I have been spending the weekend here in Michigan, as Mom is having her birthday today. I flew up with my two sisters and stayed at my brother's house. In return for taking care of his dog, we get room and board. He and the family went out of town for an educational trip. We rented a car, and one sister brought her Magellan GPS, which nicely gives you verbal directions and tells you where you are.

We have been having fun visiting places on memory lane, as we all grew up here. We also stopped at the Dutch bakery to pick up a birthday cake earlier, because the bakery is renowned for having the best cake anywhere. We bought a few souveniers and a pastry and had some coffee. Yum.

Tonight, after the birthday party, we went to my sister's and her husband's cottage on the lake. Her husband's mom and dad designed the house and built it long ago. He lived there for four years, and when it became available, he bought the place. Its on the lake and quite nice. After we left, and drove back, without the benefit of the Magellan GPS, (since my sister was driving back with her husband) we stopped by my old high school, which actually looked pretty good. I was sure it would be a ghetto by now. We also drove thru the park and reminisced, and then after the warning from my brother in law - who had told us at the cottage to be careful driving back, and watch out for deer - I was just telling her about the part in "Tommy Boy" where they hit the deer and throw him in the back seat, when I spotted a bit of white flash on the right. And sure enough, there was a second deer following and jogging across the road in front of us. My sister and I were both stunned. We slowed and watched the deer join his friend.

Funny thing is, I really didn't remember that much of how to get around, even though I grew up here. There are new buildings, which may explain why there are so many deer signs around. Poor things have to find their woods where they can.

It was a nice break, but unfortunately, our plane leaves at 6:30 am, and its a two hour drive there. I think we will leave early morning, drop off the car and take a nap in the airport. At least we will be there and won't have to worry about missing the plane. But if they overbook and want to give us free tickets, I will go for it. There are only two of us, and we are flexible.