Life Along Lake Michigan

Sunny Sunday
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:34 PM GMT en Agosto 31, 2008 +0
Another perfect day along Lake Michigan. It is 63 and very clear here this morning, not a single cloud in the sky. The stars were out shiny and bright last night when I went to bed. The big dipper clearly outlined in the dark sky to the north. The forecast is for a high in the mid 80's, but less humid than the days of July and early August.
I can't believe that this is the last day of August. It has been a summer filled with blue skies and warm temperatures. The kids were all here and the house was filled with food and laughter and conversation. The Olympics and the political conventions were all hot topics to discuss over dinner each evening. I realized how much I missed hearing their thoughts and opinions.
Tomorrow begins the first day of September, I wonder what it will bring for our country and our family? Each day is a new beginning and we have hope for the future and what it will bring to all of us. Hurricane Gustav is spinning away in the Gulf, we are thankful to live in Michigan away from that storm. We are hoping the citizens of New Orleans will be saved from this horrendous situation.
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Fog
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:53 PM GMT en Agosto 30, 2008 +0
This is the second morning that I have woken up to see fog outside my window. The temperature fell to 55F overnight last night and will increase rapidly this morning into the mid 80's.
Fog delays are not uncommon during the first week of school. Now that school has a mandate to begin after Labor Day, there seems to be a strong possibility that we will have a fog delay that first week. The dry air mass overhead in September allows for a rapid cooling overnight which causes the fog to form.
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Hurricanes Bring Calm Weather
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:51 PM GMT en Agosto 29, 2008 +0
It is a sad truth here in Holland, MI that when a hurricane is in the Gulf it brings us pleasant, calm weather. I have hear it explained that the hurricane blocks the systems that meander their way from west to east across the country. It seems that the systems move more slowly this time of year and when a big low pressure is blocking them, the weather stays in a rather stagnant, non stormy circumstance for those of us in the midwest.
Our day today is hazy, warm and humid. The breeze is light and we have not had any measurable rain in our rain gauge for about a month. The weeds along the bike path are slightly wilted and the grass has a yellowish straw color from lack of rain. My daylilies have been blooming since early July and now are just about finished. A few blossoms are left to appear, but only a few. Tomatoes are ripening, sunflowers are just beginning to show a blossom, cosmos and zinnias have more leaves than flowers. A late frost will allow us to see their full potential.
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Farewell to Summer
Posted by: JanesVacation, 3:38 PM GMT en Agosto 28, 2008 +0
I guess today begins the farewell to summer for me. It has already begun since I started back to school part time this week. My daughter and her fiance flew back to Montreal this morning. When we left Holland it was sunny with temperatures around 70F. Near GrandRapids it begam extremely cloudy. We couldnt decide if it was low clouds or fog. The temperature there was about 65F. When we returned to Holland at about 10:30 AM it was still sunny and pleasant. Living near Lake Michigan is great in the fall. The temperatures stay warm because of the warm lake water and the air tends to be sunny and dry.
I'm not sure if I will continue to post this fall...we will see.
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Farewell to Summer
Posted by: JanesVacation, 3:38 PM GMT en Agosto 28, 2008 +0
I guess today begins the farewell to summer for me. It has already begun since I started back to school part time this week. My daughter and her fiance flew back to Montreal this morning. When we left Holland it was sunny with temperatures around 70F. Near Grand Rapids it became extremely cloudy. We couldn't decide if it was low clouds or fog. The temperature there was about 65F. When we returned to Holland at about 10:30 AM it was still sunny and pleasant. Living near Lake Michigan is great in the fall. The temperatures stay warm because of the warm lake water and the air tends to be sunny and dry.
I'm not sure if I will continue to post this fall...we will see.
Updated: 3:38 PM GMT en Agosto 28, 2008   Permalink | A A A
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Michigan Weather
Posted by: JanesVacation, 6:25 PM GMT en Agosto 27, 2008 +0
Most of the year here in Michigan people complain about the weather. In fact, right now the comments are all directed at how dry it has been for the past month. However, in reality, unless you are a farmer, it has been spectacular. Everyday we wake up to cool clear air and by afternoon it is a cloudless sky and 80F. It couldn't be more spectacular.
My daughter and her fiance travel back to Montreal tomorrow. I have had the opportunity to spend several weeks with them this summer and it has been a fantastic time. Perfect weather has just further enhanced the entire experience.
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Teacher Meetings
Posted by: JanesVacation, 9:17 PM GMT en Agosto 26, 2008 +0
Started back to school for more teacher meetings this morning. We have to get the classrooms ready for the kids next week! I left the house in 49F weather, it certainly seemed like fall. I wore a sweatshirt in the morning, but the temperature is around 79F this afternoon.
My daughter and her fiance took the train to Chicago for the day. It will be a gorgeous day there!
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Great Monday
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:12 AM GMT en Agosto 26, 2008 +0
Such a nice day today! Highs in the mid-70's and low humidity, wind from the east. Blue, cloudless sky. We went to visit our parents today and enjoyed the ride through Michigan.
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Fantastic Weekend - the best!
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:31 PM GMT en Agosto 24, 2008 +0
Hazy, hot, humid, no rain weekend. The house is filled with kids, fiance and laughter.
Sunday morning we have the windows open and the cooling is beginning.
Great!
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Warm and Humid and Lots of Company!
Posted by: JanesVacation, 8:32 PM GMT en Agosto 22, 2008 +0
The gang is all here this weekend, so I may stop my weather blog for awhile. The weather is reminding us that it is still summer. Hazy, warm and very humid this afternoon. The pool is open and 85F.
We had one 15 second shower at 10AM, that was the first one of the last two weeks.
Kids and boyfriend are all here for the birthday weekend - my sister and her family will join us for a piece of cake this evening. These are the good times of summer.
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Cloudy Tuesday
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:56 PM GMT en Agosto 19, 2008 +0
It is a cloudy and humid morning here by the lake. Last night I washed off my patio table on my back deck. This morning I notice that the table top is still wet and the deck is wet as well. That is 12 hours outdoors without drying.
I am preparing for company to come on Thursday. I think they will have a hot and humid weekend here.
Tomorrow I go back to school for the first time for a scheduling meeting. No big deal - more vacation to follow!
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Crazy Humid
Posted by: JanesVacation, 9:02 PM GMT en Agosto 18, 2008 +0
I have returned to crazy humid. In 5 days I forgot how humid it is here in Michigan. I am glad to be back. First job is to power wash the vinyl siding since it is covered in green gunk and bugs on the north side of the house. The grapevines were not the only thing that was effected by rot during the wet spring and humid summer.
I saw a yellow bird land on my coneflower this afternoon. I believe it is a gold finch. It's yellow with black markings.
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Travel Day
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:51 PM GMT en Agosto 17, 2008 +0
I fly home today from Montreal and the weather seems pleasant and agreeable. The temperature is in the upper 60's this morning and Detroit and Grand Rapids seem calm and pleasant today. I guess NWA will be the question mark and not the weather on this August Sunday.
Skies are quite cloudy this morning as I sit by the open window in the NDG section of Montreal. The wind is blowing lightly and the neighborhood is quiet this morning. It seems as quiet as it does at home which is strange since there are likely as many people on this block as there are in a 5 mile radius at home.
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Celine
Posted by: JanesVacation, 2:38 AM GMT en Agosto 17, 2008 +0
The weather will not be discussed here since seeing Celine in Montreal was so amazing it makes the weather seem silly. (And the weather never seems silly to me!)
Last night was the high point of my summer.Seeing Celine in Montreal with my daughter on the night of her premier in Quebec after 7 years.
Amazing songs, costumes, choreography, everything. It was a night to remember. Her voice is better than ever and her concert was unforgettable (even if it was all in French.)
WOW.
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Montreal Weather
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:13 PM GMT en Agosto 15, 2008 +0
It is partly cloudy and about 65F here in Montreal this morning. We are looking forward to another sunny day. I was interested in seeing the mature pear trees growing in my daughter's neighborhood yesterday. The trees were old and beautiful and laden with large, ripening pears. They were beautiful and we were jealous that there isn't one of those tress in her garden. The people were also growing tomatoes and beans that were climbing up the chain link fence. The tomatoes were staked close together and were laden with fruit.I did not expect such bountiful gardens here in the city. My daughter saw a skunk run past at dusk last night - hahaha, the animals know where to come for a meal or a snack.
Tonight we have tickets to see Celine Dion at the Bell Centre. She was featured on the morning news today as Montrealers welcome her back to her hometown.The concert is at 8.
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25C in Montreal
Posted by: JanesVacation, 10:51 PM GMT en Agosto 14, 2008 +0
The weather is exactly the same in Holland, MI and Montreal, Quebec today. Same temperature, same blue sky with fluffy clouds and light breezes.
My daughter and I went t a little town in Quebec called Chambly. It is a small town about a half hour west of Montreal. It is built along a river and there is a fort there to walk around and enjoy. I took a few pictures over the river and enjoyed the small town atmosphere. We visited a young friend of my daughter's, they used to be coworkers. it was a lovely day and I enjoyed myself.
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In Montreal
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:05 PM GMT en Agosto 13, 2008 +0
It is 60 and a bit cloudy here in Montreal this morning. I arrived on time yesterday afternoon. The flight was excellent. I could see the fluffy cumulus clouds drifting and also enjoy the sight of the land below. We had a small rain shower, but it was light and we had an umbrella. It's great staying here with my daughter, all of the comforts of home!Today we are going to the Traveling Pants 2 movie.
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Clear and Quiet
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:00 PM GMT en Agosto 11, 2008 +0
It is a clear and quiet beginning to the Monday. I went out and started a small fire while the winds are quiet and the woods is damp from the overnight dew. It seems like fall with the cool and dry weather, but a glance at the calendar is a reminder that we are still in not quite mid-August.
I'm leaving for Montreal in the morning. I hope the weather will clear up while I am there. It has rained for most of the summer in Montreal. They have hardly had a single day when it hasn't rained. I won't mind too much, but my daughter has the summer off and it has not been favorable weather to get out and about. We will have a wonderful time. We have tickets to see Celine Dion live at the Bell Centre on Friday night!
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Upper 50's
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:57 PM GMT en Agosto 10, 2008 +0
Woke up to temperatures in the upper 50's here this morning. I can't remember a morning this cool the entire summer. I think it is a sign of things to come. The skies are blue and the air is very fresh. This is one of the best weather days in Michigan. It will not be a good day for swimming, but it will be perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying!
Jeff is packed up and ready to head to MSU today. He has taken classes most of the summer, so it will not be a big change for any of us this year. His 21st birthday is later this month. I hope he will come home sometime and pick up his birthday gifts and have a slice of chocolate cake with us!
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Sunny,Blue Sky Saturday
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:41 PM GMT en Agosto 09, 2008 +0
Yesterday was a fun day in East Lansing with my son. We enjoyed blue skies and 80 degree temperatures. The normally green grass at MSU was noticeably brown. That was surprising, since I have always commented that MSU has the greenest grass of any location I have ever visited.
Today is another sunny, clear sky day although rain showers are predicted later this afternoon. My tomatoes are larger and I have lots on my vines...but they are not ripening yet. I imagine I will have about 20 all ready at one time.
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Less Humid
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:21 PM GMT en Agosto 07, 2008 +0
It is a pleasant morning here today. The rain from last night (about .5 inches) moved out and left blue skies and less humid temperatures near 70 degrees. Looks to be a fine day! The grass and plants all seem a bit greener after the rain which was the second one in about 4 days. The outlook here is for cooler and drier conditions.
I'll be traveling to East Lansing tomorrow with my son. I am trying to decide what I would like to do while he is in class. He will be moving out for the fall semester on Sunday.
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August 6
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:07 PM GMT en Agosto 06, 2008 +0
Another pleasant summer day ahead. The sky is a bit hazy this morning due to humid conditions. We are looking forward to sunny skies with highs in the low 80's.
Jeff is coming home today from East Lansing for the weekend. I will head to the farmer's market this morning to look for some goodies. I am anxious for summer tomatoes. Mine are looking good, but have not ripen yet. I am hoping for corn, tomatoes and greens at the market.
Some communications from school this week. I'm beginning to find my thoughts are headed back to the classroom. Vacation seems more precious now that Labor Day is getting closer.
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Warm Day
Posted by: JanesVacation, 5:58 PM GMT en Agosto 05, 2008 +0
Warm and humid today. A high in the mid 80's is predicted. Very warm last night - left the A/C running and a fan.
Taking it easy today after a health screening test. Life is good.
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Stormy Monday
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:50 PM GMT en Agosto 04, 2008 +0
It is a stormy Monday morning. Woke up to rumbles of thunder out over Lake Michigan. You can hear the storms coming for a long time when you are near the lake. They rarely can sneak up on us when they are moving across the water it echos for a long time before they arrive. Many times the relatively cool water will calm them before they reach our shores. We received some welcome rain since it hadn't rained here in about two weeks. I would say about a .5 inch, but a trip to the rain gauge will tell later. At least I will not have to water much today, except the pots.
We are looking for a high in the mid 80's, so I assume the sun will be out soon. Cooler towards the end of this week. I am thinking about the school building secretaries headed back to work this week. They don't have the long vacations that we teachers get. There is a lot to prepare along the lines of paperwork for the students when they arrive in a few weeks. The MSU tuition bill is due in a few days. Jeff is a senior this year, so it is the last giant fall check to write for him. I'm really proud of his work and his direction. His 21st birthday comes at the end of August. That is really amazing to me.
Updated: 1:52 PM GMT en Agosto 04, 2008   Permalink | A A A
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Sunny and Clear
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:07 PM GMT en Agosto 03, 2008 +0
More of the same (can't complain). Sunny, clear, highs in the lower 80's. No rain and little humidity. Starting the day in the lower 60's. The pool is covered to keep it warm at night.
Daylilies are a beautiful mass of yellow and orange by my front porch. I will be dividing them when they are finished blooming later this month. Too bad the deer enjoy them so much. I will have to set them out either near the house or within the fence.
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Sunny Saturday
Posted by: JanesVacation, 1:48 PM GMT en Agosto 02, 2008 +0
Most Saturday's this summer began with rain. The last two have started out sunny and pleasant! Michigan has terrible weather most of the year, but it certainly makes up for it (almost) by having perfect weather the last week of July and the first week in August. The days have been sunny and warm (80F ish) and the nights are cool (mid 60's). These two weeks of the year also tend to always be dry.
I am comparing this summer to last summer when we felt that the weather was the best ever. Last summer was hot and humid and sunny! It started in June and lasted through September that way. This year had a much later beginning and it has certainly not been as hot. Our A/C costs have been down, which is a good thing and our pool is consistently 88F now without using the heater. That is also a good thing! I spend more time at home this summer because of the high gasoline prices. I have been combining my errands and not going out in the car everyday. The phone has become more important! We are all keeping in touch by email and phone and Skype!
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No Changes
Posted by: JanesVacation, 12:43 PM GMT en Agosto 01, 2008 +0
Everyday has been the same now for about two weeks. It is sunny, blue sky and mid 80's in the afternoon. The nights have been warm, some much warmer than others. Usually varies only from the mid 60's to the 70 range. Definitely the dog days of summer.
I am excited about visiting my daughter in Montreal on the 12th. I have purchased my overpriced airline ticket that will allow me to get to Montreal in a few hours instead of driving the usual 12-14 hour trip. Overpriced suddenly just makes sense, an opportunity to spend more time with my daughter instead of more time on Highway 401!
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About JanesVacation
I am a teacher and I enjoy living along Lake Michigan. It is a beautiful place that makes me feel like I am on vacation!

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