We’ve been having company. One weekend our guest was Elizabeth Lurie, who unaccountably enjoys walks with the Disreputable Duo. That is how she came to take a picture of Miss Sadie and me at the Torch Bay Nature Preserve.
We started off on a brisk and breezy morning that warmed right up. The kind of weather that makes you bring your sweater and then makes you sorry you did. Ah well. The wave action had turned up some fresh stones, and the shore was dotted with flowers. When I got a close look at the pictures, I saw that the wild rose was dotted with a beetle. I decided he was a feature, not a flaw, and opted to include him.
What we have here is (top row) Beach pea, False heather with Beach pea, False heather all by its pretty self and (bottom row) Silverweed, Wild rose with beetle feature, and Canada anemone. If you click on an image you can see both a bigger picture and the proper name as best I know.
That walk with Betty was, um, awhile ago, but it was such a pretty day that I thought I should post it anyway. More soon about this and that – but at the very least I have to tell you that I’ve been working really hard on my term paper presentation, which is due Monday at 7:30 pm. I am just the tiniest bit nervous.
Torch Lake Views 
martha j
July 15, 2014
Love,love love the beach flower pictures, beetle and all. I really miss walking the beach, and we won’t be up there for your presentation, so I hope you post what you present!
Gerry
July 17, 2014
Thanks, Martha – If I can get the Powerpoint to work right I’ll do just that.
sybil
July 15, 2014
Wonderful pictures Gerry and I appreciate the plant ID’s. I see all the same plants along the sea shore here.
I am sure you will hold them spell bound on Monday ! “Mormons” ?
Gerry
July 17, 2014
Thank you Sybil – I find a lot of Canadian varieties of plants Around Here – or at least that’s what I think they are when I look them up. Trust my identifications only so far . . . As for the Mormons, I’m going to talk mostly about the family of Reuben T Nichols and Mary White Demary Nichols, who were not your garden variety Mormons. If I get it all together right, I’ll post the Powerpoint and some links.
Joss
July 16, 2014
Good luck with that, Gerry. I have recently had to speak to an audience of 60 at our new Women’s Institute. The first time I did it I was really nervous but by the third time I couldn’t stop. There were loads of things I wanted to say, about the role of the WI in World War Two, because I had been researching that subect for a while. That’s the secret of public speaking, isn’t it? If you have a real desire to communicate something then nerves become irrelevant.
Gerry
July 17, 2014
I’m not nervous about public speaking – I’m nervous about making presentations about historical subjects to people who often know a whole lot more about Antrim County than I do . . . (I try to pick obscure yet intriguing subjects!)
Karma
July 16, 2014
I love your beach photo – I think it is very sweet how you and Miss Sadie are looking at each other, while I assume the Cowboy was up to something disreputable.
I’m sure your lecture will go well! If you speak with all the wit with which you write, it will be fabulous.
Gerry
July 17, 2014
Thank you Karma – I liked that picture too. We looked like we were enjoying each other’s company very much, which we were. The Cowboy was being uncharacteristically obedient, but there have been lots of photos of him recently and not so many of Miss Sadie. As for the presentation, there will surely be some humor, but I must say that people Around Here take their local history very seriously. . . .
tootlepedal
July 16, 2014
I enjoyed the accidental beetle. I would like to hear your talk but as I can’t, I will just have to wish for an appreciative audience for you.
Gerry
July 17, 2014
Thank you Tom. I appreciate the good wishes.
shoreacres
July 16, 2014
Beautiful flowers you have up there. It’s good so see that you seem to be well and truly into summer now. About time.
I wish I could be there for your lecture. I have a branch of the family that is (or in some cases, was) LDS, and I lived for a year in Salt Lake City. It was interesting — oh yes, it was. I think I remember you mentioning Strang before. At least, Beaver Island rings a bell.
I noticed in my quick scan of the wiki that Strang had some inclination to join the spiritual and the temporal. Always a tricky business, that.
I have no doubt you’ll have a wonderful time sharing your knowledge. Besides, anyone who shows up will be there because they want to be there. No captive audience to play with their iGadgets or sneak a drink from the satchel. 🙂
Gerry
July 17, 2014
It is lovely to have all kinds of flowers – and cherries. We have ripe cherries all over the place. Excellent treats.
I wish you could be here for the lecture too – you would have all the most interesting questions. I have non-Mormon family living in Salt Lake City and they find it interesting too. Utah is an altogether surprising place.
In the fullness of time I will tell you all about the presentation and the behavior of the audience.
dawnkinster
July 23, 2014
You will be wonderful! You know more about your topic than anyone else in the room. You’re going to wow them.
Gerry
August 21, 2014
You are a good friend. I, um, survived. Thank you for the new pictures of Katy’s visit–and yours, of course!–to Elk Rapids. You are both excellent company.
isathreadsoflife
August 22, 2014
That’s a lovely picture of Miss Sadie and you. And a nice moment surely too. Your flowers have sisters over here, even though not at the same altitude. I hope that some day you will tell us about your lecture. May your Summer continue to be sunny and colorful.
Gerry
August 26, 2014
Hello Isa! – and thank you. I hope your summer is a fine one too.
Dawn
August 27, 2014
So how WAS the behavior of the audience?
sybil
November 24, 2014
Have you really not posted since July ? or have I let you fall off my radar somehow ?
Gerry
April 22, 2015
Um . . . I have not posted since last July. However. It seems to be spring. It is snowing again of course – this is still Michigan – but I do seem to feel a little warmth stirring down by the roots. I’m thinking about blogging again. Maybe after my nap.
Dawn
July 15, 2015
OK Gerry, nap over. Though it was really good to see you post here in April of this year…that way I know you’re OK…just sleepy.
sybil
January 5, 2016
Are you up from your nap yet Gerry ?
Gerry
January 5, 2016
I believe I just rolled over and opened one eye.