I have been gone so long that I can never catch up. We’re going to start in the middle of things and just keep moving ahead as if there had been no hiatus at all.
Babs Young has been to Cuba with a group of photographers and writers and other disreputable types who have many stories to tell. Four of them–Kathy Silbernagel, Kathie Carpenter, Emmy Holman and Babs herself–have installed a pop-up exhibit at the Jordan River Arts Council (JRAC) that opened today. I know. I’m sorry. But you can go see it tomorrow (Sunday) or next weekend and you really should. It will warm you right up. I went to the opening reception and got into the excellent treats. The photos are full of color and surprises.
That engaging gentleman was photographed by Babs Young. (The pictures I took today were not up to my standards. I am out of practice. I’ll keep at it.)
I may have to go back tomorrow because the artists are going to talk about their adventure at 2:30 pm. If you miss that, do not despair. The gallery will be open again January 30-31 from 1:00-4:00 pm, and other times by appointment.
The Arts Center is at 301 Main Street in East Jordan.
Torch Lake Views 
Martha
January 23, 2016
Kerboom! Fireworks in the sky! Gerry’s back!
How lovely to see you again. And just as I tank my umpteenth blog (but this time it’s forever) out you come onto the stage again.
In my searches for a new state to call home, you know I’ve looked at MI among several places. The one constant comment from MI folk I’ve talked with is the same comment you offered- gray skies and lots of them.
Well, the tropical south of WI is no where near sunny and Cuban, and I really don’t need to trade one dark and cold Midwestern/Lakes state for another. So, thanks for the sunny (you) and colorful (photos) post because I sure do need it.
Gerry
January 23, 2016
Fireworks! How nice. We had an uncharacteristically sunny day today–with plenty of snow of course–I hope you get some soon over on the other side of the lake. While you wait, I recommend chocolate.
Martha J
January 24, 2016
How wonderful to wake up and find your blog back! It was like doing laundry on a dreary day and finding a 20 dollar bill in an old pocket. How I have missed your musings! The picture is beautiful – Babs always knows how to capture things. I wish I was up there to see the exhibit but I am not, so I will have to view it through your, and others, eyes. Really so happy you are back to writing – thank you! You make the Michigan winter much more tolerable.
Gerry
January 24, 2016
What a lot of very nice things to say! Thank you. I rather liked the idea of being a $20 bill-but after a long year of reading history, I’m not fond of Andrew Jackson. I went googling around and discovered that Grover Cleveland had been on a few $20 Federal Reserve Notes in 1914. I have a sentimental attachment to him. My grandfather was named for him. You see how easily distracted I am.
WOL
January 24, 2016
Yay! Glad you’re back. Missed you. Seems cruel to tease you with the weather we’ve had, but here in the rectangular bit at the top of TX, we did get snow — a large glob of it right after Christmas. Havana sounds delicious. What a wonderful teal blue that wall is! I think I still remember how to speak Spanish, though it’s been a while. Let’s go!
Gerry
January 24, 2016
I have forgotten most of my Spanish, but I think it will come back under the duress of wishing to buy some of the delicious-looking treats. Yes, let’s go!
Karma
January 24, 2016
Welcome back Gerry!!
Gerry
January 24, 2016
Thank you very much. It’s partly on account of your email you know.
Karma
January 24, 2016
Aww. 🙂
Bruce Laidlaw
January 24, 2016
Welcome back. We have missed Torch Lake Views. Your post makes me want to try to go to Cuba again. Many years ago, I was on a plane in Key West ready to take off for Cuba. Then a woman came on board and called out my name. She wanted to know how old I was. I said I was 18, she said I had to get off the plane because the Castro government had passed a law saying persons under 21 could only enter if accompanied by a parent. After getting off the plane, I was refunded my $36.
Gerry
January 24, 2016
Thank you Bruce–and thank you for the excellent story. El Presidente had probably witnessed the spring invasion of Florida by college students on break and wanted nothing at all to do with American youth. Actually a lot of presidents came to feel that way about our fractious generation.
Jan Loveland
January 24, 2016
Wonderful to be waked up and reading this blog. Sometimes the hiatus reminds us, your loyal readers, of just how much we need your perspective. Hope you feel all that admiration, Gerry.
Gerry
January 24, 2016
Goodness. Unaccustomed as I am to feeling admiration (Miss Sadie and the Cowboy can be very judgmental) it is something I could get used to. Yes indeed.
sybil
January 24, 2016
Were your ears burning yesterday ? Coz I was talking to Amy-Lynn about how long it had been since you’d blogged and she said “Oh, I just got an email from her”.
So. You have been missed.
Has it only been recently that Americans have been able to visit Cuba ? For Canadians it’s always been a favourite Winter destination.
Welcome back kiddo !
Gerry
January 24, 2016
Why thank you. But wait, wait . . . I left you a comment a couple of days ago, so you needn’t feel left out of my recent flurry of blog-visiting.
Americans used to visit Cuba in quantities. Then not. Now we are normalizing relations once more, which I think is all to the good. It’s still easier for Americans to depart from Canada to visit Cuba. There is a lot of very interesting historical perspective that I could offer, but not just now, as Miss Sadie and the Cowboy have informed me that it is Time to Go for a Walk. Never argue with a pit bull and a spaniel, however mixed their heritage.
tootlepedal
January 24, 2016
I look forward to some really pretty snow pictures now that you are back up and running (metaphorically at least). Or ice would do.
Gerry
January 24, 2016
You put me in mind of Robert Frost “Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice . . .”
He concluded, too, that ice would do. Or at least that it “would suffice.” In any case, I have a post all ready to go. Pretty or not, here they come.
Louan Lechler
January 24, 2016
You’re back…and not a minute too soon! What good fortune for all of us.
Gerry
January 24, 2016
You’re just saying that because you know you can talk me into going on all sorts of oddball adventures in search of blog fodder! This is a good thing.
shoreacres
January 24, 2016
I always knew you were a sensible woman. Just starting up and never-minding anything in the past is perfect. After all, we don’t care one whit about whys and wherefores. We’re just glad to have you back.
Babs’ photo is splendid. And your comment about needing to practice up with your photos heartened me. I’m in the process of trying to do more with my new camera than depend solely on automatic settings. It was quite a revelation when I figured out that the manual focus ring is there so I can — well, manally focus. Who knew?
I’m just sighing with pleasure that you’re back. And it’s good to see that mention of the Cowboy and Miss Sadie. I’ve missed them, too.
Gerry
January 24, 2016
Hello, Linda! Miss Sadie and the Cowboy will definitely make an early appearance. I read about your photography studies, and felt quite envious of the new camera. Not that I could achieve better results with a better camera, mind you. I need to get my eye back, and I need to remember to take the camera with me wherever I go . . .
I’m glad you’re happy to see me.
dawnkinster
January 25, 2016
I see I was not the only person missing you. I’m glad you are back as well. Love Babs’ photo..the color and the expression. Wish I was up there again so that I could go see the exhibit!
Gerry
January 25, 2016
I wish you were back up here too, but we will just have to make do with virtual visits for awhile.
Giiid
January 25, 2016
What a wonderful surprise to see you here again!
I like the idea about ignoring the “non blogging time” and simply deny its existence. I´m with you. Welcome back Gerry.
Gerry
January 25, 2016
Thank you Birgitte! It has been wonderful to visit old friends around the blogosphere. I look forward to resuming my Danish lessons.
Belinda
January 25, 2016
Its wonderful to see you back. I’ve missed seeing the seasons change in Michigan. B
Gerry
January 25, 2016
Thank you Belinda. It’s good to be back. We are all looking forward to some more season changing Around Here.