Gone But Not Forgotten

As many of you know, my baby brother was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago. He was 45 years old at the time.

I spent five weeks here in Michigan this summer visiting with him and family. Time that I now cherish even more than I ever thought I would.

As his horrible disease progressed, I was summoned back in mid-October for the final vigil.

My dearly loved brother, Jeff, passed away on November 20.

Although I am still grieving horribly over this loss, I do want to take a moment to share a thought with all of you.

Do not ever allow a loved one to die at home and do not choose to do it yourself. We all seem to think that it is going to be like in the movies. Peaceful in bed with adoring family surrounding you as you draw that last, sweet breath. The truth could not be further from than image.

It is an ugly, horrible, terrible and traumatic time for the patient and the caregivers/family. I'm sure my brother would not have chosen to go at home had he known the truth. His final weeks were desparate, traumatic times as we, the family, strove to care for him as he battled an unending period of nightime dementia. Although I would not hestitate to do it again, I wish that I had not had to do it in the first place. I am still mentally and physically exhausted from the ordeal of trying to make his final time with us as easy on him as possible.

I miss him. I always will. He was my brother and my friend. Rest in peace, Jeff. I know that God has you safely in his care now.

Here I Go!

As you read this, I am back in Michigan. Bob stayed home to guard the homefront. I am going to be here at least a couple of months again. I wish it were purely for pleasure. heavy sigh.

I will continue to post from there. Some about Isla, but probably mostly about Michigan while I am there. Don't expect to hear from me everyday though. Behave yourselves while I gone!

Growing Up Quickly

For those of you who don't recognize him, it's Charlie. My "nephew" and son of best friends Carlos and Andrea. He was 7 months old in that picture, taken on Mexican Independence Day.

His mother and father are from the Yucatan originally. Notice that he is wearing the traditional shirt of the Yucatan, the guaybera. So cute.

The Top Side

I showed you the Dam from the bottom side yesterday, today we need to see it from the top.

This is only part of the massive lake that is formed behind the dam.

I still think that driving across the dam is a bit on the spooky side.

You can see here where one is actually below the water level at one point.

The spillway. I have never heard of its' being used.

Looking down at the generator building.

The upper side of the dam is not renowned for its' fishing. It is a place of speedboats, sailboats, water skiers and jet skies.

And, oh yes, these things.

There is a small inlet off the side of the dam, right beside the road. A marina has been built there and people store all kinds and types of houseboats there when not out on the water.

Some of them are quite large.

Others a bit tinier. But still with plenty of leisure time room.

Some of them have pretty clever names too.

Couldn't read that very well? Try this view.

One thing they all have in common: they love to show off their patriotism. Nothing wrong with that.

I think it is interesting that this phenomenom of houseboats has emerged here on this dam lake. Given all the highspeed boats, I would think they don't really stand a chance of any quiet time on the lake. But there are pontoon boats on the lake also. With motors powerful enough that they can actually tow skiers. It's a pretty lake with a pretty shoreline, but, still, I don't really care to go out on it. Boats, you know.

The Dam Post

Sometimes I think, and even maybe hope, that it is human nature to start taking ones' surroundings for granted. One of the things we promised each other when we moved here was to remind each other that we should never forget how lucky we are to be living on this beautiful island full time. And how gorgeous the view is from our front deck.

With that in mind, while I was in Michigan this summer, I decided to revisit a few areas that I had not visited in years. I wanted to look at them again with an eye that was not used to seeing them anymore. Would they stand the test of time? Would they be as interesting as I remembered? I think so, but you can judge for yourselves.

Introducing to you the Croton Dam.




This was the first dam constructed on the Muskegon River and it was completed in 1907.




It is 40 feet high and holds 7.2 billion gallons of water. It is capable of producing enough electricity to supply the annual needs of 6000 homes.


A view downriver from the dam.






I wanted to take a walk along the edge, seeking photo ops. That idea quickly came to a halt!





The Muskegon is a fairly quiet river, but not without its' dangers.

A view back upstream. The bridge is the highway that crosses below the actual dam.

I was pleased to see that it was not all icky with grafitti.

There is some good fishing to be had in this river. It attracts a lot of fishermen here below the dam. My brother-in-law told me what they fish for here. But as usual, when he starts talking hunting and fishing, I kind of tune him out!

Just for fun, I used my zoom feature. Just because I can, I guess.

The dam, however, is not without controversy. Some people would like to see it, and it's sister dam at Hardy, torn down. They don't generate enough electricity anymore to be significant, they argue. (tell that to the 6000 homes they supply.) They cut the river into unnatural segments, blocking the natural flow and interaction of fish species. They cause pools of stagnant water to form. They change the oxygen levels and temperature of the water downstream.

I think these two dams will be safe for a long while yet though. At least I hope so. They are part of the history and heritage of the area where I grew up.