Sarett Nature Center

The sun is finally shining here in the Midwest so the mister and I decided to celebrate with a visit to the Sarett Nature Center in Benton Harbor Michigan.  

It costs 3 dollars to get in which is well worth it as the grounds are large (8 miles of trails in 1000 acres)

and well marked with lots of trail signs to keep you on track with your chosen destination.  We picked up a map at the front desk and followed along with it quite easily. 

About 2 hours into our trail hike we came upon this old abandoned boxcar and I was so happy to have my camera with me to capture it.  You just have to wonder how did this old Michigan Fruit Canners rail car get in the middle of the forest in a Nature Center.  I love the color and the old lettering.  

All of the trails and special viewing platforms were marked with little hand made wood signs like this one.

As you can see here, a woodpecker really went to town on this tree!

Fun benches and resting spots could be found throughout the center

While it was challenging to get any good pictures of the birds which were moving about so quickly,  this fine turtle was much more my speed. He seemed to be enjoying the sunshine as much as we were.

Not all of the center was covered in these wooden walkways but quite a bit of it was.  There was even a treetop walkway .  The wood and steel raised walkway is 250 feet long and 55 feet off the ground making for a great treetop bird spotting location. 

We ended up spending 3 hours at the center and hiking many miles.  It felt good to get out in the sun after our long winter.  We spotted many birds, a beaver, a raccoon and turtles.  I'm sure deer and other forest friends could be spotted on different days.  It was great day and well worth the 3 dollars entrance fee.  Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods!

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anthropomorphic

I love finding happy things to take photos of on my daily walks.  This funny basketball hoop smiles at me and I smile back.  

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Van Buren State Park --- Michigan

Dear State Park,

Thanks for the good times.

Love, Megan

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I love you this much ...

For whatever reason, I like to take pictures of goofy things when I'm out junking and send them to my mister.  My rule is the item has to have a "message" on it that is appropriate for him.  I started doing this about 4 years ago and now I can't stop.  I have a problem.  Is there a 10 step program for weird-os like myself who are addicted to taking pictures of tchotchkes??

Tchotchke (/ˈtʃɒtʃkə/choch-ka)^{[1][2][3][4][5]} is a small bauble, curio, dingus, doodad, doohickey, gewgaw, gimcrack, gizmo, kitsch, knickknack, lagniappe, miscellaneous item, plaything, swag, thingamabob, thingamajig, thingie, toy, trinket, whatchamacallit, whosit, whatsit, widget, etc. Depending on context, the term has a connotation of worthlessness or disposability as well as tackiness

I think the Wikipedia definition is pretty dead on correct.  I mean my goal is actually to find the MOST tacky or perhaps worthless item with a sweet message.  I love the juxtaposition of its actual doohickey status mixed with its message of love or adoration.  

I usually don't even get much of a response.  I think my little crazy photo texts are "tolerated" and not really enjoyed for the long distance love hugs they are meant to be.  But I don't let that stop me.  I'm not easily discouraged when it comes to playfully messing with my man.  Deep inside I think I secretly wish that someone would send me this ... 

But they don't.  I just get the run of the mill .... what should we have for dinner and the other standard fare as far as texting goes.  One of these days I might get lucky and a silly apron-wearing pig holding a frying pan will pop up on my screen.  He'll be holding a sign that says ..." What's cookin .... good lookin.  Then all will be right in my world.  Pin It

Out my windows

I peek out my front window and I see a snow covered weeping cherry tree.  Bob and I purchased a pair of these at the Kane County Flea about 17 years ago.  I thought they looked like umbrellas ( I have a weird fascination for umbrellas) and my hubby loves anything tree or plant related so he was totally onboard with the purchase.   I remember that the trees were $115 each.  We could have gotten a lot of funnel cakes and corn dogs for that $230 but instead we now have these diminutive quirky trees in our yard that we've been told to let grow long to the  ground (by a landscaper) yet my guy always trims them up into umbrellas because it makes me happy. 

Last saturday as we drove off to have my birthday breakfast I spotted this cool old truck in the lane besides us.  I excitedly whipped out the iphone and tried to get a good snapshot.  There was a bit of ... speed up, slow down, go faster, no, no, you're going too fast, hurry the other car is getting in my way, darn my sideview mirror won't get out of my way, ok perfect I think I got it.  Probably sounds like we were a menace to the road but I can assure you my husband is an excellent driver.  How do I know, because he tells me he is all the time.  

I always enjoy the view from my home office window.  Our house is in an old historic neighborhood and the majestic towering pines that surround it are most likely older than our house which was built in 1898. My office is tiny but it doesn't really feel that way.  It feels cozy and has two windows which let the light and the view flood in.  My office is in what was once the maid's room.  It is right next to the servant's staircase.  I serve myself to a treat when I fly down the back stairs and land in the kitchen.  

This view is out of our bedroom.  You can't see it now but there is a gorgeous old house right across the street.  I love living in an old neighborhood.  I find it comforting to be around things that have a history.  I've just always been drawn to old stuff.  If only the walls could talk.  I'd love to listen to what they'd have to say. 

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