Sarah and Kona Have Morning Stick Play

Wildflowers Up Close, Late June

Another Quietly Beautiful Morning

Beautiful New Neighbors

Grass Three Ways

Which way do you like it best?

Rosy From Morning 'Til Night

To New South Wales, With Love, From the Leelanau

Dear Kathy and Grahame,

If you were visiting, this is where we would dine al fresco--out by the neglected and overrun garden. 

Yes, sorry to say, this garden has gone dreadfully to grass and weeds, and I find neither the time nor the energy (nor the inclination, obviously) to bring it back to its former, relatively orderly self. Still, the birds visit, and the flowers bloom.

The birds are happy as long as they have fresh water...

...and the flowers have made no objection to having weeds as close neighbors.

Well, there was this little renegade lot (below), who up and moved themselves clear out of the garden altogether.

Now they bloom like a bright secret, tucked way down in the grass, but I sort of like the effect.


The garden area directly in front of our old farmhouse is not yet completely out of control. It is here on our boardwalk that we enjoy our morning coffee while watching birds and dreaming of future improvements to our outdoor summer life.

There are no plums on the two plum trees, but one tree is newly planted this year, and it's been a bad season for stone fruits in northern Michigan. For now, the trees seem happy with leaves, and I'm happy with the trees.

It is no Varykino. Well, maybe the caretaker's cottage?