Hey Deer...It's On Like Donkey Kong

Um-hmm. You can guess what my title's about. The deer have declared war by their actions. They finished off the yellow mum, ate half of the pink one next to it, ate half of the pink one on the front left flower bed, and ate a fourth of the one on the right. Ohhhhh...and they nibbled on my rose of sharon saplings. I love the U.P.; I loathe the deer. I believe at this point in my flower protection frustration, I could take a deer in hand to hoof combat. Bring it on furry friend, bring it on.

On another, less violent note. We went to Presque Isle in the Porcupines today. We had a brief scare with slushy rain coming down when we left, but it cleared up to a bright, cold sunny day. We took the short path to get to the bridge and Lake in the park. When we came out off the woods onto the shoreline of "The Big Lake", we found piles of driftwood covering the rocky beach. Mr. Xenopus threw his pebbles into the water and Mommy successively skipped three separate stones (yay me!).

Dad thoughtfully carried a fantastic piece of driftwood back to the car for me, and then did a separate return trip for three additional pieces. He only had to walk up the 100 steps from the bridge twice. What a great Dad! I'm thinking of using the driftwood to paint simple, almost abstract lake scenes on...or maybe if nothing else, use 'em to spank those deer with. I'll let you know what I choose.

The Baconator Hugs Trees so You should Too

Its off to the recycling center today! The last two times I went, the plastics section has been locked and closed, so I had the joy of bringing two boxes full of recycling back home again. Cross your fingers that it'll be open today. Not too many people recycle up here (even though it's free!). We have the fortune of thousands if not millions of trees growing all around us in the U.P., and maybe don't think about things like how the air looks (and smells-especially along 75, downriver) in Detroit, or the big garbage mountains in Watervliet.

I've been slowly trying to "go green" (although, I don't really like that saying so I'd rather say "be more conscientious to the environment"). I'm trying to use homemade household cleaners. It's more economical, definitely better for the environment, better for you, and will make you trendy among your friends, "going green" and all.

Here's a recipe for fruit/vegetable wash: mix 1 C. white vinegar, 1 C. water, and 2 T. lemon juice in a spray bottle. Leave the spray bottle by the kitchen sink and spray down those fruits and vegetables before using, follow by rinsing off with water (rinse your hands too so you don't smell like a pickle).

Let me start out by saying the U.P. is different. It has areas that feel like undiscovered land. Full, thick forests where you will have a slight fear of what animals may be (and probably are) living just beyond your line of sight. Unless you live in one of the few bigger cities, you won't have many shopping choices or fast food options. You better carry cash; not everyone can run your credit card, and you better learn how to make tacos at home.

You will have, limitless places to explore and hike. You will have actual "mom and pop" stores to shop at and support and restaurants where the owner may also be your waiter. And you will see the most beautiful starry nights and meet people who are your neighbors and your friends.

I hope you stick with me as I share the mostly good, sometimes scary, and definitely challenging days ahead.