When Chuck organized a private tour of the State Theatre in Kalamazoo, I was thrilled on many different levels. First, I hold fond memories of attending a Billy Bragg concert with Chuck, Martin and Brian in 1988 when we were college students at Western Michigan University. After the concert we […]
Interests
94 posts
As a retired elementary teacher, I fancy anything to do with youngsters’ learning and school operations. Ever since I felt “the pure joy” of witnessing my little sister learn her ABC’s under my direction, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was four […]
I have always visited Mackinac in the summer when Main Street is teeming with horses, carriages, bikes and many, many people. Main Street felt as if we’d found a supernatural museum. The roadway was so peaceful and serene. What’s it like to live on this small island year round? Margaret […]
Where do all the Mackinac Island horses go in the winter? Chuck thought they relaxed by sitting at a bar drinking while wearing derby caps. I adore his imagination. Sometimes I have to roll my eyes, though. We were curious and started our research. After digging deeper, we found several […]
In preparing for our winter escapade to Mackinac Island, I researched the fascinating history of the area. This is the first in a series of articles about the island and the people who have called it home. The Anishnaabek (also known as the Odawa, Ojibway and Potawatomi) tribes inhabited the […]
In October 2020 I took a scenic drive from Cheboygan to Lowell and came upon this exhibit on M-33 between Fairview and Comins, Michigan. I was curious about this display. I safely pulled over and strode up the hill for a closer look-see. I navigated the slope carefully as I […]
Who better to understand mental illness than one who had been seized by authorities and hospitalized five times over a twenty-two year span? Dr. Ferguson led a troubled life of addiction and psychotic breaks. In 1954 he arrived at Traverse City State Hospital, but not as a patient, but rather […]
Noah and I explore the inland waterway in northern Michigan. It has a 3,000 year history and starts in Conway, Michigan to Cheboygan Michigan. We lock through two sets of locks in Alanson and Cheboygan. We pass the world's smallest swinging bridge and complete the 38 mile route just before [...]
I turned onto 8th street and before me was a HUGE Catholic shrine with marble statues. This stunning display is in the small village of Mio, Michigan. (east of Grayling) There are only 1,884 residents, yet there’s this impressive European structure. I slid my car to the side of the […]
Did you know small aircraft pilots pull their planes manually using a bar hooked to the front of the plane just below the propeller? I hadn’t realized this was part of the process until Da Viking, Chuck, had started taking flying lessons in 2019. After Chuck experienced two helicopter crashes […]