50 States in 52 weeks, Michigan - the land that bore(s) me

I was born in Michigan, very early in the morning, over 24,000 mornings ago. I fled the state after high school, when I left there were signs along the highway urging the last person to leave Michigan to please remember to turn the lights off. I was born there, but I no longer consider it home, I haven't for decades.  None of my immediate family live there, a couple of distant cousins live in the Detroit area. Most of my close family are buried in a country cemetery, a mile down the road from the house I grew up in. I have tried and failed to give away a cemetery plot there.  

As Doc Spo describes it, Michigan can be the land of perpetual snow and ice. The summers can also be oppressively hot. 

Michigan is easy to pick out on a world map, it surrounded by massive freshwater lakes, really inland seas. The lower peninsula is shaped like the back side of your left hand. The farm I was raised on is in the middle of your thumb, about 75 miles north of the first knuckle. My grandfather bought 80 acres out there in the middle of World War II for a song, my parents moved to the farm about 5 years before I was born. 

My paternal grandfather moved to Michigan, because Ford was paying the remarkable wage of $5 a day, and his family was barely scraping by on a farm north east of St. Louis. My paternal grandmother arrived in Detroit, because her father was digging tunnels under the Detroit River and out under Lake Huron (drinking water inlets.) My mother's family moved to central Michigan in the early 1800's to farm in the fertile Saginaw Valley. 

The landscape of Michigan was scraped and contoured by the last ice age. Early settlers harvested timber that built much of the midwest and farming was and still is a dominant way of making a living. The American Auto industry flourished in the Michigan, until the 1960's. Detroit is a shadow of the city it once was. The great lakes have sandy beaches, rocky shores. Much of northern Michigan is still wild. Parts of the state are very pretty. 

I am glad to say I am from there. I have no desire to move back there. 

 

Freestyle Friday: 100 Tips to Slightly Improve Your Travel Experience: #36 Finding Your Way To The Hotel

 

On the right is the Holiday Inn at Glasgow Airport, on the left is the Airport Terminal. Check in is a five minute walk from the hotel. 

I have made the mistake more than once, of getting in a taxi and assuming that driver would know how to find my hotel from the name of the hotel. I have been taken to the wrong hotel at least twice, I have had drivers google search for the hotel location, or call another driver for directions. 

A simple solution, before you leave home, print out the address of the hotel in large type. On a recent trip with 6 different hotels, I created a stack of address sheets before we left home. It saved so much frustration. A simple solution to make travel just a little bit easier. 

Thursday Ramble: Glasgow on the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day

One afternoon in Glasgow we walked from the hotel to the Catholic Cathedral and stumbled across the local commemoration service for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.  It was a longer walk and more uphill than we expected, the same could be said of many walks in on this trip. 

As we approached we could hear a bagpiper, and then see a procession coming out of the front doors of the Cathedral. Men and Women in uniforms and dress of office. People, mostly older adults, were coming out in dressed in their Sunday best. A woman of a certain age passed me wearing white leather gloves, how elegant. I should wear more gloves for effect, she really carried it off. (I think soft red leather gloves for me.) 

Soon the dignitaries and local officials gathered back in front of the entrance for a group photo. One thing about carrying a real camera, no one questioned my stepping front and center to take a few photos. I looked like I knew what I was doing.  Something I have learned over the years is if you look like you belong, you can step into many places without anyone questioning you. Want to crash a wedding reception, look and act like you belong.

In the US it would be strange to see local officials wearing the chains and medallions of office. When I was in undergrad that I took an art class in jewelry making, the professor was tasked with creating a medal of office for the dean of the College. Rita, she was a sweetheart and a fearless leader who raised half-a-billion dollars for the endowment during her term. I helped Professor Learned cast the medal. It is about 3 inches across, cast in solid silver, as a recall about five ounces of silver.  

Back to Glasgow. As things quieted down, I entered the Cathedral, only to be ushered out, by someone saying the service would be over in a few minutes and the cathedral would reopen. Then it didn't open. I asked a man in a Kilt leaving by the side door when it would open, he must be a solicitor because I received the lawyerly answer. After Henry the VIII, the cathedral was turned over to the local authority. They manage the tourist visits. The congregation has an agreement for use for official services. And each maintains separate liability insurance. The commemoration service was done by the congregation, and they had finished and locked the doors, transferring responsibility back to the local council, who had taken the day off. The cathedral would not reopen until the local council arrived, the next day. 

Bottom line we didn't see the inside. But we did see a parade of local visitors, with pomp and circumstance, and get an official answer to a simple question (when will the church reopen.) Local color, great photos, and an answer I will probably never forget. 

My World of Wonders, aka The Wednesday Ws May 28, 2025

Where have I been this week? Tyson's Center and McLain - the Sweet Bear had a doctors appointment and I drove and walked in the Mall while he was being "examined." A couple of long local walks, a walk around Mt Eagle, King Street, the Farmer's Market, 

Who have a talked with? My Sweet Bear, Ruth, the water aerobics gang, Doc Spo, it was a quiet week near home. 

What have I been watching? The Indianapolis 500 - aka the demolition derby. The Longest Day, a great old movie, I have been to the places shown in the film and it really connects for me. Lots of great YouTube content.  Alan Cummings Most Luxurious Train Journeys in Scotland, makes me want to plan the next trip. 

What have I been reading? Baking Across America, How to Travel, and I am still slogging through a book on a possible genetic link to dementia (written by a journalist, not a neuroscientist - leaves me questioning the content.) On deck is a book on American Sheep. I should go to the library this week. 

What have I been waiting for? A couple of 11 by 14 inch prints from Shutterfly. I am going to do a display of market photos in the restaurant here at the Condo and ordered a couple of prints to look at the quality. I don't know why it takes Shutterfly two weeks to print and deliver 2 prints. Their shipping is so slow.  

What have I repaired this week? I replaced the buckles on my Timbuk2 messenger bags, I discovered the buckles were broken on my newer one, as I was packing for the cruise, and I pulled the old one out of the closet for the trip, and it had a half broken buckle. I ordered replacement parts as soon as I returned home. Both are battle ready again. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen? I made pizza, potato salad, baked beans, cheese burgers, chicken-cordon-bleu and a so-so strawberry rhubarb pie. 

What about the photo above? We did a shore excursion from Portland in the south of England, to a botanical garden and a swannery, the bus passed through a village of homes with thatched roofs. It didn't stop, just passed through, the photo was taken from the moving bus. It would be fun to go back and spend a day or two. 

What was my strange thought of the week? We should read obituaries. The area I am from in Michigan has a weekly newspaper, my mother worked in the production department back in the 1960's. I look at it about once a week and I always read the obituaries. Why? Increasingly I recognize people I once knew, who seem to be dying off at an alarming rate.  And it reminds me that none of us are going to live forever. I am stopped by those who die at half my age, and by those who are my age or older, who have used a photo from high school in the obit. I published an obit for my father in that newspaper. 

When and Where is the next adventure? Toronto in August is the next thing that is scheduled.    

Travel Tuesday: Edinburgh

Lots of hills and climbing in the city. 

 

The Royal Palace of Holyrood 

More Palace

A nice way to get an overview of the city

Edingurgh Castle. 

On Cowgate Street near the hotel we stayed in.

 

Monday Mood: Memorial Day and Thankfulness

Armistice Day, Victory in Europe Day, or Decoration Day have been combined in the United States into Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May. My grandparents, who I spent a lot of quality time with, truly understood the gravity of these days. They had lived through the horrors and sacrifices of World War I and World War II. The observance dates even farther back, to the 1860's and the end of the American Civil War. 

Thinking about this day, I always flash back to my first visit to the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy.  We had spent a delightful week in Yorkshire, Sweet Bear went off to a conference at Oxford, and I went solo to Normandy.  Typical for me, I had not done a lot of research, I was driving north along the D-Day beaches, saw the sign and turned in. I figured this would take a moment. I don't know how long I was there, wandering the neatly manicured rows of graves. I was moved beyond words. Every political leader, every military officer, should spend an afternoon there, thinking. Driving through the surrounding area, stopping for lunch in tiny villages, you see what was saved from fascism, by people who often didn't live to know the beauty and warmth of the place. 

For many this weekend is the start of the summer season. A long weekend, gatherings with family and friends. Summer foods and refreshments.  The sacrifices of the past, enable the joys of today. And remind us of the cost of political extremism.  

Much to be thankful for. 

Much to fear. 

Sunday Five: Would You Rather

This one is copied from Ted Forbes' weekly newsletter.  Ted is a photographer, filmmaker, author, YouTuber, and photography influencer.  I watch much of his content and I am on his weekly newsletter email list.  He used these questions to introduce his summer intern to his readers. 

1: Would you rather drink Tea or Coffee?

2: Are you a Morning Person or Night Owl?

3: Would you rather go out for Sushi or Tacos?

4: Would you sooner go to the Mountains or Beach?

5: Do you tend to Test the waters or Dive into the deep end?

My Answers:

1: Would you rather drink Tea or Coffee? Coffee, cold if possible. 

2: Are you a Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning person (I was up just after 5:30 this morning) 

3: Would you rather go out for Sushi or Tacos?  Sushi, I find Tacos messy to eat. 

4: Would you sooner go to the Mountains or Beach? Mountains. 

5: Do you tend to Test the waters or Dive into the deep end? Dive in, that explains why I am sometimes in way over my head. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

The Saturday Morning Post - 50 States in 52 Weeks - Massachusetts

 

Massachusetts is the quintessential New England state, with deep harbors on the Atlantic, north of New York, Massachusetts was one of the first areas of European colonization in North America. Some of my earliest ancestors in North America included. 

Boston - my first visit there was for a conference. I only had a couple of hours of free time, and I used the bikeshare system to ride into the oldest parts of the city and back.  My second trip I planned a full day to  explore, and it was barely above freezing and raining heavily all day. My third trip I had couple of a glorious sunny free days and I finally made it to Harvard.  (I am listed as legal editor on two Harvard Medical School publications.) Another trip I spoke at a conference at Mt Holyoke college. They arranged a limo to take me to and from the airport in Boston.  One of my topics was consent to sex by persons with dementia, a rather complex issue.  

I have never been to Cape Cod, and Provincetown.  Someday we will go.  I was planning a trip 3-4 years ago. An email offering air and hotel packages arrived from Icelandair. The cost of air and hotels was about the same in Iceland and Massachusetts and rental cars were cheaper in Iceland (this was post COVID when rental cars were very expensive in the USA) so we went to Iceland instead.  

Foodie Friday: Scotland Edition

A month of not cooking, brought some great food, and a lot of average food.  For the most part we found the offerings in Scotland to be creative, hearty, and tasty.  As I mentioned before I had my first Pub Sunday Roast Dinner, roast beef (that was a little tough) mashed potatoes, roast carrots and parsnips, broccolini. It was good, and the experience was memorable.  

Some of the best Indian food I have ever had. Tasty, mild, I had a chicken dish in a yogurt based sauce that was delightful 

We didn't stop into Timmys, but I was surprised to see them expanded into Scotland. 

I believe this is Angus's favorite bakery in St. Andrews. Even mid-afternoon there was a queue for service.  

Haggis, Nips Neeps and Tatties, I couldn't visit Scotland without savoring the national dish.  As one local described it, the English would take all of the good parts of the sheep, and leave we Scots to make the best of what was left.  Traditionally this is made with organ meats, onions, oats and spices, simmered into sort of a sausage or meatloaf (wetter than meat loaf or sausage.) Modern recipes replace organ meats with ground lamb, beef, pork, mixed with chopped onions, and spices, poached in a cooking bag or plastic wrap. We found it a little salty, but otherwise quite pleasant.  Nieeps and Tatties sound so sexual, in reality it is roast and mashed turnips rutabaga and mashed potatoes. Served with a rich gravy. Oh and a locally made dark IPA.  All of the hot breakfast buffets in Scotland included haggis. 

In the UK, local stores, Tesco, Tesco Express, Marks and Spencer, and others, almost always have pre-made sandwiches boxed and ready to go. There is one I adore, cheese and onion. It is grated cheese and onion, creamed with mayo, generally on whole wheat bread. It is deceptively simple and oh so tasty.  

Last but not least, Fish and Chips. I left this to the last full day, we walked down the street to the Blue Lagoon, the nearest outlet of a chain of Chippies, I had the tradition battered and fried cod, chips and mushy peas. The fish was good, the chips (deep fried potatoes) reasonably good, and the peas where not the best I had - had on the trip. Mushy peas are cooked green peas that have been mashed - often with some minor additions.  The best that I had, were fresh with mint. At the Blue Lagoon the peas were overcooked, or canned, and soupy. They may well be something that comes in canned or frozen and are just reheated.  The fresh one's with mint, were bright and flavorful. 

Thursday Ramble: Trains

Rotterdam to Brussels, 

Brussels to Brugge, 

Brugge to Brussels, 

Brussels to London, 

London to Edinburgh, 

Edinburgh to Leuchars (St. Andrews), 

Leuchars to Edinburgh, and 

Edinburgh to Glasgow, 

all of these journeys done by train. 

All but the day trip to St. Andrews were booked ahead before we left home.  Generally prices are much lower if you book ahead of time. On all but one of these I was able to print the tickets before we left home, the Scotrail trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow had me collect the tickets from a machine in the station, that took all of 30 seconds. I tapped a credit card in my name, entered the confirmation number and the tickets printed.  I could have displayed the ticket on my phone using the Scotrail App, I am glad I didn't opt for that as my phone went black the first day of the trip, and had to be replaced when we arrived home. 

The tickets for London to Edinburgh, I forgot to print before we left home. I asked the front desk of the hotel in London (a Hampton by Hilton) and they gave me an email address to forward the attachment to, a few minutes later the print out was waiting at the front desk. 

Trains are great way to travel.  On some of these the train was specific, such as the Eurostar, on others the ticket was good on any train on that route.  

Most of the trains run on overhead electric power.  A couple of times were were zooming through a field of wind turbines, riding on a wind powered train.  

Baggage is really the only painful part of train travel, you have carry it on and off on your own. Only on one train did we have a hard time finding space to stow the bags (London to Edinburgh.) We do need to learn to pack less, a challenge when you are away from home for a month.  

A fantasy trip, pack light and spend a couple of weeks taking trains from one interesting town, to another, spending one or two nights at each stop.  

I know the distances are longer, but the US has a lot to learn about train travel. 

My World of Wonders, aka The Wednesday Ws, Home Again

Where have I been this week? Out for a few long local walks, along the River, Huntley Meadows, south from home, north from home, a little shopping Aldi and the liquor store. The Gym, the pool for water aerobics and laps.  The farmers market. Into the City to have lunch with my replacement. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen? Swiss Steak, Ken mentioned it and I realized I hadn't made it in decades. Meringues, rhubarb, pastry cream, ham, potatoes au gratin, corn, and asparagus (fresh and local from the farmers market.)  

Who have I talked with this week? Ruth, Ana, Giuseppe, Larry, Erica, and my Sweet Bear. 

What surprised me this week? Two Bucks at Huntley Meadows Park, I went out for a nice hour's walk, I had the 70-300mm lens on my camera, I rounded a corner and saw movement in the distance, and there they were staring at me. I think there was a third one that scampered into the undergrowth behind them. 

What have I been reading? "Valley of Forgetting" about the search for a genetic link to dementia in Columbia, a slow read. I am due for a visit to the library and B. Dylan Hollis's second book "Baking Across America" is due out this week. I have had it on pre-order for months. 

Who deserves a slap this week? Me. An old lawyer friend of mine took the repositioning cruise that we took last year, ending in Barcelona.  I didn't warn Fred that if he wanted to tour the cathedral in Barcelona, he needed to book tickets a month ahead of time, the same mistake I made last year.  One slap, for not thinking of this detail. 

What am I working on? I have ordered a couple of large prints from a new printer, and I am sampling frames for a photo exhibit I committed to do. I am recording a short public service announcement on AI deep fakes and elder abuse for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. 

What is entertaining me this week? The Indianapolis 500 is next weekend. Qualifying was on last weekend.  I have been there trackside for qualifying a couple of times. Watching cars go past at 230 miles per hour is an experience. I enjoy watching F-1, and Indycar racing. 

Travel Tuesday: Glasgow

Either he signed million-pound football contract, or this is sugar daddy's money. 

Something Nautical 

Must be a successful football club

An arcade lined with diamond dealers.

An Amazing train station 

Sandstone and Limestone dominate the city 

The Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in World War II was concluding as we arrived at the Cathedral 

One of the many city run museums 

Everywhere you look there are details in the stone work.