Friday, December 4, 2009

Today was an amazing day on the lake. The water was green and blue with wind-whipped whitecaps. The sky was full of magnificent, stunning cloud formations all day and the light snow-cover from last night left no doubt that cold winter has arrived. I took photos on and off all day, and about 4 pm, I noticed the gulls. They move in the wind right off the bluff, but today the wind was so strong, they were often nearly motionless as they found the balance between gravity and wind. I could see ID marks more clearly than ever before and am getting better at 1st and 2nd year ring-bills and herrings.

AND THEN, I saw new life bird: an adult great black-backed gull. I was absolutely excited and thrilled and had no one to share this with (another life theme at this point), but exclaimed out loud to myself. It flew back and forth and I saw it several times...a deep dark, nearly black mantle with a narrow white band on the lower wing edges and white tips at the end of its long wings. This bird is uncommon here so I feel gifted.

I also noticed an odd little quirk several times on random gulls in the wind: they would be nearly motionless and would give their legs a little shake and I am just now wondering if they were getting rid of water droplets which could freeze fairly fast in the wind and cold up in the sky.

Monday, November 30, 2009


It is the last day of November and the wind is fierce off the lake tonight, rattling the windows. This cottage is old and heats unevenly and not well. Still, today, I was watching gulls move through the wind, back and forth just off my front yard. It was such a play between wind and feathers and suddenly they would swoop down out of sight. Perhaps there was something tasty on the beach. In the strong wind, they moved slowly and I could see gull features quite well, like wing tips, tails, mantles...

I stopped at the Ludington wastewater management place coming from Townsend, walked in the Admin office, looked at the 3 guys working with test tubes and just said, "birds" and one replied, "No Little gulls today..." but he was kidding. He didn't know if there were any out there or not.

I went out and got to look through a Swarovski spotting scope! Absolutely beautiful optically. The gentleman who owned it and was also Little gull seeking had it focused on a frenetic group of Bonaparte's, and I could see them so clearly. He THOUGHT he had found a Little gull, but I didn't see it. Still, it was worth stopping for the chance to look through one of these amazing scopes.


Wednesday, November 25, 2009


It is the night before Thanksgiving and the wind is blowing and rain is spitting against the windows. I am most grateful for my near and far family..children, grandchildren, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. When I listen to the radio and all the talk about holidays and family chaos and the (IMO) overused word "dysfunctional" families, I wonder how they got that way. As someone said, it's just life. I am grateful for shelter and food and birds and books and the blessing of parents who gave me so much.

Heading to Townsend tomorrow for Thanksgiving with the Wetzels.

Monday, October 12, 2009

When I drove into town this morning, I was in the school bus traffic and had a huge wave of nostalgia for this bygone phase of my life. I always waited with Adam for the bus this last year and would look north up Farm to Market for the lights of the bus. In the late fall and winter hours, it was often just barely light. Depositing and delivering a child onto a school bus meant several free hours...it also meant your child was still something of a child. That era is past for me now.

Later I went birding and got totally lost on gravel roads east and north of Grand Haven, but the trees were in spectacular color with dozens of variations on red, orange and yellow and green. Even in the muted cloudy near dusk light, the trees were rich and utterly lovely.

And, no, there was no wine at the 45th college reunion.

Friday, October 9, 2009

And, today Barack Obama unexpectedly won the Nobel Peace prize, immediately causing a media blitz with those who thoughtfully stated he should have refused, those who thought he was deserving and the uncivil screechers, who rant in negative way about every Obama action.
Tomorrow I am going to my 45th college reunion and mostly I am wondering if wine will be available with dinner.

Also, I would like to see the artprize winner....

Friday, October 2, 2009

I am currently reading Jim Harrison's Farmer. It is so evocative of the land in northern Michigan. It soothes me to read his prose.

I am also reading Ursula Hegi's The Vision of Emma Blau. Another good novel with great characters and sense of place and time.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Home for rent between Kalispell and Whitefish













Here are some photos of my house for rent in the west valley between Kalispell and Whitefish. It is a 2-story home, 1000 square feet on each level. Upstairs is a full bath, a bedroom, kitchen, dining area and living room with a wood burning stove. Downstairs are 3 rooms, storage space and a half bath (has shower). 

There is a generous deck on the east and south sides of the home (which faces east) overlooking the valley with mountains on the horizons to the north, east and south. I see Whitefish Mountain ski slopes, Glacier National Park and the Mission and Swan ranges.

There are 7 acres with some fencing, an over-sized 2-stall garage and three outbuildings for animals and storage. The part of the valley is zoned at 10 acres so neighbors are not too close. 

One has to live in or see this house to really appreciate its warmth and lovely, always changing, views. 

It is 1.3 miles from West Valley school, 4.5 miles from Glacier High School and 6 miles from the hospital, Costco, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, etc. The property is very accessible and last winter I only plowed twice. There is a large area in front of the garage for maneuvering vehicles and parking. Always, everyday, I find this home a retreat when I return from "town" and sit on the deck with its wonderful views.

Rent is $1100 per month with $1100 deposit. One-year lease. (No smoking inside; pets negotiable)