Angora/Mohair hat

This is 50 % angora, 50 % mohair with accent stripes of brown and gray alpaca with a little bit of bronze glitz. This past week I have knitted three hats, a pair of baby booties, a neck warmer and a shawl.

Gimme Two Bucks

These two guys, antlers in velvet, were at the creek the other day. This place is the best kept secret-full of wildlife and flowers.

Salsa!!!

Roma tomatoes

Mrs. Webbs salsa mix

Cookin' up a storm

Finished pints

We picked thirty pounds of tomatoes yesterday and then today made salsa. Next year we are going to pick sixty pounds of tomatoes because this is only a two week supply. LOL Just kidding but we do go through the salsa.

Native American Atlatl

I have been interested in spear throwing with an atlatl for the past 15 years. I was introduced to the activity while planning an outdoor event when I worked for the parks. Its good exercise and requires a bit of practice and skill to actually hit a target. Native American's use atlatl's to hunt. There are actually two parts to the weapon; the atlatl and the spear. The atlatl serves as an extension to the hand and allows the thrower to put more force behind the spear. Last fall at the paw paw festival in southern Ohio I met a gentleman who had made his own atlatl and the meeting renewed my interest in the atlatl. I quickly drew up a sketch of his atlatl after conversing with him and decided to (along with Andrew's help) make one. After obtaining some deer leg bones, to use for the end shafts, from a friend during hunting season, I started my project. Early this summer I found some osage orange wood, and Andrew made the middle of the shaft from it. The tip, which holds an arrow in place, is made from a piece of deer antler. Here is the plan and the finished item. I still need to make an arrow which will be from bamboo. If you are interested in the learning more about the atlatl visit the site of the World Atlatl Association.

atlatl with turkey feather decorationend which holds the spear in place

Pammi's

If you are ever in Cedarville, MI in the upper pennisula-check out
Pammi's Restaurant for fabulous walleye and service with a smile.

Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge

Daisy and I go for a swim

woodland fungus

pickerel frog

docked on shore

a pair of red eyed vireos

osprey in flight

pearly everlasting

Here are some scenes from our trip today to Harbor Island. Access is by boat only and the preserve is managed by Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

Carl Gersacher Nature Preserve

Last night on the beach at Dudley Bay in Northern Michigan. Check it
out at the nature conservancy dot org