One of my favorite things about the internet is that it links me to faraway places. I love getting email from 鈴木 千佳子. I love seeing mysterious search terms that people use to find their way to Torch Lake Views. Today someone was looking for a زهرة عباد الشمس. When I used the Google translator, and guessed that the writing was in Arabic, I came up with “sunflower.” I am enchanted. As there are always sunflowers around here somewhere, I know the unknown searcher found one—though perhaps an unconventional one.
The Google translator is suspect, of course. It is, after all, free, and runs imperfectly. When I tried to translate a Japanese posting on 鈴木 千佳子’s Facebook wall I came up with some VERY funny results: Thanks! I have seen pictures of me? The bus was on display since the cat took pictures. Do you know of a joyful at your face?
Some things transcend language. Chikako (鈴木 千佳子) misses Michigan autumn, and requested some pictures. She also sent me these lovely images of fall color in Japan.
As you know, I have taken the position that it is still summer in northern Michigan. However, I confess that autumn is creeping in on little cat feet. Soon there will be images of fall color in Torch Lake Township. Soon . . . but not yet. We saw some perfectly good corduroy sand under the Bay this morning. I’m going wading.
Torch Lake Views 
uphilldowndale
September 26, 2009
Keep up the good work Gerry, we are relying on you to hold back autumn single handed.
Gerry
September 26, 2009
Just call me Queen Canute. Wait, wait — that whole episode didn’t end well, did it . . .
P.J. Grath
September 26, 2009
The connections to people in other countries are delightful, aren’t they? Those fall images from Japan are wonderful.
Holding it back? Hmmm. Here in St. Paul today it has still felt like summer, but our drive through northern Wisconsin on Thursday was very autumnal. We’ll see what northern Michigan holds early next week on our return.
Gerry
September 26, 2009
Lots of fresh water. Some of it in the sky, falling gently . . .
giiid
September 27, 2009
I love this translation! The Google translater can be more creative than even the most creative minds!
Instructions and manuals translated by machines are my favorites, they are really funny to read some times.
Btw, thanks for the positive thoughts about autumn, that was a good reminder. Autumn has actually been very nice until now.
Gerry
September 27, 2009
I’m reminded of some printer instructions from the 1980s (when we had to set dipswitches to select fonts and styles that are now controlled by software). I struggled through the process, checking each step laboriously. Then, at the end of a long explanation, the manual said this: “But never mind.” After more than 20 years, I’m still laughing.