FLOODWATERS II

Fletcher's Pond- Hillman, MI

 We took our annual trip up north to fish last month for Matt and his twin brother Todd's birthdays. It was peaceful and calm and comforting in the way only traditions or rituals can do to you. You step foot on the ground and breathe in the air and your mind and spirit go onto instant autopilot. You fall hard into the rhythm of the water...the foggy still mornings and brilliant napping afternoons and starry deep nights. It's such an unassuming place but I don't have any trouble romanticizing it one bit.

Max came home with whopper fish stories and tales of getting caught in the storm of all storms, just him and Matt and their tiny boat. Phoebe learned to work a reel and wouldn't pass up any chances to touch fish scales or swing a lure into your back. We added a new guy to the family and brought him along with us. His name is Wilbur and he's been the sweetest puppy you could ask for...a real fine fit. 

Mackinac Island

We took a day last week to sneak away from fishing and drive up the coast to Mackinac Island. All accidentally dressed in blue (typical), we did all the best kinds of touristy family things...eating hotdogs on the beach while Phoebe tried to kill seagulls, renting bikes to ride along the water, ice cream and people watching, visiting fudge shops and magic shops and romanticizing a life lived on such an island (there's a library on the beach!). It was a really beautiful day, and although I think everyone prefers the slow and steadiness of being on the lake fishing, it was nice to have a new adventure together...carving out a little bit of time for just the four of us.

 

floodwaters

We just got back from a week away with family in northern Michigan, fishing the floodwaters and celebrating Matt and his twin brother Todd's birthday. This place is really special to Matt's family, steeped with lots of tradition, and it's been really wonderful sharing it together and also with Max's dad and 2nd mama (our Jess and Sara)...and this year with Max's nana and papaw (Jesse's parents) in tow as well. One big beautiful mash of a family filling up on chilly mornings and Scrabble afternoons, swaying together in metal boats on calmest water--big family dinners and bunk bed nights and the craziest sky full of stars that you'll ever meet.

By the end of the week, Phoebe girl had made peace with the hot pink life jacket that she hated so much and Max had prided himself in trying and almost catching every species of fish in the water. These kinds of days away from home are the best kind for stirring up and easing down a restless summer soul...a reminder that a shaded hammock and a good climbing tree can trump just about anything.

cast and reel

hoping you all had a long and lovely labor day weekend. we sneaked away north for a few days to breathe in new air and fish the days away with family. northern michigan is just the most peaceful place...chilled foggy mornings and still afternoons and eat-your-heart-out sunsets and stars at night. bee poked fish eyes and max perfected his walkie-talkie voice and i think we all got lost a little in the sweet and slow pace of things. we came home with the sniffles and a new readiness to conquer this new season. three cheers for september! (bee and i found red fallen leaves on the ground yesterday while out on a walk...summer came and went so quickly here...)