Hello From Michigan.
So, we moved to Michigan. As much as I'd like to say I'm making the most of it and staying positive, it's been tough. And still is.
Within the span of a few days, I said goodbye to Kili, then to life at the beach, and hello to living in the Detroit suburbs. I feel like a fish out of water, or like I'm on another planet.
I know it will get better, and some people absolutely love living here, but it's hard to say hi to a new season and be optimistic when I just had to say goodbye to so many things I loved, and that made me feel alive.
The good part is Lake Michigan is gorgeous, and I had a blast the times we made it out there so far. It's still so freaky that it's a lake and not an ocean, and all the sand dunes are a blast. Further up north, the Upper Peninsula looks incredible. I just wish it was easier for me to get up there. My husband's job (which is why we moved - Go Lions) puts a damper on my being able to get out and explore that much. (School drop off a pick up, and weekends are devoted to sports.) So all exploring for me has to be between 9:30 and 3:30 any given day, which makes it hard to do a 2.5 -4.5+ hour drive to the really cool spots. But I'll find some stuff nearby. And eventually get up there.
This new season simply isn't about me and my adventures, at all. I'm the support system, the handyman, and comic relief of the family.
We've moved a lot, and the one consistent through them all has been Kili. She got me out and about, exploring, easily meeting people, and I always had a buddy around. So, that's adding to the current state of discombobulation, too. I did sign up to volunteer at the humane society, so I'm hopeful, and the chances of me rescuing quite a few senior dogs are high, too.
One thing that's keeping me going, though, and I'm extremely excited about, is my art. There are fewer distractions, and the emotions of missing a sun-filled beach life can lead to creating some seriously rad shit. So let the creations begin.
And lots of fall style stuff, if I can figure out where the heck to photograph it all. Navarre Beach's lighting and backdrop were hard to beat.
There are some sweet vintage shops up here, fun little trails, Fall is set to be stunning, the Detroit Institute of Arts is inspiring, and I like the vibe of Downtown Detroit. There are some gems around the area I have saved on Google Maps, too. But my soul just craves wide-open spaces, long beach walks, rainy-day mountain hikes, dives into the ocean, and catching a wave while the sun kisses my skin.
Yes, I know there is surfing here too. I check the cams and looked up a few spots, and have boards and thick wetsuits ready. If it ever looks really good, I might just take Levi out of school and head out to experience surfing on Lake Michigan. It'd be a great field trip.
This new season is weird, and honestly, if I just hopped, skipped, and sang a happy tune saying yay, life is good, I'd be lying to everyone. Myself included. Have there been gorgeous moments? Yes. And I'm always on the lookout for them, but this is a big change for me in so many ways, and embracing it just feels prickly at times.
So yeah, I’m figuring out some things, but still painting, and wanted to say hello from Michigan. The latest stop on this adventure called life.
If you've been following along for a while, the map goes Hawaii > Seattle > Los Angeles > The Bay Area > Minnesota > Emerald Coast, FL > Seattle > Back to Florida, and now...Michigan.
I think my husband owes me a super nice birthday or anniversary gift this year. Maybe a medal? Or a surf trip.
Love, Rebekah
Pictured above (haven't taken too many pics, and my phone melted without backing up, so I lost a month's worth of pics, too. Oops.)
Morning walk in South Haven
Favorite part of the DIA - Diego Rivera's murals.
Lake cottage roads at Golden Hour
The only selfie I've taken in two months 🤪
Rad tiles and emotional support kicks
The studio setup is a work in progress. But the shop is up and running,so go shop.
