Progress and the Lack Thereof

Fall scene from the road along Lake Superior in the UP

Colorful Fall

Fall has arrived again and is spectacular in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as can be seen from the attached photo.

For 56 years of my life the fall season has meant the beginning and return to school.  There is something wonderful about the excitement of a new school year, fresh learning experiences, and brilliant autumn colors.

 Signs of Kindergarten

Stairs

Hall

Kitchen & Bree's Kitchen

This fall my grandson Felix began kindergarten.  He seems to enjoy it and in fact, wants to continue the experience at home.  After arriving home the first week, he immediately began making and posting signs around the house such as: Stairs, Hall, Front Door, etc.  This of course is extremely helpful and makes one wonder how did we ever get along for so long without these aids?

Bree's Chair

Wayne's Room

I am amazed at the progress and growth occurring in the lives of my grandsons.  Felix has only started kindergarten, but he is well beyond reading Dick and Jane books.  He has been moved up to read with the first grade students and I would not be surprised if he is one of their better readers. Fortunately he does not take after his grandfather Goates who wondered in the first grade what was the big deal and why were people so fixated on learning the ABC's - as if they had any importance.

Food for Thought

Theo has started eating solid food, but as this video indicates he has not been completely happy with some of the items on the menu.

Theo is definitely a chick magnet.  He usually is quite content, but as soon as someone pays any attention to him, he starts smiling and becomes more animated.  People at church or in the store are immediately drawn to this and want to pick him up.

 

Little or No Progress is Welcome

While progress can be a wonderful thing, I am happy to report that seemingly during the past year Kristie's Alzheimer's has not progressed.  She appears to have maintained her current level since being placed in assisted living last September.  This is in stark contrast to how quickly things were changing during the first year after moving to Michigan.  Of course, this will not always be the case, but it certainly is wonderful to continue enjoying her wonderful laugh and infectious smile.  The video shows her fooling around in the morning while waiting for breakfast by sticking out her tongue and winking at me.

 

Nice Fall Tan

Upper Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a remarkable natural phenomena.  With a 48' drop it is not as high or spectacular as waterfalls in in the Cascades, but it certainly stands out with the beautiful fall colors and its vivid golden brown water.  It is 200' across and by volume of water is the second or third largest waterfall east of the Mississippi.  It certainly is well worth observing as shown in the two videos below, particularly when the leaves are changing.  The water is naturally golden brown from the tannins leached from the cedar swamps that the river drains.  Wood tannins from oak was used in the tanning of animal hides into leather; hence the word "tan" and "tanning" for the treatment of leather.  (From Wikipedia - Tannin)

 The trees in Michigan don't seem to tan very well in the fall.  They sunburn as this photo shows.

Superior Shipping

This is a view of Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior as referenced in the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald":
 Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.



The locks at Sault Ste. Marie are quite impressive.  There is a 21 foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.  The first two photos show a freighter that is 740' long' being lowered in the locks.  It is amazing to see a ship drop or rise 21 feet as the locks release or fill with water.  The last three photos show a tug boat that literally disappeared from view as it dropped 21 feet in the locks before sailing on into Lake Huron.

The 740' long CSL Niagara at Lake Superior level

The CSL Niagara at Lake Huron level

Tug boat at Lake Superior level

Tug boat before disappearing at Lake Huron level

Heading out to Lake Huron

Spring Has Sprung

100' Wide Ice Shelf on Lake Michigan

Mini Icebergs in Dry Dock

I was starting to wonder if spring would arrive in Michigan.  As the photos show it's not like western Oregon where daffodils bloom in early March. The 35' icebergs were behind about 50 feet of the ice shelf.

Our Front Yard the first week of March

Our Front Yard on March 19

 Instead of daffodils, I took a picture of the 3 foot of snow that was piled up by our driveway and mailbox.  I really started to wonder about spring coming when it was still snowing on April 25.

Collin Introducing Theo to the Internet

Three Generations of Bradfords

Theo was born on February 7.  I realize he needs to be introduced to technology, but I worry that Collin is starting a little too early. He was blessed on April 28 with Collin's parents present.

Spring Time on the Beach

What We Watched on the Beach

We enjoyed the kite festival on the beach at Grand Haven on May 18.  This was the same location for the iceberg photos above.  I believe they must have put the mini icebergs in cold storage until next winter.



While very limited, Kristie doesn't seem to have much anxiety and generally seems happy as the videos of her with Bree and Theo show.  Felix is responsible for the original background piano music.

 
I have been in contact with Kristie's college roommates this winter while writing her life story and was honestly surprised at their description of how much Kristie liked me.  Kristie was a very private person, but with Alzheimer's there is no pretense.  She always smiles and generally starts laughing when I arrive to be with her every morning and evening.  We spend time together walking in the hall.  She likes to be hugged, and will blush and laugh when I kiss her.

Oh, I almost forgot the quick trip to be with Bryn and Zac in Chicago land.  We arrived in Millennium Park right before an Indian wedding (and I don't mean like Tonto and Pocahontas).

I am working with the 11-year old Boy Scouts and made a presentation on first aid and poisonous plants last week.  I gathered up samples that looked like poison sumac and poison ivy, but I really didn't think they were the real thing.  Fortunately, I put the samples in plastic bags for the scouts to observe.  Three days later I broke out with a terrible rash on my face and arms.  It was actually worse than the photo shows.  Wow, what an object lesson for the scouts about staying away from poisonous plants.