SEASONAL FLOW

 

First task upon entering the Lake House (well 2nd as I always have to adjust the house temp) is to stroll out to the dock and take stock of the water.  Well that is the point and attraction of a lake house of course. Late Spring, Summer and early Fall the water is turbid or roiling and the murky bottom is difficult to perceive (actually that is the definition of turbid and roil-no one uses bigly words anymore).  But in the Fall the magic occurs. Left to its own devices and undisturbed by those pesky boats, paddle boards and kayaks the water becomes completely clear. 

We can now clearly see what new rocks have been desposited. How did they get there? I've seen some big fish but come on. Also brightly colored and slowly deteriorating plastic toys casually lost in the previous summer start to appear. You can see the old clear spots where Lady Fish dug out their nesting beds and bred the next generation of baby fry (yes baby fish are called fry which give a whole new meaning to Fridays at the church). Of course there is the usual muck and leaf residue that creates that wonderful squishy bottom necessitating the need to wear swim shoes in our lake. Sandy bottom is not prevalent except at the State Park. Then the duck flotillas take over the water with their adult sized teenagers joining the parade and sometimes roosting right on the docks until they are shooed away. Cleverly disguised (to the ducks) duck blinds appear as the new "watercraft" on the water. Shots ring out on a clear, cool morning; though as two of the "dummies trying the kidnap the Govenor" live in the area, perhaps they are practicing to protect our vote.

The patio furniture is stored; the boats are in storage; the last fires have been lit and the hi-tech heating system gets installed in the crawl space to keep the pipes from freezing (light bulb). All the tasks that herald the coming of winter 2020. Gosh will we all be happy to see this one go into the books. They say only winners write history but I have a feeling that all who have lived through this year will have a piece of history engraved on their hearts. 

Halloween is especially poignant this year with remote candy offerings from a socially distanced provider. Of course there is no costume half as scary as the news. How fitting this holiday falls just before a hotly contested election for the future of our souls. Doesn't get much scarier than that! Hopefully we will take a hint from the calming of the waters and behold a equitable and peaceful election, though so far it has been anything but...

                                                   

RELEASE THE SEED

 

After finally admitting the resident hummingbird (Hummer) was gone for the season I reluctantly took down my feeder. I never time it correctly and have to dump a jar of delicious humming bird sweet red liquid every Fall. Which is also the signal to start purchasing "Bird Food" at our local garden center to sustain the hardy Winter flock. We are philosophically opposed to feeding in the summer as there is plenty of juicy forageable floral available throughout the garden areas. The deer of course feed all year and make no disctinction between flowers, weeds and cultivated items. The battle of the cages allows some of the tomatoes to survive to maturity. 

As with all groceries, seed has gone up $5, so no fancy peanuts in the bag this year boys and girls. Some birds, who shall not be named (bluejays) will dig furiously through what they consider the more inferior components to tease out the peanuts. This is much to the delight of the squirrels and chipmunks as the ground scattering provides them a meal as well. The brilliant metal plate system on the feeder pole has thus far stymied their efforts to attack the feeder directly.

First visitor to discover "Dinner has been Served" was the lovely brown sparrow. Quietly, stealthily it happily enjoys the feeder solo. Being a lowly sparrow he does not feel a need to draw attention by bragging about his discovery. The next visitors are chickadees who are there morning, noon and night. Again not a whole lot of chippy or chirpy advertising going on. Next Madame Cardinal makes an appearance in her drab grayish-brown coat  to nuzzle some ground seed. Finally that big buffoon Bluejay swoops in, tossing everyone off-perch so to speak and running his mouth.  Drat the word is out and the dove flock makes a beeline for a free meal. Their huge bodies intimidate other diners much like a motorcycle gang clears out a bar.

Woodpeckers soon discover suet has been added to the menu and hang precariously upside down to peck out their share. We have actually seen giant (Woody Woodpecker-type) pileated woodpeckers peruse the feeder but their huge bodies make that an impossibility. They actually prefer pecking the 30 foot pine trees for grubs instead but curiosity you know. On one occassion I actually saw a hawk pluck a smaller, unsuspecting diner off the feeder. One has to admire the skill while temporarily mourning the loss of a small guest, but when the feeder opens, it is every creature for him or her self. 

What is the deal with all the robins hanging about? The lawn is covered with them but I assume they will be plying the airways south before too long. Although they turn up their noses at common bird food, they do strip the chokecherries off the trees by the garage, that strangely enough, only come out in the Fall. Almost like there was a plan in place....

Although I don't mind offering some sustenance to the winter population I do think it's tacky that the male cardinal tends to run off the female when he is ready for dinner. Can't we all just get along?

                                                     

PERSON/MAN/WOMAN/CAMERA/TV OVERBOARD

 Another ritual of Fall is the winterizing, shrink-wrapping and storage of Lady Pontoon. She's female because that is the nautical way and she has rather wide hips. She carries no name as that is another  tradition of not naming smaller vessels. However our other same length, yet slimmer, fishing boat is named the SheilaBeast despite the prohibition and actually not being aware that the no-no existed. 

With such a fickle weather pattern, it was not a priority to take the boat out of the water. Finally a stretch of good weather in middle October prompted my call to the Marina. Nope-everyone had the same idea. Had to postpone a week and of course the weather cooperated with blue skies and balmy temps- Not. Tuesday at least it wasn't raining, however temps were chilly and wind was "a'blowing'. Waiting until 1:00 pm for the warmest part of the day (45) we could not wait any longer as clouds were starting to move in. Triple layers and gloves. The OH just went the whole route and wore foul weather gear. 

All the bouys are removed by this date so knowledge of the lake is the only way to keep from a shallow water disaster. Couldn't open up that 90 horse for quite a ways and upon doing so instantly regretted it as it just accelerated the cooling effect. Oddly enough we were the only boat on the lake, though a duck blind built on a scaffold covered with branches was quite an intriguing sight. 

DIGRESS: I have never claimed to be much of a deckhand. In fact for our first cruiser type boat I had shirts made. One was Captain of course, one for the daughter was deckhand and mine simply claimed "Deck Fluff". I wore it proudly being chauffered while basking in the sun.

Since I was not the one driving and parking at the marina dock with a brisk eastward wind pushing, my role was whipping the rope over the deck posts or, after missing that, trying to nab a deck post to bring her around...Massive fail of course. Being an ill-prepared deckhand, I managed to assist in hitting the dock first time around. Back up and try again, this time with the gate open (which would have helped the captain see the dock). Another grab and a miss but close enough for another run and leap to the dock rope in hand. But by only snaring the bow rope and stupidly pulling on it, the pesky wind pushed the boat all the way around sideways. Another method is desperately needed. Fortunately I did not note anyone around to watch this docking debacle. 

Deserting me on the dock (I would have too) the Captain took her out and turned around. Then he scrambled around the outside deck and fastened the ropes together so it could be swung over the deck posts properly (Oh) . I idly watched thinking wouldn't it be funny if he fell overboard and had to swim to shore. Later this idle thought was horribly echoed when the OH said he only realized afterward that he left the boat in gear rather than neutral and if he'd made the plunge it would have been by-by boat. Funny after owning boats for 30+ years one still makes mistakes. As I said before, a competent deckhand would have avoided the drama. How boring.

NO WHINING PLEASE, DARN IT

Usually this time of year there is a strong hypnotic pull to the North to enjoy the crisp Fall air, blue skies, apples and cider stands by the side of the road and WINE!  Lots and lots of wine. 

Not sure how many the Traverse City area now supports but I'm guessing 30 million individual wineries. (Apparently the area is ideal as it is the same latitude as France's wine region and surrounded by Lake Michigan.) Alas my constitution only allows about nine stops before I fall in or out of the car. 

DIGRESS: With my fondness for wine tastings I thought I would try a beer followed by a vodka tasting in a different region. New record of almost falling in the parking lot before 11 am.  Lunch was definitely recommended. I have learned to carry much water and greasy potato chips with which to soak up the excess alcohol.

However this year is different as only 2020 can surprise and delight us. The idea of several stops, in masks, following other people to sip wine in a questionably clean inside venue did not have quite the same appeal this year. Not to mention hotel and restaurant exposures. Also since our annual home wine tasting party has been put on hold, there was no reason to "seek out new wines and explore new civilizations". But I needed a tree color infusion. So we planned a trip to Manistee to visit my sister and imbibe in relative safety. As there was a unique wood furniture store enroute, we planned a stop at a lakeside hotel the night before (loading up with sanitizer and wipes of course). 

I made the unfortunate mistake of reading the reviews after the "imossible to cancel" reservation was made. Loaded up on more sanitizer and wipes. Turned out to be ok, just old and definitely on the lake. We were awakened with 20 mile an hour howling winds and waves crashing over the breakwall. Definitely Fall in Michigan. On the way up we got word that my sister was under the weather (not the dreaded C-19) and we could come basically at our own risk. Well one thing the pandemic has taught me is I have not had a cold or been ill since I started all this social distancing and hand washing. So it was a hard no.

As we were booked into the "impossible to cancel" reservation we forged ahead. The furniture shop definitely lived up to billing with some extradorinarily carved pieces and astonishingly high prices. The artists seemed to have a penchant for moose, bear and Native Americans with one full-size carved young lady sporting nothing but a smile.  Not even an intricate necklace to hide her charms. Chose a more expensive restaurant on the water for dinner, assuming they may have the cleaning thing under control. Did not disappoint with the subtle lighting glinting off the plastic and pexiglass enclosing each properly distanced table. The view of marina docks was less than exhilirating with only one yacht in residence however. The rubber dessert tray is always a hoot, and I had a mad desire to to push on the tray to see if they wiggle like jello.

With 20 mile an hour winds and some rain climbing down the outside steps of the hotel with bags was an adventure but we emerged unscathed and hit the back roads. Interesting note. Upon leaving about 9 a.m. there was no one "personing" the front desk so you were invited to toss your keys into the mail slot. They really don't try that hard off-season.  

There is some debate as to whether the colors are more vivid on a cloudy/rainy day but techinically we had no choice. Another interesting observation was made about the northern and middle interior of Michigan.  The Biden and Trump signs were rather equally distributed.  This is big as I do not remember that many Clinton or, God forbid, Obama signs the last couple times around. Democrats "be scarce" in the more rural areas.

Though as I have stated in an earlier blog, Biden supporters usually sport one sign while Trumpies bellow out their allegience in an entire chorus of lawn artwork.  What is especially humorous is one never really sees that many Trump signs with Pence's name on them. Apparently he cannot even allow his political signs to show anything but his name LOL.  Another interesting note, mask wearing was a  little scarce in the middle of Michigan, even in the college town of Big Rapids. Is it a coincidence that some of the home grown terrorists after the Governor were from the area? Although one was from a town near us and a few near Grand Rapids.

Another small disappointment was not too many roadside stands though if there was one, they usually advertised their appearance after you zoomed by at 60 miles an hour. Finally stopped at a large one near Lansing that apparently everyone, and their kids, decided to patronize at 2:00 pm on a Thursday afternoon.  I assumed they were all on a "home-school" field trip. As a major hater of standing in line, we went up the street to another smaller attraction to get apples and stale cider donuts.  (note:did not know fresh, moist cider donuts could be that hard).

 But I did get to see some gorgeous color so overall I give the trip a solid B.

MASK ENVY

 

 "Pure Michigan" and "Virginia is for Lovers" were considered by a small (considering the population) loosely organized hate group as "enemies of the people". The benign slogans were covering up the evil despots whose only intent was to render their citizens slaves and, basically, not dead.  Rather than go off and live in caves or a deserted island with no internet they tried to impose their distorted view of      free-dumb on the rest of us. They don't call them fringe groups for nothing. However they take up way too much of our lives and attention.

 I have to wonder what would be gained if they had succeeded. As most of us are somewhat more intelligent, we would not have rushed out to restaurants, gyms (which seemed to be the biggie) and the workplace unless we were assured they were safe. Also if they succeeded in disrupting society who would be producing their food, keeping the lights on and whipping up their caramel macchiato? An intelligent being also understands that without cooperation and rules one group will enslave another through violence--creating an endless cycle. Trust me, not being totally naive, I realize we are just half a step in civilization above that reality.

 Most of us are "middle of the roaders" who want to live and let live and if that means wearing a dorky mask to protect our neighbors or practicing "social distancing" for awhile to "slow the spread" so be it. However, kidnapping and overthrow of the government aside, 75% of folks wear masks when they go out in Public. I am somewhat awed by the variety and style of the masks being sported by all the "pretty people" and trendsetters. Though I do see future consternation in the chicken coops when one realizes how much was spent for politically inspired facewear that will fall out of favor November 4.

Some masks feature businesses and bars (freebies); some their ride (Chevy, Ferrari, Harley); unicorns and rainbows; spongebob and sharks, and some the plain old white or blue medical masks praising Blue Cross/Blue Care or Home Depot. Some color coordinate their scarves/gaiters with their outfits 'tres chic'! Some match to their artillery-camo - or their country-flag. Though why wearing clothing and mouth covers depicting the American flag is not considered as disrespectful as kneeling I am not sure. But...live and let live. Reminds me of a certain Senior who demonstrated his love of the flag by wrapping one around his body when it was actually hanging off a flagpole. But as it was the Pres that does not count apparently.

I myself prefer the cheetah look and have a couple in my chosen vernacular. However what I cannot fathom is why my mask covers such a wide area. As I peruse other wearers, their masking technique renders a wide expanse of cheek showing all the way to the ear. My fit, however, rather than being a "face bra" so to speak, is more of a granny pantie in size covering the entire lower face ear to ear. Curses. I am most likely destined to be a different and possible leader in facewear styling.  As with most things just pretend that was the intent all along....

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FLAG ENVY

 

Interesting time, Fall, my favorite season. Driving along and enjoying the slowly increasing colorful signs heralding the beginning of a vibrant season popping up along the side of the road. Each week, then each day the display becoming more insistent as it overwhelms the senses insisting we pay attention to the changes to come. 

Of course, I'm talking about election signs which almost drown out the natural show performed by Mother Nature. Predominately red and blue - when did that become a thing? I know of no red or blue donkeys and elephants. Now flamingos in petulant pink or Madagascar Red Owls in shimmering scarlet or even blue-nosed baboons would be more fitting symbols for many of the candidates running for office. Surely a movement to get behind.

And what is it with size? The biggest one I have seen lately clamors for the re-election of the Drain Commissioner whose particular duties I am not totally familiar with. Toilets or drainage ditches, or something like that I am assuming.  What is especially telling, if one subscribes to the belief of "inflation" to cover lacks in physique, stature, mental capacity or losing, is Trump-a-ly supporters and their giant in-your-face banners and flags covering up the natural glory of Autumn. 

The T flags are predictably overdone though actually mirroring the grotesque actions of the one for whom they grovel. I liken them to the impossibly large codpieces men wore in the middle ages to advertise their manhood or lack thereof.  In these modern times I believe they are wrapping themselves in the ridiculously large "codpiece flags" of pseudo-patriotism.  These fervid announcements of support have nothing to do with love of country which is patriotism; but rather support of one totaltarian wanna-be who soothes their feelings of inferiority with calls for nationalistic hatred of any they deem decent, honorable or compassionate.

The boat and golf cart parades are new this season with some naval disasters occurring due to over-flagging and general ineptness. Senior citizens snarling at opposing forces from slow-moving open-air carts wielding canes may not be the best idea but  it does present some pretty sweet emojis for the rest of us to enjoy. Until the attack on social security and medicare occurred so now the other side is mounting golf cart demonstrations. Note: previous warning on slow, open and feeble weaponry. 

This too shall pass and hey, the trees look real nice right now too.

AGE OF PANDEMIC: CHAPTER 25 "I Don't Care Do You"

 

"That was the week that was. It's over let it go. Oh what a week it was." 

I only wish we could. That was part of the theme song of a program that reiterated the top stories of the week when I was in Junior High (middle school). When times were simpler, major stories did not occur on a daily or even hourly basis that proved to be of such overwhelming interest to all and sundry. Actually in the stepped up 24/7 world of broadcasting the digging for kernals of possibly newsworthy events runs scarce at times. Thus one will be regaled with stories about Mrs. Anderson's cat playing soccer; Mr. Humphrey's potato that looks like Dolly Parton or little Jimmy's urine stream spelling out his name on the playground serving as fodder for the palpating gristmill of those who cannot sleep.

Beginning with the highlight of last weekend, a super fun super spreader event was held with Republican heirarchy paying homage to Trump's latest acquistion. Another conservative (read stick up their arse) candidate for the Court ala Suprema. No hidden agenda the orange one boldly stated his purpose of "loading the court" with conservatives in the eventuality that America decides they have had enough of clown town as a way of running our country and vote him out. After declaring he will not go quietly, the next step was obvious.

 I am sure, if confirmed, the candidate will rule as a strict constitutionalist. Unfortunately it is the constitution of the 1700s that the lady apparently espouses declaring that a woman should always have a man approve any major decisions or purchases. One wonders if she even appreciates how the women who have gone before sacrificed everything to give her the chance to become a lawyer, professor, judge and possible supreme court justice. Also as Mother of seven children (to her credit, two are adopted and one has special needs) we know she practices what she intends to "preach".

Next the debacle that masqueraded as a debate presented viewers with the same horror/eye covering disgust that we reserve for the worst of "B" movies. To say that Biden scored points by not knocking the President on his keister is small comfort. At least we know sputtering tyrants will not faze Joe and incoherence can be addressed with sanity. Speaking of sputtering, a new weapon was deployed by the Pres, who shortly thereafter tested positive for Covid-19, as apparently his arsenal for addressing the Nation's crisis' contained nothing of note. Hence he attempted to "solidify" his performance by trying to infect the opponent. A tactic copied by his entire entourage and family attending the "sh---show" who disdained the wearing of masks or testing before the event.

As usual the ploy backfired as the President, First Lady and various members of their entourage, staff and high-ranking lap dogs/Senators have since tested positive. After being admitted to Walter Reed with possibly serious symptoms, and lying about it, the Pres was bombarded with every medical therapy both accepted and experimental for Covid. But he's feeling fine and working away (though signing a blank piece of paper with a Sharpie is not terribly onerous...). Despite leaving infected people reeling like bowling pins in his wake he had the brilliant idea of leaving isolation and cruising through downtown in a hermetically sealed limo filled with captive secret service personnel (excuse me volunteers) wearing a little fabric mask.

After months of down-playing the pandemic, mocking and ridiculing those who follow the very guidelines set by this Administration the arrogance is mind-boggling. Our reality is children and adults schooling and working from home; important, meaningful events postponed or cancelled; women in isolation giving birth; loved ones extremely ill and dying alone; over 200,000 Americans dead in seven months. The President addresses our ongoing agony by taking a victory lap to wave to the crowd who still grovel at his feet. If that is the ones he appeals to, then open the windows and toss them a germ.