Shifting Focus

"Finally.  A cool, rainy, gray day," I said last time.  And I think that day marked the end of summer.  I haven't shaved my legs or touched up my toenails since then because those parts need to stay warm and covered.  Well, plus those tasks are getting a bit cumbersome.

So, yeah.  The days and nights are staying fairly cool.  I can't get (well, nobody can seem to get) a red tomato on the vine.  But it is what it is.  Maybe we already had our summer.  It was lovely while it lasted!

Some people say, "Did you see the leaves on the Covered Stretch???  They are already starting to change!!!"  While that's true, I feel like that happens more often than not.  If it's too cool or dry up here, those maples turn brilliant pinks and reds.  

But don't plan your fall trip around the leaves just yet.

99% of the trees are still green.  And I like the red patches in the leaves.  It helps remind us that nature does her own thing.  All the time.

I am pleased that you are sticking it out with me through these less adventurous times and posts.  My treks, sightings and reporting are not what they used to be.  My energy, curiosity and focus have turned inward toward the little pumpkin in my belly.  It is due to arrive in the fresh air two months from today!  Then the adventures will really cease for a while.  Ha!

Actually, I can't predict that.  But I would assume.  I just wanted to thank you for keeping up with this blog even though it is less exciting than it has been in the past.  But judging from the comments I get from you in person, perhaps you appreciate my tameness for a while.

On Sunday I had a few fine folks inform me that they are avid readers of this blog.  Awesome.  I was signing books at Grandpa's Barn.  It was a great time sitting on the porch talking to other local authors and readers.  I would do that again for sure.

That event piggy-backed off the main one in town: Art in the Park.

The event sign before all the people came

Town was really busy this last weekend.  My mom was up for it, and she noted, "Gosh, Manda.  I've never been here in August before.  There are really a lot of people around!"

Yes.  Yes there were.

The vendors and visitors waded through the mist and damp, cool weather.  We sold a lot of coffee at the bake sale just so people could stay warm!  And we sold out of all the baked goods as well -- just in time.  Thanks to everyone who took part in the efforts to make Art in the Park another success.  It really takes a lot.

Speaking of lots, the Isle Royale Ferry Line parking lot is fun to walk through if you are wandering the town.  The license plates are from all over the country!  Well, I haven't seen Hawaii plates yet, but pretty much every other state.  Even Minnesota, and they have their own ferry service.  It's neat to see how this wonderful National Park captivates people from all over.

And here is a picture of the Queen IV getting ready for departure last week.

Isle Royale Queen IV crew pulling the ropes

As I watched that vessel cart off toward the sunrise that morning, I said out loud, "I'm going there again."  I miss my Isle Royale trips -- two years in a row now.  But I won't fret it.  The next time will just be that much more special.  

Just wait, you beautiful rock, you.  I'll be back someday....

Confused Plants

There's some flora news I haven't told you about yet this year.  Oh brother.  She's going to talk about the plants again.  Yes, I am, and you're going to relish every word.

As you are already aware, all the plants bloomed two weeks to one month earlier than usual.  But I have found some glitches in the system.  

For one, the buffaloberry never fruited at all.  AT ALL!  I have not seen one single shiny buffaloberry all summer, and I look for them.  The leaves are already starting to brown and crisp up, so I doubt they will still fruit.  Good thing I wasn't relying on them for any special potions this year.  I bet next year will be bountiful.  I'll let you know.

For two, the orange hawkweed and bladder campion are blooming their second time this summer!  They both went to seed in July and early August, but here they are again bright as the hot June sun.  I don't know enough about these two to answer this phenomenon, but I do have a couple thoughts in my little brain.

For three, the common snowberry has produced more fruit than I have seen before.  Maybe it's just because I have found more patches of it, but those white berries are big and juicy.  I even have a bush in my back yard!  Too bad I can't eat those, but I'm sure the birds and other critters will enjoy them.

I can eat the plums, however, and I picked five gallons the other day.  Yeah, just before the bees started buzzing around all the squished ones on the ground.  I've already been stung this summer (like most everyone else I know), so I was out of there in a hurry.

And lastly, I have never seen leaves turn this early.  Granted, it's mostly because they need some rain.  There's a birch down the road that is already completely yellow (at least from where I can see), and those usually turn last!  I've seen a couple deep red maple leaves and some crunchy oak leaves on the ground.  But don't drive up with your camera just yet.  We've got a way to go before peak.