My how time flies

On Monday we celebrated Labor Day with an afternoon trip to Uncle John's Cider Mill to walk the farm trail after a relaxing morning at home.

This is the third year that we've spent our Labor Day walking the farm trail, and we always seem to enjoy it.  I think that makes it our new tradition.  

We usually check out the sunflower field first and then continue on the farm trail around the orchard, but this year, the sunflower fields were moved farther from the parking lot and the old sunflower field was replaced with a field of Zinnias.  

There were also seemingly more pumpkins this year, but maybe they had just moved from a different location.  Either way, we enjoyed both fields as we walked past them, continuing toward the sunflowers.

There didn't seem to be as many sunflowers this year, but the apple orchard did not disappoint.   I love walking past row upon row of trees loaded with apples of varying shades of red and yellow.  It also provides a little shade from the hot sun we have encountered on every visit.

We walked just shy of three miles before reaching the car.  Peaches was hot, thirsty, and tired when we got back, and she was very thankful to be able to lie down next to the car and get a nice drink.

After sitting for a bit just enjoyjng the day, we loaded into the car, made the very short drive down to Phillips Orchard to get a cider slush and some treats, and then enjoyed our snacks on the drive home.  It had been a good day.

Tuesday it was back to work after our nice long weekend.  We had rainy weather for part of the day, as well as on and off throughout the week, but thankfully we were able to get out for a neighborhood walk before sunset. 

We actually didn't wander far from home most of the week which was nice.  But it is also becoming more necessary as the sunsets get earlier, making the evenings seem so much shorter.  I feel like I barely have time to walk the dogs and eat dinner before it's dark now.  And it's only going to continue to get shorter as we move through the next few months. 

We enjoyed our Thursday night visit to the South Lansing Farmer's Market, and I was finally able to get some of my favorite egg rolls, which I've missed the last few times we've visited.   The girls said hello to friends, got their special treats from Fur Real Dog Snacks, and convinced me to take a walk around inside Feeder's so that they could see the birds and bunnies.

Then we made a mad dash to get to Preuss before they closed because I had a few things I needed to pick up there.   We made it with seven minutes to spare.  Then we walked around the block a few times to get in some exercise before heading home for dinner.

Friday was Fiona's first day of  her second year at Nature Preschool.  She was very excited about it despite the fact that her best friend Lilah is not attending the same preschool this year.  I'm sure she'll make new friends in no time.  She's a busy little girl with three half days of preschool every week and dance and gymnastics on her days off from school.  She is growing up so fast and I just need that to slow down a bit.

The girls and I drove downtown for our evening walk on Friday.  We had to check out the newest decorations for the fall that the City of Lansing had just installed the previous day.  While I think it's too early for Jack-o-lanterns, I do like this fun little addition to downtown for this Fall.

Then we walked around the Capitol Complex all the way to the Supreme Court Building and the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.  It was a beautiful way to start our weekend.

When we got home, I was busy making dinner, finishing a couple loads of laundry, doing dishes and some cleaning, and preparing some raffle baskets for the ISR Reunion the next day.  It was a hectic, but very productive evening, and I went to bed feeling like I had accomplished quite a lot.

Saturday morning I was up early getting ready for our fun-filled day ahead of us.  I loaded the car with our raffle items, packed a bag for myself and extra dog food for the girls, and, when it was time to leave, I loaded the girls into the car and we were off to the Chicago area for the reunion.

I was happy to get a picture with the girls before the reunion started, then I was ready for a day of selling 50/50 tickets, fun games and activities for the girls, visiting with fellow volunteers, and seeing lots of dogs!

It was hot...in the upper 80s with a heat index over 90, which Peaches didn't love, but there was plenty of water all around, and the heat didn't deter her from hoping for a snack while I ate.

They got to do the Pointer Picasso activity, and I came home with three cute pots, one painted by each of them and the third was a joint project.  

They also partook in the Frosty Paws eating contest where Mina came in second place for the second year in a row.  Peaches won prizes for being one of the laziest lickers and for bring the oldest dog there.  Everyone at the reunion always leaves with at least a prize or two, and it's always fun to watch the dogs pick out their prizes.

After a fun day at the reunion, we started our drive toward home.   I wasn't sure if we'd drive all the way or if we'd stop and stay somewhere along the way, but I knew for sure we'd stop to see the sunset.

We stopped just outside of Gary to eat dinner and stretch our legs, then continued our drive North and East.  I was able to find a small roadside park with beach access just a few miles off our path and headed there for our final stop of the day.  When we arrived at this little park, I couldn't believe what an amazing gem we had found.

We immediately headed to the water so Peaches could get a drink and I could get my feet wet.  Then we enjoyed a walk along the shore.

We stopped to enjoy the slowly setting sun so I could get some pictures of the girls.

Then I random stranger arrived at the beach and asked if she could take my picture with the girls.  I'm so glad she asked and that I said yes. 

I chatted with her a bit, and she shared with me that she lives locally and that I had found a hidden treasure of a beach that very few people know about.  I can't believe I was so lucky.  I am sure we will visit again. 

We stayed to watch the sun sink behind the clouds.  It was beautiful and amazing, and I was so glad that we had stopped.  The rest of our drive home was quiet and peaceful. 

We slept in Sunday morning and had a relaxing start to our day.

Then we had lunch and watched the Lions game.

I did get some cleaning and other things done around the house, and I finished some meal prep for the week.  Mina slept, and Peaches followed me around as I worked.  Then she tried for two hours to convince me it was time for her dinner.

Finally, we got out for a nice walk around the neighborhood before sunset to end our day.  We saw over 20 deer along the way and enjoyed the cooler temperatures.  The windows are now open and we'll be heading off to bed soon.  It has been such a nice weekend.  

It's hard for me to believe that Labor Day has already come and gone and that Summer is quickly drawing to a close.  Next weekend is our final weekend of Summer 2026, so we'll have to do what we can to make the most of it and the rest of this week.  

The arrival of September

September arrived this week without a lot of fanfare.  Generally, the coming of this month brings with it some strong feelings in my world.  It also almost always brings some sort of challenge my way.  But thankfully changing the calendar this year was seamless and uneventful.  

Maybe that was because we had just gotten back from our amazing week in the UP; maybe because August went so quickly that it was hard to fathom that it was already over.  No matter the reason, I'm glad that so far September has been quiet. 

The weather this week has been a little crazy.  Monday was cooler with some rain early in the day.  After work, I had to make the drive to St. John's to complete a home visit for the rescue, and the girls were able to come along.  After the home visit, we stopped in downtown St. John's for a walk around town and along the Fred Meijer CIS Trail.  It was a lovely walk, and we were all happy we had gotten out.

Tuesday was hot with temperatures in the 90s and the heat index over 100 degrees.  Ugh!  With the heat, we weren't able to get out for a walk, but we did take an after dinner drive, and Peaches happily hung her head out the window.  We stopped for ice cream before making the drive home.  It was a perfect night.

It was another hot day on Wednesday.  Without the ability to get out for a nice walk,  I made the decision to take the girls to Preuss Pets.  It is the perfect spot to entertain them on a hot day and they had the best time. We walked around the block so the girls could potty before and after walking around the store too.  Then we headed home for dinner.

Thursday wasn't as hot, but it was a rainy day.  We even had some big storms move through the area mid-afternoon.   I wasn't sure if the Farmer's Market would actually move forward for the evening after the storms, but we drove over to check it out.  We were happy to see that several of the vendors were there.  

We bought a few veggies from one vendor before taking a walk through Feeder's Pet store and around the neighborhood.   Then we stopped for a few baked goodies at the Farmer's Market before getting into the car to head home.

The weekend started with dinner with friends on Friday night.  It was a late night, but it was a nice way to start my long weekend.

Saturday the girls and I made a visit to my mom.  The traveling Vietnam Memorial was in Chesaning for the weekend and mom wanted to visit it. 

While we were there, we learned that they were also offering helicopter rides in a Vietnam War era Huey helicopter and mom really wanted to go, and when she asked me if I wanted to go too, of course I said yes.

I've been in a helicopter one other time in my life during the Bicentennial celebration in 1976.  That helicopter was much smaller, and my dad took me and my brother that time.  As a kid, I never thought about how that affected him, but many years later as an adult, I had the realization of just what courage it took for him to do that with us.  

After his time as a medic in Vietnam, helicopters always triggered memories and bad feelings for him, and for him to have taken us in that helicopter then must have been so hard.  While I don't remember much about the ride, I appreciate that experience so much.

My mom didn't get to go in that helicopter in 1976, so getting a chance to go with her 50 years later in a helicopter that was in Vietnam when my dad was there was pretty special.  The views were amazing and I'm really grateful for this experience.  I will not forget this day.

After the excitement of the helicopter ride, we were able to get the girls out for a walk around Showboat Park which we all really enjoyed.

Then we stopped at one of the tents with some interesting military items displayed. Of course I made the girls get their picture with this M2.  

Finally we headed back to mom's house where the girls were able to explore.  Mina always has to check out this wood pile.  After some time wandering around the yard and visiting with mom, it was finally time for us to head home after a long busy day.

After an extremely busy start to my weekend, i was absolutely exhausted by the time Sunday arrived.  While I originally had plans to get a bunch of things done around the house today, I just didn't have the energy.  Sometimes you just need to listen to your body, so we had a relaxing day at home.

The weather was too nice not to get outside, though so before dinner, I took the girls out to Padgett Park dog park for some fun.

We haven't been here in quite awhile and Mina was so happy for the opportunity to play ball and run to her heart's content.  And Peaches wandered around sniffing every inch of the park.

We were even lucky enough to have the whole park to ourselves for a while which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Plus the girls made a new friend, Rosie, a young Golden Retriever.   Peaches even tried to play with her for a bit which was pretty cute.

After well over an hour at the park, we finally headed home for dinner.  All of us were very happy we had gotten out for a little fun and were ready to settle in for our peaceful evening at home.

I'm thankful to have one more day this weekend so I can get some things done before my work week starts again and maybe we'll even get out for a little fun.  Summer is waning and soon Fall will arrive.  We're going to make the most of every minute of Summer that remains.

Here's to hoping the rest of September goes as well for us as the beginning has gone!