Good-Bye to the Upper Peninsula (Michigan)
I am covered with coppery red paint...adding color and protection to the trim of my little house here in the Keweenaw. Neighbors say it is a Happy House now. It sat empty for almost 10 years and last year, I could not get to the outside.
In Hubble, MI, 10 or so miles from me, I met Ernie Poisson (pronounced poysen--like boy) who is in his 90's and fixes old bikes and resells them. I got my 5 speed there for 10 bucks.
Warm People
Mr. Poissen runs Ernie's Bike Shop --his first name is Ernie. He is such a valued member of the community that everyone chipped in to buy him an enclosed electric golf cart so that he could still get around after he stopped driving.
In addition to fixing bikes, Mr. Poissen makes yard art--plywood
cutouts of birds and animals. Then he paints them. I love this kind of American folk art. Not made for a gallery. Nothing fancy. Just made to make people smile and give their yards happiness. He has lots of geese, dogs, children that look like they are swinging.
I bought a robin red breast and will add my house numbers and wire it to the front screen door. This winter I will think about it singing on the front of my little house while the snows pile 10-15 feet in front.
The kind of simplicity and connection that Ernie Poisson represents is such a treasure of the world. I am hoping as we enter a new era in American life, that these values return. Not Luddite ones that have crippled us for the last several decades--Ernie and I had a lively discussion about Sen Obama--both supporters --but ones that bind us together and give our society depth and care for each other again.
Giving a talk at the Houghton County Library with my Thimbleberry Press partner, called "Making a Book with China (or) Partnerships can be fun!" Gotta go boil the jiaozi (Chinese dumpling).
Comments