Late Winter/Early Spring Snows Melting Quickly

This morning dawned bright with bright sunshine and cold fresh air. The 8" of snow remained intact. We pulled on our Sorrels and took the girls for a long walk around the field behind our land which Doug has guessed to be about 100 + acres. The girls loved playing in the snow. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera. :(   I need to attach that thing to me permanently.

This morning's walk required the Sorrels

By this afternoon the snow was mostly melted; typical springtime in northern Michigan.

A Very Wintery Spring

Eight inches of snow on April 21, 2011

Eight inches of snow fell in northwestern Michigan beginning early last evening and continuing through most of the night. This morning I awoke to a winter wonderland. I must admit to the beauty of the scene outside the window of our Airstream in spite of the fact we are now one month into spring. In a little while, after a cup of warming coffee, I will don my Sorrels and venture out to take some pictures of this amazing springtime scene. Right now my husband is out with the dogs and shoveling snow. I hope he takes some pictures of them playing in the snow.

Jeep and picnic table

Dogs' outside water bowl rimmed in snow.

IPR (Interlochen Public Radio) is reading of the names of schools closed today. I wonder why the announcer doesn't just name those schools that are open today - that list is much shorter as only a few schools are trying to open across the northern part of lower Michigan.

Our woods just behind the pole barn.

Our wheelbarrow, upside down and a bench next to Airstream

Molly and Daisy learning about snow.

I can't write today without talking a little about the Deepwater Disaster/Gulf Oil Spill - one year ago today and BP is still managing to escape taking full responsibility. While that battle continues and while Diane Wilson is arrested in London for protesting against BP BP is continuing plans to drill in tar sands.  Pictures, as grim reminders of the horrific devastation, are on the Internet for all to see, for all to remember.  We must not forget and we must not stop working for justice for our planet.  Ram Dass said it best many decades ago, "Never forget lessons learned".

A Wintery Spring in Northern Michigan

Today is Sunday, April 17, 2011. We are trying to keep the water lines in our Airstream from freezing in the below freezing temps which began with an early spring snow/sleet/tiny hail storm last night.  Propane is very expensive and we are filling our bottles a couple of times a week. We finally brought in an electrically operated oil heater (looks like a mini-radiator) from the pole barn to help. Electricity is much less expensive here than propane.  It is absolutely essential that we keep the trailer warm in order to help keep the pipes from freezing.

I took the above picture through the window of the trailer (you can see the screen in the pic) about the time the sun would normally have risen this morning. This weather is being predicted for the next 5-6 days. I hope it doesn't hold up the beginning excavation of the house - but it might.  BTW - I did not use a flash for this pic. as it would have created a blinding glare against the glass and thus the deep blue color. It is really a dismal gray :D  The clouds visible in the pic. are deep charcoal gray - the sky is completely overcast;  a good day to read, write, and/or knit.

Our dogs, Daisy and Molly, seem to love playing in this stuff. I'll have to try and get some pictures of them running, chasing each other, visiting the neighboring horses, rough-housing, and just generally having a good time.  In fact, I really have to keep my camera with me at all times as there are so many interesting sights and things going on. We've had hundreds of geese fly overhead as they return to their summer habitat on the Boardman River in Traverse City. I did not have my camera at the ready and therefore no pictures.

How to Move Two Cats 2250 Miles While Remaining Sane

We are preparing to move in 15 days. Our kitties need some special care to keep them comfortably confined during the long journey from south central Arizona to northern Michigan. 

This is Ayla, our little "Orca" kitty helping me sort clothes - some going to Goodwill, some to the rag bag, and some to be packed for the move.  Ayla is an exceptionally curious cat and usually right in the middle of all the action.

This is my big all black girl, Emily, checking out the carrier which will house both kitties during the trip. They will ride in this two-story "home" complete with litter box, 2 food bowls and a water bowl during the day and will be allowed out when we stop in pet-friendly motels each evening.  Emily really likes her perch and spends the better part of every day in here. Ayla has bothered to stick her head in and then leave. Ayla is not impressed.

Grimy Hands Girls' Club

Sharon Lovejoy, author, illustrator, lecturer, gardener extraordinare, writer, blogger. Sharon writes some of the loveliest garden books I have ever seen. I collect Sharon's books :D. This is Sharon behind her own "grimy hands" and thus the name for her new club (I used it to title this post) which I have happily joined. 

To learn more about Sharon you may visit her blog at 

Sharon Lovejoy's Blog


and her website at 

Sharon Lovejoy

SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!

March 9, 2011 was the closing date on our Arizona property. We will remain in the house until Wednesday, March 30 when we leave Aguila, trucks and trailers filled with our personal belongings, and head for our property in northern MI.  


We are planning a couple of family get-togethers prior to leaving, that along with packing up the house and shop will make for a very busy next 20 days.  Twenty days, oh my! Will I ever get it all done?  Time to bring in all the boxes we have been collecting, saving, and storing in the shop, dust them off and get busy. 


Until next time, onward and upward, Lindy

Countdown to April 2011

House in Eagle Roost, Aguila, AZ - 02/2011

I don't want to get too excited, not yet anyway. However, we have a buyer for our house, the home sale is in escrow and the "SALE PENDING" sign has been hung from the "FOR SALE" sign. This is good. If all goes according to plan we will close on Monday, April 4, 2011 and drive off into the rising sun heading east back to Michigan and our property.  


I have no false hopes regarding the difficulty of this forthcoming trip.  My husband, Doug, will be driving a 26' Budget rental truck and possibly/probably towing trailer. He will have room on the seat of the truck for 1 dog. Molly will be his one dog as the truck is too high for Daisy to navigate with her bad hip.  I will be driving our wonderful Subaru Forester with 2 cats and Daisy and possibly, but not necessarily probably, towing another small trailer.