When a winter has been Truly Awful every little bit of sunshine has an astonishing effect on a person’s mood. We had a few days of wild optimism over the weekend and, in the manner of Feiffer cartoons (joy tempered with deep anxiety) went dancing.
We were not the only ones out and about. I’m pretty sure this little guy was a potential investor looking for likely properties in advance of the summer rush. He sampled the lichen, explored the access routes through pine and maple, birch and beech. He studied me at length.
I hope he decides to stick around. It’s a heckuva thing when your self-esteem can be influenced by the judgments of a red squirrel, but it’s been that kind of winter.
We have another new neighbor, too. He’s a friendly sort, waving away at the side of the road, even if he does resemble Darth Vader. We met him over at the new home of Bell’s Iron Rock Designs (Rod Bell, artist), about which more soon.
The Bay is still frozen, although not reliably. We will not be making any more expeditions to the ice mountains.
But enough about joy; back to anxiety. It’s clear from the weather map that . . . nothing is clear. Apparently we are about to have rain, sleet, thunderstorms, snow, sunshine, spring warmth, and freezing, all at once.
Weather Dance – excerpt from map on the Record-Eagle weather forecast page (March 29? 2014 – must go check the date)
The driveway is already impossibly icy (no picture as it took all my attention to negotiate the trip to retrieve the newspaper this morning). However, we are not complaining. Earthquakes in California, mudslides in Washington, red dust from the Sahara swirling into London – good grief. We will take the devils we know.
Miss Sadie and the Cowboy decided to hunker down in the dog room for the duration, even though they are tired of the dog room and want to go spin-dancing on the beach. Me too.
Torch Lake Views 
tootlepedal
April 1, 2014
That is the waviest weather forecast that I have ever seen. I am glad that you were cheered up by the squirrel. It has been a long, hard haul for you this winter.
Gerry
April 1, 2014
It has been an absolute blister, but then I go visit Scotland and, finding your irrepressible self out and about even in wind and rain, pull up my socks and head into the day. The squirrel was my reward!
Joss
April 2, 2014
I love the look of both your new neighbours. So svelte, so stylish. I can’t believe you’re still frozen in up there. We have spring flowers everywhere and I’ve mowed the lawn twice already this year. Actually, the temperatures have barely dipped below zero at all this year and I feel as if we’re still waiting for winter. It seems weird because we are definitely further north than you. Long live the Gulf Stream. And the Saharan sand storm. Now my son HAVE to clean my car!
Gerry
April 2, 2014
I must go look up reasons for the difference in climate, but I would guess that you’re right – the ocean has a greater “moderating influence” than the Great Lakes. Ah well. Today is a pretty day even if it is cold.
P.j. grath
April 2, 2014
Did you MAKE UP THAT WEATHER MAP???
Gerry
April 2, 2014
I did not. I, um, took a photo of a portion of the weather forecasting page of the Record-Eagle. (My theory is that it is fair use, as it is a tiny clip of the total information useful for illustrative purposes only. Now I have to go add a credit.)
Craig
April 2, 2014
Rod Bell’s work reminds me of the creations of the Detroit artist Tim Burke, best friend and caregiver of my uncle Ted. I’m afraid to find out whether his creations have survived the attacks on the Heidelberg Project, where they were long a highlight, as your Mr. Vader has survived the colder assaults of the winter.
Gerry
April 2, 2014
You are on break from dazzling your students, aren’t you! Reading TLV, pondering the arts.
It occurs to me that I should have spent more time at the Heidelberg Project and less time at the City-County Building. Neither, of course, is what it once was. Um, me neither.
shoreacres
April 2, 2014
Your squirrel’s just a delight. From my point of view, the only thing better than a squirrel is a whole clutch of them, and from the frantic comings and goings of adult squirrels around here, I’d say there are going to be youngsters out and about soon.
I think there’s a squirrel nest in a palm tree I can see from my window. The clue is the squirrel running up and down on a regular basis. He was out in the lawn yesterday and I tossed down some shelled pecans. He raised his little paws and gazed heavenward. I’m sure I heard him say, “Manna?”
Gerry
April 2, 2014
And to think I offered my squirrel nothing at all, not even crumbled dog kibble!
Wait, wait, a palm tree???? I am tempted to say that no self-respecting Northern Michigan squirrel would ever nest in a palm tree, but then what do I know? The little devils may go off to Florida or Southern California or Texas for the winter. Everyone else seems to.
Dawn
April 2, 2014
Glad it’s warmer there too. I walked outside without a coat today! Happy dance!! Love the dog photo..he DOES look like an old weathered cowboy! You have a DOG room? Katie has a dog HOUSE…sigh.
Gerry
April 2, 2014
I walked outside with only a fleece-lined corduroy jacket over my fleece top – but compare that to the full-length down coat with down hood that I’ve been wearing! It was a very nice day here too. Still lots of snow, especially back here in the woods.
Now that you mention it, the Cowboy is looking a bit Gabby Hayes lately. I’d better get out the brushes and combs again. We’ll see how it goes.
Tim Burke
June 20, 2014
Hi Craig thanks for the mention. we are doing o.k creating lots of work. the fires haven’t singed me. check out my web site if you get a chance.
Detroit Industrial Gallery
Gerry
June 20, 2014
Hello Tim – Thanks for dropping by, and for sending the link to your website. I enjoyed my virtual visit to the Detroit Industrial Gallery.