Digging

Well we thought we were going to be setting up a fence, but that will have to wait for another day. Clapton is hardly disappointed though; he got to go for a swim and loves being up in Hesperia!



I did get to take some fun pictures, even though it rained quite a bit. Everything is growing profusely due to that precipitation.



Here's a rare self-portrait. I think I need a shave and a haircut.



Birdbath on the back porch.



Erin and Lou in another heated Nemastil discussion. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree sometimes...



This is the Pollen Nation.



I think we got these for Jayne on St. Patrick's day.



Curtis and Cassie came by to help dig the electrical line ditch out to the garage. It started pouring though so we came in for lemonade. (thanks Erin!)



I feel like I'm a 6 year-old again. Yay dirt!



Ok I'm going to be selfish here. The last two are just photos I am kind of proud of. One:



And two:



Ok, the rain has stopped, it's time to finish our little ditch. Hopefully nobody will hit any gas or water or cable lines!

Barack Obama!

I took quite a few photos at the rally, and they're all up on a public album. I picked a few good ones to put up here.



Turnout was very high. Liz and her new boyfriend Onur arrived at around 6:15 and were turned away because Van Andel was packed full.



The event was loud, energetic, and a bit like a rock concert. When Obama arrived, the whole arena went manic.



Obama came on stage and quickly introduced Edwards, who was there to announce his endorsement. We didn't realize Edwards would be there until we were already seated and Erin's dad Lou called.



There was a lot of cheering for John Edwards, especially from the cute girl in the seat next to me.



Barack really stole the show though. He is probably the greatest public speaker I've ever had the pleasure to watch. He was electrifying, humorous, and if not detailed and specific at least substantive. The speech focussed on the economy, jobs, and poverty, three things that are very important to the people of Michigan and meshed well with Edwards' ongoing message.

All in all it was a good time, very inspirational and filled with plenty of Bush bashing (which always makes me smile). Let's hope he can win in November. I'll be volunteering if any out there would care to join me!

Up North in Winter Time

My wife grew up in Hesperia, MI, and we visit her parents up here often. The town is small- they live right in the heart of it, but still have a long, sloping tract of land on the White River.



Erin's dad Lou loves to play the piano. Currently he's playing along with Eric Clapton's Unplugged album.



He's also a talented drummer. He got a new set recently so we're going to inherit the old ones. I just need some drum mics and then my album might have a rhythm track.



We drank a bit last night (ok more than a bit, but not an exceptional amount), and went to bed after watching George Carlin live on stage.



That was yesterday. Today I woke up bright and early because Clapton gets frisky in the mornings and licks any exposed body parts vigorously until we roll out of bed and take him out. Of course, he's asleep by 10 AM.



But that's later. It's still early. I mean, in the narrative. What narrative, you ask? Go to hell. Like I said, it was early, and the light was looking really good outside so I put on my gloves and the wide angle adapter and headed outside to the (warning: understatement coming) brisk morning air.



Don't let all that sunlight fool you: it was cold. The river was frozen about a quarter of an inch.



The air is dry, so everything close to the surface of the water gathers a beautiful frost.



This is a picture of an interesting tree. I like the lighting and the swoopy grain.



This water pump actually works. We tried to hook Lou's home-brew water pump up to it last summer, but the pressure was inadequate. The blocks next to it are the foundation for an old barn that collapsed while Lou was tearing it down some years ago.



Erin's mom Jayne loves to check out the local wildlife, and has at least a half dozen bird feeders and another half dozen bird houses around the yard. This one is carved from a gourd, and hangs on an oak tree next to the house.



By this time, my fingers were freezing off (despite the fact that I've learned to use the G9 quite quickly even with gloves). I have a few more pictures but I'll post them later. Now we're having coronas and trying to keep Clapton from humping anything in sight.