The after-effects of Lee's surgery prevented him from taking any long distance research trips this year, so he has had to rely upon document loans and hired assistants to find some of the facts he needs in remote facilities. This situation has slowed down progress on the writing front, but he still continues to yank pens and sling ink despite the reduced speed. Some of his forthcoming stories are about the Indian healer Princess Viroqua, the Michigan land grant awarded to the Saint Mary's Falls Ship Canal Company, and a brief history of the Michigan Land & Iron Company. These coming attractions, like most of Lee's finished works, are used by cheap HMOís in lieu of anesthesia when their patients have to undergo surgery or suffer from insomnia:-)

However, that has not prevented Lee from raking the pond umpteen times this year, pulling out about 50 wheelbarrows of gunk over the year. After the disastrous winters of 2013 and 14, the fish are beginning to be seen again, and the frogs do sing happily in the Spring.

Lee is also our official fire-keeper. Our burn pile has filled and emptied several times this year. It seems that Mother Nature has done more pruning than our tree-service people or the power company in 2016.

April sure was fooling with us this year. The photo on the left was April 1 -- with much rain. The photo on the right was April 2 -- a snow storm! By April 5th, the snow had melted, and it was snowing again!

Ah, Michigan!

This year Lee's total article-count passed the 200 mark. During 2016 Lee had stories published on the:

• Cigar industry of Detroit.
• Ghost town of Stannardsville.
• Windmills of old Detroit.
• Ragweed eradication campaign of Michigan.
• Military road from Fort Wilkins to Green Bay.
• Assistance Indians gave to Michigan pioneers.

Certainly one of our pursuits is caring for our "Little Piece of Paradise." Seen on the left is Lee sweeping Fall leaves off the valleys of the roof.

And of course, Dot photographing the whole process.

Right: Mom Barnett and her three kids: Janet, Le Roy and Larry.

Meanwhile, Dot has been busy with her orchids. This year, she received three American Orchid Society Awards, bringing her total to Seventeen. They are all posted here:

Paphiopedilum Booth's Saint-Adductum 'Wacousta' HCC/AOS

Paphiopedilum Susan Booth 'Wacousta' AM/AOS

Vanda christensoniana 'Wacousta' AM/AOS