Some people think the tropics, the beach, the sun — those are the best ingredients for a good vacation. Not me. Give me the Northwoods, give me cool temperatures requiring layers to keep warm. Give me a wood fire and plenty of mosquito and tick repellent. A little sarcasm there, but really, my ideal locationContinue reading “The Northwoods”
Tag Archives: outdoors
This and that
It is nice to enjoy a long weekend with extended family whom we haven’t seen in more than two years. No drama, no frenetic drive to do this and that, just a time to visit and relax. Yesterday I downloaded the iOS 15 public beta as well as the watchOS 8 beta and began toContinue reading “This and that”
Vacation daze
With relatively short notice, we decided to head north for vacation for a week, and are now nicely installed in our favorite cabin on the shore of a large lake, enjoying mild temperatures in the daytime and cooler temperatures at night. I’m writing this with my iPad on my lap, sitting in a camping chair,Continue reading “Vacation daze”
A Mother’s Day picnic
We had beautiful weather yesterday for Mother’s Day, bright sunshine and cool temps. We decided to have a picnic at a spot we have long enjoyed over the years that is next to a gentle stream at a nearby nature preserve. The food was good and there was hardly anyone around. Very peaceful.
Snake in the grass
On a recent dog walk, one of our kids spotted a snake in the grass (photo below). Actually it was on a bike path, but moved into the grass fairly quickly. When asked if I knew what kind of snake, I didn’t know at all. I decided to get some help. Enter a handy mobileContinue reading “Snake in the grass”
Dog days
These are the dog days of summer, a time when it is too hot, too humid, and too buggy where I live to feel comfortable going outside much. Historically, it’s also been a somewhat depressing time as well, because by this stage, the specter of having to go back to school begins to loom large.Continue reading “Dog days”
Everything costs too much
What I write in this post is meant tongue-in-cheek, and should not be taken too seriously. It’s about my attempt to buy something I really want, and about my repeated failures to get it. Lately I’ve been thinking and writing about deemphasizing possessions, but this thing I want to buy is part of hoping toContinue reading “Everything costs too much”
Tick talk
These days, I don’t spend enough time outdoors but when I do, I always enjoy it. There is a lot to see, to take note of. I spy interesting things like Indian pipe, or a particularly colorful mushroom, or a bird I can’t identify. These are small moments of joy. However, if there is aContinue reading “Tick talk”
Another day and life goes on
Sometimes, you just have to accept another day when it comes, and also accept that life goes on. Sometimes, you focus solely on putting one step in front of another, and be satisfied with that. I’ve been watching a lot of videos about people who survive in challenging wilderness situations, or other situations where theyContinue reading “Another day and life goes on”
A picnic, fishing, and fixing a bike
Most years, Father’s Day is low-key, and this year was the same. My wife and I agree that we do not do well in terms of family celebrations, so we’ll work to improve on that over time. But it was a good day overall. Our car has been sitting unused in the driveway since theContinue reading “A picnic, fishing, and fixing a bike”
The OW Factor 