A Day in the Life of One Lucky Up North Dog

First, a beautiful ride. But do dogs enjoy scenery?

Not so's you'd notice.

Running through the leaves,

ducking through and under fences --

that's more to her liking.

Finally, after holding court

with friends old and new,

she heaves a big sigh

and rests on her book dog laurels.

Looking Out Toward South Fox Island From My Neighborhood

None Dare Call It Snow!

This is a low, wet meadow 

on the outskirts of the unincorporated village of Lake Leelanau

on Wednesday morning, October 23.

As I drove south from home, rooftops seemed dusted with snow,

and along the sides of the road was a wet, white accumulation.

This is where Sarah and I took our morning walk,

and this is what the ground looked underfoot:

I had assured friends looking for a year-round home

that they would find something before snow fell.

Did my optimistic forecast fail?

Another friend says no.

She says what we have on the ground today is not snow

but graupel.

I feel better already!

It is not winter yet!

There's nothing wrong with snow, 

and winter will be here soon.

I just want our friends

settled in a home before real snow flies.

Meanwhile, though color is fading 

and more trees are bare every day, thanks to high winds,

our world still has many bright spots. 

A Walk with My Friend's Spirit

Subtle, Varied Shades of Red

Red osiers, a native dogwood, offer vivid autumn color. Raindrops on camera lens provide unintended blurs to the close-up viewer.

Looking Closely at Fall Colors and Patterns

Fall color comes in every hue, 

from blindingly bright to hushed and quiet.

There is color in fruits, not only leaves.

Wild grapes, as well as domesticated grapes in vineyards,

are hanging ripe on the vine.

Ash leaves! So many different colors!

Asters are the brightest fall flowers

in fields and along roadsides.

Some colors are very subtle

but merit close attention.

Then there are nature's patterns, 

beautiful even with color subtracted

Birch Grove, Morning Light