Weekender 23/24 August 2025

[Dave]

Goo day to you. I wish us all a pleasant weekend.

   

I call this a survivor because it's one of the few healthy looking roses remaining of late friend Ron's once spectacular rose garden.  Ron died several years ago and his widow sold the house. Neither the current owner nor the renters have done anything to care for the roses, so what was once a neighborhood treasure is becoming an eyesore.

So sad.

[Don]

Good morning Dave. Yes, sad indeed. You would think someone would try to maintain the roses, but if there are renters in the house now there is not much incentive for them to do it.

Already 72 degrees and 95% humidity this morning at 7 AM. Probably will not do any outdoor activities today, even though I need to do some yard work. I will likely spend some time today making sure we have all of our ducks in a row for the upcoming Great Lakes cruise. We'll be driving up a week from tomorrow to spend the night in Atlanta near the airport, then fly out Monday to Milwaukee where we will make our way to the ship. Hopefully it will be a fun trip.

Here is a photo I took during my recent ride up to Tennessee. I was on some back roads and came across this old building, so I had to stop and get a shot. And the little "cabin" where I stayed. But the weather was so hot that the little window AC unit in the cabin didn't really do much good. Still a fun trip though.

Hope all have a great weekend.

[Dave]

Very interesting buildings, and of course well captured, Don.

I was born and raised (until around age 14) in Michigan and went to college in southern Wisconsin, so I have fond memories of family vacations at or near some of the great lakes. I even remember trips to Michigan's UP before they finished the Mackinac bridge. Are there any details of your cruise that you're willing to share?

A little before 5:00 AM here, temp is about 70. It will rise to the low 80s, uncomfortable but nowhere near what other parts of the country will endure so I'm grateful to live where I do.

I've been very busy updating our wills and family trust (Ill turn 76 in early September and should have taken care of this years ago). This plus finding a new doctor and preparing for likely cataract surgery are the reasons why I've taken few photos recently. Sometimes real life interferes with things I'd rather be doing.

[Don]

Dave, I have had the cataract surgery on both eyes - the worst part was having to do the eye drops for a while after the surgery.

About the cruise - it is only a week long. We will have ports of call in Mackinac Island, Fathom Five National Marine Park, a couple different stops in Georgian Bay, Silver Islet, Ontario, and end in Thunder Bay where we will disembark and fly home. The recent Air Canada strike had us worried for a while but it seems to have been settled and as of right now the flight from Thunder Bay to Toronto is now operating again. We have a long layover in Toronto, then on to Atlanta. The ship is a Viking expedition ship and we will be doing several excursions on Zodiac boats on one on a Special Operations boat. Should be a fun trip.

We probably need to update our will since it was done before grand children. Need to look into that. I turned 77 this year so I probably don't need to wait around.

[Man From Ironbark]

I had my cataracts done in January. Magic happened. I can read without glasses now.

I'm a mere youngster it appears. I'm only 72.

Dave, your rose image almost looks like a painting. Well done. At least the rose's former beauty is preserved in your photo album.

Don, those cabins look neat but as you say, probably better in cooler weather.

This is our grey butcherbird.

[Dave]

Thanks MFI.

Wonderful degree of fine detail in your photo of the butcherbird. Such a handsome creature.

And of course, expertly photographed - well done, sir.

[Man From Ironbark]

Thanks Dave.
It landed I got the bird twice but the third time I tried, the bird was simpy just.. gone.
It landed, looked left, looked right and flitted off all in a matter of a few seconds.

[Don]

Good morning all.

Nice captures of the Butcher Bird MFI. Noticing the shape of the beak I thought it might be more closely related to our Loggerhead Shrike, but they both "rely on impaling its prey upon thorns or barbed wire for facilitated consumption" (wikipedia).

[Man From Ironbark]

They get the name butcherbird from their habit of hanging their meat on a hook.