Kathy, Da Blogger from Da UP, was in search of a cure for cabin fever, not to mention an idea for a post. She thought a scavenger hunt for signs of spring would be just the ticket. Find these five items, she challenged, and send them to me in a green envelope. First one in wins a prize . . .
A pussy willow. This one was down on the beach.
Sumac. This patch is pretty ragged, but there it was, on the riverbank at Richardi Park in Bellaire.
Birchbark. Here’s a fire ring on the beach surrounded by seats made of birch logs.
An animal or bird. A gull was soaring overhead at Richardi Park, trying to figure out what I was up to.
Animal scat. I was a little worried that the only scat I’d find would belong to Miss Sadie or the Cowboy, and thus be something I’d have to clean up rather than photograph for the ages. However, apparently there will always be goose poop on the beach. Always.
The green envelope.
Torch Lake Views 
flandrumhill
April 1, 2009
Lovely pussy willows.
Gerry
April 1, 2009
Thank you ma’am. Lovely flamingoes on Flandrum Hill . . .
katherine
April 1, 2009
I’m not sure how you are going to fit all of those things into one small green envelope and I’m pretty sure you cannot send a sea gull through the mail…. Oh, never mind.
Gerry
April 1, 2009
Katherine I was counting on you to help me stuff ’em all into the envelope and get it taped together and on the truck with all the stamps stuck on. But then I realized this is the blogosphere, and I’m pretty sure everything already arrived safely at Kathy’s place in the UP.
centria
April 2, 2009
Gerry, Jeez, I was in such an April Fool’s mode yesterday I forgot to come over here and comment. CONGRATULATIONS!! You’re awesome. But you are getting an absolutely real non-virutal prize in return. Thanks for sending your address. It may be awhile though…I need to ponder the appropriate gift. (don’t get too excited, I’m sending my friend Melinda some dirt from our garden. She requested it….)
Gerry
April 2, 2009
Hmmm. Guinea hen feathers? They looked very pretty on your April Fool post . . .
flandrumhill
April 2, 2009
Glad you liked the flamingos Gerry. I was told they weren’t as good as the BBC’s flying penguins but I tried.
Congratulations on winning Kathy’s contest. If she’s not beyond mailing out dirt these days, I can only imagine what your ‘real’ prize might be.
Gerry
April 2, 2009
I am secure in the knowledge that she promised not to send scat. We have quite enough of our own. The Cowboy was hoping for food, but given the range of delicacies the Cowboy relishes, I rather hope the prize is Anything Else.
centria
April 2, 2009
flandrumhill, anyone who submits can win! Since you are one of the “regular commenters” you are eligible for a prize too. :0 No Scat! Gerry, WHO is the Cowboy? I should know this already, but I’m confused. Miss Sadie is your dog, right? Oops, maybe not. I’ll await your illumination.
Gerry
April 2, 2009
Ah. One forgets that newcomers to Torch Lake Views are not acquainted with Miss Sadie and the Cowboy. Miss Sadie is a tidy terrier with a pleasant disposition. The Cowboy is an untidy spaniel with, let us say, a lively curiosity about the world. Both make regular appearances in these pages, as they often accompany me on my rounds. They are good company, even though they are not particularly helpful photographer’s assistants. You can see Miss Sadie in A little summer in February for Jack and the Cowboy in Cowboy on Snowshoes.