Friday For messages about today's picture, see Cam Notes. This area is for other friendly conversation. Please read our Acceptable Use Policy.

Some other links of recent interest to Pasty Cam watchers:
• Ancestors 2007   • New Arrivals 2007
• Visit the Hut Inn Eight years ago on the Pasty Cam: 09/28/99 ^{Printed on Recycled Internet}

The main street in our home town, Eagle River, the way it looked 8 years ago.

Morning - TGIF

MMMMM,pretty fall colors
It is winter going into spring here in Christchurch,new Zealand.

Good Morning!
Mr. Deb

We can almost smell the burning leaves down here.

Good morning! I see my hubby beat me up this morning. I hear you Margaret. When we take our walks during lunch at work, you can just smell them. I love the smell of the leaves in the fall.

Good Morning, Everyone! Happy Friday!

I love the color on the trees in the picture from 8 years ago today. Burning leaves? I haven't smelled burning leaves since I was a child. Here, the city picks up the leaves, either from piles in the streets or in paper bags on garbage day. The piles of leaves in the streets get dangerous, though, because they get so huge that there is barely room for one lane of traffic. The leaves are beautiful, as long as they stay on the trees, but then they become a pain.

I love the smell too, they were burning some downed trees last weekend by me from when the tornado went through last month. That smell is good too.

Well, it's looking like I'll have plenty of time to walk in the leaves. No decision has been made toward balancing the state budget. Last night at midnight was the deadline. If they don't come up with something today, they will roll up the sidewalks in front of the state buildings and close the doors on Monday. Sigh...

Good luck, Cindy. We'll be thinking about you. Politicians.......bah-humbug!!!! I'm sure they won't lose any sleep (or money) over it though.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!

Yes Deb S. Who needs politicians!! Things would run a lot smoother without them. Just have the average Jack and Jill make all of the decisions, interpret the laws, handle world diplomacy, raise a family, and keep a job. Every-one would have the same opinion on everything just as we all do on this site......I can just see it now.........

Funny, FJL, I never realized you had the same opinions as the rest of us on this site. Hmmmmm!!!

Thats right Deb. It's funny you didn't realize that from my previous posts over the years...........

Thanks P.Weed! 7-1/2 decades today! A beautiful day for a B'Day. Good morning all! I updated my profile!

Happy 75th Birthday, Paulwebbtroll! That's a great age. And, it looks like it is a great day for a birthday! Enjoy it, and many, many more! :-)

Happy Birthday Paul. It is a beautiful day for a birthday. Enjoy your day.

A very Happy Birthday to you Paul! 75 years young! Tomorrow my daughter turns 28. A great time of the year to celebrate!

I agree, at least to a good extent, with the editorial in this morning's Detroit Free Press, slamming all of the government leaders, from the Governor to the Senate Majority Leader to the Speaker of the House, for incompetence and inability to lead because of all of their refusals to compromise. The blame lies in all of their courts, for each of their unwillingness to give an inch. They should all be compromising to come up with a real solution.

In the meantime, I am very glad that my son got his Level 1 driver's license on Wednesday. For those who have licenses of any kind coming up for renewal soon, there may be some real problems. I wonder how much leeway will be given for expired ones? And, I feel really sorry for state employees, like Cindy, and contractors, et al. (I think I forgot to mention last night that a state government shutdown will also include all highway construction projects, as well. I wonder what that would do to the Lift Bridge?)

So,i come here to read and look at photo on What's Up page.Will the last one out of the L.P. turn out the lights.Pack up the truck and move to Tennessee,have you heard the News of the Sunshine Trail going on here in Knoxville? About the backroom meetings? They go after the politicans here! Many of us from the U.P. were rasied to become conservitives,well at least the Baby Boomers from there.Where the others our age grew up elsewhere got spoiled and became to liberal,and it is where we are today.Oh well i'll just sit back and enjoy the nice weather,sure don't want to get my dander up by saying the wrong thing.

Justin Sailor made it back home to Baraga from his 50-state tour. He's got some great pictures on his website, The Hometown Invasion Tour, of the fall colors near Alberta, and some fairly unique views of the Mackinac Bridge. (Not to mention great pictures from the other 49 states!) Take a look!

Cindy Barth (Shekinah)
HAPPY SPRING TO YOU CINDY FROM WAY DOWN UNDER!
ENJOY YOUR SPRING AND SUJMMERTIME!
WISH IT WAS JUST GETTING SPRING HERE AND INTO SUMMER, BEST TIMES OF THE YEAR BESIDES FALL FOR THE COLORS!

Interesting question about the lift bridge. I do believe that the lift bridge operator is considered a state employee...

Well, the word has started to trickle down. The janitor service (a contract with Peckham Industries) has been told not to report on Monday and grounds staff from the Department of Management and Budget have been told not to report on Monday. It's just matter of time for the rest of us.

if they don't pass a state budget, will they stop withholding state taxes????? fat chance!

They can't withhold state taxes if there isn't any pay to start with, since income taxes are based on a % of gross pay, so x% of 0 is 0.

There is an update on coming layoff notices:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/UPDATE/709280434

It's official. We got the memo from our front office telling us not to report on Monday. Sigh...

Cindy, I'm really sorry to hear that! But, they are still negotiating, so it is still technically possibly to avoid a layoff. Guv's gag order is interesting.

My question on the bridge was on the construction currently underway. I suppose that will just prolong the pain. I had not thought about the bridge operator. I would think he would have to be considered an essential employee???

Robert - Speakin of the Mac Bridge. The State (if theres one left) is having a contest for a ride to the top for some lucky person. Though they may require ya to have up to date life ins. !!

Mac Contest

I would think the lift bridge would just be left in the down position.

You are talking the Government, you never know what position they would leave it in. Probably if its up when he has his order to leave everyone is out of luck. Lets hope they aren't that stupid!

I thought because the Portage is a waterway technically under federal guidance, they have to open the bridge to water traffic under specific guidelines?

well if anyone knows about a job for a Plumbing instructor, give me a shout... cause the Industry is downsizing in Florida and I was the first victim. :( Was Laid off today and am seriously looking to move back to the UP if a position pans out...

If this is true, then I hope everyone across the Lift Bridge has laid in lots of extra supplies, as I don't know where that leaves the Houghton-Hancock bridge:
"All road construction, routine maintenance, and administrative operations will stop. The state's rest areas will be closed. In addition, six of the state's lift bridges, in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, will be locked in the up position, allowing only water traffic to pass. Those bridges are located in Manistee, Bay City, St Joseph, Port Huron and Detroit. The Mackinac Bridge, the International Bridge, and Blue Water Bridge will remain operational."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/NEWS06/70928070

Marianne,
They've probably forgotten that the UP is part of Michigan.
Mr. Deb

Just able to get online, busy today and out of town mostly. Don't know what all you guys are talking about. Sounds like our Illinois politians a couple weeks ago, if they aren't crooked when they get elected they sure are tainted after being there a while. Oh- oh it sounds like FJL took a smart-alec pill this morning. Or maybe he's one of them? Just asking.

Wouldn't doubt it, Kay. No sirree!!!

happy birthday Paul

Theresa, sorry about your layoff. Good luck job hunting. Sorry about Vanessa also.

I am concerned, after doing some research into the state's drawbridges & lift bridges. All I can find is that 6 of the state's 12 drawbridges/lift bridges will be closed to auto traffic, in the event of a state shutdown. It mentions two of Bay City's bridges will be opened up for marine traffic. Last night, the news said that all 3 of Bay City's bridges would be marine traffic only. I am wondering what is up with the other 6 bridges that are not mentioned anywhere?

Therese, I am sorry to hear of your layoff, as well. I hope you find a good job soon.