Normandy Cemetary

D-Day Cemetery, originally uploaded by Jason's Travel Photography.

Lessons learned from innovative Yooper recycler

The Mining Journal has a neat article on a couple from Harvey that are in their mid-80s and are really into recycling. Some of this younger generation might think that recycling is a new thing that folks have come up with to treat the environment in a kinder, gentler fashion. Believe it or not, but your grandparents and great-grandparents could probably teach you a few things about recycling. The generation that lived through the Great Depression didn't recycle to "save the earth" - they recycled because there was no other way to survive.

Betty and Charlie Shirtz learned their recycling lessons in the Great Depression and continue to recycle today - not because they can't afford new things, but because they wish to use less energy and give new life to "old" things. What a great concept to see someone continuing to practice into their mid-80s.

Do yourself a favor and read the article :)

Detroit Tigers home opener!

Play Ball! The Detroit Tigers open the 2008 season this afternoon at Comerica Park for a 1:00pm tilt against the Kansas City Royals. Whether or not they make it to the World Series this year I think it will be a fun time listening/watching the Tigers. They have one of the best lineups in baseball and some of the best fans.

Bill over at The Detroit Tiger Weblog has all of the information you will need whether you're going to the game or catching it on the radio or television. It's a fun place to chat with other Tigers fans before, during, and after games.

As I did last year, here is the way legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell would open each and every Detroit Tigers season -

For, lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

Play Ball!

Was Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan behind Michigan Is Amazing?

Yesterday, after posting about MichiganIsAmazing.com shutting down on January 31, 2008 I did some quick searching to find out just who was behind this blog/website. A WhoIs Lookup didn't tell me a thing as any private data was hidden. I then remembered seeing BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield) of Michigan ads prominently displayed at MichiganIsAmazing.com. So, I googled "bcbs michigan+michigan is amazing" and the first search result took me to this blog post.

It looks like she figures that BCBS was behind the site, but like me, couldn't figure out why things were not made more obvious as to who was backing MichiganIsAmazing.com. I also remember they had ads online at the Detroit Free Press and other Michigan newspapers pointing you to the site. Maybe BCBS of Michigan were just trying to build some goodwill for themselves by showcasing our wonderful state.

Anyone else have any ideas?

You know it has been a rough Michigan winter when . . .

The top news headline of each day is one of the following:

• "Yet another day of single digit temperatures"
• "4-6 inches of snow expected overnight"
• "Number of potholes at a record high"
• "Warm temps and rain to bring another round of flooding"
• "Today's near record warmth to be followed by sub-zero wind chills"

Seriously, I can't remember a winter like this where we have had so many 30 degree temperature changes in a matter of hours. There are flood warnings about every other week and the constant fluctuations in temperature have created the most pothole filled roads I have seen on paved roads here in Michigan.

The good news?

One month from tomorrow, February 20, Spring officially begins on March 20, 2008!

For those longing for more light later in the evening - Daylight Saving Time begins March 9th.

And as they say - "Hope Springs Eternal."