Things about Michigan I'm grateful for...

It seems like everywhere I go, people are talking about the woes of living in Michigan. They think there's a silver lining in Texas or Tennessee or Arizona. Maybe there is, but I'm not going anywhere. I am so tired of hearing bad news, especially concerning Metro Detroit, the car companies, Mayor problems, foreclosed houses, etc, etc, that I decided I wanted to make a list of 10 things that I'm grateful for.

1. Water. Michigan is surrounded by six quadrillion gallons of fresh water, and over 3,000 miles of lake coastline. There are also more than 11,000 inland lakes in Michigan and, according to the Michigan Historical Center, one is never more than six miles from an inland lake or more than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes. I think I've personally traveled along 1/2 of those 3,000 miles of coastline. I plan on seeing more of it this summer. "We never know the worth of water 'til the well is dry." -English Proverb
2. Pine Trees. I know everyone has pine trees, but can you hike through a forest of white pines, kicking up sand under your feet and come up onto a bluff that looks over miles of sandy dunes that lead down to one of the great lakes? If you can, then you know how wonderful it is.
3. Diversity. A few weeks ago my sister and her family and I went on our annual traditional shopping spree. In 5 hours we bought hot tortillas in Mexican Town, Fresh produce and spices at the Eastern Market, bought kielbasa and pierogis in Hamtramck (had a great Polish dinner there), stopped in Greek town for some sweets, bought fresh Italian sausages and cheeses at a great Italian market in east Dearborn and ended up at an Arabic bakery for Syrian bread and baklava.
   
4. Snow. Seriously, sometimes I like it. Like tonight when I came home from work. It was dark outside my home, and as I got out of my car, I was met with a soft silence as wispy snow floated down from the dark sky. There was a light scent of smoke in the air; someone had lit a fire. It was a pleasant moment.
5. Spring. Do lilacs bloom in warm climates? I'm not sure, but I would hate to live where there were no lilacs. I planted a lilac bush close to my bedroom window so that in the spring I can smell it's perfumy fragrance.
6. Family. My family is here in Michigan. They live 5 miles, 10 miles and 40 miles away. But they are here, close enough for me to see weekly. I can't imagine being any further away.
7. Friends. I have a handful of friends. It is just the right amount for me. I've had friends come and go and now the friends I have are probably the most important I've ever had.
   
8. History. I'm such a nostalgic person. I drive past a bump in the road and can remember something from my past that has to do with that bump. I remember sights and smells and sounds and can only imagine that if I moved anywhere else, my soul would stay in Michigan.
9. Comfort. Yep. It's all about comfort. It's too scary to think of living anywhere else. It's scary to think about leaving behind my friends, my home, my family, my job, my contacts, and my memories.
10. Hope. No matter how dismal the news is, no matter how many people are facing job cuts and loses, people here still have hope. I see it everywhere I go. People still shop, they buy paint to paint their houses, crafts to decorate, fabric to sew, books to read. I know people are suffering and times are hard, but people still smile and laugh and they keep on living.

I understand there is real pain and fear now because of the economy. I am surrounded by it and don't want to act as if trying to change the way I think will make it all go away. But, it's a great coping mechanism that I use. Being grateful for what I do have helps me. I don't practice Buddhism, but I sure like their sayings.....Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

What did Debbie do today?


I made several embellishments. Here is a picture of some of them. I used rubber stamps and made little words. I'm giving them to a friend of mine who does Artist Trading Cards. I did an alphabet and some faces too. Kind of simple, but she will find many things to do with them.

Say goodbye to summer

Everyday, while I'm working on my creations, I listen to either motivational tapes or ambient music. It is so relaxing and non-distracting. Yesterday, I was making clay witches, there was a beautiful breeze blowing into my work room, the neighborhood was quiet, my cat was sleeping contently in her bed and all seemed "right with the world".

The music coming from my CD player was "Carribean Blue" by Enya. I imagined and remembered the great summer I had this year.

My sister and I and her son explored the woods near Wilderness State Park, where white pines stand tall and straight, row upon row.




We visited Whitefish Bay where the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald is kept.







We wandered around the paths atTahquamenon Falls, and bought souvenirs at the gift shop. Mmmm, that fudge!









I swam with my sister at Sturgeon Bay, a beautiful beach in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by woods, dunes and wildflowers.












We also spent the day at Wilderness State Park day beach, another beach hidden from the masses.










My boyfriend and I spent a few warm days at Holland State Park Beach, a crowded but beautiful beach, with clean white sand and sparkling water.








We also spent a few days at Silver Lake in Pinckney, a small inland lake with grassy hills to picnic on.










My friend Mary Ann and I went to Port Austin and played on the Lake Huron beach all day.


We would have stayed for a sunset if there would have been one, but an approaching storm chased us away.


The next day we went to Port Huron and collected petosky stones and sea glass in between swimming and sunning.

In August, my sister and I and her son went to St. Joseph. Our trip was cut short because my nephew got sick, but we packed a lot of fun into two days.






Wild waves hit the shore at St. Joseph.



A few more trips to Silver Lake with family and friends rounded out and ended my beach fun.









The evenings are getting a little cooler and I know that winter is whispering, "I'll be here soon." It's time to start thinking about weatherizing, packing away the capri pants and flip flops, and that inevitable day when I have to turn on the heat.

But it's the hope inside me, that I'll be back playing on the beach, that gets me through the winter. When I am alone on a sandy dune, I focus intently on the sounds around me. I hear the waves as they splash up against the shore, I listen to the beach grass as it sways in the wind. I smell the fresh scent of the pine trees, feel the breeze against my face. I follow the flight of a seagull as it flies across the sky and I watch it as it bobs on the waves.

Later on, on those cold, dull gray winter days, I reach for those memories and they are easy to find. A few thoughts, a glance through a travel guide, a possible plan for the next summer, and I'm content.

My witches are waiting quietly to be painted, so it's back to work. Embrace the day!