Every day it grows lighter and lighter. Last night we were up on the second ridge watching the sun set over Grand Traverse Bay–at 6:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. That gave us time to take a picture and still get home before dark. Excellent.
This morning we dawdled about, luxuriating in the morning sunshine. When we finally headed out into the day, everything was shining. The fearsome volcanoes on the beach looked much nicer with a fresh dusting of snow. No less dangerous, so we did not go down there, but very nice.
The pine trees exhilarate me. (Miss Sadie and the Cowboy can take pine trees or leave them. They prefer tamaracks.)
On balance, we are feeling optimistic. On the way home we met Mickey and Rogie and exchanged pleasantries.
A little time with Mickey and Rogie is guaranteed to put a person–and her dogs–in an excellent frame of mind.
And there’s this: for the first time in recorded history I agree with Mitt Romney. Partly anyway. You can guess which parts. Surely this is a sign that the Republic may yet stand. Of course, we must remain vigilant. Things are not always what they seem.
Monster in lunar landscape – Photo by Bruce Laidlaw
Torch Lake Views 
Dawn
March 4, 2016
I’m guessing the part about a certain person being a con artist etc. Also agree. Which is as much as I want to think about politics at the moment. The whole thing disheartens me. I did, however, enjoy the wonderful sunshine today. We too ventured out into a sparkling world. It was glorious! They say there is more snow coming tonight. Let it. Every day is one day closer to summer.
Gerry
March 4, 2016
Yes! A day here, a day there, next thing you know it’s Memorial Day!
shoreacres
March 4, 2016
Is that white dog Mickey or Rogie? Whichever, it’s a beautiful creature. The sunset wasn’t too bad, either. I do think I detect a bit of humorous messing around with that last photo.
I looked out my window while I was home for lunch, and saw a big turtle swimming in the marina. If they’re coming out of the mud, spring is well and truly on its way. I have no idea where it had come from or was going, since there isn’t any easy land access around here, but I’m sure it knows just how to be a turtle, so I won’t worry.
Gerry
March 4, 2016
Rogie is the dog; Mickey is his beloved human. (Rogie is a one-person dog, although a very nice one.) You will see more of both of them as soon as it’s warm enough to gather on the beach.
I hope the turtle does know how to be a turtle. I am surrounded by suicidal deer. What are they thinking???
Hm. You think Bruce was messing with me? You may be right. I am so credulous.
WOL
March 5, 2016
Don’t we have an equinox coming up? Day the same length as night. Big milestone. Windy here. I am not stirring outside owing to the fact that my town has Bradford pear trees all over the place and they are blooming. Bradford pear pollen and my upper respiratory tracts are incompatible.
Gerry
March 5, 2016
We do have an equinox coming up in just two weeks. Spring is, of course, relative. We will not be having Bradford pears in bloom in northern Michigan. I can sympathize with your pollen problem. In fact I am sneezing right now just at the thought of it – or perhaps it’s the dust and the Cowboy’s fur. Hmmm.
P.j. grath
March 5, 2016
Yes, we know which part. And I am feeling more optimistic today, too. It helped that the furnace man got heat on again in the bookstore late yesterday afternoon. Today I shouldn’t have to keep my coat on. Love your top picture, too, by the way. 🙂
Gerry
March 5, 2016
Thank you P.J. I had not realized your furnace had gone AWOL. I must start paying better attention. I’m glad you have heat again. I hate to think of you turning pages with gloves on. I should send you a picture of the shawl my niece sent me. It is so cozy . . . and it has pockets! It’s perfect.
Karma
March 8, 2016
6:59 sunset? Eastern time? Wow. Having a hard time wrapping my mind around this, since I am also in the Eastern time zone and here it is 6:15 as I type this comment and it is pitch black here. Never realized how much difference your westerliness and northerliness made!
Gerry
March 8, 2016
Yup. We’re at the very western edge of Eastern Standard Time. You can imagine what it’s like when Daylight Savings Time hits. But oh, in the fall how the dark falls . . .
Craig Smith
March 10, 2016
Mitt said a number of things I agreed with when he was Governor of Massachusetts–as when he signed off on legislation to protect lgbt schoolkids. Alas, that was before his latter-day Mr. Hyde disavowed his inner Dr. Jekyll.
Gerry
March 10, 2016
I’ve often wondered over the years what Mitt was thinking at any given moment. Mary, who would know, says he did a creditable job of rescuing the SLC Olympics. Does he really have an inner Dr. Jekyll? Did he change his mind about health care, lgbt rights, the middle class–not to mention the wisdom of pursuing an endorsement by He Who Shall Not Be Named? We live in interesting times.