f learns what happens when good goggles go bad.
—
“it’s all fun and games ’till someone loses an eye,
then it’s just fun you can’t see.”
-james hetfield
swimming off of belle isle in the detroit river
with the city keeping watch in the background
—
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.
—
“detroit is big enough to matter in the world
and small enough for you to matter in it.”
― jeanette pierce
—
https://www.belleisleconservancy.org
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.
—
“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
—
shirley in her camp i.d. picture
have you seen this face?
—
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?
—
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.
—
“take a walk with a turtle. and behold the world in pause.”
-bruce feiler
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.
—
“blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
– author unknown
—
photo credit: 1935, vintage bondi beach, australia, catherine annis

“ann arbor news reporter stan bradshaw
leaves building front door for assignment, september 1948″.
—
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.
—
“journalism keeps you planted in the earth.”
-ray bradbury
—
to all the journos out there, still finding a way to tell the story.
—
image credits: oldnews.aadl.org, ann arbor townies