Stain-glass Eyes

After traveling through the north-western part of the upper peninsula, in Michigan, (I’m referring to the Keweenaw peninsula) I have had to self-correct my knowledge about being a Yooper.   I thought I knew. Blue Bridge Connecting Houghton and Hancock The Houghton-Hancock area has been hit hard with some fierce, financial burden.   The water damage from heavy rainfalls in May forced many roads to be closed off.   The repairs don’t look simple to me, they’re huge sink holes and can’t just be filled, they have to be built back up from the bottom of the holes.   The road crews I’ve seen are hustling to get the roads passible and safe.   I didn’t feel limited in travel from these diversions.   The detours and refiguring the lanes to go around the holes made for smooth travel.   The hilly area is already a challenge with the one-ways, sharp curves downtown and narrow roads.   Add the construction, closed roads ...

I’ve worked most of my adult life for my independence.   Getting my own car seemed like a huge step toward freedom.   I don’t think that’s changed for most teenagers. They see a vehicle as a way to get away.   (I was twenty one when I got my used Ford Fairlane)   This is a Beautiful Version of the Junker I Owned Working and putting money in a bank account was another way for me to seek independence.   I was working my way to college.   It seemed unreachable, but I pushed forward. Babysitting, restaurant work, summer jobs, after school jobs and singing. My first marriage was a disaster.   After giving birth to my daughter, I knew I needed to get my freedom from my poisonous, lonely, married existence. I didn’t hang on to that independence.   I remarried and again consented to have my freedom-wings clipped.   The compromise was all I knew marriage and raising children was at the time.   After my spouse die...