Life: Through the Lens

Snow Days! Oh my, how I do love snow days.  It is obviously a throw-back from my years teaching, as there is no "reason" to celebrate the day.  It is cold.  You can't get out because of snow and ice.  Meetings are cancelled or postponed.  But I think that's what makes it special for those of us with lots of hobbies and activities.  The first question seems to be "What should I do today?"  And there are lots of choices!    You can obviously shovel a path for the dog...because she couldn't possibly do her "business" when the snow is so deep and cold! (Have you read the book by Judy King titled The Bent-Handled Snow Shovel?  Humorous memoir...fun read!) https://www.amazon.com/Bent-Handled-Snowshovel-Judy-King/dp/1939502470/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RDYVJTRULV5I&keywords=the+bent+handled+snow+shovel+book&qid=1705353689&sprefix=the+bent+handled+snow+shovel+book%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1 Or, you could stay in doors and watch the wildlife loo...

The Mad Hatter Bistro, on Old Woodward Ave. Jumping down the rabbit hole and appearing at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, in the town of your childhood, is an incredibly surreal experience. I traveled to Birmingham with a friend today, to have a real "tea party" at the Mad Hatter's Bistro.  We had seen it advertised on Facebook and it seemed like just the ticket to escape the doldrums of a mid-Michigan winter.  Birmingham is also the city I grew up in, yet it was nothing like the town I remembered.   The Birmingham Theatre, where I first saw the opening of Romeo & Juliet in October 1968! That's not all bad.  It was a bustling environment, with lots to see and do.  We worked hard to find a parking spot, went in and out of shops, had our tea party, and scouted the old neighborhood.  What a treat this adventure was. The house where I grew up - with the addition of a bay window which we used to talk about putting in, but never did. But wait...

As the latest snow blows in, and ice pellets hit the window, I am only home 3 days from a lovely break in Texas.  85 degrees and sunshine was such a welcome relief from this Michigan winter.  Even though it has not been as difficult a winter as we have had the last few years, we are still very weary of it. The week spent with family was so important for all of us.  With everyone living so far away, we only get together maybe once a year.  Though we have Skype and cell phones, Facebook and Blogger, it is not the same as time spent talking face-to-face, and having the ability to hug and touch each other.  Re-newing the close bonds of family is MUCH better when you can interact in person. There were many memories rehashed, and new memories made, while basking in smiles and touches and warmth and sunshine.  We really need to do this more often! First we started in the Austin area, at my daughter's, and explored the city as well as spending t...

Winter in Michigan has actually not been too bad so far, which is a blessing.   When we turned the calendar from January to February, though, things got a bit exciting. Daryl ended up having some out-patient surgery that turned out well, but has laid him up for a few weeks.  Well, he is SUPPOSED to be laid up but as he feels better he seems to think he can return to normal activity.  Then he gets out of sorts when he finds he is not up to par, and what is a person supposed to do when the weather is still slushy, icy, cold, etc? You plan a diversion.  We hosted the Winter Birthday Bash, an annual event, but this year a bit earlier than usual.  There are 6 in the family with birthdays in January - March and we try to get everyone together to celebrate.  Of course, with everyone's busy lives, it is nearly impossible to get everyone here.  But we managed a nice gathering last night and it cheered everyone up. 4 of the 6 Winter Birthday celebr...