The college grad.

"Don’t ask what the world needs. 

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. 

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
--Howard Thurman

Go set the world on fire Gussie! I am so proud to be your mother!

What if it were Lake Michigan?

"...It was summertime in Northern Michigan
Splashing through the sand bar, talking by the campfire
It's the simple things in life like when and where...
...Catching walleye from the dock
Watching the waves roll off the rocks...
...We'd blister in the sun, we couldn't wait for night to come
To hit that sand and play some rock 'n' roll..."
-Kid Rock, All Summer Long

July and August are the months that really heat up here in Michigan. I definitely look forward to visiting beautiful Lake Michigan each summer. There is no doubt that I take it for granted, it has always been a constant in my life. And, there is no doubt that Lake Michigan, along with the other 4 lakes that comprise the Great Lakes, are an important part of the livelihood of our state. 


Maybe that is why I feel such empathy for the residents of the Gulf of Louisiana, and what are they are going through now. You take for granted that you will wake up each morning to a beautiful sunrise (or sunset) on the water, get in your boat and fish, or go down to the beach for a quick dip. And then one day that is gone. The water is poison, the fish and wildlife are dying, and your way of life is ruined for maybe the rest of your adult life.

After the last three months you would think this would have been an important lesson to all of us. To set new goals, find new ways and try to make it right. What is this generation leaving to future generations?  While politicians, family and friends bicker about money and power, who is right and who is wrong, who is a true American and who isn't, we are forgetting one basic thing.


Without a healthy planet Earth, it is all irrelevant. For all the wealth and all the kingdoms one may possess, it can't get bring you fresh air, clean water and the basic necessities of life. 


So when I hear things like THIS my head spins violently! I really have to wonder why are we not LEARNING anything? How can you look at the beauty of the world we've been given, and even suggest that drilling in any of the Great Lakes is even an option? 


I would like Lake Michigan to be here for my children to take their children, and their children to take their children, and so on, and so on, and so on. I long for them to have the same experiences on the beaches of Michigan, fishing and swimming by day, campfires by night.


Is it too much to ask to leave the place the way we found it?

Related Links:
Natural Gas Gold Rush also threatens our inland lakes, rivers, streams and wells.

May 2010

All the symbolism of Spring.
"Yesterday's failures are Today's seeds, 
that must be diligently planted to be able to abundantly harvest
Tomorrow's success."
-Unknown

In The Blink Of An Eye

And, so, it begins. The youngest, and our only son, begins his journey toward his adult life. It is hard to believe how quickly these years have passed. 

The old saying "And then I blinked" has never had more meaning than at this moment. I am thankful and blessed to have had this wonderful boy in my life.

I pray that his future journeys are safe. 

And, dear Jacob, remember that along your path of life you may experience detours. Don't be frustrated and impatient, embrace each one. These unplanned adventures may be your greatest moments.

Blink Of An Eye

by Michael Mcdonald and George Perilli

Child, as I look in your eyes

You know my life seems like a minute

There I find living proof

Of all the wonder life holds in it

In the past I thought I had to learn

Any good that comes from this life we're living

Here and now, let us realize

That this life is a gift and it's already been given

Someday when you stand in the middle

Like it or not you're gonna look both ways

You're gonna find that time is a riddle

Where days turn into years

And years into the blink on an eye

Child, once I saw a man on the TV

Lead a nation up a mountain

He said, children, look over yonder

The flame of truth is burning brightly

Sometimes you look so far, there's only so much time

Only so many of us are gonna get there

Here and now is all we really have

But if we can make it count

We got no reason to worry

You're gonna walk that mile

You're gonna be that number

You're gonna make that journey

Just like the good book says

There's a time to be born, a time to cross over

You can be sure it's in the blink of an eye