[AlArchie]

Went on a short walk today and took a few pictures of some diamond willow clumps.......maybe these shots will better explain what to look for. These are growing among some tag alder so you can see the difference. One shot is of the distinctive depressions in the bark that you should look for. These a Bebb Willow around the UP, and all of the clumps don't necessarily have the diamonds.

[big_Wayne_P]

wow you still got snow

so glad I live in Texas no snow
was around 68 today did get a little drizzling rain

that picture just makes me cold

getting out in that snow and cold
i sure hope you cut a pieces of the Diamond Willow

I got a couple of sticks from Diamond Willow
I got mine from a guy up in canada a couple of years ago when I first
started carving

I did not know at the time about other people that had the Diamond Willow

They do make great looking sticks when debarked and finished

[squbrigg]

"Still got snow.....!" good Lord man it's only March! Up here in Canada we have four seasons just like you....1)Almost Winter, 2) Winter, 3)Still Winter and 4)Construction (sometimes called summer, or the season of poor-sledding!)Bob

[AlArchie]

Heck, we have snow here through mid May, and I've even seen it snow on the 4th of July! We might as well brag, 'cuz it don't do no good to complain!
When i walked out to get that close up pic, I broke through the crust on the snow and went in over my waist! Yesterday it was up near 60 degres though and we thought there was hope of an early spring.......today we have a blizzard going on...... coming in off the Big Lake, so we could get a couple more feet!

Al

[big_Wayne_P]

Good one Bob
especially liked the one season of poor sledding


for you AL
I have seen mentioned several times UPwhen you are referring to an area or location in MI.

Could you explain UP

Seeing as how I lived in the south all my life, I do not know that much about snow. (central Ga. for 48 years we would get a little snow usally mixed with freezing rain and or sleet, and in Texas for last 5 years)

At 60 degrees I would have thought the snow would melt
but then like i said I know nuttin case I am Suthrn

Al, I know you have some great looking finished Diamond Willow also

[AlArchie]

Sure, Wayne.......UP (Upper Penninsula), the part of Michigan that looks like your left hand, looked at toward the palm, with your thumb up and fingers together, fingers pointed east.

The rest of Michigan (that part that doesn't count to us Yoopers) looks like your left hand, looked at toward the back of your hand with the thumb extended and fingers together, fingers pointed north, toward the UP.

YOOPER; some one who either lives in, or has their heart in the UP, (UPER??)

The two pennisulas are connected by the Mackinac Bridge (pronounce that Mackinaw, if your a true Michigander), or mack-in-nack if you want to be known as a true apple knocker! (not an endearing term to Yoopers). We in the UP refer to those folks living in Lower Michigan as TROLLS. You know, those that dwell BELOW The Bridge! (yup The Bridge is capitalized, and affectionately known a BIG MAC)

It's the nations second longest suspension bridge, and if ya count the approaches, I believe it's the longest! Before the bridge was built, folks wanting to visit the UP had to wait hours for the ferry to get them across the Straights of Mackinac. No one from the UP ever waited for the ferry 'cuz there was absolutely no reasonable excuse for anyone from the UP to want to travel to the Lower Pennisula. And all Yoopers are resonable people!

There, you all have had a history AND geography lesson. (tongue in cheek, of course)

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

yup....allays bin mackinaw to me....guess i am not an apple knocker !

[big_Wayne_P]

Thanks Al for clearing that up. I was confused but then i am always confused.

I have heard of the Mackinaw bridge. if you had spelled it correctly I would thought mackinaw was the correct spelling.

All my life in the south
48 in Ga. and in texas since 99

and you know how how us flks in the Soth tak
yep ats ite yal noooo e aint spll ithr

[AlArchie]

Nope, MackinaC is the correct spelling, but don't ask me why?

See http://www.mightymac.org/

[Mryooper]

http://www.sticksite.com/bigones.htm