Biking in November... In Wisconsin? Yes!!!

This weekend Jack and I took advantage of the beautiful weather, in November, in Wisconsin, by biking on Saturday to La Grange and on Sunday to Oconomowoc.  It was great!  Great weather, great company, great bicycling, and some great photos.  It was great to bike with Jack!  He's the only person that I know that loves bicycling as much as I do! 

MacKenzie Marie Browne Welcome to Earth!

My brother Bobby and his significant other Dana have introduced a new contributor to this world.  My youngest neice was born today!!!! At just over 7lbs she entered the world at slightly past midnight.  According to my brother Bobby she resembles Dana, though my initial reaction to his iPhone'd' photo was BIG BROWNE HEAD.  More photos to come when time permits.  We are THRILLED.  And, isn't she a beauty? 

My very best to Bobby and Dana - AND congrats to the Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Aunts, Uncles, siblings and extended family.

Here is our beauty.  More photos to come.

A week about animals - Fresh Air Podcasts...

Let me start by saying that one of my favorite radio broadcasts is a NPR program called "Fresh Air".  This program, hosted by Terry Gross, airs weekdays at 11AM in Wisconsin.  Terry interviews a guest, usually someone in the media, regarding some topic, based on their relationship to the topic.  The diverse guest list includes celebrities, authors, scientists, politicians, survivors, and people of interest.  

Thanks to iTunes, iPods and free podcasts, I am able to enjoy this program, when I have time, for free, without a lot of fuss or planning.  Recently I started listening to the podcasts that I had downloaded to the iPod, over the car audio system, while driving to/from work.  That's when I discovered this gem... A week about Animals...

Those of you that love animals, as I do, should take a moment to listen to these podcasts, which aired over a week, in September 2009.  Here is a link to the NPR website, which will get you to the various interviews that I thoroughly enjoyed.  http://www.npr.org/search/index.php?searchinput=animal+week

In summary, Terry and others on the Fresh Air staff, interviewed people that either filmed animals, observed animals, treated animals, associated with animals, trained animals, wrote about animals, worked with animals or sang about animals.  Each interview was informative, interesting, and eye opening, especially with respect to technological improvements that have given us MORE information about animals, and especially their intelligence, their physical and environmental challenges, and the joy that they bring into our lives as humans.  From the plight of the polar bear, due to global warming, to the lifestyle and life cycle of the dung beetle, you'll be informed, entertained and enlightened about animals. 

I'd love to know what you think about this collection of podcasts.  I was moved by so many of the interviews that I want to make a life change - especially one that involves animals... photographing, writing, studying, and informing come top of mind.  I don't know if I am qualified for anything related to animals - but I find great joy in thinking about the prospects of making animals a mainstay of my life.

Let me know what YOU think.

Craig's Lake

Last weekend I traveled to Craigs Lake to enjoy another beautiful October weekend in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  This year I was joined by Rob and Julie Westfahl, Jeff Lee, Jack Brittain, Tom Brittain, David Brittain, Rick Regazzi and David's dog Lizzie.  We camped on Friday night at a park not far from Craigs Lake.  It was freezing cold... and very difficult to sleep.  The next morning we packed up camp, drove to a diner for breakfast, found the trailhead and backpacked in to Craig's Lake to a cabin built by Frederick Miller, President of Miller Brewing Company in the 1950's.  The HUGE cabin had a wood burning stove, an enormous fireplace and gigantic picture windows all around with picturesque views of Craig's Lake.  The fall colors were glorious, the weather was crisp,and with snow showers both Saturday and Sunday morning, we had an early preview of winter. 

Our hike on Saturday took us around Craig's Lake with some side trips to Teddie's Lake and Claire's Lake, named for Fred's many children.  Though it snowed briefly, the sun was plentiful throughout the weekend, and we thoroughly enjoyed the weather, the company and the scenery.  I was so thankful to have another weekend to be outdoors with friends.  Enjoy the photos and the video - with David!

Currently The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (P.S.) By David Wroblewski see related

Happy 59th Wedding Anniversary - Mom and Dad!

  Just want to take a moment to celebrate my parents wedding anniversary - WOW - 59 years!  Their time together is remarkable - they depend on each other, they support each other, they complement each other and (there is no doubt) they LOVE each other!  This is definitely NOT a marriage of convenience (they have endured LOADS of challenges during their time together) yet they have stayed together, through thick and thin, because they genuinely love and respect each other.  Their example gives me all the proof that I need on this topic.  LOVE endures!