Cultural and the UP, those are two words I thought would never be used in the same sentence.

We barely have snow, but it's freezing rain right now, great, I have to go out tonight

I'm sure GC would crown me. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

SS - you're asking for it.

BFE - also happens to be in Michigan, well the UP if that counts <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I must be on the wrong thread cuz you people have lost me! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

J, I didn't know you were a flybaby!

The laundry thing is for those who have something known as Mt. Washmore. (Big piles o' laundry.) If you run through the steps backward, you avoid that problem because you always clear the next-available-space before you go to the prior step. It's like how you empty the dishwasher before you fill it again. People get lost when they're doing many loads of laundry sometimes, so you have ot make sure that all the bottlenecks get cleared every time.

If you do industrial process design, this makes intuitive sense to you. If you don't, it may seem mighty strange the first time you think it through.

SS, if you're gonna eat cookies and milk, it's going to be a lonnnnnnnng weekend.

Yup, I'm a flybaby. Don't really need it so much anymore -- mostly needed it when I was going from being one of two cooperative adults in a small townhouse to the only person doing any housework in a bigger three bedroom house that had three (and then very quickly two) other adults and an infant in it. It was exhausting and I'm glad I found her.

I do wish I could claim to be done with my Christmas shopping, though. End of November seems like a -really- good time to finish that up.

I've been to Marquette. All in all, I prefer Naubinway. (Not really. I came down with mononucleosis while stormed in at the Naubinway boat docks with a south wind pushing all of Lake Michigan into the harbor. Not a good memory.)

Jelly! My heavens. Consider yourself crowned.

I have fire, I have graham crackers. I have marshmallows. I have chocolate. I have a WINE PARTY to go to in a bit, but before I take off, does anyone have any suggestions for what I ought to do with these things from my pantry?

And of course there's also beer.

GC

If you don't have a fire, gray, the microwave will make you s'mores just as well. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I won't be eating Cookies and milk. I'll be gone with some friends on a short trip on Saturday.

Thanks for the tips J. Shared them with W, and the twins. They think it's helpful - as do I.

Fire is starting to feel good here too Gray, I had to wear a jacket to run errands tonight. It might even freeze soon.

See ya later.

SS

Oh yes J, I think I remember you talking about your stay in Naubinway...the crashing waves, etc.

I am partial to Lake Superior and I love the beauty of Copper Country, the Houghton Lake area.

If any one ever gets the chance to come to the UP, definately go to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. It is an incredible visit.

I have an acquaintance who dived with the crew when Jacques Cousteau (sp) went down to film the Fitzgerald, and he was instrumental in starting this tribute/museum.

Also of course Taquamenon Falls is well worth the visit.

And the bird migration at the bird observatory up there is something I plan on getting to this spring.

I don't know how to do a link so have copied some info on the great bird migration.

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory

Whitefish Point, MI
1-906-492-3596

Whitefish Point is 12 miles north of Paradise, Michigan, in the far eastern Upper Peninsula. The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is 72 miles north of St. Ignace on Highway M-123 and 55 miles northeast of Newberry, MI on M-123.

The spring bird migration is starting. The "early birds" are returning from the south and going north. The flyway starts at Whitefish Point where tens of thousands of birds cross to Canada. The migration lasts for about 2 months, from March till the middle or end of May. In late fall, they will return to the south.

The eagles come first, in mid-march, followed by the other species of large hawks, such as the red tailed, and rough legged hawks. The smaller sharp-shinned hawks follow in mid to late April. Then come the falcons and finally, the broad winged hawks in late May. Between mid April and the end of May, waterfowl fly low over the lake to avoid the raptors. In the midst of all this come the songbirds.

April through Mid May is also peak time for the owl migration. 10 species of owls either breed or spend winters inraptors migrating Michigan. The boreal, snowy, great gray and northern hawk-owl winter in the Upper Peninsula, then return north for the summer. The northern saw-whet, great-horned, barred, log-eared and short-eared owls have also been banded at Whitefish Point.

In 1997, from April 15 to May 31, waterfowl biologists counted 42,260 waterfowl of 64 species.

As the birds come to the flyway over Lake Superior, many stop for a time in the Whitefish Point area to feed and rest.

Whitefish Point is a migration focal point and home of the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. Last land going north, first land coming south, it sees everything going by, and that makes it famous for birds and shipwrecks.

The visitor center is located across from the Whitefish Point Lighthouse and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Information is available on the paths around the Point and local bird lists are maintained. Although the natural features of the point bring many birds, the area is especially known for its raptors and water birds. Birders from all over migrate here in the spring and fall, when the hawks, eagles, goshawks, falcons and owls prepare for or recover from their journey across Superior to the great mouse-hunting areas of the North and South.

The Observatory offers scheduled programs and extended hours in the spring during migration. The raptor migration is phenomenal in the spring, and excellent water bird flights can be seen both spring and fall. Whitefish Point is also a spring and fall hot-spot for warblers, sparrows, and other songbirds.

Bird enthusiasts from all over the nation and other countries visit the Point to witness the spectacular migration to and from the northern breeding grounds. An elaborate series of wooden walkways has been constructed to allow the visitor a chance to venture into the sanctuary area and observe wildlife.

bird migrations to canada

On migration weekends, visitors can listen to short presentations or enjoy supervised activities "in the field," such as bird identification walks or observing the capture of live birds for banding purposes. (Programs are offered on weekdays on a limited basis.) The Visitor Center and gift shop is open 10 am to 4 pm six days a week (closed Wednesday), April 15 through October 15. For more information, call 1-906-492-3596.

The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory documents the distribution and abundance of bird migration, and is operated by the Michigan Audubon Society.

Oh I am so jealous of the beautiful places you all speak of. I never get any where these days. I am still threatening to move in next to our lovely queen Jelly though. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

SS, enjoy your day while I grocery shop for turkey day and for the pre turkey day meal I promised DD. I am without son's caregiver until early December so I will be extra busy. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Weaver, you'll appreciate this... I just taught DD how to shave her legs. My baby!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh do I ever Faith. I love this age my DD is at now, just love it! I bought her the razors and shaving creme about a month ago, of course I can't "show" her anything..she already knows it all!

PS, if you do move by queen jelly bee, you will be very close to me too.

LOL, I forgot your DD is going on 40! My DD wants me to help the first two times and then she will be on her own. The first time was tough as there was all that first soft growth. Oh Weaver I would love to live near such good girlfriends! My stbx would never let me take the kids out of state though. Maybe we need to schedule a meet up and I will fly out to see both of ya. Maybe get Kimmy to come along and SLH. A whole weekend in a hotel or sumthin'.

My mom, when I asked to learn to shave, ranted at me about how I was too young. For ... about an hour.

I quietly went upstairs and used HER razor to figure out how to do it and never asked her another question about female stuff again.

The same thing had already happened with bras and makeup and getting my ears pierced. I was in trouble for three days after I finally got my ears done -- when I was 18 and in college.

No wonder I never really developed the girl parts of me. I was, apparently, not SUPPOSED to like being a girl. Must remember not to do that to my daughter when she's that age -- or any age.

SS, there's more FlyLady tips at www.flylady.net. It's full of hilarious bits and very smart bits and lots of rants about how we have to take care of ourselves.

Weaver, I suspect that everyone who lives on the Great Lakes understands when I say that the Edmund Fitzgerald song by Gordon Lightfoot makes all the hair on my body stand straight up. If you've been on any of the Lakes in a storm, you know how incredibly dangerous they can be. And when you think of 30 foot waves and 90 mph winds on a Lake like that, it's enough to make you shudder and thank God you're on solid ground.

Naubinway was bad, but at least we were docked -- as we were the three days we spent stormed in on Rock Island, which is off the tip of Door County. The bad night was off of Rawley Point. Never get yourself into a situation where you're in 15 foot waves and only 30 feet of water. Just don't do it.

J, I was lucky that I had two older sisters to help me. My sister showed me how to shave, got me my first bra and got my ears pierced and they were both there for me when I needed. My mom never told me any girl stuff or sex stuff. I noticed my DD's legs were getting a bit hairy and asked if she would like to shave. I also took her for her bras. I love having a girl around.

My mom was the same way. Even to the point of not wanting us to ever be submissive to men (in marriage). I don't know what it was about the moms of that generation...probably had to do with the womens movement. The women in my family were very, very strong stock.

Speaking of the power of the great lakes, I had to drive home from the western UP last weekend after meeting up with DW, and drove down US2 along Lake Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge to get my DD from where she was staying and I had to battle 60/75 mile an hours winds. (NO LIE) It was the scariest drive of my life, and a huge struggle the entire trip just to keep my little Blazer S10 on the road. I had panic attacks the entire trip...there was literally sand dunes blown across the road and massive trees down everywhere uprooted by the roots.

The Mackinac Bridge was closed of course (more than one vehicle has gone off the side of that bridge to death), and I was so scared I literally could not make myself pull off to the side and wait it out. It was white knuckle, practically tearful all the way.

Anyway, saw a few ships anchored out in the lake and it gave me goosebumps too.

It was just a few days after the twenty year anniversary of the sinking of the Fitzgerald. A night I remember well, as the roof blew off our house, and two barns out back caught fire.

The lakes are nothing to take lightly in a storm, that is for sure. If you ever get a chance, read about some of the women who lived in the lighthouses in the old days, and their struggle just to survive the winters.

Weaver, my mom was a CA pure and simple. If she didn't mention it, it would go away. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> It had nothing to do with the women's movement or her wanting me to be strong!

While you all were in girlville...

Today the band planned to do some recording. I don't have a good amplifier right now. My main one (an okay but not great amp) has been in the shop for six months, waiting on a part. And this morning, on the way to record, not looking forward to using my crummy little backup, I dropped by the guitar store.

I walked in, looked around, and there she was. This pretty blonde amp.

See, there are these little companies around, sometimes one-man operations, that build handmade tube amplifiers. Hand wired circuitry, speakers with AlNiCo magnets - obsolete technology that's superior to any modern substitute.

These "boutique" amps are pretty, they sound good, and they cost a lot. They are the trophy wives of rock gear. If you can afford one, you're probably not a serious musician. Serious musicians are always BROKE.

So there sat the blonde with her tweed grill, fluttering her lashes, and I thought, hm.

Asked the guy at the counter do they let people take amplifiers out for demos. No, he said, but I could rent this one. I'd have to put the full purchase on a card, and then I could either bring it back and get all but $15 refunded, or not bring it back.

The amp costs four times as much as anything I've ever bought for music.

I did the rental, loaded her up, and headed to the recording site. Before I could have any fun, I had to take my guitar apart and clean up the pots (the volume and tone controls). They were real scratchy, and I wouldn't be able to use them on a recording that way.

That finished, I put my guitar back together and plugged it in to the blonde.

Oh, daddy. This thing is too much.

I can't see letting this amp out of my hands.

Call it a gift to myself.

Crazy. But I'm keeping her.

gc

gc:

Cool.

A friend down the street from me is a luthier. I told him I used 2 be religious, but not these days...

He makes and rebuilds guitars. I didn't know there was a such thing as 1200 grit sandpaper until I saw his basement shop.

-ol' 2long

There are days when I wander away from the campfire and into the forest. Inevitably, I wish I never had. Today is one of those days. Sigh. Who's got the marshmallows? I could use that and some hot chocolate.

Ditto that!

There are days (and this is one of them) when I wish we didn't have to use words to communicate...when we could communicate on a higher level where our hearts/dreams/thoughts come through in utter, perfect clarity...and could not be misunderstood to the point where we feel frustrated and sad. I was born too soon...I came too early. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Anyway here is a very pretty little piece I read last night from Marianne Williamson's "Enchanted Love" (a beautiful book about love I highly recommend.

"If you will hold my hand, then I will hold my breath and cast my fate in the direction of my heart. I will put on hold my lesser dreams and reach for what is truly mine.

Say you will, and I will buy my ticket for this ride. It will not be cheap, nor always smooth. But I don't care. I don't care. I have finally come to that..."

As I adjust my crown and take a bite of my smore.....

I think nothing goes better with smores than BEER!!!!!!!!!!!

Musicians are so passionate, it's a beautiful thing, I could so be a groupie. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Weaver, your description of the UP is very misleading. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Cept the part about the winds being very scary.

FF - OMG don't tease me, YOU GIRLS should so come, Weaver and I can get us all hooked up, we will of course have to do it down here, the UP doesn't have Motels yet. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I'm not above kicking my family out for a weekend, we could do it here, then Faith, you can check out the area. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just J, anything across the bridge is beautiful, just dreadfully boring. YAWN