Tigers vs Royals

 Prince Fielder

 Justin Verlander

 Austin Jackson

 Quintin Berry

You need to be ready in this area!

Had the opportunity to see the Tigers play in Kansas City while I was there. Unfortunately, it was a stinker of a game and the Tigers lost. Verlander pitched one of his worst games ever and Fielder didn't even get a hit. It was a fun game to watch with lots of hitting and we did have a nice time. Thanks to Mike's friend who got us tickets.

Hemlock Street

 I have had such a good time here in Kansas and the week has flown by. Leaving for home tomorrow am.

 Sean and Ginger

 Mike, Ginger and Twin

Rebecca and Mikey

I have so many stories to tell and pictures to post......will keep me busy for a time. 

Lenexa Dam and Spillway

Since arriving in Kansas, it has been overcast and gray....threatening rain that never really materializes. Mike took me on a hike around the Lenexa Spillway. It is a man made lake and nature preserve. The dam and spillway are really a cool design.

http://www.designwithinsight.com/other/174.html

Allison Fishing

Pirates of the Huron River

The Pirate flag is flying as the group starts the trip on the Huron River

 Didn't want to go on the canoe trip but met my friends there to see them off and take some photos

 Inge, Bernie and Ulanawa (in middle)

 The head pirates

 Rita (in back smiling)

Sean & Mikey 2011

Can't wait to see you guys!

Backyard Visitors

 Finally found a feeder that the sparrows don't like and the squirrels leave alone. Hope to keep the finches coming all winter.

 Mourning Dove

Love the expressions (if birds do have expressions) of question on the face of these morning doves. Sure wish that I lived in the country on a farm  ;-)

A Walk in the Park

 We had a great "nature walk" on Friday. Even though the dark clouds were threatening, it never did rain and our walk was a success. 
I took some great photos. Wanted to get pictures of Emma playing her flute with the woods as a back drop. While she was playing a cardinal started singing along. It was really a special duet!

 Cherry Island Trail

We Are The Champions

 So happy that Liam and his team won the little league world series, beating a team that was undefeated the whole season and were sure of a victory.......yea, you underdogs won it all!

Liam's team got their name on the scoreboard at Comerica Park during a Tiger game. Liam's name sure looks good up there!

(Thanks, Heather, for the pics)

Shopping at Meijers

 Now I am worried about some serious shrinkage on my part. How can my granddaughter be taller than me?

 The serious shopper. Emma happy to buy whatever she wants.

 Liam comparing stats...carbs, sodium and price. Ya, right!

It's crackers and  "spray" cheese for the Lions game

The Acorn Theory

It is said that the size and amount of acorns predict the weather for the winter to come. I respect the mighty Oak tree but am sceptical about this weather theory.
My neighbor has a beautiful oak on the edge of his front yard that hangs over my drive and yard. It is a beautiful tree providing shade and a home to many birds and squirrels. The curse of the tree is the acorns that start to drop sometimes as early as July. Last year we had  a  bumper crop and I was out there every few days sweeping up piles of these little future Oak trees.
Some people say that the more acorns there are, the more severe the winter will be. Well, as you know, despite all the falling acorns, our winter last year was very mild....so does this theory hold water...or snow as the case may be?

Our Gnarly Oak

Now we are into August and hardly an acorn has fallen. Does this mean a mild winter? Goes against the theory. Someone said that the low acorn production is due to the drought and hot weather...make sense. But listen to this.....my neighbor swears that the weather is predicted by the squirrel's tail. The busher the tail the harder the winter. I thought the tail size was genetic...silly me. Anyway, just to be sure I checked this morning and my backyard squirrel's tail was long and thin.....so another predicton of a mild winter.
Since the weather is one thing that we have no control over, I will just say that I am happy to:
1. Not hurt my bare feet on those small pointy acorns
2. Hours of labor saved on clean up
3. No more crunchies when I back my car out the drive way
Just hope there is enough for the squirrels to "squirrel" away for the winter

Just remind me in March to post a follow-up story on the "Acorn Theory"