Corn

Corn is what the midwest does, but only in Michigan will you find cornfields as neatly kept as a park. Tidy Michiganders keep neatly trimmed edges on this cornfield just outside of Three Rivers.

Oh, the places we'll go

Just stay straight. Those other places can wait!

Brownie's Radiator

This cute old building, possibly a 1920s gas station and formerly decorated with a large sign reading "Brownie's Radiator", was located for years at the center of a controversy, as well as on a main road. The owner, Mr. Brownie himself, I presume, kept dilapidated cars parked around the building. Despite the "Brownie's Radiator" sign, I never saw anyone working, and assumed it was more a spot for old cronies to sit, smoke, complain to each other about electronic ignitions, and get away from the wife.

Eventually the junk cars, which he called his collection, precipitated complaints from the neighbors. The City Fathers Frowned. Actions were Taken. "I-can-do-what-I-want-with-my-property" activists Reacted. Neighbors were Enraged. Soon a kerfuffle of epic proportions stormed through the City Halls. But Mr. Brownie sailed serenely on, his prow high above the waters of the squall, his "collection" intact, until his recent sad demise.

The building then became a Mexican market, which promptly went out of business. Someone should check the Feng Shui of that corner.

(Note: I fully expect someone to tell me that "That's Not Right, It Didn't Happen Like That At All." What can I say? I just look, and read the papers...)

Tax Time

Today is the first day of my annual volunteer job, assisting people in preparing their tax returns for the Tax-Aide program at the Three Rivers Community Center and other senior centers and facilities. I thought I would celebrate by posting my painting of one of my fellow tax volunteers with her apprehensive client. I like the long curl of paper tape coming out of the calculator.

Tax-Aide assists low to moderate income people, emphasizing helping the elderly. I'm sorry that we have a tax system that is either too complicated or too frightening for many people to feel confident about doing their own returns without assistance. Perhaps some day it will be different, but as it is, we can always use more volunteers for next year! The Tax-Aide program is supported by AARP, wbsite here: http://www.aarp.org/taxaide/

Chlorine

A group of citizens braved fluorescent lighting, TV cameras, and state bureaucrats tonight to attend a hearing about the local water system. It seems that Three Rivers is the second largest city in the state without a regular program for treating its water, and the state wants that changed. Young and old locals said that they like their water just fine the way it is, and used the opportunity to expound on the evils of chlorine. What will happen, I wonder?

(News coverage -online at http://www.rivercountryjournal.com/?p=23087, as well as regional tv, radio and newspapers.)

Carnegie Show

Sunday was the opening for the Carnegie Center for the Arts annual juried show. There was a large and enthusiastic audience in all of the galleries. Perhaps the flowing chocolate helped!
Two photos beside the chocolate are (top) the director, Donna Grubbs, with Jim Thompson, whose piece was selected by the jurors as best in show. Below, behind the chocolate, the previous director, Helen McCauslin, chats with one of my favorite watercolorists, Don Marek. Helen now hangs out in Fabulous Fabius.

Man-powered Snowblower

One of the nice things about living in the land of ice and snow is that it provides many opportunities for exercise in the fresh air, especially when your car is stuck in deep snow.

A Bit of the Past

Spotted stuck and abandoned in a marsh along the Portage River, this ancient example of horse-drawn farm machinery reminds us of when agriculture extended to well inside the Three Rivers city limits.

The Cat Basket

If you want to play poker, play with me -- I never win anything. Knowing this, I bought a raffle ticket for an ARF fundraiser, and, since I'm not that fond of cats, I thought I would be extra supportive by buying a ticket for the cat basket.

Ahhhgghghgh!!! I won! I won the cat basket! How can that be??

Local fun

The hill next to the old hospital has been a sledding hill for generations of Three Rivers folks, and children continue the tradition today. Off Millard Street, taken from across the river - a pretty good zoom!

(After I uploaded this post, I discovered that the River Country Journal had an article about the other prime sledding location, the tubing hills at Meyer Broadway Park -"No tubing like snow tubing at Meyer Broadway Park" click to view..!)

Recycling

A Saturday morning ritual -- a trip to the recycling center.