"Michigan Mosaic" by janetanne

Michigan's colours are spread across the land like a fine quilt , changing with every new field of sown individuality. The textures and varieties are never ending as the light and length of days ebb and flow. The closer one looks, the more amazing are the details. The farther away one stands, the greater the awareness of man's miniscule existence. Michigan is a fertile land fed by the crystal clear waters and inhabited by the greenest greens and the bluest blues and every shade in between. Nature's creatures thrive and time continues to go by...Vincent is looking down from the clouds painting heaven's walls.
This photo was taken along old U.S. 27 between Mt. Pleasant and Clare just outside a small village called 'Rosebush!' When asked why they had planted such a huge field of sunfowers, the farmer's wife said that she 'didn't want to look at another field of beans again!'

An apple a day, keeps the doctor away...or so they say! Who could keep away from these delicious looking Michigan apples?

There is nothing better than sun-ripened Michigan Beefsteak tomatoes served with hot-buttered boiled corn on the cob...but, where is the corn? Oh well, we will just have to settle for a juicy tomato salad or maybe some hot tangy salsa with some corn chips...but where are the corn chips...? This could go on forever!
Three red tomatoes, sitting in the sun, let's have a picnic, let's have some fun!

My mother's best friend, Gertrude, has the greenest thumb I've ever met! Her Dalhias are almost as delicious looking as her tomatos and apples! At least, they would make a wonderful centerpiece for our luncheon table...or any table for that matter. For now though, we will leave them in the garden for all who pass by to enjoy!

Gertrude's Garden Elf taking a ride on his private Snail Sedan! Haven't we seen this little guy on some other travel pages before? This elf started out here, but whose VT pages he is bound to visit...that is up to you!!! Feel free to borrow him and put him on your pages! Let's see how many VT countries Gertrudes Elf can visit in 2005! Please don't forget to send me an e-mail from your pages though so I know where my little elf has gotten off to!

My mother (on the right), Martha and her flower-growing friend Gertrude...Two flowers in their own rights! My mother is the best! Not that I'm prejudice!

A Fruit-Piece

The afternoon of summer folds
Its warm arms round the marigold,

And, with its gleaming fingers, pets
The watered pinks and violets

That from the casement vases spill,
Over the cottage window-sill,

Their fragrance down the garden walks
Where droop the dry-mouthed hollyhocks

How vividly the sunshine scrawls
the grape-vine shadows on the walls!

How like a truant swings the breeze
in high boughs of the apple-trees!
James Whitcomb Riley