What can I say, I press “Publish” and my post goes up, amateur snapshots and all. An hour or so later I open my email to discover the weekly Michigan Pic from Babs Young:
Babs is better.
On the other hand, she is persuaded, based on that very view, that spring is still a long way off. Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I walked along that same stretch of beach a day later, and we are persuaded that some kind of corner has been turned.
When I thanked Babs for the photo, I told her Glass half full, Babs! I promise! At least until some @#$#% comes along and spills it. No use pretending it can’t happen. Mama Nature is nothing if not erratic. But we are holding onto the half-full glass with both hands and walking very carefully along the beach, watching the spring runoff flow into the Bay, watching the ice mountains crumble and melt.
Today’s snow is falling in the form of rain. Drop by drop the glass is filling.
Torch Lake Views 
Bruce
April 21, 2014
Another great photo by Babs. And they are even greater when I click on them. That’s when they expand to almost fill the whole screen.
Gerry
April 21, 2014
They are very expansive images. Sometimes they fill my whole imagination.
uphilldowndale
April 21, 2014
I’ll raise a glass to that…
Gerry
April 21, 2014
Excellent plan.
uphilldowndale
April 21, 2014
Something that is a warming red, not a chilled white…
Babs Young
April 21, 2014
Well I must agree that the sunshine helps makes the glass half full. I took the photo on Thur or Fri and it was a sunny day. Then when I downloaded it yesterday, it was not a nice day, nor is it today. So it became half empty. I have two crocus in bloom, that’s good sign. There is lot of fog out there today and I love fog, so may have to go fogging.
Gerry
April 21, 2014
I love fog too, in moderation. Today is just right. I took some pictures of invisible birds. I can hardly wait to see what you came up with.
tootlepedal
April 21, 2014
Babs’ picture is lovely, especially when seen at full size but your readers are hungry for originality, tired of perfection and can’t wait to see your invisible birds in the fog.
Gerry
April 21, 2014
Stay tuned!
Martha J
April 21, 2014
maybe Babs should give some classes on photography? I love her photos and they make me want to learn the art, or at the very least to buy it!
Gerry
April 21, 2014
Babs and a photographer friend did give a workshop once. I attended and learned a lot. Not enough, of course, but a lot. You do very fine work yourself, Martha – I was particularly taken with your photos of the shipyard. Maybe one day we will put a shop together.
Dawn
April 21, 2014
I love your photos Gerry..and I love Babs’ photos as well. They all have stories to tell. I also can not wait to see your shots of invisible birds. We had sunshine and 70’s today. I shipped a little of that north for you.
Gerry
April 22, 2014
Thank you for the shipment. We look forward to sunshine and 70s, yes indeed.
shoreacres
April 21, 2014
I really like the way the sunset seems to spread warmth across the snow and ice. The image reminds me of a red-cheeked child after sledding.
Gerry
April 22, 2014
It would not surprise me a bit if Babs went sledding down the bluff to the beach, hooting all the way, right after she made its portrait. That strikes me as just the sort of thing she’d do. OK, I would do it, and Babs is much more adventurous than I am.
P.j. grath
April 22, 2014
I feel we’ve turned a corner (after all, the leeks are up and the first speckled leaves of trout lily) but also that it’s going to be a while before spring turns balmy. Sigh! Wind from Lake Michigan is still blowing over ice in the Manitou Passage this morning, and Saturday’s predicted low — well, who wants to think about it?
Gerry
April 22, 2014
There you go. Round a corner and you never know what’s there waiting for you. Makes a person want to travel with a periscope. I refuse to think about Saturday just yet.
Joss
April 23, 2014
Oh, excellent analogy! I love that last line about the snow falling as rain and filling the glass. And the bit about the monkey at the keyboard coming along and spilling the half-full glass. Babs is feeling better, and so are you.
Gerry
April 23, 2014
I am so delighted with the monkey at the keyboard! I’m going to steal it forthwith.
(Side note: I meant that Babs is a better photographer, but today is a lovely sunny day (OK, it’s cold, but we can do cold) so I’m sure Babs is feeling better, too. I know I am.)