Inside the Newsroom @ A2 Journal

If/when the president returns, can we please get some wi-fi?

2012-01-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

With President Barack Obama coming to Ann Arbor, it's expected that dozens of journalists will descend onto campus and report on the speech.

It's also expected that they'll use the most modern tools they have available to help send the message out, and that is the Internet.

So, why hold a presidential speech in a place where journalists can't access the Internet?

Our live coverage Friday, which mostly consisted of a live tweet stream from Al Glick Field House, saw several delays in posting, partially due to lacking 3G internet speeds (our netbooks have 3G built in them, allowing us to access the web anywhere we have a 3G signal, which should include Ann Arbor). But being on a college campus that I would assume has WiFi access, why not allow journalists to access it?

While we could have brought a MiFi hotspot, I'm not so sure it would have helped. Using our 3G access, my colleagues could barely send a text file for filing, and photos took even longer, even though they were compressed.

The best summarization of how many reporters there must have felt came from a tweet from Chris Gautz, a reporter with Gongwer:

No wi-fi at UM for President Obama's speech. Unacceptable.
— Chris Gautz (@ChrisGautz) January 27, 2012

There must be a way for the University to give guest access to those requiring the internet to properly do their job on a public university's campus. It hurt our live coverage, and I'm sure it hurt others' as well.

How should we remember Joe Paterno?

2012-01-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. (Flickr photo courtesy of acaben)

It's a concept I've been struggling with since Saturday night when the news was reported (falsely) that former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno had died:

How should I remember Joe Paterno?

He led the Nittany Lions to 409 wins during his tenure, good for the most of any coach of all time. He was also fired from his job in November for not doing enough to prevent alleged child molester Jerry Sandusky from abusing young boys.

Since his death, I've discovered and read all the statements and columns left by coaches and writers, including Brady Hoke's statement. ESPN had several pieces, including one from Ivan Maisel, saying the coaching icon should be remembered for his achievements and not just what transpired the last 12 weeks. Locally, a similar column appeared from The Detroit News, saying very similar things.

But then I read the comments, and it gets me thinking.

Like it or not, the story centers on the rape of 10 kids and cover up over a decade. Football and "legacy" are outright disrespectful to even discuss, and discussing it in comparison and even as greater than the issue at hand is downright depraved.

When young children are around, you protect them from harm. Where was the protection? Penn State what were you thinking? Joe where were you, these kids were molested in your home. Yea, the campus area they were molested in was his responsibility.

Of course Sandusky is innocent until proven guilty, and he could be acquitted for everything. But the Penn State Board of Trustees saw enough reason to fire him for his role and not allow him to finish the season.

So, how should we remember him? As a man who was a coaching and statewide icon in Pennsylvania? Or as someone who was fired for not doing the right thing? Can we remember him as both?

The closest example I've been able to think about is Richard Nixon. Nixon did several positive things, such as opening the doors to China during his tenure. But, to most Americans, Nixon will always be known as the president who resigned because of the Watergate scandal.

It will take some time for history to decide Paterno's fate. It could take me even longer to figure out how I should remember him.

How will you remember Joe Paterno?

Protests go from the streets to the screen around Ann Arbor

2012-01-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

It seems the protest bug has bitten many people around Ann Arbor this week.

It began with hundreds marching to Gov. Rick Snyder's home in Superior Township Monday on MLK Day. The protest, designed to show opposition to the state's emergency financial manager bill, attracted hundreds and made headlines across the state.

It had been planned for several weeks, and its participants seemed clear in their message: EFMs can damage democracy and leave one individual with too much power.

I hope we don't get in trouble to using this image if SOPA
becomes law. We'll claim fair-use on it, though.

And if that protest wasn't enough, plenty of people from around the area are chiming in about the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, a bill designed to curve online piracy and protect copyright for intellectual property owners.

This protest has gone more virtual, though, given the nature of the legislation. Several sites, including Wikipedia, Reddit and Wordpress have "blacked out" their sites, with Wikipedia denying access to simple searches on its English site. It'still accessible through mobile phones and through mirrored sites.

Several other sites, including one owned by an adviser to our company, Jay Rosen, have followed suit.

Have you participated in any protests this week? How do you best send a message to those in power of something you disapprove of?

Looking for a way to celebrate MLK Day? Speech from NPR personality happening at U-M Monday

2012-01-12T05:07:00.001-08:00

Here's one way to learn more and observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday.

The University of Michigan will host NPR personality Michele Norris, as she serves as the keynote speaker for the day's MLK events. A panel discussion will follow her speech, which will take place after her speech. The discussion, entitled "It's Going on in the Hood" and will "address the perception that Detroit significantly lacks community involvement in its neighborhoods."

The keynote speech will take place at 10 a.m. at the Hill Auditorium. The panel discussion will take place at 1 p.m., after a one-hour lunch break.

In addition, the speech will also be simulcasted at U-M's Detroit Center on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, in case you're not in Ann Arbor that day.

Auto show confessions from a reporter who's called southeast Michigan home all his life

2012-01-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

True story: I have never been to the North American International Auto Show.

I'm not sure how many others in southeast Michigan will say the same thing, but I've never been able to or taken the opportunity to go to Cobo Center and see the newest and greatest concept cars.

It's not that the cars aren't fascinating; they are. I've never been a huge car enthusiast, and grew up in a household that wasn't big on cars (My grandfather did work for Chrysler, though, so I am slightly biased when it comes to favorite brand).

So, I ask you, Washtenaw County: what are the best parts of the auto show I've been missing? I'm curious to know. I'm not sure I'll venture up to Cobo this year, but I hope to.

Meanwhile, here's a collection of photos, videos and other tidbits of what's being said about the auto show locally. Enjoy!

Washtenaw County preps for New Year's Eve

2011-12-30T06:41:00.000-08:00

As Frank Loesser asked: What are you doing New Year's Eve?

We were curious to see what Washtenaw County was talking about for the celebrations, and we rounded up some postings on Twitter, which you can see below.

What are some of the big events happening around town? (And do you care to invite any of us? :))

Story of Ann Arbor businessman shared through the White House

2011-12-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

We published a guest column from Mark Hodesh, a businessman who owns Downtown Home and Garden in Ann Arbor, Friday about some of the tax credits in the new health care law. He talked about how the act is going to help his small business by receiving a $15,000 tax credit.

Fast forward to today: A tweet from the official White House Twitter account gets sent out, and looks like this:

Mark Hodesh, small business owner from MI on how tax credits from the Affordable Care Act help mom-and-pop businesses: ow.ly/8447a
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 19, 2011

Being the curious person I am, I think, "I wonder where in Michigan he is. Could be cool if he was in our area." Sure enough, the tweet provides a link to the same column posted Friday. It's a very cool feeling to see.

A curious coincidence: the Supreme Court also set oral argument dates for the health care law right around the same time. Arguments will take place March 26, 27 and 28.

In Manchester Community Schools They Still Call It Christmas

2011-12-16T18:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping

2011-12-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping. Some people love it, others despise it. Some get it all done on Black Friday, others wait until the last minute.

I'm in between, I usually don't wait until the last minute but I don't really get into Black Friday. It's a little too crazy for me but with 11 nieces and nephews, the shopping has to get done, one way or the other.

For the last few years, I've been on a mission to make things a little easier. This year, I've decided to go with a theme. I chose boardgames in an effort to get the kids (they range in age from 3 to 16) away from the television and tp interact with each other. Wow, what a mean Aunt Amy I am! :)

In my effort to make things easier, I'm wondering about deals available on the Internet. Maybe I'm a little behind the times but I've never really taken advantage of online shopping during the holidays.

How many of you take advantage of all the Internet deals? Where do you do a majority of your shopping, in stores or online? Should I be adding this to my repertoire of ways to find bargains?

By the way, I'm proud to say that I'm almost done with my shopping, and the first week of December is not even complete! And I'm almost done wrapping! Happy Shopping!

Michigan Football: The U-M sideline was a "lighter" atmosphere under Bennie Oosterbaan

2011-09-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

As of July 1, 2011, affiliates and guests of the University of Michigan were banned from smoking on campus.

Times were a bit different back when Bennie Oosterbaan roamed the sidelines as Michigan's head football coach from 1948 to 1958.

In Oosterbaan's first season succeeding Fritz Crisler on the sideline (Crisler had led Michigan to a 10-0 record, earning his first and Michigan's 9th national championship 1947, but did not dare seek a repeat), he lead Michigan to a 9-0 record to win the first U-M national championship of the "modern era," which started in 1948.

Oosterbaan was a former U-M captain who played wide receiver in his gridiron days (1925-27; by Big Ten rule, freshmen weren't allowed to compete back then). More than 80 years later, Oosterbaan, who passed in 1990, remains only one of two Michigan men in the football program's history to be named All-American three times, an honor that eluded legends like tight end/linebacker Ron Kramer, halfback/returner and Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon, and wide receiver/returner and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard.

Only Oosterbaan and another guy you might have heard of, wide receiver Anthony Carter (1979-1982), have been so honored.

HIGHLIGHT: Anthony Carter vs. Indiana, 1979. This is the catch that helped establish the legacy of the #1 jersey as something special in the Michigan tradition.

Michigan Football: Where Coaching Happens

2011-08-04T20:15:00.001-07:00

Four of Michigan's 11 national championships in football are represented in this picture.

From left:

Harry Kipke, The Contributor. Multi-sport athlete in football, basketball in baseball. First man in U-M history to earn 9 varsity letters (freshmen were barred from competition in those days). On the gridiron, was an All-American in 1922, Captain in 1923. One of 13 men in Michigan football history to be assigned the #1 jersey.

After a one-year stint coaching Michigan State, was hired as Michigan's Head Coach, a tenure stretching from 1929 to 1937. Kipke coached the Michigan teams that won back-to-back national championships in 1932 and 1933. Gerald Ford, future U.S. President, played on those teams.

Kipke was also there for perhaps the darkest day in Michigan football history, the Oct. 20, 1934 home game against Georgia Tech. Kipke was forced to bench black wide receiver Willis Ward for the game, under the guise that Michigan, as the home team, should be a good host to Georgia Tech, and do as the Georgians do. Ironically, Georgia Tech was Michigan's only win in the 1934 season and the team, which had gotten off to a slow start, completely imploded after Ward's ban. At one point Gerald Ford considered quitting the team but Ward wouldn't let him.

With athletic director and "Grand Old Man" Fielding Yost always hovering, Kipke never seemed to get much credit for his four consecutive Big Ten championships (1930-1933), or his consecutive national championships, especially compared to a coach like Schembechler, who never won a national championship. Kipke reportedly did not have the power to hire and fire his assistant coaches.

But as Greg Dooley, U-M sports historian and founder of MVictors.com, wrote: "There’s a reason why we have buildings named after Schembechler, Yost, Crisler and Oosterbaan while the Kipke surname adorns a service road/path on the athletic campus."

Kipke's "sacking was far from solely performance-based," Dooley found. "The board in control of athletics issued to Kipke the following five reasons for his dismissal, and they were published in the December 12, 1937 Chicago Tribune:

1. That he engaged in the practice of subsidizing athletes.
2. He failed to organize his coaching staf. [yes, one f.]
3. He was incompetent.
4. The board objected to his private associates.
5. He tolerated summer football practice."

Kipke learned he'd been fired from a newspaper reporter.

Henry Kipke went on to serve as a University of Michigan Regent and was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958.

Fritz Crisler, "The Lord." Crisler coached at Michigan from 1938 to 1947. Among Michigan football fans, Crisler is perhaps best known for the "winged helmet" design he created at Princeton and brought to Michigan in 1938. (Today a coach might be accused of tarnishing the Michigan tradition to introduce such a change.) Since then the winged helmet has become such a point of pride that even other sports, like hockey, baseball and lacrosse, when it's elevated to the varsity level this year, winged helmets.

Among college football fans Crisler is the innovator responsible for the brand of specialized football we see today, with separate "platoons" for offense, defense and special teams. The college football played by Yost's and Kipke's men was an ironman contest. Players played on both offense and defense, and substitutions were rare. But with World War II raging overseas and America's entry seeming imminent, college football loosened substitution rules for the 1941 season. Crisler opposed it at the time.

But a rule is a rule, and free substitution was the rule when Crisler had a squad of "spindly-legged freshmen" to face off against then-powerhouse Navy in 1945. Navy had two future Heisman Trophy winners on the field that day. Crisler knew Michigan couldn't win a war of attrition, so he substituted players regularly, throwing fresh bodies at the Midshipmen. The score was 7-7 going into the 4th Quarter. Navy blew open the game and won 28-7, but Michigan would've been destroyed without Crisler's willingness to adapt.

Among those of us who believe Michigan should compete for national championships, not just Big Ten titles, Crisler is best-regarded for the 1947 season. Michigan won all 10 games that year, to bring home its 9th national championship in football, culminating in a 49-0 drubbing of the USC Trojans in the 1948 Rose Bowl.

Crisler was also Head Coach in 1940 when Tom Harmon won the Heisman Trophy. Crisler took the blame for Michigan not winning the national championship that year. If not for sending Harmon out in the wrong cleats during a muddy, 7-6 loss at home versus eventual national champion Minnesota, Crisler admitted later, Michigan might've won the game, finished the season undefeated, and in first place nationally rather than third. 1954 inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Bennie Oosterbaan, lifelong Michigan man. Oosterbaan, who hailed from Muskegon, was a talented wide-receiver in his day (1925-27). Michigan Football is entering its 132 season in 2011. In all that time, only Oosterbaan and wide-receiver Anthony Carter, two men among thousands, including three Heisman Trophy winners, have been named to the All-American team three times. Most impressive is that Oosterbaan only had three years of eligibility to work with.

Oosterbaan, like Kipke and others of the time, a multi-sport athlete who played basketball and baseball at Michigan. Coming into the 1928 season, news reporters noted that equipment manager Henry Hatch hadn't assigned anyone Oosterbaan's no. 47 jersey. No one has worn it since, and no. 47 remains one of only five jerseys to be retired in the history of Michigan Football.

Oosterbaan bided his time. Just a few years younger than Kipke and Crisler, Bennie worked as an assistant for both coaches and did a stint as basketball head coach before being named Crisler's successor when he retired after the 1947 season.

He picked up where Crisler had left off, leading Michigan to a 9-0 finish and its 10th national championship in his first season. Served as Head Coach from 1948 to 1958.

But Oosterbaan, who is said to have hated recruiting, would never make it back to those heights; a 9th place AP finish after the 1950 Big Ten championship-winning season was as good as he'd do. Oosterbaan got the chance to coach tight end Ron Kramer, and retired Kramer's no. 87 jersery after his senior season in 1956, but the two never won a Big Ten title together. Retired after the 1958 season, in which Michigan finished 8th in the Big Ten. Was hung in effigy by students after a 55-24 loss to Northwestern. 1954 inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Chalmers "Bump" Elliott. The only Michigan man to win a Rose Bowl as a player (1948) and a head coach (1965). Like Oosterbaan after those first few years, Elliott's teams didn't win enough. His last game as a Head Coach was a 50-14 spanking to Ohio in 1968, with most of the points coming in the second half. Tenure as Head Coach ran from 1959 to 1968.

That performance propelled the Buckeyes to the national championship. This is the game where Buckeye head coach Woody Hayes ordered a late two-point conversion attempt rather than the standard point-after.

Asked why he went for two points with the game in hand, Hayes reportedly said, "Because I couldn't go for three."

Elliott's brother, Pete, is the only person in history to earn 12 varsity letters at the University of Michigan. Pete came to Michigan during World War II, when the ban on freshman competition was lifted briefly, and earned letters each year in football, basketball and golf. Pete quarterbacked the 1948 national championship team and later served as Head Coach at Illinois.

Bump went on to become athletic director at the University of Iowa, a position he held for 21 years. Elliott hired football coach Hayden Fry and wrestling legend Dan Gable as head coaches during his tenure. Elliott, spry and in his late 80s, still lives in Iowa City and makes it to as many Iowa games as he can.

Glenn "Bo" Schembechler. "The Team, The Team, The Team." No other coach is as identified with the Michigan brand as Bo Schembechler. The Michigan luster had been tarnished by year-in, year-out mediocrity by the time Schembechler arrived in Ann Arbor in December 1968. Since the 1950 season Michigan had only won one Big Ten championship, Elliott's 1964 team that went to the Rose Bowl, and has lost to the rival Buckeyes 50-14.

Schembechler's style was rough compared to Elliott's, and there was some attrition that first year, which lead to Bo's infamous slogan that "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." (Sportscaster Jim Brandstatter, who played on the 1969 team, can sometimes be seen sporting a Maize-and-Blue cap that says "We Stayed".)

Coach was a man of his word that first year as Michigan finished the regular season 8-2, including a 24-12 upset of the no. 1 ranked Ohio Buckeyes. This was good enough for a first-place Big Ten tie with the Buckeyes, who had won the 1968 national championship and looked unbeatable all season. After the game, Buckeye coach Woody Hayes told his former pupil, Schembechler, that he'd just won the biggest game of his life. Hayes was right. Schembechler's best season at Michigan was a no. 2 finish in 1985. Tenure as head coach ran from 1969 to 1989.

Schembechler was the one who started the streak of 33 bowl games that ended in 2008 during Rich Rodriguez's first year. That streak was a pride point for Michigan fans, not just for its unprecedented longevity, but for the history behind it.

In 1973, Michigan and Ohio State both finished the regular season undefeated. "The Game" was a 10-10 tie. A Rose Bowl berth came down to a vote of Big Ten athletic directors. Because Michigan QB Dennis Franklin had his collarbone broken during the game, the directors, then as now, embarrassed by the conference's poor showings in bowl games, decided that Ohio would give the USC Trojans a better game. The Buckeyes won the Rose Bowl 42-21. Michigan watched the game on television.

Prior to the 1975 season, Michigan lobbied for, and won, an end to the Big Ten's exclusive arrangement with the Rose Bowl. With more bowl games to choose from, Michigan earned a berth to the 1976 Orange Bowl (in a losing effort v. Oklahoma), and would play in a bowl game every year until after the 2008 season. Now under the leadership of Head Coach Brady Hoke, Michigan is looking for its second straight bowl appearance after the 2011 season.

If a photo of Michigan's living head football coaches were taken today, it would feature Bump Elliott, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke.

Staff Writer James David Dickson can be reached at JDickson@Heritage.com.

Hand Down. Man Down | As seen in Ann Arbor

2011-07-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Off the southwest corner of Lawrence and North State Street.

Even when Sparty wins, he loses

2011-06-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

In my story in Michigan Today last week about why the University of Michigan doesn't have a mascot, and past attempts to establish one, one thing I didn't get to address was Michigan State's misguided but lighthearted to create a mascot on Michigan's behalf.

The blue-and-yellow monstrosity, pictured above, was trotted out to the horror of Michigan during halftimes of early 2000s U-M/MSU games. Sparty would tackle the fake wolverine. It didn't take long for everyone to get the joke and, thankfully, this didn't become a regular thing.

As we learned in the visceral and immediate response to U-M athletic director Dave Brandon expressing interest in a mascot, this is an idea Michigan fans aren't the least bit open-minded about. That U-M's lack of a mascot is the exception rather than the rule is a point of pride among Michigan fans, proof of the special something that sets us apart from the pack. It took a certain subtlety for someone in East Lansing to understand and take a poke at that air of superiority.

But even when Sparty tweaks Michigan successfully, Sparty loses in the end. You'll note the jersey the fake wolverine is wearing -- no. 97. You'll also recall that the last time Michigan won the national championship in football, it was after the 1997 season, a season which included a 23-7 spanking of Michigan State, in East Lansing.

Nice try, Sparty. Let's leave the mascot making to the pros.

All-in

2011-06-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

80 Days until Michigan football takes the field on Sept. 3 v. Western Michigan.

As Seen in Ann Arbor

2011-05-22T16:13:00.001-07:00

As seen off the northeast corner of Beakes and N. Fourth Avenue.

A year of Zingerman's sandwiches: No. 81

2011-02-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

Yum...corned beef. Now, I am a huge corned beef fan. I never cared for it much when I was younger but now I can't get enough. That being said, I have to honestly admit this was not my favorite sandwich. It had a simplicity to it that I can appreciate -- bread, mustard and meat.

The bread was, as usual, amazing. The beef was great, with a nice flavor. But I don't think this is my new favorite sandwich.

But if you're looking for the simplicity of a great deli corned beef, I would recommend this sandwich. I paired it with some nice Zapp's potato chips and a Boylan soda from their fairly-new fountain.

But what I really love about having a sandwich at Zingerman's is that I can work from downtown A2 and meet a lot of interesting people. The Zingerman's Next Door area is such an interesting place to people watch.

So if you see a girl with a laptop and a Boylan's cola staring at you, don't be afraid. It's just me, gathering information for my blog or working on a news story.

So Check out the No. 81 and stay tuned for more Zingerman's deliciousness.

A year of Zingerman's Sandwiches

2011-02-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

I love Zingerman's. I didn't discover them until I had lived here for about 2 years, and ever since then, I have become addicted.

The issue is, I always order the same thing when I go there. The Benno's Birdie, pictured here. Grilled sourdough, chicken, pesto, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

It's amazing. If you haven't tried it, you need to. But the problem is, if I'm always ordering the same sandwich, how can I say that I truly LOVE Zingerman's Deli?

So my decision is this: I am going to try a different sandwich from Zingerman's every week and let you know what I think. I will post a photo and name of the sandwich along with my thoughts.

So check back to see if I try one of your favorites, or if you're looking for a new favorite. And maybe I'll see you at Zingerman's!

My dog needs a coat for this weather

2011-01-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

I am a proud dog parent. I say "parent" because I've been told I treat my dog like a child. Don't get me wrong, I do my best to teach her manners that dogs should know, but she is definitely a member of the family.

Last winter, she loved going outdoors for walks. I lived close to the Eastern Michigan University campus, and we often walked the sidewalks of the campus.

This year, she isn't too keen on the outside walking. I think she is cold. I think she needs coat. Perhaps a cute pink one, since she is a girl.

My husband does not.

Now, my dog isn't one of those little purse pooches names Princess who has a sparkle-encrusted collar and weighs less than my cat.

She is a Plott Hound-Greyhound mix and weighs about 50 pounds. But she is so short haired and practically bald on her belly. I think if she got a coat, she would enjoy being outside more and perhaps seem less depressed in the winter.

Even right now, she is sleeping next to me on the coach. She was sleeping in her crate when I got home from work and immediately came out to sleep on the couch.

I think it's a bit too dangerous to head out in this weather with the sole intention of getting my dog a jacket, but I think it will become a necessary evil.

FutureStars 2011 blew me away...seriously

2011-01-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of attending Saturday's FutureStars 2011. I am not new to Ann Arbor but I had never heard of this event before. As someone who went to a variety of small high schools, I was involved in band and theater, so I appreciate live performances.

Students sang, danced, rapped and played instruments in performances that would make professionals jealous.

Case in point was this performance of an Alicia Keys song that I found so amazing, I've watched the video about 10 times:

Since this was only the preliminaries, there is still a chance to see these performances at the finale on Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Pioneer High School. I highly recommend it.

Happy New Year Ann Arbor

2011-01-05T02:55:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a few days late, but I just want to wish all readers a Happy New Year! I hope everyone celebrated safely and had a great time.

I stayed home this year, and opted to watch a music countdown on Fuse TV. My husband and I became so interested in the countdown, we almost missed the ball drop, tuning in when it was already at 7 on the countdown. But at least we got to see it.

Now one of the big issues surrounding the turning of the year is the idea that one needs to make resolutions. I have never really agreed with this.

That's not to say that I've never made resolutions. I am human. But I know how easily they can fall by the wayside.

Real change comes with time, and it can come at any time of the year. But I do think that setting goals for myself for the new year by looking back at previous accomplishments is a good idea.

I had a pretty big 2010, and I look forward to everything 2011 will bring.

Whatever that may be.

Online Christmas shopping is the best gift of all

2010-12-15T11:10:00.000-08:00

I have always been one of those crazy people who started their Christmas shopping in August. I hate the holiday shopping crowds. It always seems like people forget the meaning of the holiday when they get into crazed shopping mode. But thanks to the plethora of internet stores and their holiday calendars, I can know exactly when my packages will arrive in conjunction with the holiday.

With the exception of a present for my friend Sarah that I picked up at Target, I completed ALL my holiday shopping online, from the couch, with my 50 pound "lap dog" snuggled up against me. I never had to fight for a spot at the mall or navigate the foot traffic. All gifts are now wrapped and organized under the tree.

My husband, however, also ordered all his Christmas presents online, and has recently had some bad experiences. One of his orders was canceled, and the others have failed to arrive.

So I guess we can't all have wonderful online shopping experiences. But for me, it has been wonderful.

I'm thankful I didn't burn the turkey

2010-11-26T10:13:00.000-08:00

For the second time ever, I cooked Thanksgiving dinner entirely by myself. Now I have a background in cooking; I have been a line cook at 3 different restaurants and a background with pastry.

But cooking a turkey is very new to me. I cooked one once before and something just did not go right. I could not put my finger on it, but it wasn't that good.

This year, I managed to get it right. I stuffed my turkey with sweet onions, sage, parsley and savory. I cooked it at 325 degrees for 3 1/2 hours. My husband said it was amazing and my dog got her own plate.

It was a very nice, low key Thanksgiving.

Michigan weather still gets to me

2010-11-15T08:40:00.001-08:00

I've lived in Michigan almost my entire life. I was born here. But I still cannot get used to how quickly the weather can change.

My husband generally works weekends but he was given this weekend off. We decided to take our dog to Gallup Park, since she has never been. We went on Saturday, and the weather was 60 degrees.

We brought her tennis ball, which seems to be her current favorite and we discovered she enjoyed leaping up in the air for the ball but she couldn't seem to catch it. She would let it fall and then just go about her business sniffing around. She is a hound so this is a common occurrence.

She had so much fun on Saturday we decided to take her again on Sunday. Well, between Saturday and Sunday the temperature had somehow dropped 30 degrees. 30 degrees! In one day!

I took two videos, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, and it's still shocking to me the difference between the two. On Saturday, the sun was out and the park was full of people. On Sunday, it was cloudy, overcast and freezing. But we had seen how much our dog enjoyed the park so we decided to go again.

She didn't mind the cold. I was freezing.

Historic Walking Tours at Forest Hill Cemetery

2010-10-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

I just got back from participating in the Forest Hill Cemetery walk hosted by Wystan Stevens. I had never heard about these before this year, but my research found they've been going on for more than 30 years. Mr. Stevens relocated to live closer to his daughter last year and it was feared that 2009 would be the end to these historic tours.

Thankfully, he was able to return and host the tours again this year. Unfortunately, it didn't seem too many had heard the news because the turnout on Halloween day seemed a bit low. But he will be hosting two more walking tours - Nov. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m., so if you've been interested but haven't found the time, this might be your last chance. I didn't hear any mention of whether or not he will be returning the years to come, so head out before you miss the opportunity.

Halloween is my favorite holiday

2010-10-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

I just love Halloween. I would say it's my favorite holiday. We basically get an entire month of beautiful fall weather, cider mills, donuts, caramel apples, corn mazes, horror films and haunted houses, followed by a holiday where we can eat as much candy as we want.

In honor of the holiday, my husband and I decided to head out to Chelsea and visit the Chelsea Corn Maze. Neither of us had ever been and I had heard that it was a good time.

One half of the corn maze is family-friendly, with clues along the way to guide you in the right direction. The maze takes about a half hour to complete. On the other side is a scarier version of the maze, with dummies along the way during the day. But at night, they hire actors to jump out at you in costume. It's obviously not family friendly but seems like it would be a good time for someone looking for a scare.

I hope to have some more time in the coming weeks to visit a few more cider mills and haunted houses. But for now, I recommend the Chelsea Corn Maze. They are located off 94, get off on Exit 159 and just look for the signs!

Hello Ann Arbor Journal Readers

2010-10-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

My name is Jodie Mason and I am the new staff writer for the Ann Arbor Journal. I look forward to receiving feedback and getting to know all my readers, but first, a little information about me.

I was born in Jackson, Michigan, but I lived in Florida for a short time. I moved to Ann Arbor in 2005 and have lived in the area ever since.

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a double bachelor's degree in journalism and electronic media and film studies with a concentration in film studies. I also have a background in digital video editing and an associates in English and general studies from Washtenaw Community College.

During college, I worked for The Eastern Echo, first as a copy editor and then as the opinions section editor, as well as working for the Ann Arbor District Library.

I love to cook and bake, watch movies and take my dog for walks with my husband.

I love to write and I have a passion for journalism. I love to cover events and let people know what is happening at city council, in the schools and anywhere around the city.

My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor is Zingerman's Deli, I love the Michigan Theater and I had my wedding photos taken in graffiti alley. I can genuinely say I care about this city and I look forward to bringing you all the information you need.

Oct. 1 - Lisa's (last) Musings about Every Day Life

2010-10-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm back.

But I'm gone.

But not completely.

Let me explain. Today is my last day at the A2 Journal, but after I finish recovering from this new tooth adventure, I'll do some freelancing for the Heritage papers.

So, as a farewell, and I have included a photo of my best friend, Becca, and Driver ... note that the puppy adores her ... taken before we headed to the dentist Wednesday.

Also included is me with the old, rotted chompers. I think that one ended up in the middle.

And me, with the new, fake chompers. I think that one ended up first.

During the last two days I've been recovering from having seven teeth pulled and a deep, deep, deep cleaning of the bottom teeth that can (yippee) be saved. It was a long, long -- did I mention LONG? -- procedure on Wednesday.

And, I was in no shape to blog that day or yesterday, either, as I drifted in and out of a drug-induced mandated recovery.

Which, by the way, I'm supposed to be continuing today. (So don't tell my dentist.)

I only say this in case this post doesn't make a lot of sense. But I learned the really painful way that it's too soon to quit taking the pain meds -- even though I thought the worst was over already.

I learned early this morning that listening to the dentist isn't optional. That not taking the drugs, even though I thought I was feeling better, was NOT a good idea.

So, before I'm lulled off into la-la land again, I wanted to post something.

Although I'm gone, I'm really not going anywhere ... I'll be doing some freelancing, concentrating my efforts on the book I'm writing, the cat magazine, and selling advertising for the owners of the chain of magazines of which I Love Cats is a part.

I'll also continue to review books for Heritage and today, I found out that a monthly newsletter for cozy mystery fans will pick-up some of the reviews I write for the papers. The Website is www.mystery-cozy.com in case you want to take a look.

I'm not sure what the status of Lisa's Musings will be since I'm not an employee of the paper. But, I'll let you know if I decide to keep going in November under a new name. You can "friend" me on Facebook for an update or e-mail me at lallmendinger@sbcglobal.net.

It's been a blast welcoming you through the door to my life. And I hope you enjoyed the insider's view.

So, hello.

And goodbye.

Sept. 28 - Lisa's Musings (on teeth) and Every Day Life

2010-09-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Yikes ... tomorrow will forever be known in my life as a red letter day of a different sort.

I'm calling it "New Chomper's Day."

At 11 a.m., I will be in the dentist's chair saying goodbye to my old, rotted teeth and hello to my new fake ones. And hopefully, I will be totally unaware of the changing of the chomper's guard as I am hoping that I'll be happily in la-la land.

And be totally oblivious to the whole thing. Wake me up when it's all over.

Yup -- 52 years old and I will have top dentures. Not too sure how I feel about that but it's time and I can blame my dad for his part in my horrible, usually painful teeth.

He suffered from the same bad teeth syndrome.

So, I'm busying myself writing away today so I don't think too much about it. I'm covering a meeting tonight in Chelsea and plan to come home and write the stories, then take a modern pharmaceutical that will relax my mind and let me sleep through the night.

I've been having nightmares that include, but are not limited to, my new teeth landing in someones lap, talking and sounding like I have a serious speech impediment, and the dentures looking like something out of a bad Halloween costume.

Now, rationally, I know none of the above will happen, but ... it's hard to control a subconscious reaction to the unknown.

On the flip side, I'm excited for the chance to eat things like granola bars and steak and other crunchy and chewable foods that I've avoided for so many years.

I hope to blog tomorrow about the experience, but that depends on how I feel.

So forgive me if I miss blogging for the first time since I started this adventure more than 360-some blogs ago.

Sept. 27 - Lisa's Musings (on Monarch Butterflies) and Every Day Life

2010-09-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

There was a great story in Sunday's Detroit Free Press (via The Grand Rapids Press) about a family in Jenison, Mich., who have made a business out of raising Monarch Butterflies.

I want to do that. How hard could raising butterflies be? Although I'm not quite sure how much it would cost to feed them.

OK, so the story says the family spent 3-4 hours a day "cleaning out caterpillar pens, watering plants and (maintaining) the nectar stations," in July and August. This must be peak butterfly season.

I admit, I don't know jack about butterflies -- other than they're pretty.

The Ward family raised the monarchs from egg to butterfly and even found a pair of white monarchs in the bunch. Apparently, the white ones are super rare.

So, how do you think they know which ones are the girls and which ones are the boys? Maybe their markings give them away?

Ever since that butterfly landed on me when I was having such a rotten day, I've been a big fan of these bright orange and black butterflies.

How cool would it to raise some of my own in the backyard?

Sept. 26, Lisa's Musings (on the AA Sunday Artisan's Market) and Every Day Life

2010-09-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

I write about the different artists at the Sunday Ann Arbor Artisans' Market every week. I've done so since the start of the A2 Journal.

I love these artisans and they make incredibly different, fun, and beautiful pieces. From candles to baskets to wood products.

There are fiber pieces and bird houses, paintings, glasswork and clothing of all sorts.

Photography, paintings, pastels, dolls, puzzles and pottery -- the list goes on and on.

I don't understand why more people don't take a trip there to check out the amazing creativity of these artists. It's every Sunday folks and parking's free.

It's kinda sad because this is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind gift for any occasion. I know, I've found delightful gifts in every price range for those hard-to-buy-for people in my your life.

These pictures are just a few of the artists who are there each Sunday. Hopefully, you've already seen and read about many of the others who sell their work there.

And I hope as we head toward the holidays that you will take a trip to Ann Arbor and support these local artists and their amazing handcrafted work.

Sept. 25 - Lisa's Musings (on rabbit shows) and Every Day Life

2010-09-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

It’s been a very long time since I’ve been to a rabbit show.

In another life, I raised and showed Holland Lop rabbits. In fact, I was one of the top breeders in the country and flew them to specialty and national shows all across the USA.

So it was fun to go to the Ann Arbor Rabbit Breeder’s Show at the Farm Council Grounds today. And see judges I hadn’t seen in many, many moons.

The last time I attended this club’s show, it was held in the summer and was a midnight madness show, which started in the evening and continued into the wee hours of the morning.

I drove all the way from Virginia to Ann Arbor because it was the last points show of the season, and I was running national points with my rabbits that year.

I remember it well. It was hot, hot, hot and my rabbits got their cute little butts kicked. Needless to say, it was a long drive back to Virginia without the points I needed to move any of my rabbits up in the point standings.

But, that was a long time ago.

Today, it was all about taking photos and talking to club members for a story. And it brought back some fun memories.

It was great to see those cute little Holland Lop rabbits I spent so many years raising, enjoying and showing. And the good news was the faults I'd worked so hard to breed out of my Holland lines were no longer a problem for today's lines.

I’m sure that in the backgrounds of some of these rabbits are the bloodlines I so carefully developed during my years in the fancy.

And it made me smile.

Sept. 24 - Lisa's Musings (on leaving) and Every Day Life

2010-09-24T12:26:00.001-07:00

I'd planned to just say good-bye on Oct. 1. My last day.

But as more and more people find out I'm leaving the A2 Journal, I figured I better say something about it.

I've loved my time with the paper but I have two other jobs and a book to write. It came down to not enough hours in the week for work and for me.

It was high time that I won.

But I'm not really leaving for good.

I've agreed to still do some freelance writing for all the Heritage papers.

October will be mostly a month of rest and relaxation for me. I really need it.

A time to recharge my batteries (they take longer when you start getting older), a time to recover from all the oral surgery I'm about to go through to fix my teeth, and then I'll be back.

So I hope you'll enjoy another week of my daily blog and after that, ya never know, I might be back with a new blog.

Or not.

Sept. 23 - Lisa's Musings (on new teeth) and Every Day Life

2010-09-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I've decided to just do it.

I'm finally getting new chompers. I had an appointment with a new dentist yesterday and am going for it.

I can't even type all the details because I told the dentist not to get graphic because I don't do pain or needles or blood.

What I can tell you is I will walk into the office, in a loopy, happy place, have my top teeth removed, and walk out with new 'teethies'. (Hopefully while I'm still in a happy daze).

My friend, Becca, will be by my side as she's been for many years of multiple tooth removals and root canals. She knows the drill, so to speak.

Then when I emerge from my time with marvelous modern pharmaceuticals, I'll have to figure out how to speak with the new teeth. I'm told I may sound like Tweety Bird for a while. And then there's not spitting on people while speaking to worry about as well.

I'm told it takes a while to get used to dentures.

And I'll find out soon enough.

People have been asking me if I'm scared to have all these teeth removed and yeah, I guess I am. I'm a real weanie about blood and pain. But anyone who knows what I've been through with what's left of the teeth I still have, knows the agony I've endured for years and year and years.

Or the food that I've not been able to eat because I can't chew it.

Anything that's hard or that requires real chewing has been out of the question for many, many years as I've tried to baby what's left of my teeth.

And I'm told it will be quite a while longer to find out what it's truly like to eat an almond or a steak, but find out I will.

And quite frankly, I'm looking forward to it. No matter how long it takes.

And the first hard thing I plan to eat -- a fat pretzel stick.

But in the meantime, I've stocked up on all the stuff I can eat and lots and lots of soft stuff to baby those new chompers once they're in my mouth.

I might even have some peanut brittle at Christmas.

Sept. 22 - Lisa's Musings (on new rules) and Every Day Life

2010-09-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

There's nothing meaner than a hungry reporter.

I know. I get really, really nasty when I'm starving.

Maybe it's true of people in other professions, too, but I can only speak to what I know. So, I always bring snacks (sometimes sandwiches) and other "provisions" to meetings.

I'm rarely without my mug of coffee and when that runs out, I become the queen of vending machines. Mountain Dew, anyone?

And although I've been known to grab a free snack here and there, I'll admit it, after an invitation from one of the Ann Arbor Board of Education trustees, I had a plate of dinner before the last board meeting that began at 5:30 and lasted until after 11 p.m.

So today, all the reporters who cover the AA Board of Education got this note from the board secretary.

Food - I have food available for trustees whenever there is an early meeting (5:30 pm or earlier), and meals may be provided if the meeting takes place over many hours (typically more than 3). For budgetary reasons, I typically order meals for the trustees and meeting participants (administrative staff) so I appreciate your being sensitive to that. You're more than welcome to enjoy the snacks, coffee and cold beverages that are typically available.

Length of Meeting - Breaks are an infrequent occurrence, and even though a time limit may be given, please allow me, the superintendent or another board member to gather the remaining trustees to restart the meeting.

(I think this one was directed at me because the break was supposed to be 10 minutes and after 20 minutes, I announced that I was heading out into another room to round up the troops and get the meeting restarted. I have better things to do with my night than spend it waiting around. Even if I am getting paid.) So I plead guilty to this one.

Meeting Attendance/Participation - As guests of meetings, you are requested to sit on the periphery of whatever meeting room is being used, or at the spaces designated for media. Conference table seating is reserved for trustees and those participating in the meeting itself. If warranted, and whenever possible, a meeting will be moved to a larger room in order to accommodate an overflow of guests.

OK, I'm fine with this because I always sit away from everyone else on the sidelines (by myself) wherever possible. Less germs that way.

Questions/clarification - should you need to clarify information for reporting purposes, please see me prior to or after meetings, or during break times. It's fine to ask questions of trustees before or after meetings, or during break times as time allows.

I'm good with this one, too, as I've always asked my questions at the appropriate times.

For the meetings today, please be prepared to provide your own meals; I will have water and coffee and limited snacks available for the public. We have a kitchen available with a refrigerator and microwave. Feel free to make use of the extra tables that will be in the conference room for your laptop, etc.

No problem -- not going to this meeting so ...

But "assisting in" getting those trustees back in session -- now that one I have a problem with ... guess I'll have to bring more magazines to the next meeting.

Sept. 21 - Lisa's Musings (on helping others) and Every Day Life

2010-09-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

They say there's a sucker born every day and maybe I was one yesterday, but I'll never know.

Here's what happened, so feel free to tell me what you think.

I pulled into the Westgate Shopping Center last night to go to Staples. For, duh, office supplies.

So, as I was pulling into a parking spot, a kinda scruffy man approached my van, and I rolled down my window.

He explained that he needed $11 for a new radiator hose; that he and his friend were stranded. He was very specific to show me a wad of cash and said he wasn't a bum.

Although I have to tell you, he sure looked like he could use a shower.

He said he hadn't had a job in nine months and was down on his luck. Plus, he was recovering from a (very evident) broken jaw. I did not ask how he got it.

He also had an ace bandage wrapped around his forearm, and proceeded to pull down the bandage to show me what he described as a spider bite that had gotten infected. It looked more like a stab wound to me, but what do I know?

So, I gave him eleven bucks. He thanked me profusely and vanished. I didn't watch where he went.

The whole thing took about 5 minutes from start to finish, so I really didn't give it a lot of thought.

I just handed him my money, and to be honest, I hoped that his story was legit and that I'd done something nice for my fellow man.

So, here's what went through my head: The guy did have a wad of cash on him and he asked for $11 bucks -- not a dollar or ten dollars or could I spare some change. He had a goal to reach and I may or may not have helped him reach it.

I'll never know.

But one thing I do know is this guy was down on his luck and had definitely seen happier (and cleaner) days. And I guess if I was in trouble and had to ask perfect strangers for help, I'd like to think that someone would take pity on me.

Maybe I'm a sucker and the guy took me for a ride, but I truly believe that good deeds come back in kind.

So I ask you, what would you have done?

Sept. 20 - Lisa's Musings (on fall) and Every Day Life

2010-09-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone.

Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you -- I'm having a fine, fine Monday.

I just love this cool weather, just two days before the official start of fall. It's my favorite, favorite, favorite time of year.

Well, OK, except for the leaf dropping thing ... that's kind of a pain, but before they flutter to the ground, they sure look pretty, so that makes the clean-up part worth it. Or at least in my book.

And, as I drive around I'm beginning to see those marvelous colors, too. Bring it on.

Pumpkins, chrysanthemums, gourds -- did I tell you about the ones I bought recently that look like different breeds of birds? They are amazingly cool.

Corn mazes. You have to love all the corn mazes that have cropped up, so to speak, in recent years in the area. I can't wait to spend a little time in them. And soon.

But for tonight, it's a trip to Ann Arbor for a city council meeting and you better believe I'll have my special rump and back saver seat cushion in place. I forgot to mention two weeks ago that it got its first real test and passed with comfy colors.

Oh, and by the way, don't tell me what happens on "Dancing With the Stars" or "Castle" tonight, I'm DRVing them to watch tomorrow.

Happy Monday, everyone. Hope it was a good one.

Sept. 19 - Lisa's Musings From Every Day Life

2010-09-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a sacrifice must be made for the greater good.

I made one today, so let me explain.

There are lots and lots of trees on my property. Pines of all sorts, maples, oaks, birch, a corkscrew willow, apples, pears, cherries, ornamental something's or others and I'm sure I've missed a few. Or 50. And then there are my two favorite trees, which are Rose-of-Sharon.

Well, one of them was leaning against my expensive dog yard fence and although it bloomed like a champ this year, parts of it were rotting and although it's supposed to grow upright -- at was in such bad shape, it was growing parallel to the ground.

My friend, Becca, told me a few months ago, it needed to come out but I insisted it wasn't going anywhere.

Well, today, with my little brother here helping me clean gutters and change light bulbs and replace and rehang shower curtains, I made the fateful decision.

One of the two Rose-of-Sharons will have a new purpose in life as a nice place for little rabbits or squirrels or chipmunks or other little woodland creatures to hide under this winter. It now lines on the side of my property with the other brush that's been removed from its original location.

We tried to trim it to help it along, but branches I thought were happy, in reality were really unhappy, and I think it's profuse blooming this year was a last gasp attempt to show its appreciation for a great life.

Its cousin, or maybe its aunt or uncle -- not sure which -- got a nice branch trim and we cut out the other scrub trees that were taking away some of its sunlight.

I sure hope its not too lonely now.

But I vowed to plant it a replacement friend next year.

In the meantime, I snipped off several small branches with blooms that hadn't opened yet, stripped off some of the leaves and placed the twigs in a vase on the kitchen table in the hopes that the blooms will open.

Sept. 18, Lisa's Musings (on U-M football) and Every Day Life

2010-09-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

I can now say I watched a game this year from inside the new Big House.

And, as I've gotten used to seeing it's new look from the outside, I have to say I kinda like its new look while sitting in the inside, too. Although I did so from a different vantage point than I'm used to having.

I sat with my little brother, Eric, in his seats, which were on the 30 in row 64. I'm used to sitting higher up and closer to the 50, so it was a different look. Not a bad look, just different.

And, when we left this morning, it was cool and raining so I dressed appropriately. Turtleneck, vest, sweatshirt and rain gear. We parked on Pauline in a new spot -- and paid $20. Note to self -- always choose the ones that say easy in and easy OUT. We were the second car parked and there were six behind us. The nice person who owned the home gave as instructions that we had to be back within a half hour of the end of the game ... but more on that later.

So, first we headed to Allmendinger Park to spend a little time at my dad's bench and took a few photos. Had a nearby tailgater take both of our pictures and just hung out.

Once inside the stadium -- the sun came out and it warmed up. Fast. And I started shedding layer after layer after layer until there were no more appropriate layers to be shed. Did I mention that I'm used to sitting in the shade? And I hadn't considered that we might be sitting in the sun. The rain, yeah, but not the sun.

Sad start to the game as U-M paid tribute to a true Michigan man Ron Kramer who died a week ago today. Surprisingly, there were lots of people wearing a jersey with his name on it and my brother and I decided they'd had them made specially.

So, between U-M's horrible defensive effort and sweating in a turtle neck when I'd have been fine in short sleeves, I was happy to go (Lady) Ga-Ga at half time. It was a fun and clever show. Plus a chance for me to get up and stretch.

Going into the half, the play had improved and the start of the third quarter was pretty good as well and then ... let's just say I was glad for the win ... and the end of the game.

And then it was off to retrieve the van ... and apparently, the last guy parked in the driveway didn't get the memo about being back to his can within a half-hour of the end of the game.

So we waited and waited and made some new friends from the UP and Ohio, and waited some more as all the guys debated the prospect of physically moving the last car in line so the rest of us could get out. There was enough man power waiting, that was for sure, but there was also a lot of beer being consumed so ... I was glad they thought better of it.

And since I'm writing this, the guy did show up and we managed to get out, have a lovely dinner at Knights and still get home in time for the MSU-Notre Dame game.

My little brother wanted me to mention that he thinks MSU's new uniforms are really ugly. So I have.

Is it wrong to root for Notre Dame?

Sept. 17 - Lisa's Musings (on traditions) and Every Day Life

2010-09-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

TGIF.

And, for the first time in a long time, I'll have company for the weekend.

Little brother, Eric, is flying in tonight from New Jersey to go to the U-M football game tomorrow. So, I'll be heading to the airport to pick him up and, yeah, take him back on Sunday.

The family always gets together for at least one game each year, then heads to Webber's afterward for dinner.

Last year, it was to celebrate (or memorialize depending on how you look at it) my dad's life.

This year, things will be quite different.

It will be a much smaller group. Four of the cousins, Eric and I.

We'll have a little Big Sister-Little Brother bonding time. The two of us have never gone to a game together. It was always my dad and I.

And one of the cousins decided he didn't want to go to Webber's -- he wanted to try some place else.

So, since I live here, I was tapped to come up with an alternate place.

It didn't take long. Who doesn't love Knights?

New season.

New restaurant.

New traditions.

Sometimes change is good.

Sept. 16 - Lisa's Musings (on post No. 365) and Every Day Life

2010-09-16T13:34:00.001-07:00

Well, here it is ... the magic mark ... post number 365.

Now I know I haven't written all of them, but I know I've written 99 percent of them and I think that's something special.

I have blogged every day without fail since I began this adventure last year.

On days off. When I was out of town. On weekends.

It's truly been a daily blog and I proved to myself that no matter what, I could come up with something to write about for umpteen days in a row.

And yeah, some of them were better than others. And some of them were rather clever. Or funny. Or sentimental. Or newsy. But the one thing they had in common was that people who faithfully read this blog enjoyed spending a few minutes in my every day life.

Hopefully, my life, despite spending many hours of it as a reporter, is a lot like yours.

Some days are better than others. The little things in life should not be ignored. Even in the most annoying or frustrating situations, just the littlest thing can flip the negative to the positive.

Each day is special and I intend to enjoy each and every one.

Sept. 15 - Lisa's Musings (on cleaning) and Every Day Life

2010-09-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, but I just can't get into this cleaning thing. I know lots of people are into spotless homes but I promise you, they don't have dogs.

And they do it every day. And like it -- or so I'm told.

My idea of it's-time-to-do-some cleaning is when the dog's rub their head's on the carpet and come up with more red hair on their muzzles then they started. It's theirs, of course, but they've shed it long ago. And apparently, it's my job to rid the house of it.

And I do. Sometimes. When I can actually see it. Or when my socks are covered in it. Or when company's coming. My friends are dog people -- for the most part, anyway, so dog fur isn't something they even notice.

Even when it gets really bad. And I, in turn, don't mention it to them if I see it in their houses.

It's one of those unwritten dog-owner rules.

Or something.

She who lives in a glass house and all that.

But my little brother is coming here Friday-Sunday for the U-M game, And, he's agreed to take up where my dad left off -- helping me with two-person tasks I can't do alone. Yucky stuff like cleaning the gutters and cutting down tree branches and replacing burned out light bulbs in high places.

My dad worked for food. My little brother works for beer.

So, I plan to buy a bunch of it because, if he's in a slightly buzzed daze, perhaps, he won't notice all the dog fur. Or if he does, he won't mention it.

Yeah, I cleaned the guest room and vacuumed and will do some dusting, but it's going to take a whole lot more than that to get rid of all the dog fur, and spider webs, and dust bunnies and dust and dirt.

There's way more of it than there is of me. I'm out numbered, out roomed, out "every-thinged."

And as longtime readers know, I haven't had a lot of spare time to deal with it.

But my little brother's still in his 20's and I'm hoping he hasn't grown up all that much. He's got his mother and his wife to clean up after him.

All I have are the dogs and they aren't helping much.

I'm always amazed at the mess two dogs and one person can make.

Sept. 14 - Lisa's Musings (on nature) and Every Day Life

2010-09-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

I was in Allmendinger Park today and spotted this squirrel.

It seems that Mother Nature has been calling to me this week and far be it from me to not heed her call.

So, as I started through the park, I spied this squirrel and started shooting from a distance. Then got closer and closer. And closer.

He or she, not sure which, was eating a nut and it wasn't until I was pretty darn close that I was even noticed.

There seems to be a huge difference between country squirrels and city squirrels.

The country variety would never let me get this close. They work hard for those choice nuts, fruits and berries. They'll spend hours figuring out how to get into my bird feeders to get the black-oil seed.

The city squirrels are a different breed. They get so many handouts that they seem to expect every human to have one for them.

Do you think there are Republican and Democrat squirrels?

Sept. 13 - Lisa's Musings (on the little things) and Every Day Life

2010-09-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

My Monday began by cleaning up multiple piles of dog diarrhea from a pink carpet. And I'm still not sure which dog was the guilty party.

I headed to Ann Arbor to take photos at the downtown library only to be told I couldn't take pictures of the children. Huh? I called Friday to give the library the head's up and I've taken numerous photos at many events in this library.

So, I turned around and drove home photo-less. And, yes, just a wee, wee, wee bit annoyed. Translated pissed as hell.

And it took until I was almost in my driveway before I stopped growling. Two wasted hours, mileage and parking fees for nodda. nothing. zilch.

So I decided to do something about it and what better way than to look to Mother Nature for a smile?

First stop, my bird feeders. Saturday, I'd gone to Dexter Mill and bought new bird seed (black oiler sunflower and thistle seed). By the time I got home Saturday, it was raining and yesterday, I didn't go far from the bathroom so ... I hadn't had a chance to put it out yet.

From there, I walked outside into the dog yard to let the dogs out. And Mother Nature saw fit to reciprocate my kindness and in the process make my day.

While standing there watching Driver bounce and run around, while Ryan rolled in the grass and dirt in a sunny spot -- two dogs content doing their individual thing, a Monarch butterfly landed on my shoulder.

Better than a blue bird (no poop to worry about) this bright orange butterfly hung out for a few seconds, then flew away leaving me with a completely new attitude for the rest of the day.

Don't ever poo-poo the little unexpected moments in life. It's the little things in life that can make your day.

Sept. 12 - Lisa's Musings (on being sick) and Every Day Life

2010-09-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

The sun's shining, the Kerrytown BookFest has started and I'm home feeling like, well, something the cat (or dog) dragged in.

And, I'm missing one of my favorite Ann Arbor events.

Although there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, it's still a bummer.

After being sick most of the morning, I began to feel better, so took a shower, got dressed and got in the van to go. Fingers crossed.

But ya know when you've been feeling really, really punky. You're shaky and fuzzy headed and just not fit to be behind the wheel?

That was me.

My reactions aren't what they're supposed to be and even though I was technically sitting down, I was operating a vehicle.

Not good.

So, after 10 miles of knowing I should not be behind a wheel, I decided to do the smart thing. I turned around and came home.

On this beautiful day. When BookFest was going on.

Sometimes doing the right thing isn't easy. But I decided that it was more important to get off the road and not hurt anyone, and get home where the chances were slim that I'd hurt anyone.

But possibly myself.

I hate being sick.

Sept. 11 - Lisa's Musings (on Michigan football and one of its greats) and Every Day Life

2010-09-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

With the excitement of a U-M victory over Notre Dame today comes the sadness of the death of Ron Kramer, a true Michigan man is there ever was one.

Not to take anything away from Denard Robinson's terrific performance today, but Kramer is probably recognized as the greatest all-around athlete to ever grace the U-M campus.

He played football, ran track and played basketball. And he was a fun and all-around great man.

I had the chance to sit down and have lunch with him at his favorite restaurant -- Max and Erma's -- while doing research for a book I'm writing about Don Canham.

I have terrific photos of he and his dog and he and Peg Canham -- the two were best buds.

So while younger fans are celebrating today's victory, the close knit, old-timers are mourning the passing of one of Michigan's true legends.

I sure hope Kramer and Bo and Woody and Fritz and Bennie and Don are including my dad in all the great football stories of yesteryear.

Go blue.

Sept. 10 - Lisa's Musings (on agility trials) and Every Day Life

2010-09-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

Today was the perfect day for an agility trial, so I headed to the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club to take some photos and find some friends I hadn't seen in a "dog's" age.

You see, it's been a long time -- probably about four years -- since I've shown at an American Kennel Club agility trial. In fact, the last time I trialed was in Wisconsin at the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever National Specialty and Widgeon, my first Toller, got his third and final qualifying score needed for his agility excellent title.

With his untimely death not too long thereafter, I haven't had a Toller who loved agility the way Widgeon did. Consequently, I haven't competed.

I'm a believer of the "agility is fun school" and Ryan, my dear, dear Ryan, doesn't share my enthusiasm for the sport. With me at least, so I never showed him in AKC.

Driver, on the other hand, is very game to play this agility sport, but I've been so busy being a reporter, I haven't had a chance to really show him all the skills he needs.

And, I don't show my dogs until I'm sure they know their part in this team sport and, I've never shown a dog in agility until they're at least two years old. He's just 18 months old at this point, so his turn will come.

But in the meantime, I've put on blinders and ignored the whole thing. Until today.

All it took was one look at all those dogs out on course running, jumping, zipping through tunnels and weave poles to remind me what I've been missing.

I came home, edited my photos and vowed that this fall and winter Driver and I would do some training and be ready to play this spring.

So, today, not only was I able to reconnect with old friends, but also I reconnect with a sport I love and was reminded of the bond that dog and owner form while playing in agility.

Sometimes, when I least expect it, I'm reminded of the really fun stuff in life. And it's time I partake in a little more of it.

Sept. 9 - Lisa's Musings (on dirt) and Every Day Life

2010-09-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, when you live alone -- well, without another human -- there are certain things you just can't do by yourself.

Like move bulky or heavy objects.

As the song goes, "It takes two, baby, it takes two."

And that's where best friends come into play. Now, of course, best friends are great for lots of things, but when you have friends who will come to your house to help you with dirty stuff -- now that's the mark of a true friendship.

Take today, for instance. My friend, Becca, took two hours out of her day to come and ... are you ready for this ... nail screen protectors into place on my three-season porch. It was one of those two-person jobs but instead of me smacking my thumb with the hammer, she took over the job.

Now, I don't expect the mosquitoes or moths to respect these additional barricades, because to really keep them out I'd need to replace all the screens and quite frankly, that's not gonna happen anytime soon.

The purpose, at least in my mind, for these adjustable screen thingers is more of a visual barricade for the dogs, who have poked holes in the screens when they stand with their front feet on the window sills to bark, and scream -- yes, Toller's actually scream -- at the deer. The deer could care less, of course, but they think they are doing something to protect me, I'm sure.

But in doing so, their toenails made some pretty serious gashes in the screens and the bugs have taken advantage of these holes and are flying around my house.

So, task No. 1 complete -- thank you, Becca.

I was relegated to holding onto Driver so he didn't lick Becca in the face the whole time.

We moved onto task No. 2. Moving my plant stand and my kitchen table, so I could actually clean the accumulated dirt, dog hair and dead bugs from underneath. And, yeah, clean the floor for the first time in, oh, more than a year.

So get this -- not only did she help me move stuff, she actually helped me clean the months and months, OK, probably years, of dirt off the metal stand.

What I've found is the problem with planning to clean one thing turns into more than one thing because once you get in there to do one job, five others present themselves. So, when I sprayed the plant stand, the stuff hit the window behind it which meant, yup, I then had to clean the windows.

Ya see, that's the problem with dirt. If you don't find it, it finds you.

Sept. 8 - Lisa's Musings (on reading, writing, but not arithmetic) and Every Day Life

2010-09-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit it, I had to look up the spelling of arithmetic (twice) to make sure I'd spelled it correctly.

That's bad. But it pretty much goes hand-in-hand with my lack of math skills. We all have our strengths and I play to mine -- as much as possible.

The writing part is a no-brainer ... I'm constantly writing story after story after story after, well, you get it.

So, about the reading part -- I've been on a cozy mystery reading tear, pretty much reading a new book a week. The problem is, finding time to write the reviews. So, it's on the list for this week since I'm now four books behind.

Readers will soon be reading reviews of "Delicious and Suspicious," "The Last Quiche Goodbye," "Roast Mortem" and "Murder Past Due."

Since I began reviewing books for the papers, I've got a publicist on "e-mail speed dial" and all it takes is a request and voila, the books magically appear in my mailbox.

So far, I've managed to pick ones I've really enjoyed, so while videos are uploading, or photos downloading, or I'm while waiting for a meeting to begin, or if a meeting's really, really boring (but I have to stay for something later in the agenda) -- I'm not without a book in hand.

My editor is always asking me how I find time to read -- I'm an opportunist, what can I say?

And, thanks to my dear not-such-a-puppy-anymore Driver, I'm up at 6:30 a.m. many mornings, so the first two cups of coffee are drunk with a paperback mystery in hand.

When I hit the bed at night, that book is in hand and most nights, when my eyes begin closing, I'm still awake even to put the bookmark in it, turn off the lights then go right to sleep.

So, you might say I spend at least a part of every day reading and writing, while trying to avoid math.

Sept. 7 - Lisa's Musings (on going back to school) and Every Day Life

2010-09-07T14:15:00.001-07:00

I spent the first day of school at Logan Elementary today.

Surprisingly, I saw no teary-eyed kindergartner's parents and Logan Principal Terra Webster made mention of not needing a box of tissues this year, either.

What I saw were excited teachers and students who couldn't wait to get on with the school year.

And I learned the Logan cheer, too.
"Hey Logan!
We're Logan!
Where are the leopards?
Right here!
We've got spirit!
We've got smarts!
We will work with all our hearts."

And, I'm sure they will.

Wish I could have stayed for lunch -- hot dogs were on the menu, but I had to head out to a Road Commission meeting.

And once I finish this and feed the dogs, it's off to the Ann Arbor City Council meeting.

'Tis a busy Tuesday.

Sept. 6 - Lisa's Musings (on Labor Day) and Every Day Life

2010-09-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Rain, cool temps, and a day off -- I so seldom take one, I'm enjoying a day of relaxation from my "labors."

But, tomorrow I'll pay -- it's the first day of school, a Road Commission meeting and an Ann Arbor City Council meeting at night.

I think I've earned a paid day of rest.

Sept. 5 - Lisa's Musings (about Dancing in the Streets) and Every Day Life

2010-09-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Oh what a difference a day makes.

As promised, I did read every word about U-M football in the Free Press today and smiled. Yesterday's game was a great start to the season and no "but, but, but" could take that away from me. And it shouldn't take anything away from the team, either.

Enjoy it for a couple days, folks. Quit looking for negatives and savor what happened on the field yesterday. Please.

I am. In fact, I pseudo danced in the streets of Ann Arbor this afternoon.

But, it's not what you're thinking. I covered the annual Labor Day Weekend event in downtown called "Dancing in the Streets."

And, lots of people were doing it. Some already knew how; others were learning. But what they all had in common were the smiles on their faces.

If I hadn't been lugging my camera and a notebook and a pen, I'd probably have joined them. I did dance in place a bit and swayed back and forth.

It was perfect weather, the live music was terrific, and to quote one person I spoke to for my story, "This is quintessential Ann Arbor."

Yup.

How many cities do you know that will close the streets so people can dance in them?

So tap your feet for U-M.

Go Blue.

Sept. 4 - Lisa's Musings (on Michigan football) and Every Day Life

2010-09-04T17:15:00.001-07:00

Well, the State of Michigan football began on a positive note today with both U of M and MSU winning their opening day games.

Woohoo ... I can't wait to see the headlines in the Sunday papers.

And I'm happiest for Denard Robinson who set a Michigan QB record and was a one-man offensive machine today. Kinda like Mike Hart, only at QB.

And I watched both games with my dogs at home. Yes, you heard me right. I was home alone for the action.

It's not like I didn't have many invitations to go to The Big House. I did. Many of them in fact. I just didn't feel like it.

And this is probably the first time in 10-plus years I haven't been in the stadium for the first game of the season.

But for some reason, this year, I didn't want to go. And I can't pinpoint the reason.

Perhaps because I thought they'd get killed by UConn? Maybe.

Because it's the anniversary of my dad's memorial service? Perhaps.

Maybe a combination of both. Could be.

In fact, my little brother was in town from New Jersey for the game and I didn't even meet up with him. And, the thing is, it's not like I wasn't in AA today. I was. This morning. To pick up my CSA. But I couldn't get out of town fast enough.

I watched The Game. I watched the MSU game.

But I wasn't on the edge of my seat, and I didn't yell at the TV. My friends will tell you ... I ALWAYS yell at the TV.

I put today's win in my little brother's hands. And my dad's too, I guess. Because I know he was there in spirit.

A true Michigan man. Through and through.

I wonder what he thinks about the new stadium?

Sept. 3 - Lisa's Musings (on new bridges) and Every Day Life

2010-09-03T17:53:00.001-07:00

For the fourth time since I moved back to Michigan, I was given a close-up view of a new bridge.

First, I covered the refurbished Foster Road Bridge in Ann Arbor Township, then the rehabbed East Delhi Bridge in Scio Township.

In between was a completely new Main Street Bridge in Dexter – and for that one I was raised up above it in a Dexter Area Fire Authority ladder truck. Now that was both cool and scary – since I’m not big on heights.

Today, I was on site for the official reopening of the Dexter-Pinckney Road Bridge and I have to say this one was the best yet.

One of the neighbors, Willie Patterson, invited me onto her property so I could take photos and examine the structure from a really up-close and personal vantage point. Plus, she’d taken all kinds of photos, so I got to see it from start to finish.

But the best part was standing on her lawn and watching boats cruise under the bridge while cars drove over it. The weather was perfect. There were white caps on the lake and as far as bridges go, I have to say, it was rather pretty.

I’ve included a few photos so you can live my day vicariously.

Oh, and something blowing in the wind upset my Internet connection -- thus the reason for the late blog today.

Go Blue!

Sept. 2 - Lisa's Musings (on what you wish for) and Every Day Life

2010-09-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

Yup. You may blame me for today's weather. I asked for it and I got it.

Thank you Mommy Nature. My grass thanks you. My strawberry basket that I forget to water thanks you and apparently, the wild turkeys thank you,too.

Yippee, my turkeys were back today.

It's the first time I've seen them in months. But I don't think they were doing the boot scoot boogie or the hootchie-coochie or any of those mating dance things.

I just think they came back for a visit. You know, see the ole dancin' grounds. Or something.

I tried to get their photo for this blog, but apparently, like the hummingbirds, they're not into mugging for the camera. Maybe it's something I said. I don't know.

But as soon as I got close enough to focus -- even with a long lens -- they took one look at me and walked really, really fast into the woods. Then I felt badly because they made such a hasty exit.

It wasn't very welcoming of me, I'm afraid.

And goes contrary to everything we're about -- out here in the country.

So, wild turkeys, if you're reading this ... I didn't mean to intrude on your special time on my front yard. Or your privacy.

Really.

You're welcome here any time.

Sept. 1 - Lisa's Musings (on September and) From Every Day Life

2010-09-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Have you heard the saying, “Fair weather the first of September, fair for the month?”

Me, either, but apparently, it’s a traditional saying, and I kinda like it.

In fact, I’m all about getting on with fall. Quite frankly, I’ve had enough of this hot, hot summer. I’d had enough in July, but perhaps that’s because it’s been a record-breaking hot summer this year.

But today’s the first day of September and other than being a wee bit hot, (OK, really hot), this afternoon a nice breeze blew in and it was rather pleasant outside.

And, I don’t know what it’s doing out your way, but here, there are leaves flying.

Yet another precursor to my favorite time of year. Yes, fall. When the morning air is crisp – like the apples it brings – yet it warms up in the afternoon, then cools down for the evening.

Did I mention sleeping with open windows?

Ah, it puts me in a happy place just thinking about it.

Now, if I could make one wee request, (and I don’t want to bring a hurricane here), but my grass could really use a little rain. It’s looking rather, uh, straw-like, and since I like to walk around in bare feet, I haven’t been doing that much lately. This probably isn’t a bad thing because this is the time of year when the yellow jackets like to build nests in the ground.

And I’m allergic to bees.

Which brings me to another fun thing about this month – it’s National Honey Month.

So that means it’s time to re-read Winnie-The-Pooh.

Bzzz-bzzz-bzzz to you.

Aug. 31 - Lisa's Musings (on making the world a better place) and Every Day Life

2010-08-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt that there are too many people in your life, asking too many questions, requesting too many things, and not enough of you to go around?

Isn't there a song with similar lyrics?

Anyway, I try to be as helpful as possible, really I do. But there just aren't enough hours in the day, let alone the work day, to get back to all the people who want something from me.

So, I put as much of a dent in the email as possible this morning and left here for a story feeling pretty discouraged.

Then I walked into a very inspiring place called the Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor where neighbors help neighbors when they can't help themselves. And, I met eight very enthusiastic U-M School of Social Work grad students poised to learn how to make the world a better place for everyone.

I'd heard of the center, but never been inside, and after speaking with its director, I left feeling as though there is a place for people to turn if they are having a problem and don't know how to solve it.

So I hope lots of people go to the Peace Neighborhood Center's 10th Annual Thanks For Giving Benefit Dinner" on Nov. 18 and help the center raise funds for all the wonderful programs it offers to people from kindergarten to senior citizens.

If you'd like to learn more, go to http://www.peaceneighborhoodcenter.org/

Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

Aug. 30 - Lisa's Musings (on National Holistic Pet Day) and Every Day Life

2010-08-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Bet you didn’t know that today is National Holistic Pet Day.

Now you do.

And according to a press release about this “day,” dog owners are bringing their canines to yoga class while cat owners are having acupuncture performed on their felines. What, no pet psychics?

Also according to this press release, more and more people are feeding their pets a natural diet “rich with functional ingredients.” Whatever that is.

And, Dr. Al Townsend, DVM says, “The easiest way to do this is to feed your pet meaningfully with a food that goes beyond natural, and includes ingredients that activate a higher level of health for the animal.”

I’m not sure what this means, either, but I bet there’s something holistically wonderful about it, and my dogs are being deprived of something important, but, they seem happy enough.

Besides, I do feed a “raw” diet and they eat better than I do, so if that’s “meaningful,” then I’m doing something right.

This release suggests massage, acupressure and meditation to achieve peace, serenity and mindfulness not just for this “special” day but for a lifetime of good pet health for your pets.

Am I making you feel like a bad pet owner yet?

The good vet has some pretty impressive credentials, though. He’s a grad of the U-GA School of Veterinary Medicine and has received the “coveted” Golden Stethoscope Award for his contributions above and beyond the call of duty in bringing veterinary care to the dogs of the Iditarod.

Ah – I hadn’t read down far enough, Dr. Al is stumping for Holistic Select Pet Food, a brand I’ve never heard of. But, apparently this food includes “Nature’s Power Ingredients,” – a combination of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients that “provide superior nutritional benefits to enhance the whole body health of pets.”

Maybe it’s just me, but there seems to be a lot of mumbo-jumbo going on here.

However, I did “share a bonding experience or exercise together” when the pups played ball in the basement where it was cool. With the way these pups chase toys, they’d have overheated in 5 minutes outside today.

So, see what you can do about achieving that balance in your pet’s life by feeding them meaningfully, and if you figure out what that means, let me know.

Or maybe not.

I don’t want to give my dogs any ideas about demanding their own yoga instructor.

Aug. 29 - Lisa's Musings (on hummingbirds) and Every Day Life

2010-08-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

As a reporter, it's a good bet that I learn something new almost every day. Sometimes it's useful knowledge; other times not so much.

Today, I learned that I probably do not have a future as a nature photographer -- if that "natural" subject has to cooperate for it to work. Trees, flowers, even bees, I can handle them, but hummingbirds, well here's what happened.

After a nice chat with two nature photographers at the Sunday Artisan's Market today, I decided I wanted to shoot some photos of "my" hummingbirds. You know, the ones I provide food to at least twice a week. On my dime. The ones that are always eating and hovering at the new feeder I bought for them this year.

The ones I stand in the living room and watch all the time.

Those hummingbirds.

So, inspired by the professional photographers I met today, I decided to take the camera, a cup of coffee and a book out to the front porch for some quiet time with nature.

I positioned myself at the perfect angle to the feeder to snap away for pretty blog photos. And I waited and I waited and I waited.

Engrossed in my book, one hummer came calling. She took one look at me, hovered for the time it took me to realize there was a hummingbird at the feeder and flew off. Missed opportunity number one.

So, I quietly sat there, camera poised, listening to the birds, and my dogs periodically bark at the deer on the far side of the house that I couldn't see. I'm not even sure how long I sat there, but long enough for my arms to get tired holding the camera in that position. So, I rested it on my legs and listened intently for that distinct hummer fluttering sound.

And voila -- there she was again. But before I could lift up my camera, she was gone.

Missed opportunity No. 2.

So, I waited some more ... long enough to surprise a chipmunk that came around the corner. I'm not sure who was more scared -- the chipper or me because we both jumped.

More waiting. More barking. More bees at the feeder, but no hummers. I was probably out there for two hours.

Since the lovely light I'd had was gone, I gave up and went inside, and as I turned to close the front door, there she was, feeding away.

And I think I detected a hummingbird sneer.

Aug. 28 -- Lisa's Musings (on parades in photos) and Every Day Life

2010-08-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

I love a parade. Especially the Chelsea Fair Parade.

But what I love even more? Shooting photos at the Chelsea Fair Parade.

Enjoy.

And look for the video tomorrow.

Aug. 27 - Lisa's Musings (on cover cats) and Every Day Life

2010-08-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

Regular readers know I'm a dog person, but in my other life I'm the editor of a cat magazine. I know, the dogs can't believe it, either.

And for the second time in 21 years, one of my photos graced the cover of the magazine. I'm kinda excited because it looks REALLY good. (I'll see if I can get a pdf of it from my designer now that it's been mailed to readers and post it in the future.)

Plus, the cat lives in Ann Arbor. I happened upon this kitty while out on assignment for A2 Journal. Which was also the case with my first cover.

Now, I'm pretty darn good in picking content that my readers like, but covers? Not so much. The owners of I Love Cats and I have never quite seen eye to eye (or whisker to whisker) on what images make a good cover.

But this year's been different.

Not sure why. Either I'm finally "getting it" after all these years, or they are coming around to my way of thinking -- because my finger snapped two of the six covers in 2010.

And I'm rather proud of myself for this little feat.

I feel like the cat's meow.

Aug. 26 - Lisa's Musings (on National Dog Day) and From Every Day Life

2010-08-26T14:43:00.001-07:00

Today is National Dog Day but don’t tell my two because I didn’t get them anything.

I didn’t take them to National Take Your Dog to Work Day – I think it was last month – either. Because technically, they are constantly a part of my work day.

Driver sleeps under my feet when I’m working on my laptop, until he wants to do something, then he puts his front feet on my leg and licks me in the face. It’s impossible to ignore dog love.

Ryan does his best to force me to get up and walk around a few times a day by whacking at the door to go out in the dog yard or by barking at deer while out on the three season porch. He likes to do it early in the morning – before I’ve had my second cup of coffee, so I usually have to get up and tell him to stop barking. I’m not fond of barking dogs.

But back to National Dog Day. It’s really a day to celebrate dogs that are in need of rescue, family dogs and dogs that work to save lives.

And, although my two could be considered family dogs, these guys actually do stuff – like dog shows, so, not sure if that would apply.

Besides, in this house, pretty much every day is Lisa Dog Day because these two make me smile, many times a day.

Perhaps I should have bought them something because they truly are my greatest gifts.

Aug. 25 - Lisa's Musings (on hangin' w/the band) and Every Day Life

2010-08-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

I got up early this morning to see the Michigan Marching Band practice at Elbel Field.

Little did I know I'd have the opportunity to spend two hours with Scott Boerma, director of the marching and athletic bands.

I spoke to the director of the greatest band in the land for TWO HOURS. This was big.

I've said it before but some days as a reporter are really, really amazing. And this was one of them. I'm almost afraid to write the story because I want it to be so good because what I learned was so interesting.

And I can tell you that Boerma was also one of the nicest people I've met in ages, graciously answering all of my questions, and giving me a whole new perspective on what it takes to orchestrate those amazing pregame, halftime and post-game shows.

I had NO idea.

I watched the newbies -- the freshman -- about 180 of them, learn the fundamentals of both traditional step and high step. And I can promise you, these kids will be tired and sore tonight.

Every little detail must be performed with military precision from the way an instrument is held to each step taken.

My legs hurt just watching them learn the prefect foot placement and leg angles for that high step, which delights fans at home games.

I have a totally new perspective and respect for just how hard the band members work for that chance to march on the field in The Big House. And what good shape they must be in to make it through all those routines.

Sure, I had an idea, but OMG, they work as hard as the football team.

I don't want to give away too much or use all of my really cool photos because I want to save the good stuff for my story in next week's paper but suffice it to say today was one terrific Go Blue - Go Band Day.

I can't wait to tell you the story.

Aug. 24 - Lisa's Musings (on quarters) and Every Day Life

2010-08-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

So, I start my day finding out it's not a good idea to let a pigeon drive a bus or stay up late.

Also, a naked mole got dressed and a pig didn't really make an elephant sneeze.

If you have young kids, you probably know what I'm talking about. If not, here's the explanation. These are books by Mo Willems.

They were very cute stories and I sang "the wheels on the bus" along with the 100 kids who listened to a fabulous storytelling librarian Megan Battle at the Ann Arbor Public Library this morning.

She should have been an actress. With the voice of a lark and the acting ability of an Oscar winner, she really missed her calling. Or maybe not, I could tell that she really enjoyed what she was doing.

And she had fans, too. Several mothers told me they rarely miss one of her storytimes and I can see why.

So, I head back to the surface lot to pay my $1.60-something parking fee and all I had was a $20. And what does the machine do? It gives me change in QUARTERS. Do you have any idea how many quarters are in $18 and change? I don't either. But it's a LOT.

If I'd been at the casino, I'd have been happy. But I wasn't. I was in a parking lot and I was NOT happy. Nope. Not AT ALL. I mean, seriously. Quarters?

I still haven't figured out what to do with all of them. I know, they're money, but they are heavy money, and who wants to lug around $18-plus in quarters?

I could take them to one of those change machines, but a friend told me they take 7 percent to eat them up and spit out dollars. So, I'd lose money.

I could roll them up and take them to the bank, but that's time consuming, and time is one thing that's a premium in my life these days.

I don't have enough time to do a lot of the things I want to do and rolling up quarters, driving them to the bank, parking, walking them inside to deposit them then driving back home, isn't high up on my list of fun things to do.

So, if you have any ideas what to do with all these quarters, I'm open to suggestions.

Aug. 23 - Lisa's Musings (on pet weather) and Every Day Life

2010-08-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

This blog is for the pet that has everything.

You can get Fluffy or Fido a personal weather “petcast.”

Really. Seriously. I kid you not.

Weather.com is offering personal weather “Petcasts” that offer hourly flea and mosquito activity for your area.

So, here’s how you “fetch it up.”

Should you want to get your pet his (or her) personal weather report, (and I'm sure some of you will) go to www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/pets/ input your pet’s zip code, size, age, and hair length and away you go.

Petcast features include dog and cat comfort indexes based on weather activity – I’m not even going there.

Dog and cat care guides with information and tips ranging from pet nutrition to behavioral habits, and the oh-so-popular hourly flea and mosquito activity report.

Plus, there are interactive pet videos, photo galleries, and free pet screensavers.

My retrievers (or the one that actually likes to retrieve) will seriously pout if I don’t sign them up, I’m sure. But no one’s going to tell them, right?

Aug. 22 - Lisa's Musings (from The Big House) and Every Day Life

2010-08-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I don't think Rich Rod can buy a break these days.

At Fan Day today, U-M security couldn't open the gate to get him to his designated autograph signing spot. So, he took things into his own hands (and feet) and climbed the brick wall next to the gate.

With a U-M cop close behind.

I'll give him credit for being a good sport about it though, as he remarked, "I won't be able to do this 10 years from now." Followed by a huge grin.

Speaking of huge smiles. I don't think Denard Robinson stopped smiling all afternoon as he greeted fan after fan and happily mugged for photos. This year, they split up the QB's and Tate Forcier was at one table and Robinson was several tables down the way.

Fans quickly discovered where he was and Robinson's line seemed to go one forever.

Now, I don't know either of these student athletes, but on appearances alone -- it sure looked like Robinson was having a blast. Forcier not so much.

And I can tell you, standing in line did not deter the fans in the least bit. They were all smiles no matter how long they had to wait.

There was all kinds of excitement in the air at this event. Especially when fans were allowed a rare chance to go down on the field.

The newly renovated stadium looked beautiful. A lot nicer inside than out. And even the weather cooperated. It was almost early fall-like.

There's just something magical about the weeks leading up to the first game of a new football season.

No wins. No losses. Just optimism.

Go Blue.

Aug. 21 -- Lisa's Musings (on Saturdays) and Every Day Life

2010-08-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

As I typed in the date for this blog, it occurred to me that I'm 52 1/2 years old today. Yup, in six months, I'll be 53.

I sound like a little kid who says I'm 4 1/2 or I'm 6 1/2 -- that 1/2 is VERY important to them, so when they make a big deal out of it, I include it in my story or cutline under their photo.

I'm not sure how important the half year is to me, but, it's Saturday, and my brain is pretty much running on mush today (as I take a day off) so it sounded like something worth noting.

In other pretty unimportant "news", I did, indeed, celebrate Cupcake Day belatedly by purchasing a dozen little tasty morsels from The Cupcake Station. Now I need to figure out how good they'll taste if I freeze a few of them.

With the new freezer, I'm really getting into this freezing/preserving thing.

I'm up to six bags of corn, four bags of raspberries and some peaches, so I'm ready for winter. Like the squirrels who hide the tastiest nuts in the fall.

I beat the birds this time around and "harvested" the first two ripe ever bearing strawberries from my hanging basket plant. And after tasting them, I'm not so sure that I outsmarted the birds. I think they were so disgusted with the first ones they got, they crossed the fruit off their feeding list.

The local berry farmers have nothing to worry about. I'll continue to turn to them for my strawberries. The consistency was all wrong and they tested mealy.

So, the next "crop" that are almost ready for picking -- they're resting on leaves and not the soil. I'm hoping that makes a difference but I'm not too optimistic.

We'll see.

Well, it's almost 10 p.m. and I have a busy day tomorrow. I'm covering U-M Fan Day at The Big House.

So Go Blue.

Lisa's Musings (on blog readers) and Every Day Life

2010-08-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

I love my readers.

If not for them, I’d have exited this journalism game a long time ago, but they keep me on my toes and remind me why I work the long hours for little pay.

It's e-mails like this that put a smile on my face and re-rev my engines when they are just about on empty.

Following yesterday’s blog about Bad Poetry and Cupcake Day, I received this:

So Lisa wrote her blog today
About bad poetry

She's told them time and time again
And does it politely

But no one listens, and I'm sure
There's times she'd like to say

Words to make a sailor blush
Yeah! That'd make her day!

But editors must behave now
And so her only hope

Is that cupcakes will appear
And that will help her cope.

I laughed so hard after reading this, I asked permission from the author to use it today.

So Kim Longworth, this post's for you. Welcome to the whacky and wild “blogisphere,” or something like that.

Aug. 19 - Lisa's Musings (on Bad Poetry and Cupcake Day) and Every Day Life

2010-08-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Now, I know I've been busy, but somehow I missed Bad Poetry Day AND Cupcake Day.

It was Aug. 18, and both days escaped me. Had I had time to go through all 200-plus emails that had arrived yesterday, (before this afternoon) I'd have known.

And I'd have certainly celebrated both because I'm sent a LOT of really bad poetry while wearing my I Love Cats Editor hat. But none as a reporter for A2 Journal (thank goodness.)

And I'm not really sure why people feel the need to send me cat poems when my writer's guidelines CLEARLY state that I do not publish poetry. I think it's even in bold type.

But I still get cover letters with the bad cat poetry that says, I know you don't publish poetry but ... I'm sending it anyway. Or, this poem's different. Or some variation thereof. Or, the poets emplore me to make an exception in their case.

So, tell me, batman, what's an editor to do?

And what part of I Don't Publish Poetry isn't plain as day?

But I respond anyway. Because this is something I've always done. Since Day One. It makes them feel like I bothered to look at their mail, I guess.

I thank the writer for thinking of I Love Cats with their work but I don't publish poetry. Most times I attach a copy of my guidelines as a gentle reminder that if you didn't read these before submitting something, perhaps you should have.

And now, you have no excuses if you decide your next submission should be 2,000 words when I only want 500 words. But I digress.

Now Cupcake Day is something I can really wrap my brain (and fingers) around. I'm quite frankly very surprised that I didn't get an e-mail from one of the many cupcake places in the area to alert me. I checked.

Had I known, I'd certainly have celebrated this day.

Now that I think about it, I could do it belatedly. Like tomorrow.

Instead of TGIF, it could be TGFC ... Thank God For Cupcakes.

Aug. 18 - Lisa's Musings (on hump day) and Every Day Life

2010-08-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday, and I'd really like it to be either Monday, (so I could start the week again and do it differently), or Friday, (so it would be over, and I could say I did the best I could, but I'm done).

I'm monkey in the middle, so I'm not sure which I'd prefer.

It's been one meeting after another this week (and I'm on the last one tonight).

Neither of the first two were very good -- story-wise. Both of them were pretty much a snore and a waste of time. But it was time spent. Had I known ahead of time that no surprises were in store for me, I could have been doing other stories, but now it's too late.

Am I making any sense here?

I guess what I'm saying is that some weeks are better for stories than others and this one wasn't a very good one, but it could have been had I played my cards differently.

So, since there's only so many hours I'm willing to work in a week these days, I'll do what I can for the remainder of them, and hope next week works out better.

Yeah, yeah, that's what I'll do.

Aug. 17 - Lisa's Musings (on proof in the photo) and Every Day Life

2010-08-17T14:51:00.001-07:00

Ah, the comfortable power of the seat cushion.

I look almost happy to be sitting the Ann Arbor City Council chambers Monday night, don't I?

Well, in the interest of truth in journalism, I asked Ryan Stanton from Ann Arbor DotCom to take my photo. (So, a shout out to him for helping me with this blog.)

OK, I look kinda goofy sitting there on my new seat-and-back cushion, but you get the picture, right?

And, all the council members, and a few members of the public, were impressed. Maybe even envious. I did hear a few "sweet," comments.

The thing is, and I'm not complaining, mind you, but I hardly had a chance to get it warm because, are you ready, the meeting was over in about an hour.

Sure, it looked like a light agenda, but with this group, ya never know what might be lurking in the wings just waiting to drag the meeting out for hours and hours.

Not so Monday night, although I was also warned by one council member that this would probably the only time we'd get out this early until next August.

Gulp.

But I'll be ready for that first meeting in September, armed with my new butt-and-back comfort aide.

I wonder if it will make it on TV.

One thing's for sure, though, I know it will be well broken in by the time the meeting's over.

Now, if I can just stay awake ...

Aug. 16 - Lisa's Musings (on buying NASCAR stuff) and Every Day Life

2010-08-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

I actually can't wait to go to the Ann Arbor City Council meeting tonight.

No, I have not lost my mind and no, aliens have not invaded my body.

Really. I promise.

But when I plunk my butt on those really, really uncomfortable, awful horrible, hard seats, I'll have a secret weapon. And it's got the No. 14 on it.

While at MIS this weekend, I broke down and bought a seat cushion. Does this mean I'm admitting I'm getting old?

And, no, not a Michigan one, which is what everyone would expect me to buy. But not at MIS. Nope. I bought a bright red-and-black Tony Stewart one. And it even has a back hooger if I want to open it up.

I'll probably catch some flack about it, because from a distance it might look like something an Ohio State fan might own, and long-time readers know I've not been my usual bleed-maize-and-blue, excited-about-Meechigan-football fan, of late.

So, no, I have not crossed over to the dark side. I'm still a Michigan fan.

I also bought one of those silly Digger T-shirts, too, but I won't be wearing it to the meeting.

It's black shoe night. And maybe a red jacket, but I'll have to double check that it doesn't clash with my new seat cushion.

I have a reputation of dressing properly to uphold.

Go blue. Go Tony.

Aug. 15 - Lisa's Musings (on taking a few days off) and Every Day Life

2010-08-15T15:27:00.001-07:00

I guess big news happens -- even when I'm not around to cover it.

I took a few days off for race weekend and what happens? The superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools resigns while I'm off the grid.

Am I bummed I missed the story? Yeah. And I know my editor wishes I'd been around to chase it down.

But ya know what, it's OK. I'm happy that I took a break from everything involved in newspapering. I needed it. With very few exceptions, I've been going full tilt for more than a year, barely taking a day off here or there.

And everyone needs time to step away from e-mail, phones, facebook, etc. etc. etc. and just have some fun.

Yeah, I blogged while I took a few days off, but did I pay attention to anything else involved in the news? Nope.

And I'm good with that.

In fact, I need to do more of it. Most people take at least two days off a week. And as hard as try, I never seem to follow through on that plan.

Maybe missing a story like the one I did on Friday is why.

But ya know what? The sun came up Saturday and Sunday. The world did not end because I missed a story.

There's always tomorrow and you can be sure I'll be all over it.

But for the rest of today ... it's all about the weekend.

Monday will be here soon enough.

Aug. 14 - Lisa's Musings (from MIS 2) and Every Day Life

2010-08-14T18:21:00.001-07:00

Race weekend Part II.

More scenes from the Michigan International Speedway during NASCAR weekend.

Bring on Race Day.

Aug. 13 - Lisa's Musings (from MIS) And Every Day Life

2010-08-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

A look at NASCAR fans in one of their favorite environments ... at MIS.

More tomorrow.

Aug. 12 - Lisa's Musings (about keeping up NASCAR appearances) and Every Day Life

2010-08-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

For those of you who might have missed all the race fans heading through the area, this weekend is the second NASCAR race of the season at Michigan International Speedway.

Yup, race fans galore, wearing their favorite driver's gear. And for some of us, the colors and numbers of that race wear has changed as our favorite driver or drivers have gotten new sponsors or car owners or car makers.

Although I was immune to this for quite a few years, all three of my drivers -- Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and cuz A.J. Allmendinger have made changes in the last couple of years so wearing their former paraphernalia is just wrong.

No self-respecting fan should be seen in public with the wrong color scheme or number or car company.

The problem, however, is because my favorite drivers have made changes, the amount of cool new stuff has sadly not kept up. It takes a while for the merchandise to catch up to the driver.

And, if I'm going to spend my hard-earned money to purchase new NASCAR stuff and support the sport and my drivers, I've gotta like wearing it.

My friend, Becca and I, fellow NASCAR fans, spent quite a few hours in June roaming through all the merchandise trailers and the cut-rate "village" of vendors outside the track, but neither of us found much we liked.

And the one new T-shirt I bought that I really liked was promptly ruined by my old dryer.

So, we plan to make another pilgrimage to MIS tomorrow in 90-plus degree heat for qualifying and see what's new on the shopping front. Maybe I can replace the ruined Tony Stewart T-shirt. And pick up a sweatshirt or two.

Plus, for the first time ever, I plan to bring my camera as well as the video camera to capture race fans in their natural habitat.

So wish me luck, as I'm literally off to the races.

Aug. 11 - Lisa's Musings (on pink and black) and Every Day Life

2010-08-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

It was a pink-and-black day; another one planned from the shoes up.

I mean, really, who wouldn't want to stride out of the house with shiny black toes as I did this morning?

In fact, I was in the pink all day.

First thing, I finished a very fun book titled "Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree" by Susan Wittig Albert. Although she's written a number of books, this was the first of a new series and the first title of hers that I've read.

And I can promise you, ALL of her other titles will be on my Christmas List. So any friends who are reading this, write down Susan Wittig Albert's name and check the bargain shelves and used book stores for me.

I'd like nothing better than to take a week this winter, thaw my summer frozen bounty to eat, build a fire in the fireplace, and just read book after book by this author. I hear all of them involve plants.

(Note to Heritage newspaper readers: Book review coming soon to a paper in your box. Or, if you wish, online at www.heritage.com.)

So, where did by pink-and-black shoes take me? To a fun toy store -- if you're looking for kid's items. It's called Learning Express. The store has a Wonderful Wednesday craft class for kids, and today, I went to one to check it out, took photos and will write a story about it for the A2 Journal.

Note to parents of young kids, check out this store in the Westgate Shopping Center. Lots of crafts and toys that actually make kids use their noggins. Good stuff.

Later in the day, I was off to pick up one of my CSA's and I wore them there, too.

But I must report, at the end of the day, I have a slight injury -- a blister on one heal, so next time it's pink and black day, I'll wear light socks. And I know better, but it was too hot to put on a single additional layer of clothing of any kind -- including socks.

Despite the minor wound, it was a marvelous pink-and-black day; I'd recommend one to anyone.

Aug. 10 - Lisa's Musings (on shoes) and Every Day Life

2010-08-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

Today, it's all about the shoes.

And, don't laugh, my feet got lots of TLC when I took a shower this morning, so they'd be all ready for their new adventure -- you know how feet and new shoes can be on their first day together.

A little history is needed here. A month or so ago, I decided it was time to deal with the shoe issue and after putting it off for quite a while -- yesterday worked out to be The Day.

I knew I'd be near DSW on Washtenaw between assignments, so I made plans to meet my friend, Becca, for lunch at Noodles, which was to be followed by a little shoe shopping.

She always goes with me to buy shoes.

Now, I'm no Oprah or Amelda Marcos, believe me. Shoe stores rarely call to me, but, as everyone knows, feet and ears -- they just keep growing. My cute little size 6's are now size 7.5's. And the shoes I loved three years ago, well, they've seen better days.

Plus, I found out the uncomfortable way that I really didn't have appropriate dog showing shoes. Something that actually looked cute. And stayed on my feet -- as I ran around the stand-and-eat-food ring. They needed to be something a little more fancy than sneakers and couldn't make a lot of noise as I clumped around the ring on matting and cement.

So, now I'm set. They're the black ones (still in a box with some sparkles) that look like Mary Jane's with straps that go across the top of the foot as well as the brownish ones with canvas and blue on the top. (I plan to wear those today, by the way, but more on that later.)

And, although I'd only planned to buy three pairs, Becca, who served as my personal shopper and go-fer, did her bit to convince me that the extras were A-OK. After all, she wasn't paying for them. But I know she had my best-dressed-shoe interests at heart.

She was the one who reminded me that it'd been a good three years since I bought any real shoes -- sneakers don't count -- because she'd gone with me on that excursion. And, she's usually the one who replaces my sneakers when she buys new ones for herself. Then hands me the bill. So, she's pretty well versed on my shoe inventory.

And, she'll tell you, on this shopping trip, there were pairs that were immediate hits and were placed in the take home pile. Others were on the fence, and still others that didn't feel very comfy and she dutifully returned them to their rightful place on the shoe shelves.

We had a lot of boxes going at once.

So, here's the justification for the purchases. You know about the two sets of dog showing shoes, which will see duty for every day stuff.

I have several pairs of gray pants -- which are all the rage now -- so I needed matching shoes. Although Becca said black would be perfectly fine, I didn't listen.

There were two fun purchases -- the shiny black-and-pink shoes and the black ones with bows and sequence. Just because. I wanted a pair of green ones, but they were pretty pricey and didn't fit all that well, either. So they went back.

The brown loafers were too cute to pass up. I happened to plunk myself down, looked up, and there they were -- right in front of me. Like karma. Plus, I needed another pair of brown shoes. (Oh, and Jana, eat your heart out -- she covets the little brown loafers with pink bows I bought there three years ago, and I bet she'll like these, too.)

Winter boots were just going out on the shelves when Becca spotted them. And, well, we both liked this style so much, she went home with a pair, too.

So today, as I decided what to wear, I chose which shoes first, then planned the rest of the outfit around them. Pretty smart, huh?

And yes, an equal number of old shoes, some of which aren't in bad shape, were bagged as pairs, and are ready to drop-off for donation.

Out with the old and in with the new. Shoes, that is.

So next time you see me, be sure to check out my feet, you might recognize the shoes from my blog.

Aug. 9 - Lisa's Musings (on corn) and Every Day Life

2010-08-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

Moo. I feel like a corn fed heifer.

'Tis the season for all the corn on the cob any corn-loving person could eat. And I’ve certainly taken advantage of its seemingly endless bounty.

I’ve eaten yellow and white together on one ear and yellow and white individually. Each and every one of those ears has been juicy and sweet. I’ve been eating it like, well, it’s going to go out of season …

In fact, for the first time in my life, I’ve actually cooked more than I can eat so I can preserve a bunch of it (thank you cool book titled “So Easy to Preserve”) and lovingly placed it in my new freezer.

Two bags so far, and I can’t wait until it’s cold and yucky and dreary and I can grab a bag, warm it up and savor it -- without having to pay a premium price to someone else who thought of someone like me who’d be willing to pay for it at the farmers’ market.

I did that last year.

So, in the new freezer thus far are raspberries, corn and blueberries. And a bunch of dog food.

But on the human side, I plan to freeze more raspberries, blueberries and peaches, too. Maybe even some melon, but I’ll have to figure out how to do the melons and the peaches first.

And, yeah, I’m sure I’ll have to share some with the dogs because they like all kinds of fruit as much as I do.

But not the corn.

I tried that once, and well, let’s just say they don’t digest it very well.

I love corn and melon and raspberry and blueberry season.

And new shoes. But I'll tell you about those tomorrow.

Aug. 8 - Lisa's Musings (about U-M football) and Every Day Life

2010-08-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, I could have told you exactly how many days before the U-M football season opened.

I'd be getting the house ready for my dad's arrival; and reading, then cutting out, every preseason football story I could find from the daily newspapers.

So they're be a huge stack of them to peruse when he arrived, and of course, I'd have already bought and read any new U-M football books. He'd take them to read while accompanying me to cover city council meetings when he was here.

"The Victors" would be rattling around in my head as I bumped around on the lawn tractor mowing the property.

It's August, after all, which means one thing to U-M football fans -- the countdown to the start of the football season.

Well, a lot has changed in the last three years, and none of it for the good.

The grass seems to keep growing and those weekly mowings look like they will continue into September this year. Even my favorite tree, my Rose of Sharon, which usually blooms later in the month, is in full swing. Much earlier than in the past.

Lloyd Carr, who I adored, retired as football coach, and the excitement of having a new coach with a new offense has come and gone. As have the delivery of two daily newspapers. Now all I read about is U-M football mediocrity and NCAA investigations surrounding the team.

And my dad died.

So where does this leave me? In a preseason football funk.

In fact, I remarked to one of my friends just yesterday that I didn't even care if I went to a single game this year. I'm fine watching them at home.

But, as they say, I control my own thoughts, so, I'll be attending Fan Day on Aug. 22 -- two weeks from today -- from 1-3 p.m. It's in The Big House this year so perhaps this will help me get my football groove back on. I'm sure there will be lots of Maize and Blue excitement in the air.

And I'll think positive thoughts -- toss them out there to the universe -- and hope they bounce back at me, the team and the coach.

And now I'm headed out to tackle my property on Old faithful. It's her turn this mow.

So, "Hail to the Victor's valiant, Hail to the conquering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan ..."

And Go Blue.

Aug. 7 - Lisa's Musings (in photos) and Every Day Life

2010-08-07T17:55:00.001-07:00

Another Saturday. Another trip to two farmers' markets. First to Chelsea for my favorite bread and a few veggies, then to Ann Arbor to pick up my CSA. This time, there were tomatoes, beets, corn, peppers, eggplant, eggs, onions, basil (which I planted) and lots and lots and lots of green beans.

Did I mention a gladiola and a sunflower? I'm sure I missed a few things, but it was quite the extravaganza.

My friend, Nancy, could not leave the Ann Arbor Market without another hosta. She's been buying them like crazy this summer. Oh, and she also brought home a black-eyed Susan plant as well.

And, after eating terrific Red Haven peaches all last week, I had to come home with more. And blueberries, which will be used for blueberry gingerbread and blueberry whipped cream. I'm planning to try out two recipe from the book "Town in a Blueberry Jam." (It's also reviewed on the A2 Journal Web site.)And a melon.

And next week, if the weather cooperates, I expect to have more raspberries and strawberries, yes, the Ever Bearing variety as well. In fact, I hope to actually "harvest" a few truly homegrown ones. They are getting red in my little hanging basket. The birds beat me to the first batch, so I'm keeping closer watch on them this time.

Can you tell I'm all about the fruits of summer?

Aug. 6 - Lisa's Musings on (late blogs) and Every Day Life

2010-08-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, I know, I'm late blogging today.

But I have a good excuse(s). Yesterday was a VERY long day.

First, I had to be at the office for an editorial meeting and was only able to stay about 15 minutes because I was off to the Road Commission meeting.

Had about enough time to come home and have a cup of coffee and it was off to the Ann Arbor City Council meeting.

And, I should have known. This city council never ceases to disappoint when it comes to dragging out its meetings.

I was pretty excited when I looked at the agenda on Tuesday night while waiting for election results. It was a nice light one. But then when I checked it again before I left yesterday, I saw it.

The council loves to add things at the last minute even though they chastise each other for doing it.

And that late added agenda item -- it had to do with "imposing a temporary moratorium on the use of property and structures for dispensing and cultivating marijuana."

Oh no. This is Ann Arbor after all.

Them's fighting words.

I knew right then, with the addition of one item, the night before the meeting ... my prospects of getting home at a reasonable hour went up in smoke. Pun intended.

And, I wasn't far off.

When I got there, there were a large number of people milling around outside city hall. My second clue.

By the time the meeting got started, the place was packed with people.

Pissed off people.

People who had probably been some of the 74 percent of those who voted for the medicinal use of pot.

Plus, they managed to snag 8 of the 10 speaking spots during the public speaking portion of the agenda.

Yeah, I understand that pot is prescribed for any number of medicinal reasons and that there's a state law allowing it, but there's this little problem of Federal Law that doesn't. And that's where it gets confusing.

Let the fireworks begin.

So, I didn't get home until after 11 p.m. and had a Friday packed with stuff to do, which meant I didn't get started writing all the stories from yesterday until late in the afternoon.

And, I'm still writing them, but figured I better blog before my readers think I've broken my streak of daily musings that began back in December.

So, here it is with my humble apologies for posting it so late.

Blame it on my primary job -- being a reporter.

Aug. 5 - Lisa's Musings on (the fairest cow in the, er, Ire-land) and Every Day Life

2010-08-05T13:33:00.001-07:00

Today's blog is an update on a previous post about Baileys Irish Cream's finest dairy cow in the land, well, Ireland, bovine beauty contest.

And the winner is ... seven-year-old Smearlaview Storm Vixan.

This outstanding cow defeated 20 other worthy contestants for the title and in her photo is proudly wearing her sash.

Vixan, owned by Tim and John Kirby, from County Kerry, Ireland, was chosen for her beautiful conformation and proven milk production. From her photo, Vixan's mostly white with a few black spots on her side, neck and head.

This beauty pageant is "widely acknowledged as Ireland's most prestigious diary livestock event," according to the release from Baileys Irish Cream.

And, Vixen didn't have any hometown help to gain her crown as an international judge was chosen to make the selection.

And on another note -- is it me, or have you noticed very hungry swarms of little mosquitoes, which have suddenly hatched and are out for blood.

I first noticed them a week or so ago, but they seem to have grown in numbers and aren't afraid to attack in bright sunshine. I can't take a half step outside the door without hearing that tell-tale buzz and retreating with multiple welts.

Enough already. I've had it with summer. I'm more than ready for fall.

Bring it on.

Aug. 4 - Lisa's Musings (on The Day After) and Every Day Life

2010-08-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last week, I lived through a Chocolate hangover after judging the Youth 4-H Creative Chocolate Chip Contest; this week, it's Primary Election Day hangover.

Actually, I think the chocolate recovery took longer.

Last night's election was a snap for me -- well, except for waiting on the final numbers. I'd spoken to the must-have candidates, who knew if they'd won or lost early on, because they had people at all the precincts.

The problem was no one had all of the candidate's numbers -- or if they did, they weren't giving them to me, so I was forced to wait on the county clerk's office.

I had written the story leaving blanks where the numbers needed to go, while the county took what seemed like forever to get the results up online. In fact, at midnight -- my deadline -- I filed the story with what I had and literally 5 minutes later, I got the totals I needed, so I sent those.

The problem is just because your story's filed, you're still all geeked up and it takes a while to relax.

In other words, you're tired, but your brain hasn't shut down yet. So I read -- for a LONG time until my eyes finally started closing.

The dogs let me sleep until 7:30 a.m. this morning, none of the candidates called me early this morning to wake me up, and after a couple cups of coffee, I was back at it and going strong.

In fact, I wrote and filed seven stories. I surprised myself.

So, unlike last night, I'll be relaxing in the LaZBoy -- something I haven't done in many nights.

Recharging my body for back-to-back meetings Thursday -- first of the Road Commission and then, my favorite, of the Ann Arbor City Council.

I'm taking bets on the time I might get home -- any takers?

Aug. 3 - Lisa's Musings (on elections) and Every Day Life

2010-08-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

It's primary election day. This news flash is for anyone who might have been living in a cave and hasn't checked their mailbox, watched TV or received umpteen robo calls from candidates.

And several times a year, we reporters deal with elections. This means we do a lot more than just show up at our local polling place and fill in the circles. We actually have to cover these races -- before, during and after the fact.

Ask any reporter about elections and they will be in one of two camps. We either love elections or hate them. There is no in between.

I happen to be in the I Love Elections Camp, which makes tonight kinda fun. And after 30 years of doing this, I have a plan in place.

My Election Day To Do List includes:

1. Sleep in. (That didn't happen this year, as I met an Ann Arbor candidate for mayor to take pictures early this morning.)

2. Vote. Check. (I was No. 115 at my polling place in Sylvan Township.)

3. Pre-write story with background information about the candidates. Check. (Also set it up with my best guess on the winners-- we'll see how good my guesses were.)

4. Call candidates to set up times to speak to them. Check.

5. Nap. Check. (Until a robo call woke me up)

6. Take a shower to wake up, make a fresh pot of coffee, put on comfortable clothes. Check, check and check.

7. Make and eat hearty dinner. Check.

8. Find something else to do (like blog) until polls close at 8 p.m. Anticipation of the results grows. Check.

9. Start checking county Website at 9 p.m. for early results, knowing full well, there won't be much there to deal with until 9:30-10 p.m.

10. Hit the refresh button over and over and over again.

11. Hope like hell that the key candidates for story answer their phones when I call; keep calling until I reach as many as possible.

12. Some candidates don't call back, but file story anyway, because it's way past deadline and editor is having a cow.

13. Some candidate calls back Wednesday morning, waking me up. I don't answer.

14. Spend most of Wednesday in a fog after long night of bringing you election results.

15. Immediately start contacting the winners of the primaries to do it all over again in November with even more races and candidates to cover.

Aug. 2 - Lisa's Musings (on eye rolling) and Every Day Life

2010-08-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

I got a press release today that says a woman was THROWN OUT of an Elmhurst, Ill., City Council meeting for rolling her eyes in response to something that a city council member said.

OMG. I can't count the number of times that I've rolled my eyes at not only what a city council, township or village trustee has said but also at what a resident (or 40) has said at a meeting.

I'd be in REAL trouble there.

According to this press release -- which was really about body language from a Small Business and Communication Success Strategist -- the city council is looking into whether eye rolling can be construed as breaking the state's disorderly conduct law.

Apparently, Illinois state law defines disorderly conduct as "an act in such unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another, or to provoke a breach of the peace."

Drawing a gun, yeah.

Yelling and screaming, sure.

But eye rolling?

If they decide to outlaw this behavior at city council meetings, I'm sure this will make some lawyer a really fun case.

And maybe. like the Arizona immigration law, perhaps the Ann Arbor City Council will consider adopting a resolution in support of having anyone in the room removed for eye rolling.

I'd be glad to serve as the test case; I'd get home from their meetings a lot earlier that way.

Aug. 1 - Lisa's Musings (on the power of advertising) and Every Day Life

2010-08-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

While reading the Sunday Free Press this morning, I came across a great ad.

Now I'm not a big fan of Coca-Cola (remember when it was called that?)and the meat of the ad had to do with the company's efforts to help kids lose weight, which I thought was kind of ironic.

But anyway ...

What caught my eye was the headline: Everything in Moderation. Except fun, try to have lots of that.

Now that's an idea I can really wrap my mind (and hands) around.

It's part of the company's live positively campaign. Something else I can support.

I vowed a long time ago to rid my life of as many negative things and people as possible. And, with the exception of a few unfortunate incidences and people, I've been pretty successful at that.

So, here's to moderation ... in the number of hours I will work today.

Time to do something fun.

July 31 - Lisa's Musings (on farm fresh meals) and Every Day Life

2010-07-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

Every morsel of today's lunch was locally grown and farm fresh.

Even the shrimp burgers ... yes, locally grown shrimp. You can find them at the Thursday Westside Farmers' Market.

Please note all the pretty colors of vegetables that were steamed; they got the attention of the two four-legged chef's helpers as well.

And yes, I ate some of every one -- from beets to kohlrabi. And I don't even know what kohlrabi is ... There was also some mystery root thing that neither Nancy nor I could identify, but it was consumed, too.

The veggies came from three different farmers and the multi-colored "super" carrots were grown by interns at Food Gatherers.

So, I'm proud to say that my quest to eat more vegetables by buying a share in a CSA, actually, I bought a share in two, is working. And I'm even supplementing them. I can't tell you how many ears of corn on the cob I've eaten this year. As meals.

And for dessert?

Come on, there has to be a prize for eating my vegetables, right? Homemade Angel Food Cake with fresh sliced peaches. Also purchased at the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market.

Does it get any better than that?

July 30 - Lisa's Musings (on supporting local businesses) and Every Day Life

2010-07-30T16:19:00.001-07:00

I love my local businesses.

Let me repeat this, a little more slowly - I Love My Local Businesses.

And during the last few weeks I've done my part to keep them in business.

First, it was the replacement of four major appliances and the addition of a fifth from Heydlauff's in downtown Chelsea.

For those who might have missed it, Mark Heydlauff came to my house to make sure that what I'd picked out not only was correct for its individual power source but also that it fit in its special space.

As Murphy's Law would have it, the day the appliances arrived, I lost power for 24 hours and still haven't had a chance to read all the instruction books, but, I've got the general hang of how to use most of them anyway.

Today, my hat's off to Village Motors.

I noticed Sunday that my van had developed a vibration, and so did my friend, who could feel it on the passenger side as well. I kinda laughed it off saying, I feel like a NASCAR driver, "(fill in the name of your favorite driver's crew chief)I've got a vibration."

But I had a very busy week and the shaking kinda came and went until Wednesday afternoon when I drove on the highway going 70 mph.

Then, I REALLY felt it.

But Thursday I had to be at an editorial meeting and had a couple assignments lined up, so it wasn't until this morning that I called Village Motors and explained the situation.

I was told they were slammed with business, but I could bring it down and have one of the mechanics take a look.

So, someone will tell me that the van won't blow up until you can get to it, I asked.

I was assured that this would happen.

So, with grocery list in hand, (Polly's is right next door), I headed to the car dealer.

The moment I arrived, Chad took care of me, and a very nice mechanic hopped in the passenger side of the van and we headed for a little drive -- so he could feel the vibration, too.

It didn't take long.

In fact, once he felt it, I looked over at him and his face looked like it had lost a little color.

When the shaking and the odd noise became more and more obvious, he got paler and paler.

As we were headed back, he told me it was a bad ball bearing.

So this is bad, I asked.

Very bad, he said.

I forgot to ask what a ball bearing did, or what would happen if it broke completely, but I got the distinct impression that he was very relieved when we were parked at the dealer.

Maybe it was because he quickly hopped out of the van and I'm not positive, but I think I heard him whisper a few Hail Mary's as he headed to safety.

By the time I got inside the service center, Chad explained that the van wasn't going anywhere -- not even to Polly's right up the hill.

In fact, he kinda grabbed the keys out of my hand, in a nice way, of course, and told me it was a safety issue.

That's not good.

But then the bad news: they might get to it today, or maybe tomorrow, but probably not until Monday.

Uh-oh.

During our test drive, I'd told the nice mechanic I was a reporter and I had a bunch of assignments this weekend, and my editor wasn't going to be pleased when I told her I was grounded for the weekend.

I think almost felt sorry for me.

Norm, the nice person who drives people to and from their homes if their vehicles are in for service, took me home.

I settled in to write a story and maybe an hour or so later, the phone rang and it was Chad from Village Motors -- my van was fixed.

Wow.

Oh, and Norm would be coming to pick me up after he came back from lunch. Then a second phone call -- Norm was en route.

talk about awesome customer service. No wonder they're busy, busy, busy.

I personally thanked everyone in the entire dealership for getting me back on the road. Then I found the mechanic and said while bowing reverently, "This is your world and I'm just a visitor."

I love my local businesses.

Lisa's Musings (on National Lasagna Day, bed bugs) and Every Day Life

2010-07-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Garfield would be proud.

Bet you didn't know that today is National Lasagna Day, but after yesterday's foray into 16 different types of chocolate delights, I think I'll pass.

I feel hungover, so I'm blaming the chocolate, since I didn't have a drink.

But it you can find a BRAVO! Cucina Italiana or a BRIO Tuscan Grille (Caps come from the press release, really) in your neck of the woods, lasagna's half-price today for dine-in only customers for either lunch or dinner.

Do we even have either of those restaurants in the area? I don't eat out much, but I've never heard of either of them.

And in other not-so silly, news, apparently, the bed bugs are biting and biting hard in New York City. So hard in fact that Bedbug Central is having a buggy ole time providing up-to-the-minute information to people who are being invaded by these pests.

There's even a press conference at 2 p.m. today at City Hall set up through the New York Mayor's Office and the NYC Bed Bug Advisory Board (ya gotta love it) to discuss "New York's new bed bug public education initiative."

Yup, makes me really want to hop on a plane and head to New York City, which is close to where I grew up, to check it out.

You may insert your own joke here, but from what I've been told, bed bugs are no laughing matter and entomologists are having a field day figuring out how to manage this growing pest problem.

Like there aren't enough rats and pigeons in New York City to deal with, now bed bugs? So, I'm guessing here, but if there is such thing as a bed bug epidemic, apparently, New York's in the midst of one.

And, if you are so included, you can go to www.bedbugcentral.com and get all the information you care to access, but perhaps were afraid to ask in polite adult company.

So folks, be thankful tonight when you turn down those sheets, that Michigan may be suffering from a lot of bad things, but at least from what I know, a bed bug infestation, isn't one of them.

July 28 - Lisa's Musings (on judging a chocolate chip creation contest) and Every Day Life

2010-07-28T20:07:00.001-07:00

I may never eat chocolate again.

Today, Peggy Haines and I were judges for the 4-H Youth Show Creative Chocolate Chip Contest.

Last year, when I suggested the idea, it seemed like a good one. But after taste testing 16 delicious chocolate chip creations made by Washtenaw County 4-H members, I've had my fill of chocolate.

Maybe for life.

Truth be told, I'm not a choc-o-holic and if someone told me I could never have another piece of chocolate for the rest of my life, I'd be fine with it.

Unlike Peggy who admitted she was a huge chocolate fan.

Me, I'd much rather have a mint.

But I must say this group of 4-Hers out did themselves. I tried chocolate chip pancakes for the first time. I had chocolate chip PB and J made with raspberry jam. There was zucchini and pumpkin bread with those delicious chips adding a tasty zest.

Both Peggy and I were blown away by the creativity of using chocolate chips to make a hedgehog cake.

The biggest surprise, however, was only one youth made the obvious -- chocolate chip cookies. There were bars and cakes, truffles and ice cream. Sixteen different concoctions in all.

And, apparently, there's an art to judging a contest comprised of sweets. Small tastes.

Something I failed to realize until it was too late.

So by the time I got to the last entry, eating another chocolate bite was a matter of mind over stuffed tummy.

But when I heard the child who made that last entry say to his friend, the judges will taste mine next, I was reminded of the importance of putting on a happy face.

And while I finish digesting this year's recipes, I'm already looking forward to next year.

Looks like it'll be sandwiches. Hold the mayo, please.

July 27 - Lisa's Musings on (a Harris Poll about cooking) and Every Day Life

2010-07-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

A new Harris Poll says three in 10 Americans love to cook, and "for many Americans there is that one dish that is their signature one or the one they dream of perfecting."

One I'd like to perfect is a souffle. So maybe I'll have better luck with my new oven.

The poll, which consisted of about 2,500 respondents who were surveyed online, found that four in five Americans, or 79 percent, say they enjoy cooking.

I'd put myself in that category on the rare occasion that I have the time to create something fun. With lots of ingredients. However, that doesn't happen very often.

Interestingly, men are more likely to say they like cooking than women ... perhaps because they don't have to make three meals a day for a family?

Humm, I wonder what industry this poll was commissioned for...a new cooking channel perhaps? That information wasn't included.

However, this information was ... "considering the proliferation of cooking channels and cooking shows, one might expect more people to actually say they love to cook. Maybe this is one of those times where people enjoy watching others do what they themselves cannot do or do not like to do."

I watch several cooking shows but I can honestly say I've never tried cooking anything that the chefs prepare.

Tomorrow, however, I'll be a judge for a food contest. And the chefs? 4-H kids who will be making recipes that must contain chocolate chips.

Perhaps I'll borrow a recipe or three from them.

July 26 - Lisa's Musings (from the 4-H Youth Show) and Every Day Life

2010-07-26T16:39:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year.

It's Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show Week at the Farm Council Grounds and I was honored to judge the club educational exhibits today.

OK, so, I'll admit it, that was after I got there.

It was a tough one getting up early for the third consecutive day. I was still tired (and sore) after two days of dog shows during the weekend. But once I got moving (thank you three Advil and two cups of coffee) and the aches and pains subsided, I started having fun.

I want to give two thumb's up to all the 4-Her's. There were some really clever exhibits this year and judging with former County Extension Agent Glenda Kilpatrick was a blast.

This wasn't the first time I've judged these exhibits so I knew what was in store, (a long day on my feet with already tired legs) but it's always nice to be surprised by the creative efforts of tomorrow's leaders.

So, If you have a minute, take a look at the video I uploaded earlier this evening. It was shot by my terrific intern who is heading into her last week working for the A2 Journal. I'm going off topic here, but I'm sure gonna miss her. We've tag-teamed more than one story this month and it's been fun to offer my insight into this crazy business we call newspapering.

This video, story, photo effort from today's judging is just one of the stories we've gone out together to cover.

And, of course, I couldn't resist the cow photos.

Moo to you.

July 25 - Lisa's Musings (from a dog show) and Every Day Life

2010-07-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

I'm exhausted.

Between weekend company, dealing with no power, two days of dog shows, figuring out how to use the new appliances, and trying to get my home back into some semblance of order, it's 8:15 p.m. and I'm ready for bed.

So first, the dog shows. Saturday, it didn't go very well for either Ryan or Driver. Today, however, we finished with a bang.

Make that a Best In Show.

Yes, Ryan, with my friend Nancy at the end of the lead, finished his alter championship today by not only beating another Toller (so he got a point and will be invited to the big UKC dog show called The Premiere next year) but also going out with a Best In Show Altered.

So, let's recap, this is the first dog that Nancy's ever shown in the stand-and-eat-food ring and she got his championship by taking two Runner-Up Best in Shows and a Best in Show.

Not too shabby, eh?

Driver, who pretty much went along for the ride, since she's already a championship, also beat another Toller so he got a point and will get an invitation to The Premiere next year.

In addition, he took a Group 2 -- his best group placement to date, as well as a Group 4.

So, all in all, today definitely trumped yesterday and not just in the dog show arena.

I've gained a new appreciation for electricity now that the power's back, and I've tried out the oven, the dish washer and the washing machine.

Still to go are the dryer and the freezer.

Now I need to deal with all the food that will have to be tossed out.

Results of our recent online polls

2010-07-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

Results of our recent online polls:
How do watch newer movies at home:
39 percent: NetFlix or Blockbuster by mail
29 percent: Pay-per-view on cable
23 percent: Traditional movie rentals
10 percent: Watch on premium cable channels

Do you think summer will be:
63 percent: Hotter than normal
25 percent: End much too soon
12 percent: Quite normal
0 percent: Cooler than normal

When mowing the lawn, do you:
78 percent: Do it yourself
11 percent: Get a family member to do it
8 percent: Hire a service
3 percent: Pay a neighbor

How do fireworks figure into your Fourth of July celebration:
47 percent: Neither, not into fireworks
32 percent: Go watch professional fireworks show
13 percent: Some of both
8 percent: Do-it-yourself backyard fireworks

July 24 - Lisa's Musings (on not having electricity for 24 hours) and Every Day Life

2010-07-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

I almost broke my streak of 300-plus consecutive blogging posts today. And had it happened, it would have been Mother Nature's fault, not mine.

At 5:59 Friday night, the lights went out, and it was 24 hours before they came back on.

That's 24 hours without air conditioning, water, lights ... it was ugly.

I do not rough it well. Especially without hot coffee.

This was the first time that the lights have been out for more than a few hours since I moved to this house more than 10 years ago. The last time was when Richard Hatch won the first "Survivor," and I missed it. I was not pleased.

So, as you know, I got five new appliances yesterday and thanks to a nasty storm that came through here, I was not able to use them.

So, picture this ... I have company here from out of town to show at the dog show in Ann Arbor this weekend. She arrives with two dogs and within two hours, we have no electricity. No shower. No water. No air conditioning. No way to make food for dinner.

In the meantime, my friend Nancy was already without power and I invited her here so she could do her wash -- in the new washer and dryer. Well, right after she arrived, the storms came in, the place went dark.

We now had five dogs here, and miracle of miracles, none of them had any storm fears, which is a good thing, because we all headed to the three-season porch to watch Mother Nature's light show, and what an amazing one it was.

We survived that night -- thanks to some high-powered flashlights, open windows and a nice breeze.

And today, in the dark, we got ready and headed to the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club where my friend had a great day -- finishing her flat-coated retriever's championship with two group placements.

And where neither of my dogs did a darn thing.

But the good news ... at about 6 p.m. tonight -- there was light.

And I got to give my new dishwasher a whirl.

July 23 - Lisa's Musings (on new appliances) and Every Day Life

2010-07-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

They're here!

All five new appliances have arrived and in two hours they were installed.

Now, just a "wee" bit of light reading so I don't break them the first time I try to use them, and I'll be ready to use them.

I hope.

I have a friend from Ft. Wayne staying here and she took these photos for me while I quickly wrote this between storms.

Storms, seriously, again?

Tomorrow, we all head to a dog show at the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club on North Territorial if anyone would like to come root us on.

July 22 - Lisa's Musings (on this and that) and Every Day Life

2010-07-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I've let my pictures do my blog "writing" for me for most of the week.

And with the week I've had, I wish I had more photos I really liked, because I'd do it again.

The Townie Party, pre-art fairs, art fairs -- it's been a brutal week for me.

Tuesday, I realized how behind I was already was in my usual story-filing schedule, and now it's Thursday and it's even worse. The stories keep piling up (Sorry everyone who is waiting) and I just haven't had the time to sit down and write them. (Sorry Michelle, my editor).

Most of my waking hours have been spent in Ann Arbor and by the time I get home and write what I've covered, edit all the photos and write cutlines for them, blog, Tweat, Facebook, edit and upload video ... it's 10 p.m. and I'm so tired, I'm toast and head to bed.

The nice thing is, art fairs only happen once a year.

But next week is the 4-H Youth Show. And I'm judging on two days.

So deep breaths, and lots of coffee -- I'm switching back and forth between my two new mugs.

Something good from art fairs.

July 21 - Lisa's Musings (on Art Fairs) and Every Day Life

2010-07-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

I survived the first day of art fairs.

And in addition, I broke my non-buying streak, and came home with not one, but two, items.

Surprised?

Neither were fine art or anything artsy-fartsy. I didn't go that far, but I did see a lot of people who did.

And that's why these 1,000 artists keep coming back. I heard over and over they do this show because people here appreciate art, understand its value, and are willing to fork out the money to take it home.

Besides, who doesn't love art (or chicken) on a stick?

So, both my purchases were functional -- items that can be washed in the new dishwasher that arrives Friday. Care to guess what I bought?

I am the proud owner of two new coffee mugs. One's bright red with black specks and has a really cool looking handle. It was made by Jason Parsley of Cincinnati, Ohio and Parsley Pottery. He was on Main Street, near the art fair bus stop.

The first one I bought came all the way from Spring Hill, Fla. and the hands of Marshall Lanz. It's brightly colored -- oranges and greens and has this neat-looking frog on it. His booth was on State Street.

Frogs seem to be big this year, as one artist said, "Who doesn't love a frog?"

In addition, I know what I'll purchase next year. A piggy bank. I could not believe how many different sizes, shapes, and colors of piggy banks there were.

Every year, I look at them and say I've always wanted one of these.

Next year, I'll fulfill my dream.

July 20 - Lisa's Musings (on the day before art fairs) and Every Day Life

2010-07-20T14:22:00.001-07:00

Well, it's here. The week that Ann Arborites either love or hate.

And I was in the thick of the pre-art fair preparations this morning, interrupting a number of artists who were setting up their booths.

The nice part -- they were more than willing to take a few minutes to chat, even without a sale on the line. And all of them seemed genuinely excited for tomorrow to arrive.

The artists I spoke to had nothing but positive things to say about Ann Arbor's Art Fairs -- including the diverse patrons, the friendliness of the town, the professionalism of organizers.

So, for those of you who plan to go, (or not) here's a look at the what it looked like today.

July 19 - Lisa's Musings (on the Townie Party in photos) and Every Day Life

2010-07-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a look at tonight's annual Townie Street Party in photos.