Wonder of Creation

As toddlers, many of us may well have dreamed of endless sandboxes to play in, but since few remember their toddler dreams, joy in the thought of endless sands probably went subliminal. Perhaps that’s the reason that Michigan’s massive sand dunes bordered by a vista of endless water creates a sort of ecstasy for children and relieves tension for adults. [Sandbox photo source] I had a free afternoon last week to wander the shore and dunes of Lake Michigan at Hoffmaster State Park just south of Muskegon—finding that such ambling indeed does quiet the spirit, and if you desire to … Continue reading »

I am not sure exactly how mint became one of my favorite plants—and flavors, but I can affirm that mint is a part of every one of my days. I shave with mint soap lather every morning and brush my teeth with mint-flavored toothpaste every night. And midday I might be found chewing mint flavored gum. That’s not to count my homemade peppermint astringent and self-picked and dried spearmint leaves for mint tea. I think the fascination started with my being shown mint growing on the shore of Gull Lake—and being amazed at the taste of what I thought was … Continue reading »

Being back in the San Francisco Bay Area for a few days has brought back a flood of memories and deep-lying impressions. We lived here in Marin County from 1978-82. Our fair town, Novato, is some twenty miles north of the Golden Gate. I was administrator of Valley Christian School then, and as a native and long-time resident of Michigan, I was always fascinated by the natural dynamics here, which are dramatically different from my home state. One of those differences is the summer fog. In July it is not unusual for the weather to be clear, sunny, and 80 … Continue reading »

Marge and I are going into our fifth day on the trail of John Muir from our “base camp” in Moraga, California, a laid-back town of grand trees and low traffic (a rarity in this area) that lies over the hills east of Oakland. Our super hostess, Janet Dobbs, a friend for thirty years, has provided us a great place to stay at her home surrounded by her lovingly tended gardens. Yesterday I did my “Wonderbird” post in a café that once served as the railroad depot for Mill Valley on the east side of the San Francisco Bay and … Continue reading »

I’m sitting in a cafe in Sonora, CA. This is the near the southern end of the Mother Lode: the rich mining area in the Sierra foothills where gold beckoned the 49ers some 150 years ago. Though I am following in the steps of John Muir, this part of California gained its national and international acclaim from Bret Harte and Mark Twain, two literary giants who will be celebrated in Sonora tomorrow. I, happy to say, will not be here, but in Yosemite. So no “jumping frogs” in Calaveras County for me. I’ll be taking photos of thundering waterfalls. (A … Continue reading »