The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Grand Rapids, Michigan is hosting Art Prize. It is a downtown event. Streets are lined with amazing art ranging in tens of categories. The exhibits are free to view. You only need a good pair of walking shoes. This particular entry captured my eye because I could also capture city buildings in the photo.  More than the interesting photo, the concept driving this piece amazed me. So creative. So inventive. So well executed. The artist interviewed random individuals in Grand Rapids, recording unique snippets. She chose short clips then printed the phrase on a piece of clothing. What I liked was how the clothing items matched something about the quote, for example: one spoke of older days. The message was printed on an early 60's pleated skirt. You might be able to zoom in on the next photo to read some of the sayings.  Hundreds of people walked through the clotheslines, reading messages, laughing for some, serious for others. This interactive piece,

As you know, hurricanes and typhoons are the same storm but are given different names based on the location. While  I had about three different ideas for today's post, my mind refused to walk away from these storms.  I've never lived or happened to visit an area during either of these storms, but I've lived through four tornadoes. Maybe you haven't experienced either of these but you've endured something else. It seems that every place on the earth has a unique issue either from earth, fire, or water. Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, Tornadoes, Fire, Such a list. Typhoon over the Philippines Photo Courtesy:  NASA user rights: labeled for reuse Hurricane Florence Photo Courtesy:  Department of Defense user rights: labeled for reuse At times such as these, we feel our dreams may not come true. Ever.  Much is lost. Much feels like it can never be regained. Doors slam in our face or collapse, seemingly impossible

Today we share a third castle ghost story heard on the River Rhine. To read the first two, scroll down to the previous posts.  Ehrenfels Castle, Rhine River Photo by Mary Vee There is a legend told about the archbishop who owned two buildings. A castle, the Ehrenfels Castle  Mauseturn built on an island in Rhine River Photo by Mary Vee and the Mauseturm (Mouse Tower). The castle stood high on a hill across the river from the tower. There once was a very evil archbishop who had a castle built on a high hill on the eastern banks overlooking the Rhine River. The castle was called Ehrenfels. He forced ever ship sailing the river to pay tolls before being allowed to sail past his castle. To deal with the crew who refused to pay, the archbishop had a tower built on a small island across the river. There he stationed archers and commanded them to fire upon the crew of any ship refusing to pay. Ehrenfels castle ruins, Rhine River, pho

 Suspension Tower, Mackinac Bridge photo by Mary Vee Labor Day is the one day each year the Mackinac Bridge is closed to all motor vehicle traffic from 6am to 12 noon. This annual event began back in 1958 The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the lower peninsula of Michigan with the upper peninsula. To the east, Lake Huron flows, to the west, Lake Michigan The people who live on the north and south sides have a fun rivalry. Photo by Mary Starting the walk If one lives in the lower peninsula that person is called a troll because he/she lives "under" the bridge. If one lives in the upper peninsula, that person is called a Yooper, a distortion of the word upper. On Labor Day the Yoopers and Trolls along with a host of visitors walk the 5 mile Mackinac Bridge. The ceremony always starts with the governor of Michigan leading the walk. One year President Bush walked with the then governor! An announcer called out to people, askin