Mackinac Memories 4/12/15

Posted on April 12, 2015 by bree1972

I was fretting this morning about there really being nothing to write about today, and when that happens my mind automatically turns to Mackinac. In the six summers Ted and I lived on the island for the season, I can count on one hand the number of times when I honestly couldn’t come up with a subject. As I’ve said many times before, all I needed to do was pick up my camera and walk out the door – there was always a story down the hill, or up the hill, or in town, or looking out over the Straits.

When the Baileys were here last Monday evening we were sitting in a little Italian restaurant downtown in Flagler Beach, waiting for our dinner and talking about the island in general. Jeri-Lynn, who has spent many more seasons on the island than Ted and I (with husband Brian and their children, they go when the Chippewa and Lilac Tree Hotels open), leaned in close and asked, “What was it that first drew you to the island?”

I thought a moment and said, “Before I fell in love with the people of Mackinac, I fell in love with the woods.” Jeri-Lynn said it was exactly the same for her. We went on to chat about the magical and almost spiritual aura that many people soak up on Mackinac, and we talked as well about how others feel none of the magic whatsoever. I shared with Jeri-Lynn that walking in Mackinac’s woods calms me as no other place I’ve ever visited, and there is almost a holiness I find there. Jeri-Lynn shared that when she walks those woods she feels as though she’s joined by the people over the centuries before her who walked the same paths. I was struck by our different impressions of the same place – the solitude of my walks, the fellowship of hers.

For those who love that little spot of land rising serenely from Lake Huron, it makes no difference what emotion Mackinac stirs within us. We each take from her what we need and what she willingly offers – peace, joy, fellowship, a sense of escapism blended perfectly with the contentment of belonging.

Below is a blog – the first ever written by Bear – posted the first summer I began Bree’s Mackinac Island Blog. It’s great fun for me to skim back through the archives and re-read what’s been written over the years. This posted May 26, 2009, and it was on one of those rare occasions when I felt as though I had nothing to write about. It still makes me smile.

_____________________________________________________________________

Hi! My name is Bear. I’m a golden retriever. That’s me in the picture above with my bratty little sister Maddie and my mom Bree (well, actually her name is Brenda, but she told me once she never liked that name and had always wanted to be called Bree). I don’t care – I just call her mom. Maddie and I are not really related, although there was this 145 year old lady one time who looked at us and asked, “Are they brother and sister?” Pleeeasseeee! Do you see who mom is holding tightly in her arms in that picture? Do you see that the brat has on a collar AND a halter AND a leash?? Do you see me just sitting there looking gorgeous without even a COLLAR on my beautiful neck? Sister?? Geeezzz!

Mom had been fretting all day yesterday about the weather and about how she couldn’t come up with a story idea for her blog (whatever that is). She said the weather was really nasty – 46 degrees at 2:00 p.m., cloudy, threatening rain, not a good day to go out and take pictures. (I personally consider that a perfect day. It’s chilly and there is a good chance I could get seriously wet. What else could a golden retriever ask for?) Anyway, she and dad (that’s Ted) were having a little “discussion” about him forgetting something in town again and that “somebody” had to make another trip down the hill. So I said, “Come on, mom – let’s you and me go to town together.” I know what you are thinking – dogs can’t talk. But I swear, two seconds later she looked at me and said, “I think I’ll take Bear to town with me.” Need I say more?

So she started getting on all these clothes – undershirt, sweatshirt, fleece coat, blue jeans, socks, wool cap, gloves . . . . . . . good grief! It’s not Antarctica! It’s just Mackinac Island in May. Tomorrow it will be sunny and 70! So, she’s finally ready, and we start to leave. Maddie goes running down the stairs like she’s going too, but mom says, “No, sweetie, it’s just me and the big boy going this time.” You should have seen her pout. Mom put on my collar (a Georgia Bull Dawg collar, I might mention), attached my leash (leash law downtown) and away we went. I promise I did NOT look back and stick my tongue out at the brat.

Yeahhhhhh! We got to the bottom of the first rise, and it started RAINING!!! What fun is that!! I could stick my tongue out and catch WATER!! I don’t know why mom was so cranky. I did happen to notice that all the tourists who ride around in those buggies pulled by those insanely big horses were all wrapped up like mummies.

When we got to that gigantic white building where about a gazillion people stay every night , we spotted Anna who works for The Grand Hotel . She is always there somewhere outside The Grand, and she always has the most beautiful smile on her face and is so friendly. Me and mom and dad just love Anna. She is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and dad always says to Anna, “That’s where I was born!” He must have said that to her about a million times now. I think that’s what happens when people start getting a “little older.”

By the time we talked to Anna a few minutes, the rain had stopped. That’s how it is on Mackinac Island – one minute it’s raining, the next minute it’s sunny. I LOVE it! Our next stop was the bank. Mom stuck her head inside and asked if it was ok to bring me in. The nice ladies in the cages said, “Sure!” This really sweet girl wanted to pet me (I’m soooo used to that), and mom asked her if she would hold my leash while she did her banking, and she said she would love to. I got a LOT of good petting and ear scratching from her!

We stopped in to say “hey” to Bill and Jim at Mackinac Realty (they sold us our great condo), but only Jim was there. He offered to dogsit me while mom went in the post office, but mom said no, she’d just tie me up outside. Huh?

Mom explained to me that dogs were not allowed in post offices anywhere, including Mackinac Island, unless they are seeing eye dogs. I told her that I see with my eyes, but she acted like she didn’t hear me and tied me up anyway.

We started back home, then ducked into the shelter under the awning at the Great Turtle Kite and Toy Store to warm up a minute. The cute girl in that store invited us in (I can get mom in ANYWHERE). I was really bummed out when I discovered that this was a KID toy store, not a DOG toy store, but I had fun looking anyway.

When we got home, mom said, “I still have no idea what I will write about tomorrow.” So I put my head in her lap, and said, “Don’t worry, mom, I’ll write it for you.” And so I did.

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What’s changed since this story? Bear was a two-year-old when he began his writing career – he’s eight now. Anna-of-the-smiling-face is now an island taxi-driver, and the toy store has moved from Cadotte into the Lilac Tree Hotel’s mall, next to the Island Bookstore. The bank still gives out doggie treats, and Bear still has to be tied up outside the post office.

I silently chuckle as I read back over the words I’ve written today. I know those of you who read this blog know what I’m trying to express. You know why – in my mind – I’m already heading north. And in June my body gets to follow.

God bless.

Fun Here, Fun There, Fun Together 4/9/15

Posted on April 9, 2015 by bree1972

FUN HERE

Another busy week here in Florida. Ted and I are beginning to think we’ll have to go back to work full-time just to take a vacation! But . . . it’s all fun stuff – which work isn’t!

Fun in Florida is an unexpected afternoon with Matthew . . .

Fun in Florida is an unexpected weekday afternoon with Matthew . . .

. . . just two buddies going kayaking. The HIGHLIGHT was when they came back into our canal and a full-grown MANATEE surfaced right beside Matthew! Wish Ted had been quick with the camera, but it was wrapped up in a plastic bag.

Fun here is adding a few more finishing touches to our bedroom . . . like the art over the bed, another chair . . .

. . . and the perfect words for Ted and I.

Amber found this while out shopping for another client. She told me, “When I saw it, I immediately thought, ‘That’s my Ted and Brenda’!” Love it!

Meet Cindy. I'd been looking for a turtle to hang at the top of the stairs and found this one at the Turtle Fest in Flagler Beach this weekend. There were 4-5 that looked basically the same - except this one had the "mole" on one of the old fence boards from which it was made. Hence - Cindy, as in Cindy Crawford.

Meet Cindy. I’ve been looking for a turtle to hang at the top of the stairs and found this one at the Turtle Fest in Flagler Beach this weekend. There were 4-5 that looked basically the same – except this one had a “mole” on one of the old fence boards from which it was made. Hence – Cindy, as in Cindy Crawford.

Love her “swimming” on up to the second level.

FUN THERE

Well, this is this morning on Mackinac, and as you can tell, it's still pretty chilly. That's the Huron backing away from the dock on its 8:30 trip back to St. Ignace. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

This morning on Mackinac, and as you can tell, it’s still pretty chilly. That’s the Huron backing away from the dock on its 8:30 trip back to St. Ignace. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

A little cold weather didn’t stop the Grand Hotel and the Easter Bunny from holding their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Hoban Lane on Sunday.

Tragedy averted at the Mackinac Island airport this week. The pilot of this plane failed to lower his landing gear as he came in to land, and it was a hard bounce when plane met runway. Miraculously, he walked away unhurt, but his plane took quite a beating on the bottom and the prop was damaged.

Tragedy averted at the Mackinac Island airport this week. The pilot of this plane failed to lower his landing gear as he came in, and it was a hard bounce when plane met runway. Miraculously, he walked away unhurt, but his plane took quite a beating on the bottom and the prop was damaged.

“So. Where is everybody?” (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

FUN TOGETHER!

Brian Bailey (General Manager of the Chippewa and Lilac Tree Hotels on Mackinac), his wife Jeri-Lynn and daughters Mary and Nora popped over to visit us Monday. They were spending Spring Break in Orlando, and we had a great afternoon visiting. After dinner they headed back for a day at Universal Studios on Tuesday.

Three beautiful ladies - Mary, Jeri-Lynn, and Nora. The girls said the water was still pretty cold - but at 85, they warmed up fast out of the water.

Three beautiful ladies – Mary, Jeri-Lynn, and Nora. The girls said the water was still pretty cold – but at 85, they warmed up fast when they got out.

Sweet little Nora loved splashing around . . .

. . . while Mary and Bear bonded.

What a treat to get to see this great family before we hit the island in June. (In case you’re wondering, Ted had just gotten home from working at Ft. Matanzas when the Baileys arrived.)

CATS OF THE WEEK

April is "Adopt a Black Pet"Week, and any black dog or cat could be adopted for only $10. This is Mr. Kiki - a 7-year-old male.

April is “Adopt a Black Pet” Month, and any black dog or cat can be adopted for only $10 from the Flagler Humane Society. This is Mr. Kiki – a 7-year-old male.

Little 6-month-old Summer, who was VERY skittish. She needs a lot of loving so she won’t be so afraid of people.

This sweet three-year-old female, named Joy, wouldn't come out of her corner. Another kitty needing lots of patient loving.

This beautiful three-year-old female, named Joy, wouldn’t come out of her corner. Another kitty needing lots of patient loving. Love her “mittens”!

I had to get a few kittles who weren’t black for this mix. Little 5-year-old Thelma has very distinctive face markings. A beautiful Calico.

Rainbow! A one-year-old female love-bug!

This is Peabody, a three-year-old male with the sweetest expressions!

Personal Note: I finished my two days training as a volunteer in the Emergency Room at Florida Hospital Flagler, and I’m ready to start a “real” shift next week. I’ll be working every Thursday morning from 8-12. We mostly stock and re-stock in each of the 30 rooms of the ER, and I’m learning all about hospital supplies – including everything from sheets, pads, and gowns to tubing, 4×4’s, blood pressure cuffs, footies, specimen cups, and tape rolls. I can also warm up a blanket in no time flat, courtesy of the blanket oven! This morning when I arrived there were only two beds in use, and 4 hours later all 30 were full.

I’m meeting so many nice folks who’ve come to Florida from all over the U.S. to spend their retirement years. Florida is a real melting pot, and I love the diversity of the backgrounds here.

I’m so happy with the two choices I’ve made on where to volunteer. I always come home feeling better than when I left, and whether it’s people or animals, there’s nearly always something you can do to help a person or a critter feel a little better. When you accomplish that, the people smile, and the critters purr or settle their heads in your lap for an ear scratch.

What a great way to spend a few hours!

Virginia, Michigan, Kentucky, Florida – The Sylvia Lives On 4/5/15

Posted on April 5, 2015 by bree1972

Up until last week, whenever we’ve had people over I’ve sort of rushed them up the stairs to the second level. Our entrance area was pretty far down on the priority list of “rooms” to decorate, and it was basically just an empty hallway with a slight left turn leading to the bedroom, flex room, bathroom, and laundry. With Amber (A. Clore Interiors) and her brother Jim’s help, all that “rushing up the stairs” ended. Now the foyer is not only beautiful, but it tells a story very dear to Ted’s heart (and mine too since it’s about his childhood).

A little history first. As most of you know, Ted grew up spending his summers at his grandparents’ cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the Les Cheneaux Islands). This was before there was a Mackinac Bridge and before I-75 was built (early 1950’s). The trip from their home in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky to the Michigan cottage would take two days (including a long wait for the car ferry to cross the Straits of Mackinac from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace).

The Les Cheneaux cottage (circa the 1920's).

The Les Cheneaux cottage a couple of decades past the turn of the century.

In the 1920’s, Ted’s grandfather and grandmother, Arthur and Ruth Zimmerman, purchased a large boat (a long-time dream of Arthur) from a gentleman in Norfolk, VA. The entire family – Arthur and Ruth, their five sons, (Ernie, Jordan – for whom our granddaughter is named – Cabel, Ollie and Arthur Jr.), their daughter Sylvia (Ted’s mother and for whom the boat was named), and Mary (Ruth’s mother and Ted’s great-grandmother) – traveled to Norfolk, boarded the boat, and piloted it to their cottage in the Les Cheneaux Islands. The trip began on June 20, 1924 and ended on August 9 – a distance of approximately 800 nautical miles – with many stops in between for sightseeing.

The Sylvia as it appeared when it was purchased . . .

The Sylvia as she appeared when she was purchased. She was originally a government-issued vessel, 50′ in length, and 13′ wide. Before leaving Virginia the boat was equipped to take care of the family for the trip. The first compartment was configured to hold one double bed and one single bed (for the youngest child). The next compartment contained two double beds, one above the other, and two single beds – also one above the other. The aft compartment of the engine room was a combination galley and dining room with a stove, sink and drainboard, regular kitchen cabinets, an ice box, and a 5′ round table with two drop leaves where nine could dine comfortably.

The Sylvia in 1927 – after extensive renovations and refurbishing.

In the early 1940’s the Sylvia was sold to a ferry company in the area, and for many years she shuttled passengers between Cheboygan and Bois Blanc Island. Her history after that is largely unknown – although the family eventually learned that the Sylvia sank somewhere between those two points (year unknown).

For many years, the artifacts the family removed from the Sylvia when she was sold were displayed at the family cottage in Michigan and later in the home of Ernie Zimmerman, the youngest of the six children. They were passed down to Jan Jolley, Ernie’s daughter, who still lives in Ft. Thomas, KY. Several years ago Jan very graciously presented the artifacts to Ted, and over the years we displayed the Sylvia’s wheel in our condo on Mackinac and later in our lake house in Georgia. We never had the space to display any of the other items . . . until now.

As you enter our front door and look left, the ship's wheel and bell are hung - along with a collage of vintage photographs of the cottage, the Sylvia, Ted's grandparents and mom, and an article Ted wrote about growing up in the Les Cheneaux which was published in the St. Ignace News in a weekly Les Cheneax column.

As you enter our foyer and look left, you see the ship’s wheel and bell – along with a collage of vintage photographs of the cottage, the Sylvia, Ted’s grandparents and his mom, and an article Ted wrote about growing up in the Les Cheneauxs – published several years ago in the weekly Les Cheneaux column of the St. Ignace News.

And as you turn the corner . . .

. . . you see what was an empty archway – now filled with more Horton history.

The Sylvia’s life preserver hangs in an acrylic shadow box. The album sitting upright on the stand is an unbelievable piece of history for Ted and his family. It is Mary’s (Ted’s great-grandmother) journal of the trip on the Sylvia from Virginia to Michigan. She tells in vivid detail about each day of the voyage – what they did, what they ate, where they put into port, etc. What a trip that was!

I so wish I could share the entire journal with you. Mary was a wonderful writer, and the stories she tells of the trip are entertaining, funny, and filled with adventures. Here’s one in her own words: “Two of the boys decided to take a swim before dinner and soon had on their suits. They both dove overboard at once and came right up and were back in the boat in less time than it takes to tell it. As soon as they got their breath they said that as soon as they hit the water they felt a sting like an electric shock. On looking them over to find out what the trouble was, we found clinging to their bathing suits a number of (leeches, or so I suppose they were) objects about the size of a minnow but soft as a snail and black on top and red beneath. Looking into the water we found that it was literally alive with them. This settled the swimming and everyone took a hand in the cooking.“

Ted and I couldn’t be prouder of how this all turned out. Amber took a few sketchy ideas we had of showcasing the Sylvia’s history and somehow turned them into a wonderful hall of memories. We’ve shared the photos already with family members, and we’re excited they love how these family pieces are being displayed.

To Jan – a huge thank you for sharing the artifacts with Ted. You already know how much they mean to him, but your thoughtfulness and love overwhelmed our hearts.

The Sylvia now lives on in our Florida home. I like to think she feels right at home here – close to the sea and with her namesake’s son – and we feel blessed to house all her memories.

The Ferry! The Ferry! 4/2/15

Posted on April 3, 2015 by bree1972

After a spring snowfall last week that allowed islanders to get a few more trips out of their snowmobiles, this week finds Mackinac residents celebrating the beginning of passenger service to the island!

Robert McGreevy captured the island once more in all its winter glory . . . .

On March 29, Robert McGreevy captured the island one more time in all its winter glory . . . .

. . . and reminded us once again there is no other place on earth as beautiful as Mackinac during the winter.

The battle of ferry vs ice begins. Star Line’s Anna May making progress on March 30. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

Nothing is as exciting to islanders who have endured another cold, isolated winter as the first ferry making it to the dock. Arnold's mighty Huron made it in after almost two days of slamming through the ice between St. Ignace and Mackinac

Nothing is as exciting to islanders who have endured another cold, isolated winter as the first ferry making it to the dock. Arnold’s mighty Huron was the first boat in, after almost two days of slamming through the ice between St. Ignace and Mackinac! (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

On April 1, Shepler's Sacre Bleu made the dock and was promptly loaded with many of the islanders' snowmobiles to be taken to the mainland for storage. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

On the next day, April 1, Shepler’s Sacre Bleu made the dock and was promptly loaded with many of the islanders’ snowmobiles – to be taken to the mainland for storage. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

TOUCHDOWN, Shepler's! We have officially made it to Mackinac Island. If you compare today's first successful trip to when this happened last year, we are 24 days ahead of schedule. The ice story that 9&10 News has been covering with us all day will be the top news story tonight at 6:00. No "foolsing" about it, today has been a great April 1st!

Direct quote from Shepler’s on April 1: “TOUCHDOWN, Shepler’s! We have officially made it to Mackinac Island. If you compare today’s first successful trip to when this happened last year, we are 24 days ahead of schedule. The ice story that 9&10 News has been covering with us all day will be the top news story tonight at 6:00.”

And here’s the 9 and 10 News of the Sacre Bleu’s trip across: http://www.9andere10news.com/story/28697521/mackinac-island-ferries-ready-for-spring

A great shot from Bruce LaPine of the blue water that has opened up around the perimeter of the island.

A new flag for a new season! (Photo: Tracy Cowell)

A new flag for a new season! Love this angle, Tracy! (Photo: Tracy Cowell)

Let the 2015 Season begin!!

Personal Note: All this afternoon one of the next puzzle pieces has been going into place in our downstairs entry-way.

My wonderful interior designer, Amber Clore (and her talented brother Jim) put the finishes touches on our downstairs area from the front door to the downstairs bedrooms, and now it looks exactly like we'd envisioned.

My wonderful interior designer, Amber Clore (and her talented brother Jim) put the finishing touches on our downstairs area from the front door to the downstairs bedrooms, and now it looks exactly like we’d envisioned.

Amber has a wonderful way of taking a few sketchy ideas and turning them into something way beyond what I could have dreamed.

Can’t wait to show y’all the finished product on Sunday!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend with your families. HE is risen!

Thinking Of Pyramids 3/29/15

Posted on March 29, 2015 by bree1972

We love living near our grandchildren. Ted and I were about to get dressed for church this morning when that little “dinger” sounded announcing a text message. It was from Jordan and read, “2:08 dance number moved to 1:00”. And our entire morning plan changed.

Jordan dances competitively, and she was scheduled to be in four numbers this morning and two this afternoon (one at 2:08 and one around 5:00) in a huge competition in Daytona Beach. We’d planned to rush home from church, change clothes, and be at the News-Journal Center for the 2:08 number.

We quickly decided to skip church, rush to Daytona, and maybe get there in time to see two of the morning numbers AND the 1:00 number. And that’s what we did.

Sitting in a dark auditorium watching mostly girls (there are a few boys), ages five through high school, dance for literally hours between the dances Jordan was in is something I never could have conceived enjoying even two years ago. Having raised two boys I knew nothing of organized dance and all that is involved (I CAN offer up the exact combination of cleaners guaranteed to get grass stains out of Little League uniforms though). Now I find myself loving all of the pageantry of dance – the costumes, the music, the lights. And of course, our girl . . . who is without a doubt the best – and most beautiful – dancer up there.

The numbness I spoke of a few months ago is slowly giving way to the opening of my heart to this new life we’ve chosen. When I walk in our front door I no longer think I’m just here visiting, and with each addition of a piece of art, or a table, or even a new set of towels, it becomes more and more our home.

I think the thing I’m having the most trouble with is the lack of a yard. My pots of flowers help, but there’s just no area to walk around outside within the boundaries of “our space”. I’m still trying to get past that little negative. A lot of people have said, “But just think, there’s nothing you have to mow or weed or spray for bugs. True. But there’s also no place for Bear and Maddie to romp, or for a party of folks to hang out. The fact that water lies just beyond our back door – water where fish jump and manatees swim and pelicans and diving ducks have dinner each day – will eventually get me past the lack of grass. I think. I hope.

Meeting others going through the same adjustments is also helping. On Saturday, while working at the Flagler Humane Society tent at United Methodist Church’s Spring Festival, I struck up a conversation with another volunteer. She and her husband just moved here from Colorado (95% of the people we’ve met are NOT from Florida but from somewhere else). Like me, she was reaching out by volunteering with organizations she holds dear, and we also chatted about and compared the various churches we’d visited. How better to find like-minded people who just may one day be close friends? As we talked away the beautiful day, surrounded by animal lovers, I thought about how many others there are here in this little beach town who are just like me – new to the area, but searching for a way to become part of this community. Flagler and Beverly Beaches have remained so unchanged for so many years, and that “sameness” seems to be drawing more and more people here – away from the miles of tall, elaborate oceanfront condos. I believe people are looking for a simpler life, especially people our age.

One realization has helped more than any other, I think. I’ve finally figured out I’m not trading in the first 65 years of my life for this one, and I’m not betraying those other places and people I love by loving another place and other people. I know that each Spring I’m going to long to be back at the ri’vah to glory in the budding trees and blooming azaleas, and I can go back any time I like. I know that each May I’m going to think it’s time to pack up and head north, but I can wait until June or August or September or whenever we choose to go to the island. I know that friends from both places will be waiting, and I know that many will have visited us here.

I read somewhere this week that just as the pyramids were built as monuments to honor the pharaohs, our memories are built as monuments to honor each person and place that has touched us in some special way. I like that a lot. And the advantage we have is we don’t have to travel anywhere to access those monuments. All we have to do is close our eyes and let those special people and places dance across the backs of our eyelids.

So – with each new day, each new addition to the house, each new venture across the street to watch the waves wash in and the seabirds soar overhead, and with each new neighbor who moves in – the heart beating inside my chest becomes a little less stone and a lot more soft and pliable – like clay.

It feels good to feel again.

God bless.

Personal Note: A big thank you to Greg Main for the beautiful header photo!

Lots to Talk About! 3/26/15

Posted on March 26, 2015 by bree1972

Settle back, y’all. It’s going to be one of those loooong posts . . . I can just feel it!

I’ve realized that the crashing of a laptop no longer throws me into a total tizzy like it used to do. My iPhone gives me the ability to do most everything I can do on the computer – phone folks (even Skype), text messages, pay bills, surf the internet, get directions to anywhere I want to go, watch movies, listen to music . . . the list goes on and on. But what I simply CAN’T abide doing on my phone is writing this blog. I have a hard enough time texting a couple of sentences (I think my fingers are too big – or maybe it’s just a mental block), and to even consider writing an entire blog post on that T.I.N.Y keyboard makes me want to just go hurl myself into the ocean! I taught myself to type at home at the age of 11 on an old Royal manual typewriter, using a “Learn to Type” book my daddy brought home one day. The book was actually for my mom (although I can’t imagine why daddy thought she needed to learn this skill). Mom pretty much ignored it, but I grabbed it up and had a blast pounding away on those old keys. When I actually took “typing” in high school as a Freshman, I was timed at 50 words per minute on the first day of class. You can imagine my speed when I discovered ELECTRIC typewriters!

Anyway . . . . I do post to Facebook from my iPhone, and over the last 10 days those of you who do Facebook have been able to pretty much see what we’ve been up to. For y’all, this post will be a little repetitious, but I wanted to share some of those same stories with my readers who aren’t on Facebook. So bear with me on this one – there are a few things in here I haven’t covered on Facebook.

FLORIDA GOODIES

Imagine my excitement when a mom and baby manatee was spotted just off our seawall! I later learned this was this calf was born in our inlet last summer, and I guess she stopped by to show off how much her baby has grown.

Imagine my excitement when a mama and baby manatee were spotted just off our seawall! I later learned this calf was born in our inlet last summer, and I guess mama stopped by to show off how much her baby has grown.

They hung around all day and late in the afternoon swam slowly out of our inlet and back into the Intracoastal. During the day I did some research and found that a lot of people try to lure the manatees to their docks by shooting fresh water over them and into their mouths from garden hoses. It seems that manatees LOVE fresh water. But. . . I also learned that the fresh water hose thing is against the law in Florida. It lures the manatees into areas when boats are numerous, and that is the number 1 killer of manatees - boat propellers (as you can see, this mom has had a few run-ins with those props herself). These are old scars that obviously weren't deep enough to threaten her life, but this is why there are so many "Manatee Zones" on the Intracoastal!

The pair hung around all day and late in the afternoon swam slowly out of our inlet and back into the Intracoastal. I did some research and found a lot of people try to lure the manatees to their docks by shooting fresh water over them and into their mouths from garden hoses and by throwing lettuce to them. It seems that manatees LOVE fresh water – and lettuce. But. . . I also learned that the fresh water hose thing and feeding manatees is against the law in Florida. It lures the manatees into areas where boats are numerous, and guess what the #1 killer of manatees is – boat propellers (as you can see, this mom has had a few run-ins with those props herself). These are old scars that obviously weren’t deep enough to threaten her life, but this is why there are so many “Manatee No Wake Zones” on the Intracoastal!

Ted and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day by going out to dinner at a new restaurant in Ormond Beach – “31”. Sooo nice, with awesome food and entertainment!

FLAGLER HUMANE SOCIETY

It’s really ridiculous when your “retired” schedule is so busy you can’t find a day to volunteer – but that was the case last week. I never got out to the Humane Society, but I did get all my TB testing done to work at Florida Hospital Flagler. On Saturday I’m going to work a few hours for the Humane Society at a spring festival at one of the Flagler churches. We’ll have information to give out, and we’re taking a few pooches and kitties that are available for adoption. On Monday, I’ve got an all-day orientation at the hospital. After that orientation, I’ll be ready for training and hopefully will be actually volunteering in a couple of weeks – every Thursday from 8 am-12 noon in the Emergency Room. I’m thinking 4 hours at the hospital and 8 hours at the Humane Society each week will be just perfect!

Boy – a 4-year-old male, with gorgeous green eyes.

This is what Boy thought of my attempts to get him to pose by dangling a squeaky mouse toy next to his head. Cats are hilarious – and stubborn!

Sweet Otis – a 2-year-old male. All these cats love perching on this three-story cat tower and looking out the window. Thank goodness for that tower!

Lu (short for Lucifer). He apparently wasn't the most friendly cat when he was brought in). A 7-year-old male who purred the entire time I was working with him. I think that name should be changed to LB (for Laid-Back).

Lu, short for Lucifer, apparently wasn’t the most friendly cat when he was brought in. This 7-year-old male has obviously mellowed because he purred the entire time I was working with him. I think hisname should be changed to LB (for Laid-Back).

Little Barker a 4-year-old tortoiseshell mix. She's an adult, but a very small grown-up. Hardest cat I've photographed yet - would NOT stay still.

Little Barker, a 4-year-old tortoiseshell mix. She’s an adult, but a very small grown-up kitty. Most difficultcat I’ve photographed yet – would NOT stay still. Very sweet . . . and curious . . . and FAST!

I LOVED this cat: Gretta – a one-year-old female Abyssinian mix.

She has a lot of Abyssinian markings and is sweet, friendly, and a real lover.

Patches – a 2-year-old female. Adorable!

The first kitten I’ve photographed – this is Billie-Jo, a 3-month-old solid black bundle of love, love, love!

“Who? Me?”

Excuse me a moment, but I’m about to climb up on my soap box. After I spend three hours photographing kitties (seriously, these 7 cats took 3 hours – because they’re cats, and they simply don’t care if you photograph them or not), I always walk back to the dog area to see who’s come in new. As I walked up and down the aisles of kennels, I began to read each dog’s “history”, and one of the items they list is “reason for turning in”.

Really? Did this person not know when he/she picked out this dog that it would need to be fed, exercised, taken to the vet, played with, taught good manners, and loved for the next 10-15 years? Obviously not. . . because there sat a beautiful one-year-old Labrador/Shepherd mix (who I would not photograph and show you because you would all be crying over your computers in one minute flat). This is one reason why there are so many abandoned animals in shelters. I know, I know. At least they turned him in to a place where there is a good chance he’ll find a great forever home – instead of dropping him out of the car somewhere. For that I am so thankful.

Counterpoint to the above story. Two weeks ago while I was photographing the cats, I looked out the window and almost dropped my camera. One of the volunteers was walking a pure-bred Bernese Mountain Dog out to the free-run pen – a dog just like Jason’s Beyla. When I finished with the kitties I tracked down the dog and his story. I didn’t photograph him either because this gorgeous dog was at least 30 lbs. underweight and had ears so infected you could see he was in a lot of pain. He was so malnourished he needed to gain at least 10 lbs before he could be neutered. Beautiful head and conformation. He came in one day and was adopted the next. A lady was on a list for the first Bernese to come into the shelter and wanted the dog for her four-year-old special needs child. She was told all about his health issues and the health issues Bernese are prone to have as they age. She said, “If he has two months, two years, or ten years, you can rest assured they will be the happiest and healthiest of his life.” Music to a shelter worker’s ears! He went home with her, is doing great with her child, is getting fattened up for his surgery, and is being regularly administered meds for his ears. This boy will have a very good life from this point on.

MACKINAC ISLAND

A spring snowstorm hit the island yesterday, bringing icy conditions. A little later temps began to rise slightly, and the Mackinac Bridge closed temporarily because of the danger of falling ice. The Coast Guard is cutting through the ice in the shipping lanes today – a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. Yeah!!!!

St. Patrick's evening on Mackinac! RobertMcGreevy captured the Aurora Borealis that turned the sky into a Technicolor screen

St. Patrick’s evening on Mackinac! Robert McGreevy captured the Aurora Borealis turning the sky into a Technicolor screen of beauty.

Bob Frei captured this one the next evening. He was in Mackinaw City, shooting across the Straits to the island.

What a light show! This one’s from Lana Trayser, showing the Northern Lights behind the Mackinac Bridge! Awesome pics!

Molly McGreevy Update: “I’m feeling better. Still very sore, but moving around better and better. I get a medi port surgery for chemo soon and probably start chemo the third week in April. Continued thanks for everyone’s prayers. Please don’t stop!”

Molly’s dog, Mieke – showing off for Molly on her first venture outside after getting back to the island.

Silver Birches Update: Liz Ware continues to make progress on her project of love – the restoration and renovation of Silver Birches. She tells the story much better than I do, so I’ll use Liz’s words in the captions beneath the photographs below.

“Demolition of the top two floors of the lodge at Silver Birches began this week after tentative approval of the Mackinac Island Planning Commission at its March 10 meeting and receipt of related local permits. Historic preservation specialists, ERA Architects, Inc., were commissioned in late 2014 to create a Historic Preservation and Strategy Report for the Lodge at Silver Birches. This report provided background on the condition of the lodge and identified options for creating the long-term sustainability of the building while retaining its historical integrity. The forty-five page document was delivered to the Planning Commission for review in February 2015. This report also serves as a baseline for the Historic Preservation Easement agreement that we hope the City will approve at its meeting on March 31. The agreement will ensure the preservation of the historic features of Silver Birches’ original buildings for generations to come.”

“The report was commissioned as a part of the due diligence being undertaken to rehabilitate the lodge in accordance with both The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, and the Michigan Building Code. It identified three options for rehabilitation with the full removal and reconstruction of the second and third floors to match the original being the preferred method. It was considered to be the most feasible for providing greater structural integrity and support for the continued use of the Lodge as a hotel. With some alterations to strengthening the building, this option will rehabilitate the building and restore its ground floor interior and exterior historic character. A new foundation and the ground floor rehabilitation occurred in 2014.”

“Both the city building inspector and the city architect, Dennis Dombroski and Richard Neumann, respectively, had an opportunity to review and comment on this report in advance of its publication. Additionally, Mr. Neumann was commissioned by Silver Birches Mackinac, LLC to undertake a formal Architectural Review of the plans to rebuild the second and third floors to assist the Planning Commission. MP Gamble Construction is the general contractor and Plutchak Crane Rental and Fabrication is assisting in both the demotion and rebuilding of the 2 stories.”

“On a personal note, seeing the roof come off the lodge was bittersweet. However, my family is resolute in rehabilitating this iconic (and beloved) property in a manner that will allow it to be enjoyed for generations to come. We understand the curiosity surrounding this part of the entire rehabilitation of Silver Birches. Our thanks to those who have sent aerial photos and our team on-site taking photos. Construction cameras will also capture the progress and will be shared on Facebook. Silver Birches is a construction site. We ask adherence to the posted No Trespassing signs to ensure safety for all. As always, should you have any questions, I can be reached on Facebook, email lizware1@gmail.com, or by phone 703.627.8315.”

I can hardly wait to take a ride around the island this summer for a glimpse of all this up close and personal!

I’ll close with a little sound-only video posted by Robert McGreevy. You’ve seen tons of photos showing what the Straits of Mackinac LOOK like when they’ve frozen over. This video lets you listen in on the SOUNDS all that ice makes! This is SO cool! https://soundcloud.com/mac801/ice-sounds-02-21-2015?fb_action_ids=10205976331477667&fb_action_types=og.shares

I think that takes us right up through today on all the news. See you back here on Sunday, good Lord willing!

Oh, by the way, I’ve MISSED Y’ALL!

I’m Back . . . Sort Of! 3/24/15

Posted on March 24, 2015 by bree1972

Hi Friends!

Just a note to let you know I picked up my laptop late this afternoon, and I’ll be back Thursday evening with what’s been happening with the Horton clan while my computer’s been in the hospital. I figure it’ll take that long to figure out where the computer doc put all my files (he wiped it clean and reloaded everything). I seem to be missing a few things, but I’m hoping they’re just hidden somewhere I haven’t looked!

See you back here on Thursday, good Lord willing, with news from Florida and Mackinac Island!

Sunset through a palm leaf.

Daddy’s little girl.

Laptop Crashed! Yikes!

Posted on March 15, 2015 by bree1972

Hello everyone! This is Lana from Never Enough Thyme with a message from Brenda. Her laptop has crashed! So she’s being forced to take a little break from To Be Clay. She says that she’ll be back either when she finds someone to fix it or breaks down and buys a new one. It could be at least a week. I’ll let you all know if I hear anything else from her.

In the meantime, I hope you’re having weather as gorgeous as we are here in the southeast. 75 and sunny here in north Georgia today. Get out there and enjoy it!

Spring Is A-Coming! 3/12/15

Posted on March 13, 2015 by bree1972

Yeah! I didn’t forget to post tonight – although I think Bear was wishing I would!

Anything resembling Winter has fled the scene down here in Florida, and we are well on our way to Spring. With the time change on Sunday, it’s as though the sleepy little town of Beverly Beach has awakened from its winter nap and is now coming alive. For the last couple of mornings we’ve watched a Pelican nose-dive into the water of our inlet just a few feet from the corner of our house, coming up with fish after fish. And when we take the dogs out in the backyard for their last potty break in the evening, we can hear fish jumping and splashing like crazy just off our seawall. Such different sights and sounds from being at the lake.

Speaking of the lake, Ted spent three nights there last weekend while he was in Georgia on business. He stayed with Ed and Sally Feagin and had a great time seeing all our friends and catching up on what everyone is up to!

He was up early enough one morning to capture a beautiful sunrise over the ri'vah. Sure miss seeing that every morning, but down here we get to watch the sun set every day. I guess it's a pretty good trade-off. Sure do miss our friends though.

Ted was up early enough one morning to capture a beautiful sunrise over the ri’vah. Sure miss seeing that every morning, but down here we get to watch the sunset every day. I guess it’s a pretty good trade-off. Sure do miss our friends though.

As the days warm up, we are meeting more and more of our neighbors. We love how Sunset Inlet is conducive to all of us getting to know each other. We walk Bear and Maddie at least once a day right by several of our neighbors’ backyards, and people are beginning to cook out on grills and gather at fences to chat. It reminds me a little bit of Mackinac in that way! Of the 31 lots in Sunset Inlet, there are only 8 lots and 2 spec houses left. What a long way it has come since we were the 2nd (or 3rd) buyers in the subdivision!

WINTER GIVING WAY ON MACKINAC!

Of all the months of the year, March and April are probably the only months I wouldn’t particularly want to be on the island. It’s a time of melting snow, meaning slush and watery puddles. Islanders try to keep their snowmobiles going as long as possible, but soon bikes will be back on the streets, and the snowmobiles will go back in storage (ruling out a late snow storm, of course).

Ice is melting in the Straits, and the Ice Bridge is gone. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

Ice is melting in the Straits. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)

A beautiful scene one evening this week. (Photo: Robert McGreevy)

Hate to even show this. It’s definitely not a pretty street right now, but before we know it, the slush will be gone, the streets will be dry, and flowers will be popping up everywhere! (Photo: Patrick Conlon)

Molly McGreevy Update: Molly is back on the island following her surgery and is slowly beginning the healing process. She has been having a lot of very intense pain, but it lessens a little each day. She somehow managed to get into the little Great Lakes Air plane for the trip from St. Ignace to Mackinac, but she sure was exhausted when she got home. She asked that I thank everyone for prayers lifted and requests that healing prayers be continued. She doesn’t know yet when her chemo sessions will begin. Several readers have asked about Molly’s address. It’s P.O. Box 474, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

Here’s a short, but very neat video about winter on Mackinac – featuring some of my favorite islanders!

youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OX2Zk-vEEM?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360

KITTIES ANYONE?

Here’s the batch of kitties I photographed today. I’m constantly amazed at the beautiful coloring of some of these cats!

Tigger – a 12 year old male. His owner died, and no one in the family wanted him. He is a sweetheart – purred like a tiny little engine the entire time I worked with him.

Jay-Z, a 4-year-old male. We have a LOT of black cats at the moment.

This is beautiful little Sue-Ann, a year-old female who came in with the next kitty, Anna-Bell. I love those two apostrophes over her eye.

Anna-Bell! My guess is she is a littermate of Sue-Ann. She has little black tips on her ears like a lynx. They are both doll-babies!

Terrance. A 3-year-old big boy – but so sweet.

Big Tom. A 7-year old male. His name says it all!

That’s it for tonight! I’m a little more long-winded than my Bear-boy, but lots to talk about tonight! Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Sunday evening, good Lord willing.

God bless.

Catching Up 3/8/15

Posted on March 9, 2015 by bree1972

Is everyone on the right time today? I remembered to set my clock forward THIS MORNING – even after being reminded twelve times by Ted.

You see, Ted is away for a few days, and you should have heard all the instructions before he left. Like – setting the clock forward on Saturday night; emptying the garbage every evening (that was actually one of Blake’s instructions); don’t forget to lock up at night; don’t forget to get the newspaper in every morning; don’t forget to get the mail; don’t forget to let Maddie out around 7:30 because she’ll need to “go” between her walk at 5:00 and her last walk at 10:30. I mean, really. He does realize we live in the same house, right? Like all this is new!? Ok – I’ve vented. Thank you very much.

Ted has a meeting in Macon (Ga.) on Monday, and he’s getting our taxes done in Georgia on Tuesday (hard to break those old habits), so he decided to leave on Saturday and spend a little time with the gang at the ri’vah this weekend. SO WISH I could have gone with him, but there’s another volunteer meeting here at the hospital on Monday (lots of red tape involved in hospital volunteering). Good news! I got just what I wanted – an Emergency Room shift – Thursday from 8 a.m.-12 noon! The bad part is I can’t start training until after an all-day orientation session on March 30. Patience, patience, patience!

In the meantime, I run out to the Flagler Humane Society twice a week with my trusty camera. When I arrived last week the empty room they’ve been letting me use as a “studio” was full of kitties because THEIR room was being painted. So, I decided to try my hand with a few dogs . . . not as easy as I thought it would be. First, I have to glue myself to one of the dog walkers (because we know what happens when I try to walk them myself). But – everyone was very friendly, and after all, it’s all about finding these babies homes.

Gibbs – a 6 year old Hound mix. Such a sweet dog!

Meet Boyze – a 7 year old Shepherd/Chow mix with a touch of arthritis. He deserves to be pampered and loved for many years to come.

Cute little Buster! This little guy has a great personality and is only a year old. He’s a Beagle/Pug Mix (a Puggle)!

Even though Flagler Humane Society is NOT a no-kill shelter, they work very diligently to adopt out their dogs and cats and are certainly in no hurry to euthanize. Last week I was witness to the reunion of a pit bulldog mix with his family – after having escaped from their yard over six months ago. He was such a nice dog the humane society removed a fatty tumor from his side and neutered him during his stay with them – they were determined to find him a nice home. The owners (who did not live in Flagler County) had not checked shelters outside their county, and the dog was not micro-chipped. Then last week – almost as a last effort to locate their dog – they started calling surrounding county shelters. And there he was. The reunion was such a joy to see – one big wiggling body and a tail wagging so hard it was a blur! Yes, I cried.

IT’S BEEN MIGHTY WARM

We’ve had a couple of days in the 80’s – just right for sitting on the deck, sipping a nice glass of wine, and watching the sunset.

The next morning after the above photo, the wind started blowing like crazy, it rained, and never got out of the 50’s. Due to warm up again this week though!

Oh – it’s BIKE WEEK down here. I’ve never seen so many Harleys in my life. They are literally EVERYWHERE! What is Bike week, you may ask. As far as I can figure out, it’s when folks who love motorcycles drive down to Florida from all over the U.S. just to ride up and down the beach highway for hours on end. Great for the economy – bad for your ears! Sounds like an old woman talking, doesn’t it?

UP NORTH

This the front yard of friends Lowell and Faye Greene from Olivet, Michigan (close to Lansing). Lots of snow - then it rained - then the rain froze. Does that look slick to you? It is!

This the front yard of friends Lowell and Faye Greene from Olivet, Michigan (close to Lansing). Lots of snow – then it rained – then the rain froze on top of the snow. Does that look slick to you? It is!

A beautifully layered sunset from Clark Bloswick . . .

. . . followed by Clark’s Thursday morning shot of the moon setting.

Ok – this scares the stew out of me! A shot from one of the Mackinac Bridge towers (by the Michigan Department of Transportation) of the icy Straits of Mackinac AND one very brave soul ambling down the suspension walkway. Oh. My. Goodness.

Update: Molly McGreevy. On Friday afternoon Molly underwent nearly 5 hours of breast cancer surgery. We’ve chatted several times online, and she is so thankful to be over that part of her journey. She has been in quite a lot of pain since the surgery and is hoping that will lessen soon. Now. Imagine having had ANY kind of surgery and then having to go home over 5 miles of ice on a snowmobile – OR try to maneuver yourself into a tiny plane for a flight from the mainland to the island. Either way, it’s not going to be easy, and we all need to add that element to our prayers – getting Molly safely, and as comfortably as possible – back to Mackinac. A huge thank you from Molly for your continued prayers and for the donations that are helping her and Ed through this scary part of their lives together.

I think that’s all for tonight – except to say “thank you” to my trusty companion Bear, who had my back on Thursday night. Believe me, he got extra Milk Bones the next morning!

Love y’all! God bless.

P.S. Blake and I went to the movies this afternoon to see McFarland, U.S.A. with Kevin Costner. If you haven’t seen it, RUSH to the theatre. It’s based on a true story, and it will make you stand up and cheer at the end. Loved it!!