Sunset on Lake Michigan

The sky was so interesting for this sunset! It had every shade from purple and denim blue to apricot, lemon yellow and black.  

This is a late July sky on the 45th parallel overlooking Lake Michigan. We are the Great Lakes state and we aren't kidding. This is just about the same view during the daytime. Magnifique!

Yes, the state of Washington is beautiful, but Michigan is pretty darn gorgeous too. I am lucky that I can spend time in both.

Lipstick Sunset

The night was coming on so dark and heavy - Fall was in the air; the days were shorter and definitely cooler. This particular life day had been gray, then everything changed at sunset and the deep teal of Lake Michigan was offset by iridescent pinks, lavender, apricot and yellow. 

It was a lipstick sunset.

Do you know the song?  I have a lovely memory of working with a woman one summer who was still receiving mixed tapes by an old flame.  They lived in different parts of the country, but every once in awhile a cassette tape full of music would arrive in her mailbox.  Their lives had moved on, but he still thought of her.  

She shared her favorite tape with me, I dubbed a copy (remember tape-to-tape?) and listened to the patchwork of songs all summer.  "Lipstick Sunset" by John Hiatt was one of my favorites.

Dreamy Sunset on Lake Michigan

A moment of delight: sunset on Lake Michigan.  I was drawn to these clouds, particularly the fact that the sky was periwinkle and apricot.  Some of the clouds appear to be raining, with wafts of texture pulling down.  I was on the phone when the sky looked just like this.  Apparently I was failing to make good conversation and the person on the line said, "What's going on?"  

I confessed. "I'm taking a picture of the sunset and it's hard to hold the phone and set the camera at the same time."  I explained that the sky was too beautiful to miss photographing it.  I promised that she would see this picture in the blog and could decided if my distraction was justified.  What do you think?

Sunset Swim in Lake Michigan

I took this photo many years ago during the "Summer Camp" my parents and I created for their grandchildren, who are my nieces and nephews.  Year after year, we had one week at the lake with just the girls and then one week with the three boys.  I was Head Counselor and it was so much fun.  We did crafts, baked cakes, hiked, painted landscapes, took them golfing, swimming and ended each night feeling that we had squeezed the best out of the day. 

On this particular night, the girls decided to go for a "Sunset Swim" and I am so happy that I had my camera with me at the beach.  I've frozen this moment in time.

For these girls, a moment of delight is floating in a pink inner tube with your cousins.  

Stormy Weather

Oooh...can you hear the dramatic movie score that could go along with this photo?  I happened to be in the Leland harbor last summer when a rain storm cropped up at sunset.  The colors are exactly as my camera captured it - vibrant, distinct and eerie.

I love how the rocks of the breakwater look dry and harsh, while the sky looks like something cooked up from a chemistry set.  You can see the hazy streaks of rain water falling from the sky.

With so much of the country experiencing drought, I was happy to see the rain today and thought that showcasing a beautiful storm was appropriate.

Oahu: Sunset and Surfers

We were on the North Shore of Oahu for a casual sunset dinner at "Jameson's by The Sea." Luckily my friends were patient with me, as I kept popping up out of my chair to run and take a picture. The sky was continually changing and I didn't want to miss a thing. I was rewarded with this shot of a surfer and his board crossing the breakwater. I feel confident when I say that this guy was having a good day.

A Beautiful Ending

Sometimes we all need a sunset to provide a beautiful ending to an otherwise hectic day. 

A sunset is a natural conclusion to the day - it says you've done all you can do today, go get some rest so that you can start again tomorrow.  This is when I like to pick up a good book and relax for a while.

If you are looking for some reading suggestions, trying looking at the website, Reading Group Guides.  It is loaded with book club "favorites" lists, plot summaries and discussion questions.  You can even look up books by theme (women and friendship, books set in foreign locales, memoirs) - I'm sure you can find some titles that interests you.  Good night and good reading!  

Sun Worship

So gorgeous!  You know how I love to stop everything in the Summer and watch the sun go down over Lake Michigan.  Well it has been ages since August and I have been missing this quiet time of night so much.

But this week I am lucky enough to see it rise over the ocean!  I've escaped the snow and cold of Michigan for a few days in the Sunshine State.

I love the shells (stay tuned for some wonderful jewelry!), the food and, of course, the view!  Most people come to Florida to lay in the sun, I choose an entirely different way to appreciate it.  

Take a moment and gaze at what looks like my own personal "inspirational poster." *sigh* 

Beach Fire on Lake Michigan

Tonight is the night! The first beach fire of the year and I can't wait. If the wind stays calm, we can sit on the shore of Lake Michigan and watch the sun go down.

Sitting at a beach fire always makes me want to write a screenplay. I can't think of the last time a campfire at sunset was the setting in a movie, can you? I really think that the romantic comedies of today are missing out and I would love to see some honest conversation in front of a crackling fire.

I can see it now...

Sunset

I miss watching the sun set.

In suburban life, the closest we get to a sunset is noticing some "pink in the sky." But once the Summer starts, I can spend a weekend in my favorite little town and see the sun sink into Lake Michigan. Two more weeks and I'll be there.

For me, nothing is more relaxing than watching the sky change from bright blue and yellow to smoky gray and red.

When I am at the lake, I stop everything to watch the sun set. The card game is suspended, the dishes are left to soak, the movie is paused.

Show some respect, I say, the sun is going down.

Summer Sunsets

I love a Summer sunset. With bright blue still in the sky, pinks and apricots mix it up along the horizon. I am known for "stopping everything" to dedicate time to watch the sun go down. I relax with a cup of decaf coffee (loaded with milk) and appreciate every minute. Have you been stopping to watch the sunset?

Sun Dial

The sun sets way to the right on the bay in the beginning of Summer. Each week it moves a little farther to the left, marking off the long glorious days. But by the time it sets behind Pyramid Point (the edge of land at left), it is truly Fall. I thought that a warm, satisfying dinner would be appropriate now that there is a chill in the air.

Chop Stacks

Salt & pepper pork chops and then brown them in a saute pan. Lay them across the bottom of a lidded roaster. Spoon a pile of instant rice on top of each chop. Layer a slice of fresh tomato over the uncooked rice. Layer a complete slice of yellow onion on top of each tomato slice. Cut a green pepper into rings and lay a ring on the onion. Pour a can of vegetable broth into the bottom of the pan. Cover with lid and bake at 350* for at least an hour until pork chops are cooked and tender (160 degrees on meat thermometer). This dish makes the whole house smell good. Enjoy!