Michigan Rock Salt Shortage Reminds Us to Get Emergency Supplies Now

Well, it looks like Snowmageddon is back for, what round are we on now, like 26? 3-7 more inches coming down as we speak. Cold, blustery, drifts, lake effect snow, you name it. Husband announced there's a shortage of rock salt in West Michigan. He tried three home improvement stores and several big box vendors and finally found some at a little feed store. That reminds me, if you're in a winter storm zone haven't done so already, pack that emergency kit, just in case. those aren't just for floods and hurricanes.   Snowmageddon Causes Michigan Rock Salt Shortage Probably Others, Get Emergency Supplies Now

You Think Michigan Winter 2014 is Bad? You Missed Blizzard of 1978

Our daughter called from Lafayette, Louisiana to say that life has pretty much shut down there due to the ice and snow. And she's making with the "you people call this winter?" jokes! She is a product of Grand Haven, Michigan. Home of dune-inspired "lake effect snow." You basically have our Great Lakes to thank for sending you that white stuff in bulk.



Since moving down south, she kept the snow brush dad gave her in her car. She got a lot of ribbing in those 105 degree summers. Well, now no one's laughing. In fact they're queuing up to borrow it! Dad is so proud of his baby girl's German common sense. He quipped, "yeah, she's probably the only one in the whole darn state to have one, unless it's in a gag gift shop."   You Think Winter 2014 is Bad? You Missed the Blizzard of 1978

My Love Affair with Detroit

Can you be in love with a city, especially one you don't know that well? I may be the oddball, but I have feelings for Detroit. I've always lived in Michigan, but never in its biggest, the Motor City. But it's always been like an older brother to us in the mitten state. Then our son moved there and I started writing about Detroit. And it was brought home to me in 3D Blue-Ray clarity, that what happens to Detroit affects us all.   My Love Affair with Detroit 

Lake Effect Snow and Michigan Winter Musings

 I live in Michigan. If you are kvetching about winter and that dirty four letter word that starts with an s, we are the kind people you have to thank. Our lovely Great Lakes and dunes are what creates "lake effect" snow. No, that's not just a really good stout from Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewing. Would that it were.

Between them, lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior work together to channel that lovely accumulation down on to many of you in in the south, west and east. Accumulation, btw, is another good IPA beer by New Belgium. I WILL Not Complain About Winter (Lather, Rinse, Repeat)

Where to find free Thanksgiving meals in Metro Detroit

Organizations and churches in Metro Detroit are gearing up to provide Thanksgiving dinner for those in need this year. Here are groups that host a community meal or provide free groceries to cook a Thanksgiving meal at home. Are you unemployed, disabled, shut-in, elderly, homeless, or otherwise in need? Contact one of these organizations to get food assistance. Some offer support specifically for veterans, also. Be sure to check Eastern Market for great prices, too. This article was written for Thanksgiving 2011. But places are offering free meals in 2013, too.Where to find free 2013 Thanksgiving meals in Metro Detroit

Michigan Welcomes Bumper Apple Crop After 2012 Fail

 I have lived in Michigan all of my life. And I have never seen such devastation to our fruit crop as we had in 2012. A trifecta of early high temps, premature budding and a heavy snow wiped out apples, peaches, cherries and some other fruits. You wondered why there were virtually none available? Because we had none to send. But this year? Oh baby, hold out those bags and baskets. Have we got fruit for you! 2013 is rocking the apples and are they welcome! Read on Record Michigan Apple Crop Welcome After 2012 Fail

Kwame Kilpatrick Gets 28 Years on Corruption, Racketeering in Detroit

The train wreck that Kwame Kilpatrick has become has finally been sidetracked. A federal judge sent the former Detroit mayor to prison for 28 years on 20+ charges of corruption, racketeering, probation violation. Defense is hoping he'll get off with 15.

I've been following this for awhile and I've got mixed feelings about the decision. Prison is probably the only solution. But I feel for the kids. The father of someone very dear to me has been in prison for 25 years. Dad was incarcerated when the person was a child. His time will be up soon and everyone is at a loss to know just what it will be like when he's released.  Kwame Kilpatrick Gets 28 Years for Detroit Corruption