Hello, Friends! In between a busy schedule of painting and repairs on our new/old house, Mr. P and I have been enjoying the warmer weather, and particularly the explosion of leaves and flowers on the deciduous trees and in the gardens and on the porches of many of our neighbors. We had one day that was much too hot for me, but so far, only one, so I have nothing to complain about. I am loving the mostly cool and humid spring climate here in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I told my husband it’s sort of like a cool Hawaii—lots of interesting weather changes within a day along with a lush and verdant landscape. It can go from sunny to cloudy and back again in no time.
Our neighborhood consists of a sweet few blocks of century old two-story homes built for employees of the Ford plant that was here at the time, along with a park and a three-story home, called “the clubhouse” used by Ford and other important individuals.
“…Construction on the houses […] in the upper Ford Addition began in mid-May, 1924. Placed 24 to a block and kept in good repair by a crew of men employed by the Ford Motor Company for that purpose, the homes had electric lights, indoor bathrooms and were wired for a telephone. Most had three rooms downstairs, three rooms upstairs and a large cement basement. Some had five rooms, three on the ground floor and two upstairs. The smaller bungalows had five small rooms. Prices ranged from $3,500 to $5,500. A block-and-a-half square situated between Woodward Avenue and Hamilton Avenue was left for a park in the 600 block. In 1928 the park was equipped with tables, benches and garbage cans. A bandstand was erected in 1929, and a concert was held every Wednesday evening during the summer months. A cinder path was added in 1930 and tennis courts were also added [Menominee Range Historical Museum].” https://history.dickinsoncountylibrary.org.
I’m told we have our own little neighborhood parade, that the high school band marches down our street, and that we have a very big Halloween turnout here. The middle school, high school, a little lake, a park, medical clinic, a brew pub, tavern, and restaurant are all within easy walking distance. Nearby there are bigger lakes, the Menominee River, ski hills . . . . just all kinds of wonderful natural beauty. Walking and kayaking are our favorite activities here so far.
It’s fun to watch the rhythms of the place unfold as we begin to find our place here, bit by bit.
Reading News:
My latest reads include
Blonde Dust, Tatiana de Rosnay—loved it!
My Husband’s Wife, Alice Feeney—entertaining
Judge Stone, James Patterson and Viola Davis—entertaining
Broken Country, Clare Leslie Hall—loved it
The Widow, John Grisham—entertaining
The Missing Pages, Alyson Richman–entertaining
My current read is Slivers, by Vicki Atkinson. Vicki is a fellow WordPress blogger and author of the wonderful memoir, Surviving Sue, which I loved. She is a licensed professional counselor with a doctorate in Adult Education and degrees in Psychology. I’m delighted to read her debut novel, Slivers, and will be writing a review soon!
Happy Reading! Happy Summering! XXXOOO -Lori
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
Slivers by Vicki Atkinson
“In a single week in the summer of 1973, a quiet suburban neighborhood implodes when generations of mystical deceit become too much to bear. Drawn to the web of secrets and lies, the other worldly slivers refuse to be ignored, pushing one family to the brink.” –Slivers blurb
Vicki Atkinson employs her considerable knowledge of psychology, a deep interest in intuition, and a firm commitment to empathy to create a novel about a family in distress in her debut novel, Slivers. The young protagonists share much more than they realize as they struggle to reveal the source of strange supernatural swirls, voices, tendrils, smoke, and more that plague them and their families.
Slivers combines teen camaraderie and adventure with a strong nod to tradition, ancestors, and the importance of unity. It speaks of family ties, and the importance of avoiding self-serving interests. It also offers some resplendent images that I very much enjoyed, such as this one:
“…a brilliant sunburst flooded the room. The legacy box grew and its ornate lid opened, revealing a scroll, unfurling until it filled the entire closet, floor to ceiling. The man in the portrait was no longer there, but his presence remained as he gave a one-word command to the scroll: “Reveal!” The largest family tree they’d ever seen hovered before them, grand and imposing with hundreds of large and small branches, each with names and tiny portraits…”
When you read the book, be sure not to miss the fascinating reveal in the Author’s Notes at the end. I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s a bit of Atkinson’s family history she discovered while doing research for the novel. Its relevance really adds weight to the story’s impact.
I’m lucky to have found Vicki Atkinson through my WordPress blog and to have read her riveting memoir, Surviving Sue, which if you haven’t already, I strongly suggest you read. Vicki is a generous writer and friend, one that I am proud to recommend!
Be sure to visit Vicki Atkinson at https://victoriaponders.com. You will love Dr. Vicki!
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