right on target!

coming back down...

we returned to the cities this afternoon after a week of "roughing" it in the woods of northern michigan. ok, not really roughing it per se, as we did have a 2 room cabin with a shower, coffee maker, toaster, stove, fridge, and microwave, but as far as the price's are concerned we were one with nature. the weather save for parts of the first and last days was remarkably good. we did a lot of swimming at the lake by our cabin, we did a few bonfires, i golfed 36 holes, everyone caught at least one fish (except allie). we went into town a couple of times (had to get some unscheduled car work done) and visited mclain st. park as well as allie's relatives in houghton. a great trip and a great time!

see the rest of the pics.

checking in from upper michigan

it's an unprecedented mid-vacation post from the u.p. i went from never having even brought a laptop in the past to getting lucky this year with wi-fi at twin lakes java, a short hike from the cabin.
the weather has been great although it's looking a little iffy the rest of the week. possible showers just about every day. so far we've grilled out twice, done two bonfires, been to mclain state park, i've golfed 18 holes, we've been to the local playground a few times, and numerous dips in the lake. i don't want to ruin the post vacation wrap but i've posted a couple of pics just to give you a feel.
not sure when i'll be checking back again. hope to come back for coffee and wi-fi at least once more.

u.p., u.p., and away!...

packing up and prepping "the pod" (car top carrier) for our semi-annual trek to the upper peninsula of michigan where we'll invade twin lakes resort. this all started about 20 years before i met my wife as it was her family's summer getaway every year. not much has changed in cabin # 9 since those days. i haven't been since 2007, which was also the year the taurus took some major hail damage, but the wife and kids went with grandpa last year. the plan is to leave saturday morning and arrive late afternoon in time to fire up the grill. we're walking distance to the parkview lodge, where we plan to eat at least once, and hang at twin lakes java, which according to their 2007 website posting had wi-fi "in the works". we'll see about that but either way don't expect to hear much from me in the way of blogs or tweets. it's a lo-tech affair and always has been. i'll take plenty of pics, maybe shoot some video and post later, but the emphasis is on the beach, bonfires, hiking, golfing, feeding the mosquitoes, and just generally being as lazy as possible.

gone too soon...

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from cbs "sunday morning" show...

Millions around the world will remember the day Michael Jackson died. Martha Gillis will, too - but she'll be thinking of someone else. She shares her Opinion with us now:

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My 24-year-old nephew, Brian Bradshaw, died in Afghanistan on June 25, killed by an IED, but you'd never have known it from the national media.

I cannot tell you how that silence added to the pain of losing this bright, funny, thoughtful young man, whom I remember so vividly as a toddler, wandering the house in cowboy boots and hat (and nothing else).

I suspect it's a pain shared by many of the 4,000-plus grieving families whose loved ones have sacrificed their lives in two wars that have largely disappeared from the news.

When I flew West for Brian's funeral, the mayor of his small home town personally met each of dozens of flights of arriving family members. Flags flew at half-staff. Six hundred people attended the funeral service.

That is partly a testament to Brian's remarkable capacity to connect with people and leave a lasting impression - his lopsided grins were so infectious. It is also a testament to the level of caring and support the town offered to my bereaved sister and her husband.

Even the desk clerk who checked us into our hotel attended, as a simple gesture of common humanity.

Along the route from the church to the cemetery, people came out of their houses to stand with their hands over their hearts or to wave small American flags. Cars going in the opposite direction stopped. Some drivers got out to stand in respect.

To all of them, I say "Thank you. You know how to honor those who serve to protect you."

Once I left town, though, soldier's deaths once again became invisible.

Because of the incredible kindness of the people of Steilacoom, Wash., however, I wonder how many other people, in Maine or Texas or New York City, would also have honored Brian and the other soldiers who have died in the last two weeks if the media had simply let them know:

Somebody's little boy died today. Someone's little girl found out today that Daddy is never coming home.

That news is hard to bear; when the nation they died for barely notices, it's crushing.

eagan parade

above is my digital documentaion of the eagan parade this fourth. it was muggy and a little overcast but that didn't discourage the parade goers or my kids candy harvest. enjoyed a great day and great food at my folks place afterwards. still debating on fireworks tonight. happy 233rd usa!

happy july 3rd, 4th, and 5th

have a safe & happy holiday weekend and independence day. we'll be heading to my folks for the annual parade and festivities. pics and possible video to follow. out