents sixty five miles into Lake Superior. The smaller Abbie on the eastern Lake Superior. It extents 12 /.5 miles.
Q. What interesting species inhabit the Great Lakes?
Sculpin in the deep waters. They are found in the dark deep waters on the lakes. Fresh water jellyfish can be found in Lake Erie, they are roughly the size of a penny to a Quarter.
The fresh drummers or croakers produce a low rhythmic sound similar to a heartbeat. They make this sound during mating.
The lake sturgeon are bottom feeders sucking up food from the lake . They can grow to 7 feet and up to 250 pounds. They can live well over hundred years. They have spiked plates which give them a dinosaur appearance.
Q. How did the Great Lakes form such different species?
tThe glaciers retreated about 14000 years ago the melting formed inland lakes in the basins left from the glaciers movements. the waters have developed adaptions that allow fresh water species to survive in the temperatures and depth pressures.
The Great Lakes are the largest fresh water basin in the New world. We share this treasure with our Canadian neighbors.
***. poem

Shaped like a Christmas cookie,
It rests on waters underground.
Flowing rivers empty into the large lakes.
Shorelines dotted with lighthouses for shipping.
Fossils of ancient species.
Clear waters give a glimpse into the past.
Hope for the future.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 9/28/26

The fall equinox will arrive after a weekend of cool, rainy weather. Leaves have not started to turn except in the Upper Peninsula, The maples, birch and aspen are starting to turn shades of red and orange and will continue through October.
In past years, we would travel to the Upper Peninsula to catch the early colors at The Tahquamenon Falls, where the Cedar swamp dyes the Tahquamenon River is amber often referred as root beer because the natural foam forming at the base of each falls, The upper falls is a 48 foot drop while the five lower falls cascade around the island.
We have traveled to view the pictured rocks along the shoreline of Lake Superior. The sandstone cliffs are 50 to 200 feet above the lake. Marbled with with blue green from copper, red orange hues from iron ore and other colors include whites, black yellows and golds, occasional streaks of pink are found in the cliffs.
Another rock formation is Castle Rock. The rock has three distinct layers, gray slate on the bottom, light reddish sandstone in the middle and the top layer is a deep red-brown hue. The rock rises 196 feet above Lake Huron. The natural pillar can be climbed to the summit using 177 outdoor steps to see a view of the lake and surrounding areas including the Straights of Mackinac, the Island and downtown St. Ignace.
If we drove west on route 2 the road follows the northern shore of Lake Michigan to finally arrive at Fayetteville on the garden peninsula. It is a historic site that houses more than 20 of the original buildings of the village. There is a pig iron operation and a marina on Bay De Noc. Boater can access the Historical site by boat or car. We would then travel to the northern part of the state to visit Sault Ste. Marie to watch boats traverse the locks between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, a drop of 21 feet. They are open from late March to January.
This year, I will walk out to my small woods to sit and listen to the shower of leaves . Wherever I am in Michigan, I will take time to savor Michigan’s
fall wonders.
***. poem
Michigan
A border state, surrounded by lakes.
Golden sands, blue waters and sky.
Quiet woods where deer abide.
City scapes along the shores.
Fields of blueberries feed man and beast.
Apples, cherries and grapes add to the feast.
Different groups live and blend.
Our pride in this state never ends.
carolaspot@aol.com
Copyright 9/21/26

Most people recall the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the aborted plane crash in Somerset County, 60 miles south of Pittsburgh. two thousand nine hundred thirty seven victims on that day. In the years since the attack, more than 5000 victims have died as a result of the dust, pollution and wounds from the initial attack, bringing the total to over 12000 victims.
Americans for the first time, felt vulnerable. From that time, more volunteers signed up for all branches of the military. 25 % of Americans distrusted Islam, they perceived the religion to encourage terrorist, even though Islam tenets promote peace.
What people forget that all air traffic was grounded, with airplanes in flight ordered to proceed to the nearest airport to land. The town of Gander, Newfoundland open homes to stranded passengers. Pharmacies filled needed prescriptions free of charge. Banks of phones were set up to connect passengers to their loved ones. Canada produced an historical minute that has played before movies to highlight Canadians welcoming response to grounded Americans. The city is hosting victims, citizens and dignitaries to the memorial ceremony.
In 2011, We were on a tour in the highlands of Scotland. The whole country took a minute of silence to remember when the twin towers fell.
Fast forward fifteen years to this now. Canada and the US are in a trade war with a fifty % tariff on most imported goods from the two countries. Our president has called for Canada to become the 51st state along with annexing Greenland. Food prices have risen with the Ukraine and Russia’s war with the US backing. The war with Iran and Israel and the U. S. over oil in the straights of Hormuz for controlling oil tankers. Our current government approval rating in the lowest it has ever been at 31%.
We as a people should making informed choices what our government is involved in. The mid-term elections are in less than three months.
We can make a change, one vote at a time.

carolaspot@aol.com

copyright 9-11-2026

The first official Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5th 1882. It included a parade with thousands of marchers, a large picnic was offered after the parade with a roasted steer. This set the tone for future celebrations.
Oregon was the first state to adopt it as a state holiday. Many states followed suit until, in 1894 Grover Cleveland signed it into law and moved the holiday to the first Monday in September. This was halfway between Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.
Labor Day was the last day of summer with the swim club pools closing for the season. The next day, many schools started their year.
As a young married adult, my first and present husbands were in unions and had picnics in city parks. My first husband, Mike, was a leader in the auto workers. He would ride in a float or drive his scooter most of the parade route.
My second husband, john, worked for the postal service in the maintenance craft and usually volunteered to work to get sorting machines cleaned and repaired.
The Mackinac Bridge Walk has been a tradition since 1959. The bridge is closed to drivers from 9 to 11 am so walkers can walk across the span of the bridge , about 5 miles. It starts with the Governor leading the thousands of michiganders to leisurely walk the bridge. I have participated several times with a group of Amigo scooter riders to promote inclusion in the walk. Many stroller and wagons are used to cross. The views from the bridge are breathtaking, especially, when a large ship is below the bridge. School busses are used to return walkers to their cars.
Whether you march in a parade, picnic or relax listening to a football game, take time to appreciate the change of the season.

***. poem
Take Stock
Cooler mornings, sunny afternoons.
Parades celebrate over one hundred thirty years of workers in the US labor force. Large barbecues along with the last swimming day.
School starting the next day, some lament.
Whether you walk, march or play in a park,
Labor Day is fun for all.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 8/7/26

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdER71cjmKA

Route 66 was the first transcontinental highway connecting Chicago to the Pacific coast at Santa Monica. It cut the trip by over two hundred miles. Hotels, restaurants and other local attractions sprung up along it’s corridor. Many of these stops have served customers from the start. For the centennial, 85% of the original road is usable.
The route was first opened in the spring of 1926 to promote travel and tourism between Chicago and Oklahoma and onto the west coast ending at the ocean. The trip took about a week to ten days depending on road conditions and the driver’s skill. Today people travel at a more leisurely pace to visit iconic attractions and have photos opportunities taken in front of these sites. Today the terminus is in Santa Monica at the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln, a mile from the Pacific Coastal Highway.Though decommissioned in 1985, many travelers still drive the historical route.
It was used by migration during the dust bowl in the 1930’s to travel to
California. Nat King Cole recorded the hit ,”Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”It was recorded in 1948 to further the popularize the road trip. Each year about forty million people travel some portion of the highway. This year’s celebration will draw even more crowds.
In our travels, we have driven much of the route. One worries when in the western section there were signs that warned that the next gas station was the one hundred stretch across the Mojave desert. Today it takes about two hours to travel that stretch. The original mountain crossing was in Santa fe until it was rerouted in 1936 to crosses the Black Mountains in Arizona, traveling west through Flagstaff at 7000 feet before dropping to the Colorado River basin.The higher elevations can cause lightheadedness for people from lower elevations. I became lightheaded and had difficulty sleeping at this elevation. Currently section of the Pacific Costal Highway is one way due to reconstruction. Traffic signs post a 25 mph speed limit. The Palisades fire in 2025, burned much of the vegetation. Heavy rains in the winter caused mud slides and flooding, damaging portions of the highway.
Some of the attractions along the route include Lou Mitchels a diner with 1920 decor. The Corn dog drive in in Springfield is renowned for serving the first corndog.
The 30 foot statue of a fiber glass astronaut. The Blue Whale in Tulsa has a photo opportunity with a 20 feet by 80 foot replica of a whale.
Caverns, the St. Louis Arch and several ghosts towns with roaming wild burros dot the route. The iconic end of the trail sign is on the pier at Santa Monica.
Travelers , the world over are driving the route bringing old memories to the fore front and making new ones. “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”

carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 8-31-2026

This summer, I have tried to make my outdoor space welcoming to God’s creatures. First I planted red and yellow blossoms in my hanging baskets to encourage different birds. My neighbor has fed the hummingbirds that she loved. We hung a feeder for hummingbirds between two baskets. We were rewarded not with adult hummingbirds but a baby bird early in spring. The migrating hummingbirds have found the blossom of the hanging nasturtium. The hues of pink and orange This contrasts with the greenback and white belly of a fast flying bird. I can hear the loud throbbing of the wings as they visit the bright feeder. Butter flies have also found the feeder.
Last year, I encouraged my husband, John not to trim the small lilac bush to have more flowers. We were rewarded with a robin nesting in the bush. The lilac is outside my office window. I was able to hear the excited chirps of the babies as each parent took turns to feed the growing family.
There is a sparrow’s nest high in the basket holding black-eyed Susans. The nest was on one side of the basket. I carefully water the flowers on the far side, away from the nest. I smile to think that this is a nest with indoor plumbing. Each time I open the front door, the adult sparrow flew to a close bush to keep an eye on my movements. I have been rewarded with peeps from the basket as I pass by.
Bees are busy visiting some exotic offerings. My Christmas cactus is blooming. The bright pink saucer hibiscus by the mailboxes greet our carrier each day. My peace lily is blooming with two white spades that encloses the tiny flowers or spadix. This flower has bloomed every year of our marriage. It has been a good omen for the future.
So whether you have one pot or a group of hanging baskets. Enjoy helping God’s critters to survive.

Carolaspot@aol.com

copyright 8-24-26

This week, raspberries were on sale in the store we shopped at. Pints of the fruit with a sign, “Buy one, get one free.” I bought two cartons, to make a pie.
As a child, we always had a raspberry section in the garden. I recall it covered a area of 3 by 20 feet. Close to the white picket fence, It was a great place to hide. I would crawl under the largest planting to the middle of the patch. There was the bonus of large ruby clusters ready to drop into my waiting hand then mouth.
Often, my Mom would call my name. I waited until she returned inside to continue my browsing. I am sure my brothers snitched berries when they were asked to pick some for a pie. There was always enough for they pie and jam to put aside for cooler weather.
My Mom made freezer jam from strawberries, and raspberries. She would take two cups of fruit mixed with one cup of sugar and a packet of pectin to solidify the fruit. The jelly can be kept up to three weeks in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer.
Memories of the ripening fruit and the race to get a handful… or two without being notice was a learned skill.
I cooked my seven inch pie with an oil crust. It was a perfect memory of my Mon’s creation. Not over sweet. Mom’s pie had just enough sugar without being too sweet.
I don’t know if I will make another this season. One pie memory is good, two many pies takes away the specialness of the dessert.
I hope you are able to indulged in your favorite summer treat.

***. Poem
Raspberries
Ripe for a short time.
Arrives in middle August.
Some lost to the birds.
Pluck the ripe berries from the bottom.
Brothers were too big to sneak and pick.
Even with our constant eating.
Rarely , were they all gone.
Ripe fruit.
I recall the many pies and jars of freezer jelly.
Easy to bake a memory.
Soon, I am sampling a memory.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 8/17, 2026

A Petoskey stone is found only in the Great Lakes area. The heaviest concentration of stones are found along the east coast of Lake Michigan shores.
The stones were formed in the coral colonies of shallow sea waters that covered Michigan over thirty fifty million years ago, the Silurian period. Large grew in the tropical waters. During the last ice age, the fossil coral and other aquatic fossils were ripped from the bedrock by glaciers then the fossils were scattered around the Great Lakes as the ice retreated. The glacier smooth the rough edges from the stones. The coral has a six sided pattern forming a honeycomb pattern.
First nation people used these fossil stones as tools, ornaments and in spiritual ceremonies . These people formed alliances the counsel of three fires were formed with the Ojibwa were the faith keepers. They maintained the customs and traditions of the alliance. TheOttawas were the trade keeper. They maintained the trade within the alliance and traded with other first people nations and later with europeans. The third part of the three fire alliance was Potawatomi were the fire keepers. they maintained the ceremonial fires. They were the keepers of the sacred spirit along the shores of Lake Michigan.They held the stones as their ancient connection to this land and it’s spirit.
In the 1700s, Petoskey stones were marketed as keepsakes. they were first polished and use as ornaments and jewelry.Today, one can still hunt for the stones along the lake shores. This ancient stone is the state stone.It was officially recognized in 1965.
The stones are used in spiritual healing to improve grounding, connecting to the ancient world and nature. Whatever your beliefs, these stones are a unique souvenir of Michigan’s past.

***. Poem
Petoskey
People have traded them.
Each found scattered by. glaciers.
Today they are still collected along the shores.
Ojibwa considered the stones sacred.
Some polished the stones to a high gloss.
Kept as momentes of the great Lakes.
Each stone round and smoothed by seas and glaciers.
Years in the forming.
carolaspot
@aol.com copyrighted 8/10/ 2026