This and That 9/15/2013

Things have been pretty quiet around here since the big events surrounding Patriots Day. Tomorrow I’ll spend a few hours in the same building as Lady Liberty, as I volunteer at the Stuart House.  I never went inside the other evening after they placed her in her temporary home, and Monday I’ll have plenty of time to take a few more close-up photos.  We’re all hoping the funds for the construction of the statue’s new pedestal will come in quickly,  If they do, I’m sure she’ll be standing outside at the marina, welcoming the first visitors of the 2014 season!

Ted and I were invited to go over to Round Island Lighthouse on Friday night.  A group of State Park employees were planning an evening exploring the small island and maybe roasting a few hot dogs and marshmallows over a bonfire.  When we found out the trip would involve climbing out of the boat into waist-deep very cold water, wading to shore, AND that the temps were dropping into the low 50’s that afternoon, we sadly declined the invitation.  We were both bummed out because that’s a trip we’ve been trying to make for several years.  I have to admit we smiled when we heard later even the YOUNG people had cancelled for those same reasons – made us feel a little less wimpy :).

BLOG READERS

Last week was so busy I didn’t have a moment to tell you about all the blog readers who were on the island last Monday and dropped in at the Stuart House to say “hi”.

What a fun group! These two couples, Ron & Susan Jennings and Jim & Marcia Shrauger (all from Kalamazoo, MI) popped in, claiming they had “stalked” me last year, but didn’t come in to say hi during their visit.  So glad they did this year!  I saw them several more times during the week, and each time they looked like they were having the best time ever!  Now here’s a group that GETS Mackinac!

Monica and her husband Rick (who was shy about being in the photo) came by right after I opened the doors. They were here from near Lansing, MI. Such a nice couple!

A group of cousins – well, except for one.  Jill (Mt. Pleasant, MI), Jan (Sunfield, MI) and Gwen (Ionia, MI) are all cousins of Bonnie Foltz ( I forget where Bonnie was that day).  The sweet lady in coral is Yvonne from Sigourney, Iowa.   All of these ladies visit Mackinac Island quite often – needing their “fix” at least once a year!

How blessed I am to have gotten to meet all these wonderful women through Bree’s Blog.  Thank you, thank you for taking time out of your vacation to stop in and say hello!

BLOG MENTION

A few days ago Joan Barch sent an email asking if I’d received my copy of Michigan Country Lines, a magazine sponsored by our electric company, Cloverland Electric Cooperative.  “I’ve got it,” I said, “But I haven’t read it.”

“Well, open it up!” said Joan.  “Your blog is mentioned in one of the articles!”

I grabbed the magazine off the counter and started flipping pages . . .

. . . and there it was – a nice article written by Mike Buda, editor emeritus of Country Lines, entitled Our Islands. Mike highlights the two Michigan islands where motorized vehicles aren’t allowed  – Isle Royale and Mackinac. And at the end of the article . . .

Just ask me was I thrilled . . . Why, yes, I was – thanks so much for asking!  I immediately wrote Mike a thank-you email.

ONE MORE BLOG READER STORY

You remember Jane Winston – my friend from Georgia who also has a family cottage here on the Island.  She was in some of the blog posts this summer around the 4th of July.  Anyway, she’s back home in Georgia now, and she called yesterday afternoon.  Here’s the jist of what she said:

“So I’m in this store in Warner Robins (GA), looking for a bicycle like the one I have on Mackinac.  I’m telling the clerk that I live in Michigan some during the summer, and from somewhere in the back of the store this man’s voice yells, “You aren’t talking about Mackinac Island, are you?”

“Yes, I am!” I yell back (we do that in Georgia – just yell back and forth from one end of a store to another).

“Out from the back of the store comes this man who tells me all about how he and his family usually go to the island every year either in May or September.  And I say, “I have a friend from Georgia who also lives there in the summer . . . . Brenda 

“No!” the man says.  “You know Bree!”

Turns out this man, Tony Howd and wife Alison, are huge blog fans.

That name rang a bell with me, and after Jane and I finished talking about what a small world it is, I typed Tony’s name into a search engine on my blog . . . and there he was.  He and I had commented back and forth several times this spring about our upcoming trip to the Island, and he had asked if we’d take stowaways – Tony, Alison and two “really cute kids”.  LOVE IT!

Yep it’s a small world.  Hi Tony and Alison and cute kids!!  Hope it’s ok I told this story today!

SOME THOUGHTS ON TIME

It seems I’ve had too much free time on my hands for the last few days, and when that happens lately, I find myself thinking too much.  My “free time thoughts” this week have centered on our decision this spring to sell our homes in Michigan and Georgia and start a new adventure in Florida.

To be honest, I truly thought the condo would sell quickly.  It’s among the least expensive offerings on the island.  But what we’ve come to realize is, even though the housing market is coming back, it’s mostly primary residences folks are seeking – not second homes – at least not quite yet.  I know it only takes the “right one” to walk into the Mackinac Realty office, and everything could change in a flash.  But I see little chance that is going to happen before we leave this year.

Our minister, Dr. Vince Carroll, says “You have to be willing to throw your dreams – however wild and crazy they are –  out there into the universe and see what happens.  Maybe God will laugh and say “No way!”  Maybe He’ll laugh and say, “Ok, I really like that idea.  Let’s do it!”  And maybe He will say, “None of that is good.  I have such a better plan for you.  But you’ll have to watch and wait.”

And when you think about it like that, it could be the plan you know nothing about – the plan you didn’t plan at all – may turn out to be the best adventure yet.  And that makes me smile.

A FEW PHOTOS 

Downtown Mackinac Island on a quiet post-Labor Day evening.

 

View from downtown this evening. (Photo: Denise Beaudoin)

Maddie: “Just trying to help the big guys out while they’re on break.”

Our beautiful Little Stone Church.

British Landing flowers.

I’ll see you back here in a few day.  Have a great week.  God bless.