Here in Southeast Michigan the sun was not around much in March, nor April and the first week of May was nothing special either. I’m convinced the Groundhog doomed us, not only for the six-week period after his February 2nd prediction, but for early Spring. Grrr to that miserable rodent.
So finally, on Palm Sunday, April 10th, we had a glorious day, full of sunshine and even climbing to 60 degrees F (16 C) – yay! I aimed to savor the daylight hours. Even though I was bundled up to be comfy from the shoreline breezes, there still was a nip in the air, which made me think, despite the weather folks’ declaration that we had FINALLY turned a corner, that was not so.
The past few Spring/Summer seasons have often had crummy weather weekends resulting in rain-soaked shoreline parks. If that is the case this year, I’ll be marking my miles at Council Point Park where it never floods. I’ll probably resurrect my occasional “Seize the Day” impromptu jaunts to larger parks on favorable weather weekdays before my work day begins.
The first stop of Palm Sunday was at Council Point Park where I walked one mile to visit and feed the critters, then set out to give the car a 30-mile roundtrip run to Lake Erie Metropark. It was my first visit here this year, though I’ve had the 2022 pass since mid-November. In Spring 2021 I saw the beaver chews, a goose sitting high up on a nest in the marsh and her mate chasing off an interloping goose, all interesting to see and the images made for a picturesque post. Though the landscape was still dormant and blah, I was hopeful for a handful of interesting items to photograph today.
Lake Erie Metropark is located at the western shoreline of the Detroit River and Lake Erie and encompasses 1,607 acres and three miles of shoreline. Because this venue is so large, I generally alternate which part of the park I will visit. For example, I could begin at the Marshlands Museum, visit Luc the resident eagle, then trek down to the boat launch and along the Cherry Island Trail, or, clear on the other side of the park, an alternate trek would be to walk the rocky shoreline of Cove Point and visit the marina. Since we had a lot of rain that past week I decided on the latter.
Ambling along Cove Point.
The Cove Point stroll is always picturesque with Windsor’s wind farm just across the water and most times you’ll see a freighter or two on the horizon. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a Great Blue Heron or Great Egret in one of the many marshy areas. The last time I walked along Cove Point was July when I saw the fawn and its mom, which made that walk my favorite of 2021, if not all time.
The Park was not ready for primetime yet.
Park benches looked a bit forlorn and the picnic tables were still leaning against one another, like dominoes waiting to fall and, unless you had an intense hankering for a hotdog or burger on the grill, you would not want to be cooking them while standing in ankle-deep water. The hot coals cans were empty, all waiting for a sign of life to descend upon the park, i.e. warmer weather and more sunshine (yes, bring it on please).
Along the rocky shoreline …
I recently published a post recapping a trip here on November 20th and this Metropark looked the same as last Fall, with long-dormant Phragmites and/or Cattails that had burst out of their brown sheaths.
The water was sparkling , but choppy and waves were racing up and over the boulders. I decided that the bright-blue and cloudless sky more than made up for the blah landscape.
Well, what do you know – a paddle of Canvasback Ducks were bobbing around in the water. This would be my third sighting in 2022 and the solo male Canvasback Duck never returned to Council Point Park after a week of very windy weather – perhaps he joined his brethren down at the Detroit River.
This fallen log was new since I was last here – bet it made quite the splash when it fell. That was Mother Nature’s doing as the beavers do their handiwork in more secluded parts of the marsh.
The ever-present Trenton Channel Power Plant stacks are seen in any Downriver shoreline stroll photos. This partially decommissioned plant is scheduled to close completely this year as energy provider DTE converts to natural gas and renewable energy plants. I wonder if they’ll remove those red-and-white-striped stacks that mar the view of the Detroit River shoreline parks?
A Swallow scoped out future housing. Should I tell him/her that volunteers built and erected many nesting boxes along Cove Point to entice BLUEBIRDS? Swallows prefer nests in rafters, like in the covered bridge at Heritage Park, or below wooden outlooks. He alighted just long enough for me to snap its picture, then it left again, so perhaps it read my mind.
I had my first freighter sighting of 2022.
Flooding has been a problem at this park since I began visiting here in 2018 and today was no different. Three instances where water crept onto the paved pathway had me dodging those puddles by veering onto the spongy grass, which was a bit muddy. This was one of those puddles.
Someone had thoughtfully packed a low area with pea gravel and, as my heavy-soled walking shoes crunched over it, I hoped it would keep my feet dry for the duration of the trek, as walking any distance in vinyl boots is not a great option.
Frustrated after traversing the third large puddle, I finally cut across the soggy grounds, interrupting the grazing geese and sleeping gulls and walked on the dry vehicle road instead.
I walked the shoreline until I reached a dead end at this Huron River Watershed sign.
The marina was eerily quiet with slips awaiting sailboats and pleasure crafts once boating season begins in earnest.
I decided to visit the overlook for a view of the Canada skyline. The high-powered telescope reminds me a little of fellow blogger Peggy’s hubby’s robot/shop vac!
Some bicyclists hopped off their bikes, took a pause for swigs of water, snacks and a slew of selfies.
An angler was dressed for the chilly temps. I didn’t see a big bucket for her booty of fish, so perhaps she was tossing them back into the water.
Signs are everywhere.
Some are pretty obvious, but as best I can tell, if you pay attention, you’ll escape unscathed.
Alas, once again I was peeping for Peepers.
Every Spring I search for Spring Peepers a/k/a Chorus Frogs. I’ve never been successful seeing or hearing them. They are cute frogs, about the size of a thumbnail, that sing their heart out in mating season, which for them is early Spring.
Well, I don’t know if the Peepers got lucky, but I got lucky while walking back from the marina and, in the muck and mire of this water-filled ditch, those Peepers made themselves known.
It was a delightful sound and though I stood there peering into the water for the longest time, I never peeped at a single Peeper. I took a few more shots of their mini bog/living quarters, but I suspect they submerged or ducked once they saw this looming human.
Not a spent leaf stirred, nor did the algae surface wiggle, but they were there. Next year perhaps they’ll put in an appearance but this year no pics unfortunately.
I neared the parking lot and saw my car, but it was such a gorgeous day, I wasn’t ready to drive home – not just yet. I headed toward the overlook – you can see it in the distance in the header image and here.
These shadows and reflections show you how sunny it was …
I took a blissful pause to enjoy a cacophony of sounds … those Peepers, a nearby Killdeer, a trilling Red-winged Blackbird and several screeching Seagulls
I was hopeful more waterfowl would be here. Well, there was one Great Blue Heron who saw me and freaked and if I spoke fluent heron, I’m sure it said “I was enjoying breakfast until YOU came along!”
Enroute to the parking lot I heard more Peepers at this area and traipsed through the high, dead grass to scope ‘em out, belatedly remembering it wasn’t too smart to do this in lieu of the abundance of ticks this year.
As I headed to the car, it was more of a shuffle, than the spring in my step that I had many hours before; I thought of my outside chores ahead. I arrived home and scurried out to do yardwork/Spring clean-up, before I changed my mind.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
There’s nothing like soaking the sun up again! Have a nice week Linda!
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I’m glad Winter has finally left and we can look forward to more Spring-like weather Jeanine. It was hot this past weekend and I walk in the morning and noticed I got sunburned on my arms and neck yesterday. Oops – just enjoying sun and not needing a coat.
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Oh Hun, watch that sunscreen, it’s important! Just living in Australia for a few years, I’m a regular at the skin doctor. She always finds something to cut out …
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Thanks for the concern and warning Jeanine. I am usually out earlier before the sun is strong, but reading what you wrote, maybe sunscreen is a good idea going forward or a hat. I don’t know how I burned as it was early. My neighbor, like you was a sun lover and she had a lot of chunks taken out of her nose, all which she attributes to to gardening in her backyard.
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That was a long walk – your captured a lot of the area. The lady fishing looked like she was bundled against the cold. For awhile I thought you were the only one out enjoying the sunshine. Then you ran across the lady fishing and those on bicycles. At least you found a few birds out there enjoying the day.
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Yes, it was Peggy and I would have stayed awhile longer, but I was going to go home and work in the yard while the weather was so nice. You are right – I was alone for about two miles until I got to the marina area and saw the lady fishing and the bicyclists and a few dog walkers, then that was it, no one else. There were a pair of herons that took flight when they saw me – I was bummed as it would have been nice to have more “wildlife” in this post.
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It may not have been springy but I bet it was great being outside! Great pics as always.
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Thanks Kate. Yes, it was the first really long walk that I had in 2022 and it felt great to have the sun out, despite being bundled up. Yesterday I got a sunburn on the back of my neck and arms, (unintentionally), while walking and I was home by 10:30. I was surprised the sun was that intense that early in the day and I wasn’t near the water. I’ve not been sunburned in a long time.
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I’ve never seen a canvasback or a Peeper, but I’ve heard lots of Peepers on Long Island and here at our house. They are mostly at the little stream behind Shawn and Bob’s house. Your photos showed such dark blue waters!
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Those canvasback sightings, three of them this year, were a surprise after looking for them every year. Been looking for Peepers for several years – maybe next year I’ll see them. They are tiny Anne, just the size of your thumbnail. Lake Erie is very clear this time of year and it was sparkling from the sun – once it is Summer and hot/humid, Lake Erie is bad for algae bloom, but now you can see into the water.
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We’re familiar with the swallows and their nesting preferences. Every year they surround the downlights – high up on our barn rafters – with their ample nests. We’ve switched the light bulbs to LED’s because the nests get so big you start to wonder about a fire hazard. The LEDs take away the warmth they seek but at least it’s still a safe place to nest their young.
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Dave, I had to get rid of my sensor coach light in the backyard because robins were always building a nest in the “elbow” so I worried they’d pull the entire light down. The nests are packed with mud and “cemented” to wherever they build them and with a sensor light you also have to worry about a fire and dried nesting materials. So I changed light fixtures and it’s fine now. On my Wordless Wednesday post this week, it was a lamp post at a park and a bird had the nerve to build a nest inside the lantern area – likely the glass had fallen out, so it made itself at home. Swallow nests are interesting. I’ve photographed them in the rafters of the covered bridge at Heritage Park with the babies peering out of the nest.
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In a wildlife refuge near my house, they have to attach a wire addition to the bluebird houses to try to keep the tree swallows out. Swallows are much more aggressive than bluebirds and they will out-compete the bluebirds if given the chance.
So cool that you heard the peepers. It isn’t spring until I hear spring peepers!
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I didn’t know the swallows were that aggressive Laurie – so maybe this swallow did have designs on moving into the bluebird house. Interesting. I know sparrows will take over smaller birds’ houses. My neighbor had several bird houses and wrens would nest there and swallows took over. I was excited to hear the peepers after years of looking for them and their sounds!
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Wonderful clear pictures Linda! It looks like a lovely park and so large in size. I’ve never heard or seen spring peepers, but I do hear the frogs just not sure what kind they are. I feel like spring is racing by too quickly and we will be in the dregs of summer too soon. Sorry I haven’t answered your gmail…..too much going on and I’m struggling to cope with it all. Why is May, my favorite month, always so busy?
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Thank you Joni. It is a beautiful park and I don’t go to this side as much as the other side. I never saw the peepers which are just about the size of your thumbnail. Don’t worry about answering my e-mail and I don’t know about the Google apps. I migrated everything to Firefox last week which took a few hours. May was nice for two weekends and my car was in the shop for those two weekends – they fixed the door locks, now awaiting parts to finish putting in a new A/C and now it is going to be rainy/stormy this weekend so won’t be driving anywhere. Friday will be 90 degrees. I’m not too happy with Spring so far. You’re right … we’re going to jump right into Summer. This morning was beautiful and I wished I could walk longer.
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Oh staying a bit longer to hear the sounds and catch some shadow photos was a bonus
And loved this word image –
“were still leaning against one another, like dominoes waiting to fall…”
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I was happy I stayed Yvette – it was perfect for walking, so I lingered and it was worth it for those sights and sounds. Glad you liked the image I conjured up of the picnic area. I actually had pictures of those picnic tables and pools of water around the grill, but my post was so picture laden that I removed them from the post.
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yes, it sounds like a good idea to edit down with some photos – I have learned that over the years – I sometimes had posts with four parts and now I wonder “what was I thinking” – hahaha
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Barbara, is a fellow blogger who has a blog which is mostly about nature walks she and her husband take in Connecticut. She told me she limits herself to 20 photos in a post and agrees with me that sometimes it is difficult to pick only 20 if it’s a very long walk. I was surprised that people like the Ford Estate series as they spanned three posts. Some followers of mine like the nature posts and will just “like” the posts that are a walk, but no critters. That’s fine too.
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the limit to 20 photos sounds good for the kind of posts she does – and I guess it can vary for each of us.
— and I LOVED the ford estate series and think it was such a gem.
I even shared some of it with my mother (I had a chance to visit her earlier this month)
and she was mentioning that social media can be such a waste of time (she is partially correct) but then I told her about some of the richness I encounter via the blogs I follow – and told her about the Henry Ford estate (and some poems from another blogger) – she was enlightened a bit – to see there was artsy expression and exploring and research kind of sharing going on – so that was cool
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That is cool Yvette – thank you for sharing what you saw on my Henry Ford estate posts and the other blogger’s poems. I was worried people might have found it boring.
I have a blogging pal here on WordPress and we follow one another. Zena is Welsh and is almost totally blind and started blogging when she got her seeing eye dog. Munch is not a usual seeing eye dog. He is a Labradoodle and full of mischief. Zena is a school counselor and very independent thanks to Munch. She has written a book about her adventures and went on tour to promote it. She reads and writes posts using a special device. Anyway, her mom just passed away a few months ago, but she used to share my nature posts with her mom who loved her backyard squirrels and birds. That touched me when she told me that.
Social media can be a blessing as it connects the blogging community around the world, but I see how people act on Twitter and Facebook sometime – it leaves me shaking my head. People disparage one another on every topic. There is no “agree to disagree” – none. I don’t have TV so I follow the news and nature sites on social media and get my news from an all-news AM radio station. I’ve said before that people hid behind their profile pics and say things they would never say to your face (or that once was true).
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ugh yes – I know what you mean about some of the crap that can unfold on twitter and FB – which is why I abstain (well I never got the whole twitter thing – so that is just me…)
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and my biggest pet peeve about FB was the overstimulating dashboard and feeds – I prefer WordPress where it feels quieter and then I go to the reader to scroll and can get action that way – – not FB might have changed – but I remember hating that big time – I am thinking about going back for there for some video stuff but waiting it out – oh and my biggest pet peeve of FB was the “this day in history” – and not just for me but for my gay nephew, or for some random person I followed – o m g
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Zena and Munch sound like a sprcial pair! Inspiring story she has.
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I am on Twitter for the news, especially the weather. We had a tornado touch down in Gaylord today, about 250 miles from me. Did a lot of damage. I follow some news anchors and reporters on Twitter as I like to see events they’ve reported on the news. Facebook has ads and the layout is too busy for me. I only have news, nature sites/park sites in my feed – two or three friends, but I have shut off their posts and just go to their walls to read what they wrote … one is on there constantly, writing details of every little thing she does. I can’t keep up here so getting too involved on Facebook would do me in. Too much social media is not good.
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yes – too much social media is not good and can rob us of the joy of what it does offer.
and the short break I took in April – well it wasn’t needed – but I felt to do it ….
and so glad I did because it gave me a freshness coming back (before I got burned out)
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I agree with you Yvette. There is too much of an urgency in social media – you feel the need to keep up with every FB post or comment and every Tweet. I had one nature photographer I followed on Twitter. I enjoyed her work, mostly birds and every morning she fed songbirds and woodpeckers from her open palm and made a video from her phone. But because I commented on her Tweets sometimes or just by virtue of viewing them, I was flooded with other bird photographer’s posts so I unfollowed her. I occasionally just search for her and thus eliminate the others in my feed. I’ve got an account at Instagram but it was just to view a fellow blogger’s photos. I don’t really know the Instagram interface so stay away from it.
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Oh I know what’s I mean about the flood of birders or but themes and how it can be too much – likely a problem with AI.
For a little while I was getting flooded with Christian WP blogger suggestions (think it was after I comment chatted about faith with another blogger – sigh – and I intentionally do NOT want to follow a lot of Christian bloggers because so many irritate and annoy me – sad but true – we might share the same faith but our approaches are different or some of them are trying so hard to preach and they misunderstand the Old Testament and don’t realize much of it doesn’t apply to Christian’s today – a lot of OT is Jewish history and is before We had the Holy Spirit! Sigh – so I hate when that happened –
Also, after following Clive’s Tuesday times – I got a few music posts and do not want those on WP (feel like I can go to YouTube for that stuff- but clive adds commentary and it is a rare hang for WP for me – ya know ?)
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Yes, it’s too much to have a barrage of things in your feed, so that’s my workaround, just searching in the search bar for the Twitter site. I hated unfollowing Jocelyn’s fun bird pics and videos, but it was cluttering up my feed. I do “get” that – there can be too much and when you need to sift through it to find what you want to read.
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I like the picture of the freighter framed between the two trees. With the geese and the cattails it makes for an interesting contrast between technology and the natural world. I wonder if the flooding is a consequence of climate change that will become a constant problem there. There is a road near us that they say will be under water by 2050. It already floods frequently. I’m so glad you got to hear the spring peepers! Thank you so much for sharing this delightful spring walk, Linda! The pictures and the narrative made me feel like I was there, too.
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Thanks Barbara – you would like this side of Lake Erie Metropark. The first freighter of the season is always exciting to see and you never hear them as they’re far away from the shoreline. I looked up and there it was, so I had to take a few pictures. The flooding is bad here at this park and I won’t be going this weekend for sure as we have an all-day rain tomorrow and rain/storms, possibly severe, on Friday into Saturday and rain on Sunday too. The storms are because we’re going to 91 degrees Friday – ugh.
On the news I heard that at the Ford Estate there is a logjam at the small dam behind the house, so flooding is occurring at the Rouge River as well. Luckily the manor is on a hill, so no worries about flooding. The intense rains the last few Springtimes have been fast and furious and the rustic trails flood, the grass is spongy and the asphalt path is flooded too. I would suspect all these flooding issues are due to climate change. Terrible to hear your road is under water by 2050. The spring peepers were such a treat to hear – maybe next year I’ll be able to corner one for a picture. 🙂
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They’re predicting 95°F for inland Connecticut on Saturday, which will be a record breaker. Here on the shoreline it will “only” be 83°F, which is still awful for May! Flooding in some places, severe droughts in others — so much is off balance. I’m grateful our reservoirs are full.
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Ugh – that’s worse than we are and that’s quite a difference inland versus shoreline! Our severe weather threat has potentially moved to Friday evening and Saturday – I hope not in the heat of the day. It was to begin Friday afternoon at 91F, so I hope it holds out until dark. This is worrisome weather already for only May and we had an article on the news that we should be prepared for rolling blackouts by July due to the intense heat this Summer. Great – something else to worry about. I can pick up my car tomorrow – looks like the A/C has been fixed just in time. Our COVID cases are really ramping up and now the first case of monkeypox has been detected in the U.S. – I’ll continue venturing out to parks regularly but any other venues will be as sparingly as possible.
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I am amazed to be in such good company weather-wise, Linda! Looks like your walks were fruitful with beautiful sights and sunshine. Spring has sprung here and birds are hanging out on the property now! Glad you are getting your steps in and enjoying the view along the way!
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We’ve had a gorgeous day today Terri – I hated to come in and go to work. We’re going to 91 on Friday though with storms. I’m bulking up my steps with the good weather to reach my year-end goal!
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Sunshine has been missing here as well, Linda! Today it is actually going to be nice and I can do some yard work and finally get the tomatoes planted. It’s been too cold until now. Your walk was quite the adventure! Canvasbacks are beautiful! I haven’t seen any in a long time. Have a great week! 🙋♀️
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I savored it today Sabine – it was gorgeous today, sunny and cooler, my kind of day. Tomorrow is an all-day rain and severe weather again Friday when it hits 91. I hope your tomatoes get planted and don’t get wet feet. I was happy to see the Canvasbacks for the third time this year after looking for them for years (like the peepers). You do the same Sabine!
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I’m glad you were able to get out and enjoy a beautiful day. I like to stand and listen to the frogs croaking at the lake. I can almost hear the Spring Peepers as I look at your photos. 🙂
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It was that first beautiful day of Spring, not necessarily warm, but sunny and bright and felt so good to be out Rebecca, especially after a cold and gloomy Spring.. I’ve been searching for peepers for several years now and am glad to finally have heard them. It was peaceful – no wonder you like listening to them as well.
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The water is so blue. I can’t believe all the water laying around and I was expecting a no walking sign too. Lol
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I know! If you think this is bad Diane, we had an all-day rain yesterday and a rainy/stormy weekend coming up, so by Monday it will likely look like Lake Erie has slopped over its banks. That is how it looks on the rustic trails through the woods most of the time the last few years.
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The park looks beautiful, even if not ready for prime time. You made me laugh there, though I’m afraid our age is showing.
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It’s funny how that was a big phrase wasn’t it Zazzy? And yes, we’re showing our age to remember it. We’ve had two glorious weekends here in SE Michigan and my car was in the shop for air conditioning issues both weekends. Now I have the car again, we have a stormy weekend, so I’ll be staying close by the house as we’re having severe weather tomorrow. Gaylord was hit with a tornado earlier today – it’s about 250 miles from here.
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I like seeing the sunshine glistening on the water. Your photos are lovely. I’m glad that when you walked across the soggy area the geese and gulls took it in stride and didn’t come after you.
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Thank you Ally. It was a beautiful day – the first Spring day that you feel like Winter is in the rear view mirror at last. Thankfully the geese were grazing and the gulls were sleeping so I was safe. Whew! No goslings in tow so that they’d resent my presence either.
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It was a lovely day for soaking in sunshine. Get it while the gettin’s good!
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That’s for sure Ruth – you never know what you’ll get in Michigan. Friday was sweltering and today I have so far resisted putting the furnace on!
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Those sunny but nippy days of early spring seem like a million years ago now.
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Yes they do JP – we have run the gamut of 90 degrees to 50 in a few days’ time. Today the furnace went back on.
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I bet you’ll look back on that day and say, “Ah…I had such beauty right in front of my eyes – all to myself to capture and share with my blogging buddies.” So peaceful. Great photos as usual. You described the sounds well too. Plus a great dose of Vitamin C!!!! Yippee.
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Yes, in the middle of Winter I will look back Shelley and say “did I complain it was a wee bit cold or windy?” I had to take that picture showing my shadow to show how sunny it was that day, despite the chill in the air. I used to take photos on sunny days and say “it was a good shadow day.” I’ve not don that in a while. The sounds were so peaceful – I wanted to linger longer.
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I’m happy to read you’re still enjoying your hobbies. It’s great therapy too!
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We need to step away from chores and the mundane and mind-numbing details that occupy our lives sometimes (although I admit I step away a bit too often, putting blinders on as I head out the door!) Life is short – seize the day! Perhaps that should be everyone’s motto i.e. to do something for themselves every day.
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Well said! And as soon as it stops raining I’ll do just that. 😂🤣😁😎
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Rain – the bane of our existence (or was that snow/ice)??? I figured the rain was over this morning – we had a lot of rain and the sun was out, so I ventured out – rained once I got to the Park. We are having a stormy evening and heavy rain and more storms tomorrow – oh joy, all parks will be flooded for sure, not to mention skeeters.
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I can’t remember a Memorial Day weekend without rain. This morning we’re heading into the storm as we travel to see our oldest daughter. Hopefully by the time we get there it’ll be clear and we can enjoy some time with her.
I hope the weather clears enough for you to get your walk in!
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I hope you had nice (or at least decent) weather for your trip and visit Shelley. Our weather folks crowed about how this three-day weekend was perfect and no complaints, wall-to-wall sun and 90+ Monday so great for pool or a lake. (Well, hot weather, in the 90s will likely spike into volatile weather but I’m a weather worrier.) I walked out of the house early this morning to go to three parks before it got hot – it started to drizzle. Yes, it was over 15 minutes later – but really? All of the weather forecasts were calling for an absolutely perfect weekend.
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Our trip was successful, but we did have to drive through rain, endure the wind while we visited, and then a lovely drive home.
Yesterday it was just supposed to be overcast but pleasant – we ended up with a thunderstorm and down-pour and then wind.
I’M SO SICK of this strange weather and WIND! At least we don’t have to wear our winter coats, right?
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Glad you got there without incident – whew! And traveling on a long holiday is always worrisome the first day as there are so many people on the road. There was almost no one on the road Saturday as I was tooling around – even the traffic reporter said “everyone took Friday off and headed up North this year.” We’ve not had any windy days for about a week, but we have a storm tomorrow night, into Wednesday morning. Hope it’s not bad as we almost broke a heat record today. Yes, no winter coats, thankfully – today as few clothes as possible. 🙂
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Yes, traffic was pleasant on Saturday. We’re glad we went when we did.
The weather was hot yesterday and we ended up with thunderstorms in the middle of the night.
BUT…NO WINTER COATS! 😉
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Good thing you went early in the holiday then. No Winter coats is good Shelley. The heat this morning wore me out – August weather in May is not my cup of tea. There it is … I whined about the heat already after vowing I would not. We have strong thunderstorms/wind/hail tonight/tomorrow morning. Don’t we often get your leftovers the following day? 🙂
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Yes, it was a good day to travel. You’re in for a treat, yesterday and today are much better weather for us. You’ll likely have a nice weekend and we’re in for rain on Saturday.
We can’t complain about heat yet…no, not yet!
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You luckd out. Today we had rain AFTER I got home – yay. And then it was beautiful. Nice for us until Sunday night – so looking forward to that, though I have to do some yardwork but will happily do it in these temps as opposed to last weekend’s heat wave.
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Yay – seize the day – get some healthy time in the sun for a dose of Vitamin D!!! 🙂
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I was out in the yard from7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and tomorrow I will likely not be able to move! I really need to do exercises to keep myself limber as I sure am not limber and already feel every single muscle I used today. It was a gorgeous day – no humidity, not hot and sunny all day. Bottle it up for August or February … take your pick!
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Yay – yard work is good for the soul. Maybe not the muscles that we haven’t used all winter. We’re feeling the same thing – I’ve been gardening and we’ve been doing outside projects – gotta get them done before it gets too hot and miserable out.
Yes, let’s bottle it up as much as we can!
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It was cool and sunny – perfect for yard work! The first year I took care of the outside chores (after my father left, as prior to that I only raked leaves, shoveled snow, pulled weeds), I learned my lesson by pruning the bushes as soon as they sprouted. In three weeks’ time, they were overgrown and scraggly again. So Memorial Day was my target date to work in the yard – this year it was too hot. We had rain this morning – had planned to go grocery shopping, but rained – not a fan of going in the rain and now possibly severe weather again tomorrow p.m.. I keep putting off buying perishables because at least once a week we have severe weather predicted – with the cost of food, I don’t want to lose it. I lost power 3X last week, but only a minute each time.
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Just look at all the things you’ve learned over the years, Linda. You’re very resourceful and clever too.
I don’t know what to say about the weather other than we’re just going with whatever shows up that day. I hope you get some nice weather soon!
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Well this morning I went shopping – no perishables though as we’re having whopper storms tonight and tomorrow (they are saying on several weather sites I follow). So, nothing to put in the fridge and will have to go back later in the week. But, to be resourceful, I got/will get some laps at the store (Meijer is fairly big). A rainy week and a dentist appointment as well, but I usually walk there. My dentist is a runner – he ran in the Berlin Marathon last year. I was telling Laurie about it as she was doing the London Marathon around the same time. My dentist has a fun way to run miles – he and two other guys pick a goal and they tag team it to get the final goal completed.
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I hope the storms weren’t bad!! Way to do laps at the store as a compromise. I do that unintentionally – Mr. has done all of our shopping for the last few years so when I go to a store I’m lost and wander a lot. I should now consider that exercise!!
I hope your dentist appointment goes well.
Yay for marathoners. Yay for Laurie too – that’s a great goal and I’m sure she’ll finish and be happy!
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Shelley – I somehow don’t feel cheated out of a walk, when I can walk around the store and rack up my miles that way. Meijer is pretty large – maybe as big as a Walmart. So I generally leave the cart in one place and zoom around and carry stuff back (if I have time to do that).
Have a little angst about going to the dentist – I have to tell you that. I like Dr. Kelly and he ran his first Boston Marathon a few years ago when they had freezing rain the entire race. He made it and said “one and done” but trying to do all the major marathons. I guess they have a lottery to get in like Laurie had for England – Laurie/Bill and another couple planned to go and all four run in the England Marathon. But only two of them got their numbers/tickets (?) pulled – Laurie and the guy, but they went anyway and visited Ireland beforehand for a week.
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I’ve always believed that if you’re moving, you’re exercising and that’s good! We have Walmart, but not a Meijer. Thanks for the comparison so I know what you’re talking about size-wise.
I haven’t gone back to the doctor or the dentist through this whole thing. The first outing was the eye-doctor. That was such a fun visit. The places that are surviving all the restrictions and modifications are so happy to see clients/patients, I’m hoping your experience is a great one!
Wow – you gotta be really devoted to running to travel to do so. I was more of a free-space runner – if there’s a road or a path take it and see where it goes. Laurie/Bill have made it part of their life together, it’s great for couple’s travel plans.
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I’m okay with the eye doctor as you can keep your mask on and I know the dentist personnel are careful, but still … still out of my comfort zone and I used to go twice/year for teeth cleaning, but will just do it once this year … that’s all I’ve done since the pandemic began. Yes, the runners are very devoted to running and they run rain or shine, even in Winter. There is a woman at the Park who walks regardless of whether it rains or not. She does not care if it is pouring and told me that if you’re a devoted walker, you walk rain or shine … I told her I took the bus for decades and dealt with the bad weather – standing in rain, freezing rain, heavy snow – no thanks. The heat is no picnic either, but if it’s dry I’ll go. Last Summer we had hot and humid weather, but Meijer was renovating their store – bigtime. Stuff was everywhere and I still don’t know where things are. So they had a mess and I could not walk there. It was good for walking as the aisles are wide and I did perimeters – I used to do that in the sickening hot days, but still prefer the Park – more ambiance. 🙂
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I hope your dental appointment reassures you and that it goes well. Instead of the dentist the past two years I’ve used baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and warm water to keep any tartar at bay. It’s cheap, effective, and the hydrogen peroxide also kills any germs that may/may not be the virus.
You’ve done an excellent job of modifying your walking locations as needed. Keep it up and keep faith that we’ll be walking in nice weather more than crappy weather the rest of this year! The parks are craving the company too!
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I do use baking soda occasionally, though I used to like “Pearl Drops” better as for tartar control. I have heard about using hydrogen peroxide as a rinse – I should get some. Good to know about its virus-protecting capabilities. Thank you for passing that along Shelley. I used to always have hydrogen peroxide on hand to drop my earring backs in and to clean earring posts/wires … when I used to wear earrings all the time. We had a gorgeous day today – a real keeper though I’m sure some people might think it was coolish.
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You’re welcome. Hydrogen peroxide is a must have in the medicine cabinet. 🙂 I ended up with a scratch on my arm from Dessy yesterday and immediately washed it and poured HP on it and it’s healing nicely already.
Yay for a nice early summer day! I hope you got lots of miles in!
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It is already on my shopping list for next time – I just went this week and stocked up a little and got perishables … now we’re hitting 94 or higher Wednesday so I hope that doesn’t mean storms. It was great this morning – wish it would stay like this.
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YAY for a productive shopping trip plan. It’s raining here – or will be all day. Sigh…it was hot and humid yesterday, so I knew it would rain today. I hope the new week is better weatherwise for you.
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We have that rain tomorrow Shelley – ugh – was supposed to be before dawn, but now will linger thru the morning hours. Too bad about that and now severe weather in the coming week – well I got refrigerated food finally, after putting it off due to all these storms the past few week – so now we’re having bad weather again. I think it cools down to 80 Friday – (being an optimist here).
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you to have pleasant weather. We had rain all day yesterday, but no thunderstorms with it. The corn in the field has sprouted big time!
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We had nice weather today – they called for rain, but haven’t seen it, but are having severe weather tomorrow night – already dreading/worrying about that. The corn will be higher than knee high by Fourth of July then!
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Man…storms. I think we’re due for some today. I need to get a walk in before it rains.
Yes, I’m sure it’ll be well over knee high for the 4th. Hopefully it doesn’t stall out with the heat of July. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves though – there has to be some nice days in June!
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Have your storms raced through yet Shelley? I have Twitter open so I can check for the status of these storms … Chicago O’Hare Airport had 84 mph winds about an hour ago. Yikes. Our storm was due around 6:00 and another at 8:00 but now it is coming after 10:00ish and a second one, more volatile, in the overnight. My weather radio has not gone off yet – fingers crossed it fizzles for both of us.
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The storms missed our area, but hit my youngest’s area. It was a FAST moving storm that knocked out the power for hours. I hope you were okay and that it missed your area!!!!
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We were lucky Shelley, but I have to tell you when I went to bed my confidence level was down after hearing about Chicago’s high winds. I knew the weather alarm would go off if I needed to take shelter in the basement. I heard the storm was bad in Ohio and Indiana as well. Sorry to hear your youngest’s area was hit hard and losing the power in the heat on top of it. Tomorrow they’ve upped our temp to 97 with a heat index 10 degrees above that – probably what you got today. I likely will skip a walk, unless there’s a breeze in the morning.
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I’m glad you’re okay, Linda! We had 98 degrees yesterday so storms early this morning and will continue throughout the day. My daughter’s area wasn’t hit as hard as Chicago. I’d love to walk, but it’s raining. Sigh. Hang in there and stay safe!
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We’re getting those storms in the early hours Thursday morning, so likely no walk for me if it lasts too long as the heat warning does not expire until 9:00 a.m. You stay safe too – walk when you can. We do have a cooldown this weekend – temps below average – yay!
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The storms went through fast and furious – no damage here thankfully. It’s cooler and windy today, but you’re right, the weekend should be nice!
Stay safe and cool!
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It’s still 90 at 7:30 and very muggy. It stormed this morning so no walk again. It would have been hotter than Wednesday morning, so I’m not too upset about it. Have to bulk up the miles this weekend in the cooler weather (below-average temps this weekend). Yay!
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The high temps broke here, then the winds came. Both are gone now, it’s a beautiful day for a walk!! YAY for the upcoming weekend.
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We had some high winds the last two days and 25 mph today while I was near the water. One overlook with no railings … about halfway across, a gust of wind, scurried back to the other side! It was a gorgeous day today and tomorrow as well. Dreading Tuesday – 98!
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I know exactly how you feel!! Stay cool this coming week!
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I’m not looking forward to it after this gorgeous and cool weekend!
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It was so hot for us yesterday. We got up to 101 degrees. No rain in the forecast overnight. But…at 2:30 the heat lightning started and it began raining at 3:45 am and has been raining off and on since. So much for weather predictions that are accurate. LOL!
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You were 101 in the morning – that’s amazing. We only reached 96 and that was late in the day. They probably predicted a dry week and then it rained – crazy! We’re very hot temps tomorrow, then back to 91 on Saturday. It’s a big cruise weekend here along the City’s main street … lots of those old-time cars will be overheating; humans overheating – likely an argument or two or three.
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Yes, it was crazy weird weather. We’re in the phase of warmth we were ‘craving’ back in Jan! LOL.
Oh, my, yes – hot weather like that doesn’t always bring out the best in people. 😉
Stay cool!
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I sure enjoyed it this morning and went on a long walk, before the muggies come back on Saturday. But yes, it beats the brrrr of Winter, hands down!
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🚶🏻♀️☀😎
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Looks like you had a wonderful walk and lots to see! haha on the groundhog comment, poor fellow, he can’t seem to get it right! We were camping this past two weeks and it was cold one day and hot the next, crazy weather.
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It was that first nice day that you think “great, we finally turned a corner!” You know how that goes as you’re having the same weather as us. I had the furnace on two days ago and on Monday we are 90+ and maybe breaking a record from 1947. Good thing you have an RV and are not in a tent!
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