Author Archives: Carol

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”

Water and it’s source is not usually a problem here in Michigan where we are surrounded by fresh water. But this spring, we are facing our own drought.In the past month, less than one half inch of rain has fallen. This is great for outdoor activities, it’s not good for farmers and gardeners. Sprinklers areContinue reading “Water, Water, Everywhere June 12, 2023 331 words”

Here in the Great Lakes area, we have 22% of the world’s fresh water. Besides the five lakes surrounding the two peninsulas, our state is dotted with many smaller lakes and rivers. With all that water, we have a large population of bugs.June is especially buggy, as the larva hatch in standing pools of water.Continue reading “June, Don’t Bug me! June 5th, 2023 378 words”

My brothers and I looked forward to the summer months. Not for the hot days nor the warmth nor the sport opportunities. It was the bountiful garden of food.My dad sold appliances from Grandpa Clifford’s store. Mom had her hands full with four boys and myself. Creatively cutting up one round steak to feed sevenContinue reading “Bountiful Summer, May 29th 2023 537 words”

I loved to play in my home’s basement. It had a door to the garage and outside. There was a half bathroom with bamboo fishing poles and discarded sport equipment. I would try on the brown boxing gloves, finger the mermaid figure with hooks and try on lifejackets. Each panel of The walls were writtenContinue reading “Exploring cellars, May 22, 2023 644 words”

This day has bitter sweet memories for my family. Twenty three years ago, our mother, Rita Heatley -Turnbull left this life for another. Mother Rita was an organized woman. It was no surprise that she orchestrated her departure. The week before Mother’s Day, all the siblings were told to come to visit Mom on thatContinue reading “Mother’s Day Memories 5-15-2023 458 words”

One of my earliest memories of fragrances is of lilacs. My bedroom was over our garage. Outside my window was a old lilac bush. Towering 18 feet, it filled my bedroom in the early summer with the smell of lilacs.I opened my window to pick bouquets of the blooms. The color of the flowers wereContinue reading “The fragrance of Lilacs 5-8-2023 303 words”

After a long winter, many people celebrate the coming of warm weather. Some of us are delighted to be able to experience another season.The rites of springtime celebrations go back to Celtic and Norse cultures. Longer days and warmer temperatures lift spirits. In Northern Europe, the day includes cake, , drinks and of course, traditionalContinue reading “May Day Celebrations May 1, 2023 307 words”