We live one-quarter mile from the shores of Lake Superior. In the autumn, when the leaves fall from our poplar and maple and birch trees, we can glimpse the blue waters of the Huron Bay from our kitchen window.
I like to say we live in a “Little House in the Big Woods”. Like Laura Wilder Ingalls, our nearest neighbors are deer, squirrels, coyote and an ocassional bear.
The area where we live is called “Aura”. Once, our neighbors visited a post office on this jutting peninsula which culminates at Point Abbaye. Now our mail is delivered in L’Anse and a nice postal driver named Bob delivers our mail at the end of our driveway.
We raised two children here in the Big Woods. They flew to opposite sides of our country. Kiah lives in New York City, and Christopher in San Diego. They both carry memories of trees, chickadees, the two-room elementary school where they learned their ABC’s. (And where I still work as the Business Manager.)
Prepare for the unexpected if you visit this blog! Sometimes it shows photos of Lake Superior. Sometimes it talks about the Upper Peninsula. Other times it shares my personal opinions about Facebook, WordPress, blogging or spirituality. Who knows what comes next?
I welcome you to our little cedar house in the woods. I welcome you to the sound of cold waves lapping against the shore. Please linger awhile. Let’s sip tea together and share our stories. All are welcome here…
Posted by Sajib on January 29, 2010 at 5:21 am
I also like to take natural photographs. But the problem is, I don’t own a camera.
I can’t even buy one at this moment. However, I believe soon I will be able to buy one and keep my photography blog up.
By the way, I was searching for your name but it’s not mentioned anywhere (or did I miss it?). I’d like to have a chat with you over Gtalk or Yahoo. Would you accept if I send a request?
Posted by Kathy on January 29, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Good luck on getting a camera some day, Sajib. I know you’ll be able to get one someday… Some day I hope to afford a more expensive camera, but so far am using a simple inexpensive Sony Cybershot. As for chatting…I don’t usually do this. Not very much of an on-line chatter. I will visit your blog from time to time though. Thank you for visiting.
Posted by Sajib on February 4, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Sony Cybershot is a good camera. I wish I could at least own one piece of that.
Posted by Sajib on February 4, 2010 at 3:00 pm
What!!! Are you sure you take all those photographs on this blog were taken using Sony Cybershot digital camera? :O
Posted by Kathy on February 4, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Absolutely sure, Sajib!
Posted by chuck on January 31, 2010 at 6:55 pm
“the spruce children waved as i passed by…” Wow, I’ve got to get back to the yoop. it’s like reading “Alice in Winter Wonderland”.
I’ve spent a few hours reading through your blog after reading about it in the Grand Rapids Press. It’s wonderfully done. Thank you for sharing your gift this way.
Posted by Kathy on February 1, 2010 at 7:35 am
Chuck, yeah, I think I got a little carried away with “the spruce children waved as I passed by”. That’s what happens when you live in a place with winter for seven months of the year! OK, maybe six months. So excited to hear about the blog being featured in a column in the Grand Rapids Press. Can’t wait to see what it says! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Posted by Rae on February 3, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Hi, Kathy. I live down south in Charlevoix. Love your site, thanks. Rae
Posted by Kathy on February 4, 2010 at 8:21 am
Rae, I have loved visiting Charlevoix. That is a beautiful area. Thank you for visiting this blog site!
Posted by Amy on February 21, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Hey there Kathy,
Just stumbled upon your blog via a search engine for upper peninsula blogs. Great pics., great thoughts. I have an artsy, outdoor U.P. exploration blogsite as well. You should check it out : http://www.lifeandartintheup.blogspot.com/
I look forward to viewing regular posts, especially the photography! Keep blogging!
Posted by Kathy on February 22, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Amy, I am so glad you found Lake Superior Spirit. And I am delighted to find another UP blog. Love your art work and pictures. I added you to my blogroll, as well. Nice to meet you.
Posted by happilyretired on March 1, 2010 at 9:48 am
Kathy
Thanks for the visit and the lovely comment at Happily Retired Gal. I love your photos and am delighted to have found you in this virtual world. In response to your question, I’m located about an hour and a half NORTH of San Diego in Orange County
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by Kathy on March 1, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Our happiness is mutual, then! I think I mentioned that our son lives in San Diego. I went out to visit him in November and had such a fun time. Here is the first day’s post (from last year’s blog): http://centria.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/coming-to-you-live-from-san-diego/
There are four days worth of pictures. Although (laughing) maybe you’ve seen enough southern California photos.
Blessings to you! And we will see you again around the cyber-streets!
Posted by GLedgard on March 3, 2010 at 1:55 am
Thanks Kathy
I like specially the number 8
Posted by Kathy on March 4, 2010 at 8:33 am
Thank you. For future readers of this “about” I think GLedgard is talking about the blogging tips in this blog: http://upwoods.wordpress.com/2010/03/01/how-to-write-a-wordpress-blog-get-a-zillion-hits/
Good luck with your own blogging!
Posted by Rony Parvej on May 23, 2010 at 7:11 am
Good Blog. I’ll try to visit your blog regularly.
Posted by ..oasiss.. on May 23, 2010 at 11:14 am
I’m a fan
I’d “like” you on facebook, but that would be entering a whole other realm of complication!
Good blog. I’ll be back!
Oasiss
Posted by Kathy on May 23, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Thank you, Rony! I look forward to future visits.
Hi Oasiss! Good to see you here…
Posted by What’s this blog about anyway? Take two. « Lake Superior Spirit on May 25, 2010 at 7:59 am
[...] About [...]
Posted by From the Unexplored Wilderness… « All roads lead to roam on June 18, 2010 at 3:06 pm
[...] Kathy of Lake Superior Spirit – because in so many ways she reminds me of [...]
Posted by Kathy on June 19, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Thank you for the blogging award! It is much appreciated.
Posted by shoreacres on October 28, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I found you in the WP forum, fussing about those silly bouncing-ball stats. I’ve had them, too, but have decided at the end of the day they work themselves out, so I’ve put them in the “don’t worry” column of my daily ledger.
The wonder is that I found your blog. I blog on WordPress of course, but Weather Underground, too, and am going to give you a little publicity there later tonight. There are a lot of folks on that sitewho enjoy the outdoors and appreciate good writing. Some may come over, and even comment. I hope so.
I’m looking forward to a bit more exploring here, myself.
Posted by Kathy on October 28, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I am happy to meet you, shoreacres! I’m really not too fussed about the stats going up and down any more either. Will do as you suggest and put them in the “don’t worry” ledger. I like that phrase!
Thank you so much for sharing about Lake Superior Spirit. It would be lovely to meet some more folks. Do come back and visit!
Posted by Take Three. “What Lake Superior Spirit is about.” « Lake Superior Spirit on January 18, 2011 at 5:18 pm
[...] the necessity kept arising. I have written “About Lake Superior Spirit” two times. This is the place where strangers or first-time readers stop to guage the feel of [...]
Posted by sonali on January 19, 2011 at 11:49 am
Hi dearie,
by now I quite know what lake superior spirit s all about (complete fascination). your blog serves as a dreamland to me as I dream about far away places. thanks for sharing the marvelous pictures and also, the beautiful thoughts! It makes my day happier and it has become a routine now to get updates from you while its my bed time here
god bless ya ……
Posted by Kathy on January 19, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Hi there Sonali! I am so glad you are fascinated by far-away places. Me, too. They have so much to share with us. Thank you for loving Lake Superior Spirit. Bless you, too!
Posted by Loreen Niewenhuis on January 27, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Hi Kathy,
Did I send you an advance copy of my book, A 1000-MILE WALK ON THE BEACH? If not (and if you’d like one), please e-mail me your address and I’ll mail one out!
Stay warm!
-Loreen Niewenhuis
LakeTrek@comcast.net
Posted by Kathy on January 28, 2011 at 4:32 pm
I sent you an email, Loreen. In admiration of your trek!
Posted by barb on February 21, 2011 at 12:30 am
Kathy, I’m trying got find the post where you mention an on-line source for printing photos – I think I remember you saying you used it for photos you were hanging in a gallery. Could you E-mail me the name or web address?( writebreck@gmail) Thanks, Barb
Posted by Kathy on February 21, 2011 at 8:54 am
I just emailed you, Barb. however, for any one else who is interested–mpix.com is a great on-line photo resource.
Posted by Kel on June 18, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Little House on the Prairie was my favourite series of books as a child! Funnily enough I now live in a house in the middle of a field of grass – not a prairie, but it has the big sky views!
I look forward to reading and seeing more as i visit back here again.
Posted by Kathy on June 20, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Kel, it’s good to meet you in the blogging world! I hope to read more about your house in the middle of a field of grass. I am thinking you probably have fewer mosquitoes than we do at this time of year… smile…
Posted by Sean on September 15, 2011 at 1:19 am
I can’t remember the path that brought me to your blog, but I don’t suppose it matters now that I’m here. I enjoy it very much. It’s interesting, isn’t it? People from great distances using technology to share spirituality. I look forward to your future posts.
Posted by Kathy on September 15, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Nice to meet you, Sean. Thanks for stopping by the blog and pausing to leave a comment. I really appreciate it!
Posted by penpusherpen on October 10, 2011 at 5:11 am
A fantastic name, ‘Aura’ … sounds a heavenly place to live , Kathy. life I find is something to experience with an open mind, and open arms… You never know where your next {{{hug}}} will come from…
… ( and I do love the name Kiah, I don’t think I’ve come across it before. ) I hope your day is a good one… xPenx
Posted by Kathy on October 10, 2011 at 4:19 pm
penpusherpen, I am so delighted that you stopped by Aura and opened your mind and arms and blogging fingers. **grin** Thank you for sharing your world of stories…and visiting the stories Lake Superior (oh, and I) like to tell.
Posted by northernnarratives on October 11, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Hello from Duluth, MN
Judy
Posted by Kathy on October 13, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Hi, Judy! Barry and I have sure enjoyed our trips to Duluth (I’m sure there is at least one in this blog.) Hope you enjoyed the color season and that you’re ready for winter. Thanks for stopping by the blog.
Posted by Dana on November 19, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I was researching the history of Pequaming today when I came across your blogs. As I read, I realized that I know you–or at least I know your husband Barry. I was an intern at the L’Anse Sentinel many years ago. (My last name was Perrow back then.)I’m very excited to have found your blog and look forward to reading it!
Posted by Kathy on November 20, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Dana, I am so happy that you found my blogs! I remember you–and so does Barry. He says he still gets copies of that newspaper from the college where you worked. Wondering if you have a blog anywhere…I know you are a great writer. If you ever start one, be sure to let me know!
Posted by Huffygirl on November 26, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Lovely photos on your blog. I’m not sure I could stand living up where it is so cold, but I have visited your area in the summer. Copper Harbor, and Houghton-Hancock areas is beautiful, but such a darn long drive from home.
Posted by Kathy on November 27, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Once a long long time ago, Huffygirl, I thought the same thing. It would be way too cold up here! (Of course, at the time we were thinking of moving to Alaska. That changed my perception of “cold” really quickly.) Wondering where your home might be? Glad you’ve visited this beautiful area–and my blog.
Posted by Jay Carlo Balco on December 7, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Hi there, I saw your photos and I really like it… I’m also fun of getting photos of the nature specially when there is a beautiful views of the sky but like Sajib I don’t have the camera. I’m only using my cellphone camera with 1.3 megapixel.. very poor… I dream to have the good camera.. I envy you…
Posted by Kathy on December 9, 2011 at 1:14 pm
I hope you can get a good camera some day, Jay. I used a small digital camera for a couple of years before getting a Canon Rebel. Sending you good wishes that you get the camera of your dreams some day… Thanks for visiting my blog.
Posted by kerryl29 on December 17, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Some of my very best photography has been conducted in the UP–much of it in the area around Munising (the Hiawatha National Forest, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, et al), some of it in the Porkies…and all of it in the autumn. There is little to compare with the North Woods for beauty.
Posted by Kathy on December 18, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Kerry, that is a really beautiful area! You are lucky to have paused by those shores and photographed. I wouldn’t mind traveling over thatta way one of these months and basking in its beauty, as well. With camera, of course! Thank you for visiting my blog.
Posted by mjray926 on January 3, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award
Enjoy!
Posted by Kathy on January 4, 2012 at 8:24 am
Kreativ Blogger thanks you! Three cheers for the creativity in us all!
Posted by Get a Grip: Well-Worth the Click! | reinventing the event horizon on January 26, 2012 at 8:10 am
[...] 26, 2012 by Kathryn McCullough | Leave a comment Today I have a guest gig going on over at “Lake Superior Spirit,” where I’m a well-named stand-in for another Kathy, who happens to be vacationing in Central [...]
Posted by Lisa Wields Words on January 26, 2012 at 8:34 am
What a lovely description of your home, and your blog. I’m glad Kathy brought me here.
Posted by Kathy on January 28, 2012 at 6:50 am
Lisa, I am delighted that you are visiting Lake Superior Spirit! Looking forward to getting to know you better.
Posted by anaturalfire on February 2, 2012 at 6:40 pm
hi Kathy!
i was born in Detroit but spent most of my younger years in The Soo! i absolutely treasure the UP
Posted by Kathy on February 5, 2012 at 10:07 am
Always happy to meet a fellow Michigander, especially a fellow lover of the U.P. Wondering where you are living now…
Posted by C.B. Wentworth on February 13, 2012 at 10:24 am
I’ve given you a blog award!
http://cbwentworth.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/now-youre-all-just-spoiling-me/
Posted by Kathy on February 14, 2012 at 10:43 am
CB, thank you for the award–how very cool!–and congratulations on your own. Isn’t it so fun to blog? Thank you again!
Posted by Janet on February 15, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I think you must live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I’ve only been to Lake Superior once but it was love at first sight. That was last summer and we plan to make it an annual trip. We just couldn’t get enough. Happy blogging.
Posted by Kathy on February 15, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Janet, how wonderful that you were able to visit the Lake Superior shore! I hope you can come back and splash in our icy cold waters another time. (Hey, maybe next summer the lake will warm up. That does happen some times.) Thank you for the good blogging wishes!
Posted by sgyoung on February 15, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Just found your blog. Lake Superior: mighty big and awfully cold, but it is beautiful UP there. Ive visited just a few times, hiked and camped a bit with fam, even did the Isle Royale ferry once (well, twice, or I’d still be there, right?)
Went winter camping once years ago and enjoyed that too but just for a few nights.
What are your long nights like, in January?? Internet must be super-valuable at those times.
Posted by Kathy on February 16, 2012 at 6:22 am
It is beautiful up here. My husband was happy to learn that you visited Isle Royale. He fishes over there almost every summer and loves it. Let me see if I can find the guest blog he wrote about it. You might enjoy reading: http://upwoods.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/isle-royale-our-guest-bloggers-favorite-place-on-earth/
(And, yes, long January nights…now you know about part of my blogging passion…)
Posted by 14ideasforaname on February 15, 2012 at 11:47 pm
great meeting you lake-superior-spirit (;)) . . I’ll be keeping an eye on you and keep visiting!
Posted by Kathy on February 16, 2012 at 6:18 am
Glad to meet you, too! (It’s always good to wake up and meet a new blogging friend.)
Posted by ....RaeDi on February 17, 2012 at 3:07 pm
I wanted to let you know that I got your message… thank you for taking the time contact me. I am so sorry for this late response, My Mother just passed away and it has been a long couple of weeks. I love your blog and look forward to it and getting to know you. As a child I lived up in your neck of the woods, so to speak. It was very cold, lots of snow. We lived right on the big Lake Superior, so many good memories. I will be adding more hummingbird pictures, they are my favorite through my lens. I will get caught up one of these days. Thanks for your support, I really appreciate it. RaeDi
Posted by Kathy on February 18, 2012 at 10:03 am
RaeDi, I am sorry to hear about your mother. I can’t even imagine losing a mother…how you must feel. Glad you have winter memories of the Big Lake from your childhood. Blessings, Kathy
Posted by The Eclectic LadyBird on February 23, 2012 at 1:36 am
Looking forward to tea and sharing stories
Posted by Kathy on February 23, 2012 at 11:34 am
Wondering what kind of tea you like! And sharing stories is always lovely. Thank you for visiting and do come again. **grin**
Posted by Kerry Dwyer on March 2, 2012 at 11:25 am
Hi Kathy. I have just awarded you the ‘Kreative Blogger’ award. I think your blog is great please see http://kerrydwyer.net/2012/03/02/kreativ-blogger-award/
Posted by Kathy on March 2, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Thank you, dear Kerry. You’re the best! Kreatively yours, Kathy.
Posted by Zombie Spirituality on March 5, 2012 at 9:00 am
I spent a week on Isle Royale…. I dream of a visit to the cold Superior waters again someday…
Posted by Kathy on March 5, 2012 at 1:11 pm
My husband loves Isle Royale and goes there every summer. Here is a link to the blog he wrote about it last summer: http://upwoods.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/isle-royale-our-guest-bloggers-favorite-place-on-earth/
Hope you get to go there again soon!
Posted by openlifestudio on March 7, 2012 at 7:58 pm
you are so kind
i’d think if i lived closer i would call you for tea and chat about life….
thanks for being so “open” and giving of your experiences and perspective….
that’s what’s it all about–
Posted by Kathy on March 8, 2012 at 9:57 am
I just shared with you on the other post that I love your name. “Open Life.” To be able to share without too many masks obstructing our sharing. It’s something we can both aim for, yes? Along with that possible eventual cup of tea and honest chat. Thank you for visiting.
Posted by openlifestudio on March 8, 2012 at 5:19 pm
yes
eventually
you never know
Posted by openlifestudio on March 15, 2012 at 9:36 pm
thanks!
my name came from a lot of contemplation and loving everything at the end