Formic Highway

Deer make paths through the woods, as we all know. And decades or more later, when trendy development comes along, what was once a line of least resistance becomes "Deerpath Lane," a desirable and expensive address. So the question is, can ants do something similar?

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Clearly, yes. The trail above is an ant path. I didn't believe it a first, either, but extended observation proved it to be so. A great many large black ants moving strictly along the path, endlessly. As Gerard Manly Hopkins has said in one of my favorite poems, "Generations have trod, have trod, have trod."

So, I'm thinking of condos all along, maybe called "Ant Alley?"

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Foggy morning, leading into a warm and humid day with a mix of sun and cloud and scarcely a breath of wind.

Sun, Actually

As evidenced by sunlight on the mooring ball...

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And here, mergansers being deterred by Sue's strings (which only work if properly installed)...

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And here, Lollipop going by under no sail, in a flat calm, somewhat after the sun had settled below the bluff...

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Lots of projects today in preparation for visitors. And Sue found her favorite tool (borrowed from Murray and Elaine)—an electric power-washer. She wants one for Christmas and several more for her birthday.

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The bridge from deck to dock, the bridge over troubled swales, has been scuffed up and is no longer slippery when wet!

Well after noon, once the sun came out, we quickly transitioned from cold and damp to hot and muggy. Therefore, prior to dinner, we went for a swim. Talk about going from hot to cold (actually the water was quite nice once we were acclimated). 

Fog, Mist and Drizzle

The precip here just can't quit. Not cold, but very damp.

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Old-time, long-time Kagawong residents, Earl and Karen, and Tim and Joyce, came by today for a visit. Earl is now 86 years old, and has been here in Kagawong since long before us. He used to own and operate tugs, salvage operations, marinas, etc. in Detroit before he fetched up here (summertime; winter in Florida). Tim and Joyce were part of the vibrant live-aboard community that flourished in the Kagawong marina for maybe 10 years, back in the day (or heyday). We are all just a bit older, and wiser, but all still going strong. And still friends.

Now it's time for cherry pie (bought at the farmer's market), and possibly some Sequence (with John and ME) and possibly an episode of Cosmos. (Actually, Murray and Elaine showed up, too.)