Art, Nature, Family & Veterans

May was a whirlwind of activity filled with the things we love and appreciate most in life - art, nature, our family, friends and Veterans. Our adventures began with our annual East Lansing Art Festival & MSU Spring Arts & Craft Show excursion and ended with a wonderful tribute to our Nation's finest. 

Me & Pam Late 1970's

I have been going to the East Lansing Art Festival with my stepmom Pam since I was a kid. Pam is an MSU graduate who majored in art. Each year after the show, Pam would take me on a tour through the art buildings or a walk through one of the many gardens on campus. We've kept up this tradition and now include Jason, Pam's wonderful husband Denny and our dear friends & former neighbors the Shinews.

​This year our daughter Asya (aka "The Kid") joined us too and I suspect Jason & The Kid are working on a new tradition of their own. They slipped off for an hour to drop a few coins at Pinball Pete's. Pinball Pete's is celebrating their 30th year in business!

So much beautiful art on display. I don't think we missed a single booth! I left with plenty of inspiration but no photos to share except for the garden stakes I purchased. I was having trouble deciding between the two until Jason suggested I buy them both. Yeah!

Why no other pictures? Because most artists do not like their work photographed. This is due to copyright issues, to prevent unauthorized use, copying, distribution and outright theft of an artist's original work.

Copyright laws are complex. With so much available on the Internet and shared on social media  you could find yourself in hot water over a copyright infringement. It's best to do your research and when in doubt, always err on the side of caution. Ask permission! Always be an original. Imitation is not the highest form of flattery.

The Kid making fun of me for being a worry-wart. "Don't fall into the poison ivy!"

Before leaving campus we took a stroll through the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden; a specimen garden. The Kid, a red-headed college sophomore majoring in Biology, had us laughing by pointing out the wild oats and wild ginger before posing with a poison ivy vine twice her size!

Sowing the Wild Oats

Wild Ginger aka The Kid

We spent the rest of the weekend at my folks' farm visiting with family and friends. My folks are retired but there are still plenty of critters around the farm. We spotted 3 baby raccoon one evening and this snapping turtle trucking across the lawn. He was pretty darn fast!

We kicked off Memorial Weekend with a little art at the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce's Arts & Craft Show in Downtown Elk Rapids. We love this show and try to participate in at least one of their three summer shows each year. Elk Rapids is a beautiful little town on Lake Michigan and close to home! Our booth was next to the Kettle Corn stand. It was a little warm at times as the heat of the kettle passed through our booth but it smelled so wonderful. Of course, I bought the jumbo bag! It was a beautiful day, we met some very nice people and sold several pieces of glass. We were even treated to a serenade performed by a biker barbershop quartet!

Our Booth

Glass, Gourd & Barb Wire Garden Art

Biker Barbershop Quartet

Glass Pendants

Sunday we were back on the road to my folks' farm. Each year, we attend the Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1454 in Alma, Michigan. The Veterans of VFW Post 1454 pay tribute to their fallen comrades with a beautiful Memorial Day Ceremony that begins with a wreath drop by air at Riverside Park and concludes with "Taps" and a 21 Gun Salute at the War Monument at Riverside Cemetery. Check out Post 1454's Memorial Day 2016 blog post for more photos of their Memorial Weekend events.

Leslie C. McLean Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1454's Honor Guard

We honor our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day but every day presents opportunities to show support to your local Veterans. For more information on how to become involved contact VFW Post 1454 or your local Veteran's group.