Photo/blog challenge

My much younger and more organized sister has vowed to blog every single day in March and some friends of mine issued a Lenten photography challenge-forty days of lent with a theme for each day so I figured why not combine the both? We all know I can't do forty days of anything but maybe just maybe I can keep up with sis and combine the two into 31 days of blogging and or photography.
So let me start off with some of my favorite pictures taken recently.
The first one is taken at Haw Creek Falls.

 The second is taken on 123 near Fort Douglas and if it seems a little crooked or off center-give me a break, I was on the back of a Harley.

 The third is of "Big Creek" near the Buffalo River at Carver.

 The fourth is also of Big Creek, but I was admiring the bluffs in the distance. I think it's pretty even though spring colors aren't here yet.

Thanks Mom

Last Thanksgiving, my step dad gave all of us a box of pictures that my mom had left. She had hundreds no thousands of pictures. Pictures of plants, dogs, cats, scenery, and of course pictures of her kids and grand kids. None were labeled and they weren't in any kind of order. Words can't thank him enough-some of the craziest pictures have a special meaning to each one of us. There's pictures taken the first Christmas Mom got a microwave-when we nuked every thing in sight to see what would happen and if it would be edible. There's pictures of all the girls dressed a like in some holiday out fit. There are duplicates that I gave her and lost in the process of my divorce (so glad to get them back). But, in my box there was a roll of undeveloped film.
Plants? Dogs? Snow or sunsets?
It's scary dropping off film when you have no earthly idea what's on the film. She thought nothing of taking bath pictures and pictures of naked kids on a deer skin rug.
I waited until the holidays were over so there was less chance that Walmart would loose the film.
I finally got the pictures back today. They are absolutely beautiful.

The original pictures are much better in reality and the beautiful baby? Casey Epps.

That's right these pictures were taken almost eighteen years ago.

Michigan Research part 2 Dark Sky Park

So I really want to drive through Petoskey, Mi and try and find stones but guess what's not too far from there and never closes?
Dark Sky Park
That's right a park that sits on the edge of the water with very little light and a very good chance to see the Northern Lights.

Hero...no cape required

 Oscar doesn't look much like a hero. He actually has a Superman shirt, but he prefers his green shirt or something really soft and warm. I know if he was coming to tell someone that Timmy fell in the well, Timmy would age quite a bit before the rescue could be made. He runs (sometimes) and he runs hard, but when your legs are less than six inches long you can't travel  distances quickly. But sometimes, you don't have to be fast or big to make a difference.
He alerted Dwight that something was wrong in the kitchen. There was a pan of grease on the stove that had gotten too hot and started smoking and Oscar let Dwight know before it went up in flames.
My hero..he saved my favorite pan and the kitchen.
                                         

Happy Birthday Rowan

Today my youngest nephew turns six years old. Six! Holy cow-it won't be long before he's taller than his mom and I. I don't remember turning six, but I remember flying down from a tree and/or swing set. I remember how it felt riding my bike. I hope his day is filled with laughter and if I lived closer he would be getting a rat with red eyes in spite of what my sister would do to me.

New discoveries.. January cleaning

I can't tell you how long I've had my dish washer. I can tell you that the filter has never been cleaned until this week-when I found it. I had no idea the filter even existed, but it's clean now and I'm sure the dish washer will do a much better job. Maybe I really should read the little booklet that came with it.

Vacation Research Petoskey Stones

I've been doing research on Michigan and it seems that there are some special stones  found only in Michigan. It's not the same as hunting sea shells, but I think I'm up for it.

The Petoskey Stone is a type of fossilized colony coral found only in Michigan, the coral living during the Devonian period about 350 million years ago when Michigan had a warm inland sea. Because of the "eye" type configurations it shows especially when polished, it is said to mystically help stimulate the third eye and psychic awareness. Petoskey Stone is also said to keep naughty spirits from channeling incorrect information or interfering with one's life. In particular, as far as awareness, Petoskey Stone is said to enhance awareness of the emotions, which can be a boon for dealing with emotional issues. It is also said to clear out negative energies from the aura and the environment. Traditional healing folklore and crystal healing lore purport that Petoskey Stone is helpful for healing AIDS, Cancer, CFS, eyes, head, infections, infectious disease, lungs, skeletal system, and tumors of all kinds. Petoskey Stone is related primarily to the third eye chakra as well as the crown chakra.

From trip advisor:

It's getting harder and harder to find good petoskey stones, especially at the popular beaches. To find them in the wild, you'll have to scour the beaches (Petoskey stones can be found anywhere in Northern Michigan, but stony Lake Michigan beaches seem to be the best spot to look). If you're in town, avoid the Bayfront Park, this will be pretty well picked over. Just south, is Magnus Park which might be a good spot to start. Also, if you take 31 South there are several small roadside parks between Petoskey and Charlevoix that would be good places to look.
Here's a picture of a live Petoskey Stone

I'm sure the water will be a little too cool to actually find one in the water, but aren't they neat looking?

Now here's what I want to look for: