Author Archives: Carol

Last week, a hurricane passed south of the Hawaiian Island chain. Lightening strikes kindled fires in the dry foliage. Fueled by 60 mph winds, fires burned on all the Islands. The worst damage was seen on the island of Maui.We visited Maui in the winter of 2003. The island was known for it’s many pristineContinue reading “Maui, Then and Now, Paradise lost August 14, 2023 400 words”

John and I have always been bike riders. I have ridden 10 speed bikes since my college days. After my daughter was born, my vision started to diminish. At first, I would ride following closely behind my husband’s lead. I couldn’t enjoy riding while I paid close attention to following another bike.When we moved fromContinue reading “Twenty Five years on a tandem , August 7, 2023 618 words”

For over 12 years, most of my siblings have gathered at my brother Brian’s cottage on the shore of Lake Michigan. There we tease, tell stories and remember the past.The first years included the head Bull, Dad Bruce. That year , all the siblings were present.My husband and I have not been to the weekendContinue reading “Sibling weekend July 31, 2023 280 words”

This past week would have been my brother Mike’s 75th birthday.He was the middle of three older brothers. He was six years older. Old enough to enjoy a little sister and young enough to have shared time together.In grade school, there was a time when Mike and Bob were on the basketball team. Craig wasContinue reading “Memories of a Brother July 24, 2023 656 words”

This spring, I have seen increased activity around the feeder. In the early morning, a large male fox squirrel scampers up the steps to beg for fresh seeds. Standing at the sliding doors, he stares into the kitchen with a sideward glance. Later he will be chasing other fox squirrels across the yard and upContinue reading “A Squirrelly tale. 339 words”

Ice Cream with Dad, Sweet Memories, July 10,2023 488 wordsMy younger brother Brian, reminded us in his weekly updates from Northville about our Dad passing five years ago. My parents would have celebrated their eighty first wedding anniversary this week. They taught their children to share with others. I would like to tell some storiesContinue reading “Ice Cream with Dad, Sweet Memories, July 10,2023 488 words”

With the advent of warm, sunny weather, more people are biking. Many drivers don’t pay attention to bikes and pedestrians at marked crossings. My husband and I try to make ourselves visible while riding the tandem bike. We both sport bright matching yellow shirts, colorful helmets and have reflectors on the bike pedals. Sometimes allContinue reading “Exercise can be Hazardous to Your Health, July 10, 2023”

Last Monday, John and I took our tandem for a ride to Ada. Normally, we would have rode the 13 mile loop around the township. The air had a astringent taste. The smell was prevalent with burning . A haze was seen resembling a fog.Coming back home from the library, John was short of breathContinue reading ““Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” July 3rd, 2023 480 words”

Last Thursday, we experienced the summer Solstice here in Ada, Michigan. Daylight was 15 hours and 22 minutes. The sunrise has moved east behind our little woods.With days starting to shorten, I become melancholy thinking about time passing. A life is made up of memories, good, bad and ugly ones. But what about friends andContinue reading “After the Solstice June 26, 2023”

In the U.S. the official holiday started in 1972. But the day to honor fathers can be traced to the middle ages. In Catholic Europe, the original celebration was March 15. The feast day of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. People would parade through the streets carrying a statue of the saint. TheContinue reading “History of Father’s Day, June 18, 2023 394 words”