"Just Me"
October 31, 2010
"Halloween"
Sunday, October 31, 2010 | 
Posted by
Anonymous
Urban Legend: Old Al and the Pick Fort Shelby Hotel
The Story: The old boarded up Pick Fort Shelby Hotel has stood abandon for over twenty years on Lafayette Street near the outskirts of Detroit's business district. For years it was shelter for homeless men who would find there way inside the building to find refuge from the brutal Michigan winters. For years the only paying tenant in the old hotel was the notorious Anchor Bar a favorite
watering hole for reporters from Detroit’s two newspapers The News and Free Press, it occupied a partitioned off section on the street level at the front of the hotel. For years the Anchor had been known as a place where police, politicians, priests and pressmen could go for a cold beer, a greasy hamburger and place a bet on their favorite horse race or football game.
A local street person who was known only as Al found part time work doing odd jobs at the bar. After leaving the bar late at night Al would make his way to the rear of the hotel and re-enter the building through some boards that he had loosened. Al was a one eyed black man whose face showed the results of years of drinking and living on the street. He was quiet and polite but he was often seen driving away other street people who might try to take up residence in the ruins of the old hotel.
They think it was sometime during the late 80's some rotted plumbing gave out in one of the hotels basement levels and unbeknownst to the bar caused all of their sewage to flow out into the hotel basement near the rear of the building. For several years people that worked in an adjacent building
noticed and complained about the smell in the alley to city officials but it was blamed on sluggish sewers in the area. The bar itself was spared the odor because it was totally sealed off from the hotel proper and its entrance was at the front of the building.
During an unusually rare building inspection the startling discovery of years of accumulated human waste was uncovered. They say that it was well over four feet deep. To the inspector’s horror, inside one of the rooms they found the skeletal remains of Old Al. He did not drown in the sewage but it is suspected he became mired in the sludge as he came down a stairway and could not free himself while in the dark and most probably drunk. He must have died a terrible death of starvation or dehydration while held fast in this sucking mire of putrid foul mud-like material. One of the medical examiners told us that his bones had been stripped clean as if they had been boiled. What the rats did not consume the cockroaches and insects finished.
As strange as his cause of death may seem the strange part of the story is that people like myself that work in the area still see old Al walking through the alleys near the old hotel. I personally believe I have seen Al on several occasions late at night sitting in the alley behind the old Fort
Shelby Hotel and that was well after they claim he had died. Once after his body was found I swear I saw him sitting at the rear of the building. I called out his name he looked up, stood and turned toward me. I was somewhat frightened and I glanced over my shoulder make sure I had a clear escape route but as I turned back it was if he had dematerialized into the steam that pores from the old manhole covers in the alley. Some people that I know claim to have seen lights moving through some of the lower floors of the building, and a coworker has sworn that he has heard voices coming from inside the building.
The bar moved out long ago and the building is now well boarded and secure. The street people give the old Shelby wide birth these days You wont even see them going through the dumpsters during the day like they had done for years. Some claim it is the city steam that pores from the manholes and pavement that people mistake for someone moving through the alleys at night but I know it’s old Al still standing guard defending his turf at the old Fort Shelby Hotel.
Submitted by Mr. Thompsonwatering hole for reporters from Detroit’s two newspapers The News and Free Press, it occupied a partitioned off section on the street level at the front of the hotel. For years the Anchor had been known as a place where police, politicians, priests and pressmen could go for a cold beer, a greasy hamburger and place a bet on their favorite horse race or football game.
A local street person who was known only as Al found part time work doing odd jobs at the bar. After leaving the bar late at night Al would make his way to the rear of the hotel and re-enter the building through some boards that he had loosened. Al was a one eyed black man whose face showed the results of years of drinking and living on the street. He was quiet and polite but he was often seen driving away other street people who might try to take up residence in the ruins of the old hotel.
They think it was sometime during the late 80's some rotted plumbing gave out in one of the hotels basement levels and unbeknownst to the bar caused all of their sewage to flow out into the hotel basement near the rear of the building. For several years people that worked in an adjacent building
noticed and complained about the smell in the alley to city officials but it was blamed on sluggish sewers in the area. The bar itself was spared the odor because it was totally sealed off from the hotel proper and its entrance was at the front of the building.
During an unusually rare building inspection the startling discovery of years of accumulated human waste was uncovered. They say that it was well over four feet deep. To the inspector’s horror, inside one of the rooms they found the skeletal remains of Old Al. He did not drown in the sewage but it is suspected he became mired in the sludge as he came down a stairway and could not free himself while in the dark and most probably drunk. He must have died a terrible death of starvation or dehydration while held fast in this sucking mire of putrid foul mud-like material. One of the medical examiners told us that his bones had been stripped clean as if they had been boiled. What the rats did not consume the cockroaches and insects finished.
As strange as his cause of death may seem the strange part of the story is that people like myself that work in the area still see old Al walking through the alleys near the old hotel. I personally believe I have seen Al on several occasions late at night sitting in the alley behind the old Fort
Shelby Hotel and that was well after they claim he had died. Once after his body was found I swear I saw him sitting at the rear of the building. I called out his name he looked up, stood and turned toward me. I was somewhat frightened and I glanced over my shoulder make sure I had a clear escape route but as I turned back it was if he had dematerialized into the steam that pores from the old manhole covers in the alley. Some people that I know claim to have seen lights moving through some of the lower floors of the building, and a coworker has sworn that he has heard voices coming from inside the building.
The bar moved out long ago and the building is now well boarded and secure. The street people give the old Shelby wide birth these days You wont even see them going through the dumpsters during the day like they had done for years. Some claim it is the city steam that pores from the manholes and pavement that people mistake for someone moving through the alleys at night but I know it’s old Al still standing guard defending his turf at the old Fort Shelby Hotel.
By:
October 23, 2010
Wicked Cupcakes from Food Network
Yum, Yum
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cups prune juice
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 4-ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 drop food coloring (green), optional
- Chocolate wafer cookies
- Licorice strips
- Toasted coconut
- Small candies
- Special equipment: 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with paper liners
Directions
For the cupcakes: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Set liners in muffin cups.
Put the chocolate and prune juice in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on low power, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.
Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg and yolk with an electric hand mixer at high speed until slightly thick and lemon colored, about 3 minutes. Slowly add buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until thoroughly combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
Divide the batter among muffin tins, filling them 1/2 of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean and the tops spring back when pressed gently, about 25 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the tin on a rack for 10 minutes then remove from the tin and cool completely.
For the frosting: Beat the butter, peanut butter, and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and milk mixing until the frosting is smooth. Add food coloring as desired. Refrigerate the frosting until firm.
To decorate the cakes: For the witches hat, score a circle in the middle of a cupcake. Cut a deep cone-like shape with a knife held at an angle. Rotate the cupcake to complete the circle and remove the center. Repeat with all the cupcakes. Generously scoop or pipe enough frosting into the center of each cupcake to fill the hole and to come over the cake to make a face. Top with a chocolate wafer cookie. Put a dot of frosting in the middle of the wafer cookie and invert the cone shaped piece of cake on top to make a witches hat. Use skinny licorice, toasted coconut or cereal flakes for hair and candies for eyes and/or nose. Refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Put the chocolate and prune juice in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on low power, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.
Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg and yolk with an electric hand mixer at high speed until slightly thick and lemon colored, about 3 minutes. Slowly add buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until thoroughly combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
Divide the batter among muffin tins, filling them 1/2 of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean and the tops spring back when pressed gently, about 25 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the tin on a rack for 10 minutes then remove from the tin and cool completely.
For the frosting: Beat the butter, peanut butter, and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and milk mixing until the frosting is smooth. Add food coloring as desired. Refrigerate the frosting until firm.
To decorate the cakes: For the witches hat, score a circle in the middle of a cupcake. Cut a deep cone-like shape with a knife held at an angle. Rotate the cupcake to complete the circle and remove the center. Repeat with all the cupcakes. Generously scoop or pipe enough frosting into the center of each cupcake to fill the hole and to come over the cake to make a face. Top with a chocolate wafer cookie. Put a dot of frosting in the middle of the wafer cookie and invert the cone shaped piece of cake on top to make a witches hat. Use skinny licorice, toasted coconut or cereal flakes for hair and candies for eyes and/or nose. Refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving.
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October 19, 2010
My Trip with Friends
If ever you were lucky enough to have friends in your life that make you feel wonderful inside and out, I know my friends would so be on everyone's list of friends to have!
I've spent the last 4 days in Wisconsin near the Dells area joining an artist's tour that went from Baraboo down to Spring Green. Going in and out of artists studios to see their works. Amazing artists, but more amazing was the patience it took to getting to most of these places, because they were so far off the beaten track that you really could get lost not even trying.
But of course, we persevered, and of course we laughed all along the way.
I want to thank my friends for being so wonderful to me every time I am there and for making me feel like they would like if I never left!
It's always so astonishing to me to find people who are exactly who they appear to be! Nothing pretentious, nothing more than just who they are! I believe that I can honestly say, "My Friends, all of them, Are the Best Ever!" Loved my visit, loved the laughs, wish I could have laughed like that more often throughout my life, but those kinds of laughs seem to come from your children, grandchildren, and friends most of all.
So enjoy the pictures even though the fall colors weren't as bright as they usually are, the weather couldn't have been better and the company was the greatest!
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I've spent the last 4 days in Wisconsin near the Dells area joining an artist's tour that went from Baraboo down to Spring Green. Going in and out of artists studios to see their works. Amazing artists, but more amazing was the patience it took to getting to most of these places, because they were so far off the beaten track that you really could get lost not even trying.
But of course, we persevered, and of course we laughed all along the way.
I want to thank my friends for being so wonderful to me every time I am there and for making me feel like they would like if I never left!
It's always so astonishing to me to find people who are exactly who they appear to be! Nothing pretentious, nothing more than just who they are! I believe that I can honestly say, "My Friends, all of them, Are the Best Ever!" Loved my visit, loved the laughs, wish I could have laughed like that more often throughout my life, but those kinds of laughs seem to come from your children, grandchildren, and friends most of all.
So enjoy the pictures even though the fall colors weren't as bright as they usually are, the weather couldn't have been better and the company was the greatest!
By:
October 14, 2010
Another wonderful trip with my friends
My eyes are open and I'll try not to miss a thing!
I'm off again, and I'm sure I will be thoroughly enjoying myself with my friends from Wisconsin!
Time spent with friends you've known since you are a child are so wonderful, that to best describe it I would have to say it's like having a homemade warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream melting on top of it. The whole time you are enjoying it, you are wishing it could be like this always and that your life would never change.
So I'm off and running and I'm sure I will have some beautiful fall colors to show you at my journey's end and who knows, I just may get up those 200 stairs to try my zip lining this time out there. I know I'll be going on an art tour throughout the Baraboo countryside to visit local artists who show their works in their surroundings along with some demonstrations too....
Of course we'll have lots of laughs, lots of talking, and tea with my long time friends! Smile and warmth is all I think of when I think of them.
By:
October 10, 2010
"Sisters"
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters.
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters.
Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women...your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too.
'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women...your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too.
'You'll need other women. Women always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about.
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes, Life happens, Distance separates, Children grow up, jobs come and go.Love waxes and wanes, Men don't do what they're supposed to do, Hearts break,
Parents pass on, Colleagues forget favors, Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you....Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Mother’s in law, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Mother’s in law, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.
When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Remember to value everyone in your life because they came into it for a reason. Sisters for us our the ones we get our strength from sometimes. They make us laugh or cry but they’ll always be there for you at a moment’s notice! Love them and always remember to stay in touch even if you were the last one to do it and it’s their turn!
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Remember to value everyone in your life because they came into it for a reason. Sisters for us our the ones we get our strength from sometimes. They make us laugh or cry but they’ll always be there for you at a moment’s notice! Love them and always remember to stay in touch even if you were the last one to do it and it’s their turn!
Here's a kiss to all my sisters!!
October 6, 2010
A Day spent in Michigan's Wine Country
I don't think I could have dreamed a better day for my fall excursion to Michigan's wine country!
Not a cloud in the sky, just enough of a breeze to keep a crisp bite to the air and yet the warmth of the sun soothed my soul and made me smile.
I learned that in Stevens-ville, Michigan they have created a winery because of not so expert people getting together and saying (against the experts advice) that they had as much chance of creating great wine as California does because believe it or not, they had ideal conditions for growing and harvesting wine!
Hence; Tabor Wine was born.-With their rolling hills, and perfect soil as I learned were truly an awakening for the world to take notice to the Midwest's wine making abilities. They even have the grapevines growing in a north/south direction so that the breezes from the west spray the crops as not to need irrigation and in the winter the lake effect snow blows across and covers the root system to the plants as to insulate them for the next years crop. Tabor Hills has even experienced a new type of wine called the Freezer wines or I at least I think that's what they call it. Whereas they pick a new crop for the Freezer wines after the first crop has been harvested.
If ever you have a chance to visit, I suggest that you do, because it was a wonderful place to visit and their wines aren't too bad either.My favorites were; Gewurztraminer,Classic Demi-red, and the Michigan Cherry was phenomenal! I'm sure there were many others that might have been good, but those were mine.
"Lake Michigan Shore’s Wine Country is one of the finest wine-producing areas in the world. The climate and site, like those of France and Germany, are perfect, with cool temperate breezes, sandy clay soil and one of the highest vineyard sites in the Midwest. These factors, combined with the expertise of our wine making staff, result in premium wines that rival those from anywhere in the world."
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October 1, 2010
Beautiful Walk along the River
It was a beautiful fall day yesterday and I went to enjoy a walk along the river in Batavia.
Every time I get the chance to walk with friends I do. It's almost as if that moment in time just becomes more special because you had someone to talk to,someone to walk with, and share in the feeling of pure joy just because of the beauty of it all.
Nature is such a beautiful, and mysterious thing no matter what season it is. To watch the river glistening because of the way the sun was hitting it made me reflect a little of the past.
You seem to go back in time, to a place of peace and serenity. A place where nothing was out of balance and all was well with the world!
We walked and enjoyed the soft breeze along the river and we went in and out of some of the old buildings and historical sites available to us along our path. We even went in a home that has been turned into a antique shop on the first floor of this old home and the upper two floors are still being inhabited by the owners as their place of residency. It was a beautiful painted lady!
We walked a little further and enjoyed this beautiful old church that I have admired for so many years now and wonder about the craftsmanship of it. When it was built, what tools did they use, etc.?
I will share the pictures with you today and maybe just in the showing of the slide show, you will have taken this walk with us too!
Life is too short, so you must try to enjoy being "in the moment," no matter how short the moment is. js
By:
Every time I get the chance to walk with friends I do. It's almost as if that moment in time just becomes more special because you had someone to talk to,someone to walk with, and share in the feeling of pure joy just because of the beauty of it all.
Nature is such a beautiful, and mysterious thing no matter what season it is. To watch the river glistening because of the way the sun was hitting it made me reflect a little of the past.
You seem to go back in time, to a place of peace and serenity. A place where nothing was out of balance and all was well with the world!
We walked and enjoyed the soft breeze along the river and we went in and out of some of the old buildings and historical sites available to us along our path. We even went in a home that has been turned into a antique shop on the first floor of this old home and the upper two floors are still being inhabited by the owners as their place of residency. It was a beautiful painted lady!
We walked a little further and enjoyed this beautiful old church that I have admired for so many years now and wonder about the craftsmanship of it. When it was built, what tools did they use, etc.?
I will share the pictures with you today and maybe just in the showing of the slide show, you will have taken this walk with us too!
Life is too short, so you must try to enjoy being "in the moment," no matter how short the moment is. js
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