I like to read stories of the burning desert sands while winter blizzards pelt the Writing Studio and Bait Shop. Last night, as a hot, muggy day descended into mosquito-filled darkness, I wanted . . . polar bears. Jack London. Blue ice. I pawed through the Photo Archives looking for cold comfort, and found it.
I took some snowy pictures in February 2008. I was out and about that weekend trying to capture nooks and crannies for an Our Town: Antrim County post for the Record-Eagle. That bench looks over Grand Traverse Bay from the Banks Township Park.
There’s Richardson Road. See how nicely we keep it plowed? You’d think I might have found at least one sunny day in there, but you would be wrong. This is the value of looking at February pictures when August is misbehaving. A person comes to appreciate the good parts of a bad day. And look what happened in March:
That’s the Elk River showing to best advantage. After that I felt so much better I went right off to sleep. It’s supposed to be hot again today, so you might need this post. I’m off to buy canning jars. I know, I know, but I am going to learn to can apricots, and I love apricots even more than I hate being too darned hot. Meanwhile, you can amuse yourself with our new Looking Backward feature. Great posts on this day in other years. The local weekly newspapers do this all the time, and I figured I was missing a bet. Here you go.
Torch Lake Views 
Wendi
August 4, 2010
I agree…it is too hot! But that is what our beautiful lakes are for. If only I could find the time….
Gerry
August 4, 2010
See, I figure a refreshing dip in the lake is just the ticket for clearing the brain. So you save time in the long run . . .
(I have a gift for rationalization.)
giiid
August 4, 2010
Once again a new feature at your blog, – before too long you are probably posting in 3D. I´m still trying to figure out how you have made the links mentioning the latest post, (at the buttom of this page). After that, I will try to figure out how you have made the diasshow, and after that, I will find out about the looking backward feature. After that, I will probably need a refreshing dip in the lake.
Nice cold photos, for a hot day, hopefully it helps a bit. Just 20C and clouds here.
Gerry
August 4, 2010
Yes, well, I’m good at tricks. Must give some thought to that 3D notion. The Looking Backward list is just links I made to archived posts. I like looking back to see what was blooming around here, or what the weather was like, or what was ripe in the markets at this time last year, or the year before. I thought other people might like that, too, every now and then.
I think these WordPress features are the ones you’re wondering about:
RSS Widgets (links to the latest posts from other blogs-like the one I have to yours!)
Slideshows (like the one of the Indian Pipe images in the previous post)
Now if you could just teach me some principles of design . . .
But right now, off to the lake. It’s 27C here.
Cindy Lou
August 4, 2010
I have to say that though it’s hot, I LOVE IT! I’m one of those nutso heat lovers – must have something to do with growing up in Hawaii – hmmmm?? Plus I figure I muddle through 6 months of the stuff shown in your photos so I must enjoy this while I can!! They did breathe a fresh breath today 🙂
Gerry
August 5, 2010
I was not aware that it actuallly got hot in Hawaii. All the travel promotions emphasize the year-round perfection of it. Could it be . . . that they dissimulate? Anyway, I enjoy nice warm days–even an occasional hot day if I don’t have to run around in it much–but a hot, humid day where the only breeze is made by mosquitos oppresses me. Fortunately, we don’t get very many of those up here. Today, for example, is the most wonderful day. I can breathe and everything.
Beth Toner
August 5, 2010
LOL I don’t know that I need to be cooled off that badly. 🙂 let’s go jump in the lake, instead.
You’ll be happy to know my oldest brother bought an additional 11-acre property next to his along the Kalkaska River. He is desperately hoping that when the big kids go off to college (three years and counting), he will persuade Joe and I to move in “next door.” Yay!
Gerry
August 5, 2010
Beth, I hate to be the one to break the bad news, but I don’t think there is a Kalkaska River. There are some nice rivers in Kalkaska County–the Rapid, the Torch, the Boardman and the Manistee flow to mind. Please tell me your brother is on one of those. (Or, in the alternative, let me know where the Kalkaska is so I can go explore post-haste!)
Karma
August 5, 2010
Nope, nope, nope! No reminscing about winter for me! I dread it. I should be hardier having lived in Massachusetts my entire life, but I don’t even want to think about it. I would always rather be hot than cold. Hubby says July and August are the only times of the year that my toes are not frozen.
I like your looking backward idea! It will however be a while before I could do a feature like that.
Gerry
August 5, 2010
The archive is a great reality check. When I think It has never been this miserably hot and muggy in all recorded history I can go back to a post where I whined about just that and remind myself that I lived through it last year and I can live through it this year, too! It’s interesting, too, to compare what bloomed when. We focus a lot on the effect of temperature, and that’s clearly important, but the hours of sunlight continue to be boss I think.
Cindy Lou
August 5, 2010
Me, too – Karma – pick me! It’s actually quite pleasant today with a breeze and 69, but while my husband’s happy, I’m actually a bit cool!
Beth Toner
August 5, 2010
LOL Gerry – OK, how about I have another cup of coffee BEFORE I type — it’s on a river (creek) IN Kalkaska. Jiminy cricket. Actually, south east of KK.
Gerry
August 5, 2010
Phew. That’s a relief. I was afraid I was missing out on something. OK, so now I can do my happy dance! Your brother is even more devious than I. Heh heh.
Beth Toner
August 6, 2010
Gerry – True dat, true dat. oh! and we’re off to East Harbor State Park next week!
Gerry
August 6, 2010
You’re not coming to Torch Lake this year, are you. Oh woe. On the other hand, you are getting lots of camping experience and eventually the inevitable will happen. I am even more devious than I realized.
Beth Toner
August 9, 2010
No we’re not — a product of the economy and just not enough days left over after 10 (count ’em — TEN) days taken off for school-related stuff.
Next year, for certain. and Joe has said THREE times this week, “That’s it, we’re moving to Michigan.”
so you are more devious — AND more effective than you know!
Gerry
August 9, 2010
Heh heh. Good man, that Joe.