Wow - What a year! September 2011

It has been 9 months since my last post and 10 months since my friend Gayla had her stroke.- Wow - What a year! I came back from Texas to help my friend, and slowly became her guardian, conservator, trustee, and 24/7 caregiver.Her recovery has included a lot of ups and downs with my attitude to match. This has been the hardest chapter of my life, but also the most gratifying in so many ways. I have learned alot about myself and others as well as much about the medical and legal systems. My hat is off to U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor, a wonderful place indeed. The best news is that Gayla continues to improve and I believe that the goal of her living independently on her own one day will be reached!

The Starship RV is in storage at my lake lot, 25 feet from the water's edge. She sits there empty, patiently awaiting a future time of travels. Soon she will move to other storage as she is only allowed to be there from May 1st to September 30th.of each year. The African Queen boat is in the water there and has had very limited use this year, mainly when Gayla wanted to sit out on the water in the sun.

The Amphicar also stayed dry most of this year. The limited times Amphi did get wet all seem very memorable. They include a parade of 5 Amphi's down the chain of lakes, the Le Concours de Livingston show, and some very special outings with friends and family.

Spanky the wiener dog has mostly recovered from last years problems. Although he still has health issues, he still is aging well and has proven to be quite the therapy dog for all. He is well known at many local medical institutions. His 12th birthday is coming up in November.

Thats my news, I wish you much happiness and love.


.

Life comes at ya fast

I left Michigan on Oct 28th and spend three great weeks in Texas, mostly in a funky eclectic RV park in downtown south Austin, which was Pecan Grove RV Park.  Also got to go to one of my favorite state parks, Inks Lake (pictured) and took Amphi in the water during a rather nice day.

My good friend Gayla from Michigan had a stroke and so I came back to see if I could be of some help. Together, me and some Angels are working to help my friend recover. Gayla is one of the nicest, most generous people you could have the pleasure to know. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

Yesterday we got the first major blizzard of the year here in Michigan. I took a few shots including the night time pic on the rear deck with my new buddy, Keesha. Also, sadly the Starship is cold and frozen, waiting for the next time we can roll down the highway together.

Spanky has suffered a back injury and is confined to quarters (fisher price baby model) and is on steriods and muscle relaxers. He needs your thoughts and prayers too!

Please take care of those you care about and I will do the same!

Doxie Halloween Party & Michigan Football

Yesterday was a great day - except for that embarrassing loss to Michigan State. Gotta be fair, you guys did play a better game! Thanks to Portage Lake Yacht Club and staff for providing such a great waterfront spot to watch the game!

Spanky went to Gina's annual halloween party for doxies and it was amazing to see how well all these little guys got along together! Gina raises these little sweethearts and if you ever want to buy one of these great dogs, I recommend Gina. You can find her at http://www.gmdoxies.com/

Wonderful weather this weekend, a true gift! Amphi enjoyed some water time on the chain, and with 84 degrees expected today on 10-10-10, gonna have to do it again!

September - Where did the summer go?

Fall in Michigan - When you live where there are defined seasons, it is amazing all the changes that occur when one season ends and another begins. Summer is over, no matter how much you wish otherwise!

School is back in session, folks are pulling boats and chopping firewood, the sun is lower in the sky, trees are changing and temps are dropping, you still get warm days but the water is cold, football is big news and college teams Michigan and Michigan State are having a awesome run so far!

Michigan is still in deep trouble. The report this week is that in this (Livingston) county alone, there now are over 3,000 abandoned or foreclosed properties. But still, life goes on, and the rythmm of fall activities continue as they always have.

It was a fantastic summer here this year for me. I was able to spend a lot of time with friends and family who matter. A lot of time also spent on the water which will always be my favorite. My little buddy Spanky continues to do well and to touch people wherever we go.

I did have some difficulties but the outpouring of support that I did not know I had make me believe that all will be well in the end.

Soon it will be time for loading up and hitting the road. Escaping the winter snow and ice is a wonderful blessing for me, but as soon as the trees start to bud in the spring, I will be back, Michigan is always home!

Amphicar Rides - Rent a Amphibious Amphicar

Those who know me, know how much Spanky and I enjoy giving rides in our Amphicar!

To share this experience, we have created several programs to offer this as a service for your next private party or company outing! We are also looking for a great corporate sponsor. We will travel anywhere and look forward to some awesome adventures and big smiles!!!

For full details, please go to our website - http://www.amazingone.com/

Invasive Species - Purple Loosestrife & Asian Carp

Summer is speeding right along! Lots of really HOT days and fun on the water, with memorable sights like this balloon visit. My son Mark has been in Austin, TX for two weeks, and John will be leaving for there shortly. It has been great to spend so much time with my boys this summer, and look forward to seeing them in Texas this winter.

I am so fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time at my wetlands property here at the lake. The wetlands are so beautiful to enjoy and study as they change during the warm season. That cool white sphere is the bloom on my button bushes here!

One problem here is an invasive species known as Purple Loosestrife. PL takes over wetlands, choking out the native plants, and ultimately changing the habitat so it is much less desirable to all the birds, fish, insects and other creatures who live here.

PL is also known as the beautiful killer. Many people who thought it is so beautiful planted it in areas adding to its rapid spread. It is now illegal to plant or possess this invasive species.

The answer now comes from Michigan State University who after many years of study found the safe solution. A small beetle known as Galerucella has been introduced and slowly is saving our wetlands from this major problem. The beetles are host specific meaning all they will eat is PL, they are now spreading across the state and huge progress is being noted. I have a strong interest in this program and will be attending a MSU workshop this month.

Another huge problem concerning invasive species is the asian carp. The picture above shows just how bad it can get. They have no natural predators and grow to 4 foot long weighing up to a 100 pounds! If they get in the Great lakes, they will displace all our perch, walleye, and trout, by eating all the food supply. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of foot dragging by officials about implenting the permanent solution - cutting off the Mississippi from the Great Lakes.

Our new world is a mixing bowl of all species and the system of checks and balances is being severely tested!

Interesting problems and challenges that we face!

Summer, Swans, and Day 44 Macondo

Wow, another month has gone bye! The weather is being very nice in Michigan and the Amphicar is being used a lot! Pictured above are my sons and Mark's new girlfriend, Angie on the chain of lakes.

On my lake, the swans are raising their young teaching them all they need to know. The male swan is extremely protective and can have quite a bad attitude as this male goose found out. Normally a male goose is pretty tough himself, but he didn't stand a chance against this new Dad.

My post last month was dire concerning the gulf coast oil disaster and time proves it more so! Today is day 44 of the well Macondo's failure and it has become the greatest ecological disaster in our history. Pensacola reports oil on the beaches today and it will continue to dump millions more gallons and spread to more states, killing their marshes, wetlands, and beaches. Some scientists say there is enough oil under pressure in the deepwater horizon block to gush for 7 years at this rate!

Hurricane season started yesterday and is predicted to be above normal activity. A large hurricane will churn the oil that is hanging out there submerged to the surface and the storm surge will push it all inland covering everything with oil. It won't be pretty and it will change the way we live.

What's the bottom line? If you don't have the technology to control a well at this depth, you had no business drilling it in the first place!!!!!!

Don't think we won't all pay for this in so many ways. They lowered the gas price a bit to make you feel better and take the pressure off, but this disaster will lead to 5 dollar gas next year and the beginning of serious change to our fossil fuel dependence.

A sorry state indeed. I leave you with a sunset pic from my beach!