Catching Up with My Old Roots

 Back home again, yet it's another one of those trips you wish could go on even longer. Just a few photos for now.

Michigan, where I was born and raised. 

"I want to live in a land of lakes 

where the great waves break

and the night runs into the day."

There truly is something that happens to you when you return to your old home towns.

Below is a distant shot of Round Island Lighthouse.

It never takes longer than a few minutes together and going down memory lane to bring all those gaps flowing together and you can feel that fire you've carried all along inside your heart which keeps burning.

My oldest son, and my two nieces born and raised in Michigan, now living in other states too!

I'm betting you can imagine where these chairs were made?

What they call the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is shaped like a mitten.

One must board a boat to arrive at the car-free island of Mackinac.

Bring your own bike or rent one, but if you want to go horseback riding book it in advance. 

"In youth we learn; in age we understand."

My grand-daughter, Karina!

Outside the Mackinac Island library.

"The isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and harm not."

Shakespeare's the Tempest

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

So happy we were told about the Secret Garden located on the grounds of the Grand Hotel.

Tulip garden at the Grand Hotel.

Just a couple shots from with the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Somewhere in time down a long hallway you'll arrive for dinner, private cozy rooms or grand scale seating, either way it's an elegance you'll never forget.

Driving on car free Mackinac Island is the best, but watch where you step!

Horses galore. 

"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are going"

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Other things, may change us, but we start and end with the family.

Anthony Brandt

Thanks for stopping your visits are very important to me.

Take good care of you.

Vacationing Away

From Jury duty to Internet issues which seem corrected presently, it's time to shut off the computer and begin my first vacation of this year, now underway! Pictures to follow next week! Even the word vacationing sets such a glorious feeling and on the plus side my employer has dropped our mask requirement, although I'm still wearing mine, always in public for now.

Here are a few photos from a day out exploring all that we could.

The day began in Northfield.

At my favorite Art Guild.

I Know I'm Home When

The students in this project took the entire year (2019 COVID19)

to put together their heart and soul and all their highs and lows of thoughts.

Being positive isn't pretending that everything is good,

It's seeing the good in everything.

In matters of healing the body or the mind, vacation is a true genius. Mehmet Murat ildan

Doesn't matter if it's a day away or a week. Just get away, see things.

I like to call these jaunts with our day away vacations, always changing up the towns we see.

You don't need magic to disappear

all you need is a destination!

In the first place you can't see anything from a car. 

Ed Abbey

Or can you?

How about a train? Or boat?

A break from everything is much needed every once in a while.

We travel not to escape life 

But for life not to escape us.

Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.

Thanks for stopping in

and stay safe and take good care of you.

Critters and Mothers

A special Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers here, especially all the Critter Mothers. Posting to SATURDAY'S CRITTERS and City Daily Photo.

Let the Critters play!

Bugs being Bugs!

"Extraordinary things are always hiding in places people never think to look."

Jodi Picoult

Look! Flowers.

"Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it." Jodi Picoult

That certain look when you pick them up from the groomer!

Our pets have facial expressions too. You've just got to see them.

"You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not." Jodi Picoult

"Love is not a because, it's a no matter what."

"He was sunshine most always, I mean he made it seem like good weather."

Mark Twain

Be someone's sunshine!

Today, tomorrow, and forever.

What you give comes back.

Every life has a soundtrack, 

keep on keeping yours alive.

Thanks for sharing time with me

Take good care of you and be safe.

A sign of love!

Proximity and Soon Normalcy

My post for City Daily Photo today speaks to our theme this month of Earth and relief for normalcy! Yes, we're getting a bit closer here in Minnesota to letting go of some restrictions according to our Governor Tim Walz which he'll be announcing very soon. 

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.

Rabindranath Tagore

This old Minneapolis Fire Station closed years ago to house a restaurant and other offices and finally has opened it's doors for serving again!

We're still mandated to wear masks and some places still aren't offering inside service, but that may very well change soon! 

With the warmer weather more outside cafes and coffee shops are prospering!

Yes! Love these signs! Progress.

We still need to practice social distancing and wear our masks for now, and with everyone getting their vaccinations that will close the gap! 

"Even city people have ancestors who had their hands in the dirt."

Carlene Carter

As for my Earth mention, what is Emme looking at?

Don't limit your child to their own learning, 

for she was born in another time.

Rabindranath Tagore

Doesn't it feel really good to have nature surround you? 

Up close and personal, play in dirt, life is growth. It's a world full of dirt and rocks, so why not make something with it all?

Here's a thought, 

You can't cross the sea by merely standing and staring at the water.

Rabindranath Tagore

Makes sense doesn't it?

Thanks for stopping in

and take good care of you.

Earth Care

 City Daily Photo theme for May is Earth! 

Flower will not grow if, the stem doesn't allow. 

Nayreil

Working with plants will teach you 

all other social commitments in a soothing way.

Karthikeyan V

A passionate look, touch or a hug on a plant is enough to open your inner eyes than going for a serious yoga and other therapies. Karthikeyan V 

As you'll notice I happened to be out and about in Hastings, gathering all the earth shots I could for City Daily Photo! 

Mostly, we've learned we have much to learn.

I am not a teacher, but an awakener.

Robert Frost

 One day is not enough to watch a tree, one life is not enough to love a tree.

Karthikeyan V

"Ancora Imparo"

Yet, I am learning. 

Michaelangelo

The best way out, is always through.

Robert Frost

As we wander through our days, we hope to uncover more about ourselves.

If by chance you happen upon something, anything that's quirky, stop!

Camera ready. Shoot.

I'm not confused. I'm just well mixed.

Robert Frost

One important thing about earth is what we consume. 

"The act of putting in your mouth what the earth has grown is perhaps your most direct interaction with the earth." Frances Moore Lapp

Here's a treat from my daughter's garden!

So,

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. Michael Pollan

and enjoy your Earth moments every single day and thanks for stopping in.

Take good care of you.