Author Archives: beth

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About beth

Ann Arbor-ite writes about enjoying life with all of its ironies and surprises.

can’t see.

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f learns what happens when good goggles go bad.

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“it’s all fun and games ’till someone loses an eye,

then it’s just fun you can’t see.”

-james hetfield

 

small enough.

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swimming off of belle isle in the detroit river

with the city keeping watch in the background

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belle isle is the country’s largest city island park; at approximately 948 acres, it is larger than new york city’s central park. both were designed by famed landscape architect frederick law olmstead. the island officially opened in1845, when it became known as belle isle. in 2014, it became michigan’s newest state park and is being lovingly restored to it’s original splendor. 

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“detroit is big enough to matter in the world

and small enough for you to matter in it.”

― jeanette pierce

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https://www.belleisleconservancy.org

 

stretch.

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“stretching his hand up to reach the stars,

too often man forgets the flowers at his feet.”

-jeremy bentham

 

 

 

 

 

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image: milo porter, cousin of glenn frey the cat not the rocker

almost home.

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and upon happening behind

this van covered in peace and love

and words galore

complete with notes

“listen to your mother” – love, mom

   “make good choices” – love, dad

 and a peace sign and a smile

flashed to me by the driver

when finally side by side 

i knew i was at my exit

and almost home. 

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“there are a thousand thoughts lying within a man

that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write. ”

-william makepeace thackeray

—

 

 

early.

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and what better reason to wake up early?

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“i can’t seem to shake waking up early.”

-stewart rahr

 

 

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at sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore,

glen lake, empire, mi, usa

 

all in the same boat.

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“we did not all come over on the same ship,

but we are all in the same boat.”

-bernard baruch

 

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summer on glen lake, empire, michigan, usa

 

return.

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and what could

possibly go wrong

or incredibly right

with 8 adults, 6 kids, 2 cats, 1 dog

and an occasional bear

all back in one place again

on beautiful glen lake?

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“it’s well known that he who returns never left”
― pablo neruda

 

behold the world in pause.

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shirley in her camp i.d. picture

have you seen this face?

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once again

i am reminded

why

i love my community website

 with all its sincere and heartfelt

eccentric charm

this time

there’s a notice about a turtle

who has ‘run away’ from camp

i have to wonder

could there be a slower animal

other than maybe a snail

to have made the great escape?

did anyone else know about turtle camp

or have i been living a sheltered life?

do you think she was homesick

or

just didn’t want to take part

in the arts ‘n crafts or talent night?

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NEWSLETTER QUERY:

R.H. – 1 day ago

if you see this turtle, please phone — (see picture above)

Our turtle Shirley has escaped once again from turtle camp on J. Road, near V. Ave. She should be wearing a piece of blue duct tape on the back of her shell. She’s very friendly. She may have gotten pretty far – last time, she got to near J. Road and R. Road. before she was found.

Please call ——- (land line) if found. Or text ——-. Thank you!

Reward offered.

Probably will have lit out in the exact same direction as before.

RESPONSES:

W. H. – 1 day ago
I hope that neuroscientist didn’t get her for his experiments.

M. H. -1d ago
Oh my goodness we’ll keep our eyes out! (I read this and thought – oh my goodness, another person who sends their turtle to camp?! And then realized it was you!)

UPDATE:

as of today

shirley is still on the lam. 

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“take a walk with a turtle. and behold the world in pause.”

-bruce feiler

yoga.

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i began a yoga class this summer

and share a quiet space 

with an friendly group:

rambo with the headband, 

the affectionate couple,

the woman about to give birth on the mat, 

the giggler,

stretch armstrong,

the woman with lots of extra stuff,

and a smattering of others

all kinds of interesting 

 of various skill levels

our instructor 

 a sweet hippie fairy

with a lyrical whisper voice

leaves me guessing

 watching the others

trying my best to follow 

open my eyes, close my eyes, bend, stretch, balance, breathe, hold, lift, tilt, reach

go further

stay in synch with the others 

all while relaxing and clearing my mind. 

i’m getting there, and as my generous teacher said,

“at least you’re going one inch further each time.”

well, there you go

according to this math

i will be doing a headstand by the time i’m 93

i’m on my way.

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“blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
– author unknown

 

 

 

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photo credit: 1935, vintage bondi beach, australia, catherine annis

journos.

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“ann arbor news reporter stan bradshaw

leaves building front door for assignment, september 1948″.

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this old news image reflects the one we often had of intrepid reporters, hot on an assignment, giving us the latest news of pinnacle events in the life of ann arbor. there was a certain quality and reliability to the news and its staff, bringing us the best stories and photographs available. the photos still resonate with the innocence and spontaneity of life and those living it here.

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“journalism keeps you planted in the earth.”

-ray bradbury

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to all the journos out there, still finding a way to tell the story.

 

 

 

 

 

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image credits: oldnews.aadl.org, ann arbor townies