We went out for ice cream.

 

But it's never that simple. We go the long way -- one of the long ways -- slowly meandering the byways and back roads. 

In low wetlands are buttercups and redwing blackbirds. New-mown hayfields have a cultivated harvest beauty, unmown meadows are lakes interrupted by islands of daisies, and in the deepest woods, amid tree shade, ferns, and moss, the very air feels green, as if everything is underwater -- and yet even here in this deep sea mystery, birdsong penetrates, sounding as if all the world (this limited, secret, so-green place) were an enclosed glass conservatory. Then out in the open again, a favorite tree stands calm. And we do, eventually, yes, have ice cream, too.

This is a how a June day begins.

 

The Calm Before the Tourist Storm

Dog Ears Books and its owner proudly support the United States Postal Service

I asked the Artist to take a picture of me in front of the post office, wearing the t-shirt I purchased to demonstrate my support for the USPS (clerk inside at the counter liked it), and when he, the Artist, got into a long conversation with an old friend in front of the p.o., I decided to stroll around nearby with my camera. The village was quiet this morning before 10 a.m., but there was much to be seen. In front of our public township library, for instance, there is this cute "little free library."

library in front; township offices behind

Turning toward the water, I was that the marina parking lot was empty and roped off for resurfacing today, workers gathering for coffee in the gazebo before bending to their task. That marina parking lot is not going to be empty for long, with Memorial Day only six days away.

Turning to look back up Nagonaba Street, again I was struck by the peaceful quiet of the scene. You can see that it was an overcast morning, which always contributes to a feeling of peacefulness, as long as there is not also a strong wind.

museum

The Tribune

The guys were still chatting, so I walked around behind the post office and library to enjoy the creek and other sights. 

Visitors Center

-- Oops! I had wandered out of sight, and my ride didn't know where I was and left without me, but that gave me a chance to stroll up Nagonaba Street to Waukazoo and take a few more shots of our quiet village as it was readying itself for the tourist season.

Looking up Mill Street from the Pennington to Barb's Bakery

One of the former homes of Dog Ears Books is now a Michigan-themed gift shop.

Viburnum I planted is still blooming on the corner.

The hardware store and Mitten Brewing are expecting a busy summer.

Ah, dear Waukazoo Street! I opened early, since I was here and had, as always, things to do in my bookstore. Garage Bar & Grill opens at noon, and on the other side of the Garage the New Bohemian Cafe starts the day early, seven days a week. 

My "gardening" on Waukazoo Street is nowhere near as extensive as it was on the corner of Mill and Nagonaba, but the Artist and I do have a couple splashes of color by our doors to welcome visitors and friends, new and old. It's good to be here. 

This Is What I Came Home To --

 

A Mysterious and Terrible Thing Happened!

You are not leaving without me!

 

How it happened I cannot explain (will have to have my computer gurus investigate), but a day or two before leaving our winter ghost town digs to return to Michigan, I lost an entire list of books that I’d been compiling for months – starting before we even left Michigan in early November! That precious list encompassed familiar titles I’d need to restock, new titles by beloved Michigan authors, and a miscellany of new titles on a variety of subjects added as I read reviews over the winter. There is no way I can ever reconstruct the entire list, so I’m back to the starting line, beginning with the obvious – and obviously I won’t get everything on the first order of the season as I’d hoped to do. 

 

On the other hand (the happy note), books were our #1 priority when we packed the car to trek back to the Midwest, so while the new-new might take a little longer, we’ll be starting out with lots of new-to-you, and that will happen very, very soon....

Packing car begins with book boxes

Note to curious: Do I not save my work? I do indeed! Fanatically! There was some dread force of evil at work on this particular document (saved as a draft e-mail) that suddenly one morning caused it to shrink and shrink and shrink! Every time I re-opened it, the list was shorter, until finally the document was completely blank. “I’ve never seen anything like that happen!” my computer-savvy son remarked in astonishment. Back to paper and pen, we agreed! Often, old ways are best.

Spring in Michigan

Road Through High Plains

 

Good night, Kansas