How many times have you heard someone say, “Time flys when you are having fun?” How about, “As I get older, the time goes by so fast” or “Where have all the years gone?” It does seem like time goes by much faster as we age, doesn’t it? Maybe it is because we are all getting older. I remember as a boy how it seemed like the school year defined eternity and when summer vacation finally arrived, it lasted forever too.

When Labor Day has come and gone and the kids have gone back to school, you can say that summer is officially over. By now you have already done all your back-to-school shopping and you are just watching your mailbox waiting for the dreaded credit card bills.

It was a good summer. Sure, it was hot and dry at times but all in all we should be thankful for the season and all of the activities we were able to enjoy. Some got to go on family vacations traveling to places far from home. It was a chance to do things as a family and maybe to visit relatives and friends that we hadn’t seen for a long while. Others stayed close to home maybe due to work or the insanely high gas prices. The good news is that if you did stick close to home, you are in a place that other people dream of coming to for a vacation. We have tons of natural beauty right on our doorstep waiting for us to enjoy. The Great Lakes and thousands of beautiful inland lakes beckon us along with more acres of forestland than we could ever explore.

For many of us retired folks it was a time for the kids, grandkids, and good friends to pay us a visit. For some reason they would rather travel north during the summer than in January. I can’t say as I blame them. This year, as in the past, we escorted some of our guests on tours of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Fishtown, and the wine country of Leelanau and Old Mission. These are just a few of our favorite places. We worked on projects around the cottage and we even got to explore South Manitou, which was on our list of things to do.

I’m not sure why the time seems to pass by so quickly these days but it does. I’m convinced there is some scientific reason why, but frankly I don’t concern myself with it. I’m just glad to be here, try to enjoy each day to it’s fullest and am thankful for the good times of a fleeting summer season.

Well, it's official. Spring is back and Summer is just around the corner. Yesterday, we saw our first humming bird at the feeder. We had our feeder out for the past week and one just arrived. We have also welcomed the return of the Grossbeaks and the Oreoles who also just arrived. The Oreoles will visit your humming bird feeder but their favorite treats are oranges and grape jelly. If you want to keep them around, keep it available to them.

One thing that is very important is to change the nectar in your feeder weekly. This is especially important as it gets warmer. The sugar content attracts bugs and the liquid will actually spoil if left too long...it ferments.

The somewhat unwanted Canada Geese have been her long enough to have hatched out their young. Though not appreciated by the local residents, the little yellow chicks are cute. An Osprey was spotted along the lake along with several Bald Eagles. It's great to see all the birds back who had left us for the winter. 

Not only are the loons back but they have already been spotted on their nest platform. It is still speculation as to whether we get the same pair of loons back every year. The curious thing is that they magically show up the same day the nesting platform is put out on the lake. It is an amazing part of nature's wonder. We have heard them calling during the night and in the mornings. The eagles are also back and can be seen looking for an easy meal.

It's time to put out the humming bird feeders. We have heard that a few have already been spoted in the area. It's a good idea to clean your feeder and rinse it well before filling it with fresh sugar water. It is also recommended that you change the food weekly. Don't wait for it to become empty before refilling it with fresh food. If you make a batch of food that is more than your feeder will hold, refrigerate it until you refill your feeder.

Wild mushrooms are coming into season and usually peak out around mid-May. Be sure to pick and eat only mushrooms that you are confident are safe and limit your consumption if it is the first time you are trying them. Some people can be allergic to even safe mushrooms. While your in the woods looking for "shrooms" be sure to enjoy all the beautiful wild flowers. The Trillium and Trout Lily are out along with columbine, ferns, and other odds and ends. Take your camera and enjoy your hike.