This March afternoon–with about five to six inches of new wet heavy snow here in our never-ending snow country of the Upper Peninsula–I have been looking through old photos once again. (Not that I look through them often. Just every once in a while, and today was one of those whiles.)
Happily preparing to camp out in the patch of bare ground in the garden, March, 2009 (all for the year-long outdoor blog, mind you)
After awhile I became interested in March photos during the last decade, 2009-2019. I have been blogging here at Lake Superior Spirit since then (on and off, and off and on) and decided to cull a photo or two from every year.
Just to think back.
Because, my dear readers, time Marches on…
The first photo is all the fault of the year-long outdoor blog. For some reason decided to camp out in our garden as soon as enough snow melted. I was continually thinking of fun & unusual outdoor activities to do–in order to better write blogs. That’s one reason I look back on 2009 so fondly. It was a year of so many interesting activities!
Ice auger, March 2010
If you live along the shores of the Keweenaw and Huron Bays, you may enjoy ice fishing in the winter. My husband is (or has been–before the heavy hard-to-navigate snow this year) an avid ice fisherman. So many of our photos portray ice fishing in March.
Another ice fishin’ picture, March 2010
In March, 2011, Barry and I flew to San Diego, California, to meet his future wife’s parents from South Korea. A sunny memory! No snow anywhere in sight!
Visiting our son, Chris, in San Diego, March 2011
We did see lots of seals, though.
California seal March 2011
Through the rear-view mirror March 2012
I loved this rear-view capture of March, 2012. The sun rising (even though it looks like it’s upside down and sinking) over the ice on the Huron Bay. I believe I was going to work at the school. Back in the day.
I published this photo on the blog in March 2012. However, I think it was taken before that. Time marches on…
Do you know how challenging it is to determine which photo came from which year? Per example: see above picture. It is listed under my March, 2012, file. However, did I copy and use it willy-nilly from another year? Or was it actually taken in 2012? I am suspecting it was taken earlier, but it will take an astute family member to ascertain exactly when.
We take Derrick ice fishing in March 2013 along with “Flat Stanley” of course!
We had a great time taking this young man ice fishing in 2013. It sparked an international incident, some of you may remember. Amy Lynn and Sybil (fellow blogging buddies from Nova Scotia) made a “Flat Kathy” doll and proceeded to send her to various places around the world. I believe she enjoyed a long stay with Reggie in South Africa. Round Kathy wishes she could have been visiting around the world, too, instead of only her flat counterpart!
Talkin’ on the cell to Florida while fishing in the ice tent, March 2013
The following 2014 picture consists of shoveling snow. We only THOUGHT in 2014 that this was hard. Little did we know about 2019 just around the corner…
Pretty close to March, 2014. Shoveling off the wood pile–before we built the wood shed.
2015 involved LOTS of ice on Lake Superior. Beautiful jagged ice formations. Very lovely.
Jagged ice on the Keweenaw Bay, March, 2015
I might as well feature ice for 2016, as well, but let’s go solo and a little more artistic. Art with a simple flavor. Ice with a single swoop.
Single icicle, March 2016
The following March, 2017, photo is a bit questionable: if it really was March. If it really was 2017. But I am going with it because otherwise you’ll get no March 2017 view. Twas a beautiful night on the harbor.
Marquette Harbor, possibly March 2017
We shall wrap our decade long time-Marching tour with more ice fishing. Even though it looks like your blog writer might do a lot of ice fishing, she does not. The husband is the resident expert.
Barry ice fishing, March 2018
This year our specialty is snow. Old-timers say they haven’t seen a winter like this since their childhood. If we’ve seen one in the forty years we’ve been here–well, time marches on–and we’ve obviously forgotten about it.
This year (2019) all we do is shovel, rake and plow snow.
All I can say is Think Spring! We have predictions of over an inch of rain later this week. As long as this heavy wet rain doesn’t collapse any more local roofs, we’ll be good for it.
Has spring sprung where you are? Does time continue to March on in your neck of the woods? Do you talk about anything besides the weather?
Lake Superior Spirit 
We got another 3-4 inches of heavy snow overnight, but the sun came out today, and I was able to get a good walk in (though two miles felt like 12 for my poor out-of-practice muscles, trudging through the snow!). I’m anxious for spring, too, but worried that the quickly approaching warm weather will flood the road. In talking about the weather, I often bring up my friend Kathy in the U.P., who has it so much worse than we on Beaver Island!
Cindy, I am in much admiration for your walk of two miles at this time of year! One mile is about all I’ve been able to handle lately–if that. Yes, everyone is worried about floods around here, too. We’re also worried about the weight of snow on roofs when it starts raining in a couple days. We’ll make it through this until spring, though, surely. 🙂
That was fun! Love your photo choices. Each evokes something different, and special. You look like you’re about 12 in the cell phone shot. Much love and joining you in wishes for Spring!
Susan, it was kinda fun to make “March” a blog theme. You know I felt like about age 12 in that phone shot! It made me smile once again. Hey, aren’t you hoping lots of snow melts in the next few days? xoxoxo
Oh my gosh Cathy. You are having quite a winter. So are we! Finally, we were able to hire someone who came today to help with the snow. I love the icicle. (We have them, and Bob is an expert at getting them off the roof overhang so they don’t hurt someone.) What is that red thing in your hand in the ice fishing photos?
Barb, I saw on your blog–you guys certainly ARE getting lots of snow, too. More than we are, it seems. The red object in my hand in the ice fishing photo has wire wrapped around it. They call it a “gappu” or some Finnish name. You unwrap the wire and let it go down the fishing hole, sometimes even to 300 feet deep. The lake trout glide along the bottom of the lake. Then you pull it all up–and if you’re lucky–there’s a fish on your line. The fishermen can actually feel little “bumps” and “pulls” from 300 feet deep. It’s quite amazing.
Lovely pictures of my favorite season, Kathy. One day I’m going to try ice fishing (even though I’m no good at regular fishing). And ti answer your question, I am not dreaming of spring here, even though it has already sprung. It portends summer, our most dire season in the Deep South. Time marches on….
Stacy, I feel like if I took more time–like a day or two–could have found more varied photos of March’s glory over the past decade. How fun that you have ice fishing on your bucket list! I may have visiting New Orleans on mine… 🙂
Wow! Your foray into past March doings in the cold country had me memezmerized. What a healthy life you lead! Now how about a monthly blog post looking through old pics for April,May, June, etc.?
Dor, you really got me thinking. First–how interesting that you were mesmerized. These seem like such “ordinary” photos to me. Second, I think I should be healthier than I am after agreeing with your lifestyle comment. Darn it! Third, that could be a theme, right? April could be “April snow showers bring…more snow!” lol
Great pics. Ice fishing is popular in Finland also. Thank You.
Happy new week!
Sartenada, I am sure you know that we have many Finnish settlers here in our neck of the woods. I am glad you enjoyed the pics and hope you have a happy new week, as well!
Wonderful
Bobz, I always smile to see you. Thank you!
I just wrote a long brilliant comment, and Word Press said it didn’t work. Wahh. That’s March for you. You try to find some sun, some walking paths, some hope for spring, but it just doesn’t work. You know the crocus are down there, down down inside the piles of snow. But when/will they ever be able to sprout up? Each March I wonder, and each April (at the end, almost) I’m rewarded and reminded to have faith. Spring will come.
I enjoyed your photos – don’t remember seeing most of them. Ice fishing looks like it’s for the brave-of-heart. My heart is not brave. My heart would lead me to reading a good book in front of the fireplace. 🙂 Have faith, my friend. Spring is springing forth underneath the pile of white, waiting to glorify you.
Seriously, my brilliant commenting friend, I can’t even imagine crocuses under the snow. Are they really there? How do we know? What if last spring was just a dream, and this is something brand new? Ha ha, could only ask you these questions! I am not really an ice fisherwoman, either. Not at all. But apparently they coerced me out (probably with promises of wine and treats) at least once or twice during a decade. Even wine and treats are not working as incentives any more. By the way, I tried to comment on your lovely blog post earlier today but could not utter a single sentence. The spirit of the crocuses stole my words and are using them for underground energy. Always loving how your glass is more than half full! (Yes, that’s what I wanted to say. You provided a perfect example of your previous point.)
I love the shadow in your first photo – do you notice how determined she looks? Looks read to sprint! Speaks of times ahead, obviously. 🙂 Oooh, brrrrr, Kathy….while I love the appearance of snow at its first appearance, my body and cold don’t get on well together and so I have to try to understand how anyone enjoys these un-temperatures….. Your photos are beautiful and I enjoy them, but here in Wales, we’ve thankfully only had a coating of the cold white stuff. And I’m definitely looking forward to ‘Spring proper’. (We’ve had sightings of it on and off, and the birds definitely know it’s on its way!)
Wow– a determined shadow! Only you, Val, would notice the nuances of a photo-shadow. You have me wondering how anyone enjoys these temperatures. For me–it’s where the Universe has planted me. I am not sure how much I enjoy them. But I am trying to bloom where planted, metaphorically, if not actually. Glad you are in Wales where the temps are more moderate.
Time marches on for me as my oldest son turned 18 on February 28th. I still remember the restless babe I carried in my arms alongside our creek singing songs to him that I made up. May Spring come soon. BTW I am tempted to start a recall petition for the groundhog as he promises too optimistically for the reality this year.
Deb, I can hardly believe that your son is 18 now! Time just continues to march–or fly–by. What are your son’s future plans? Will he be at home for awhile longer? As for that groundhog, we simply never can believe him this far north.
LOL the groundhog has lost credibility with me too.
Yes, my son has no plans to leave us anytime soon nor do we seek that. He is a storyteller and working on his projects.
I love the rear view mirror picture of the sunrise 🙂
I like how that turned out, too, Sherry! It looks like the sun was rising upside down over near your house. 🙂
We’ve had so little snow this winter it’s been feeling very strange around here. We do often have snow in March but rarely in April. Nothing like you’re having, though! It’s fun looking at old photos. I absolutely love “Single icicle, March 2016” ~ what a stunning photograph!
Barbara, I was thinking of you this morning and here you were! How interesting that you haven’t had very much snow out your way. Today it’s melting like crazy around here. May it keep up–but not flood or collapse more roofs on its way. Thank you for liking the icicle photo. They can be so mesmerizing to look at out the window.
Gosh Kathy, all that snow! How beautiful …
We are longing for AUTUMN to arrive! And the first thing everyone groans to one another upon meeting here is “isn’t it hot today”, so the weather is a constant topic of conversation.
Hi Joanne! So interesting how weather can be so entertaining for so many of us. It’s the one thing that transcends all boundaries! (I talk about weather to people…until I can find some people who want to talk about spirituality. *grin*)
Another great blog, Kathy! One thing for sure is that the snow is a great unifier. We’re all in this together and people seem to be showing up to help each other just when they are needed! It really brings out the best in people.
Catherine, that is a beautiful way of expressing it. I have never thought of snow as a great unifier until this moment! It can bring out the best in folks, that is for sure.
Definitely not 2012 – I’m guessing 2007.
I suspect your memory is better than mine! I was thinking maybe 2008.
Flat Kathy is still with us, Kathy! How wonderful that she got a mention. 😉 She and I had such big plans for traveling together and for getting her to travel all over the world with interesting and friendly people, but it proved to be so much work… and the demands of daily living just made it difficult. But Flat Kathy and I have not given up hope – one day, her stories will be written properly!
Reggie, so funny! I am smiling at your enthusiasm. I know how Life has a way of trumping our plans (pun intended, lol) Thank you for everything you did to give Flat Kathy a life beyond what she knew…
You have such a great attitude about March. It’s certainly much less intense where I am, in fact I can see some daffodils starting to grow in our backyard. Snow is no more and I’m hoping gone for good. I’d forgotten about Flat Stanley or I guess in your case it was Flat Kathy? Either way, harmless fun like that is good to remember.
Ally Bean, I guess a person has got to find the positives where they might be beginning to bloom under the snow. How funny that you remember Flat Kathy! It was such good fun. Thank you and may those daffodils keep it up!