(Official Portrait of James Earl Carter as President of the United States. Government photo.) Now, as you know, I started jotting down Admiral Mac’s stories on the paper napkins at Willow years ago. Talking with him was a way to time-travel to the years of great danger to the Republic, both economic and in armed […]

(Harry Truman leaves the White House in the 1960s. Photo LIFE Magazine.) “For some time I have been disturbed by the way CIA has been diverted from its original assignment. It has become an operational and at times a policy-making arm of the Government. …We have grown up as a nation, respected for our free […]

I think this place is full of spies I think they’re onto me Didn’t anybody, didn’t anybody tell you Didn’t anybody tell you how to gracefully disappear in a room I know you put in the hours to keep me in sunglasses, I know And so and now I’m sorry I missed you I had […]

(Rep. Lucien N. Nedzi, 1969 from Congressional Pictorial Directory.) “Trooper Bart” Stupak was my Congressman from Michigan’s first district, a ruggedly handsome former State Patrol officer. He was a Democrat, and a relatively conservative one as reflects the philosophy of the First, who are country working people, though he went with his party on 96% […]

(Amma, the Hugging Saint, doing her thing in Reston, VA, this week.) The good folks of Minnesota are dealing with their ninth day of the closure of their government this morning, as the last Shuttle mission orbits overhead, and Betty Ford checks out of her clinic and off the planet. Bless them all. The Golden […]

(Map of the trip Up North, with airports, major geographic features and important landmarks as annotated at the Willow Bar. Photo and map Socotra. Drink by Big Jim and consumed by Jon-with-no-H.) I flew in from Detroit- Man, my arms are tired- and went to the office to make a 1400 meeting. The re-boot on […]

(Classic Mackinaw Bridge-themed license plate found in Socotra Garage.) Alert Readers have asked if the famed Socotra work ethic has fallen off the cliff. The staff here at the Daily is eager to reaffirm their commitment to the daily blather; this has been a daunting trip to the Northland, and with each act here in […]

It was Popcorn Day at Potemkin Village, or that is what the sign said by the slow elevator in the lobby. There was also a wine and music event in the formal dining room, scheduled for two o’clock. I thought I might suggest that to Big Mama as an afternoon activity, since Raven just sleeps […]

(Raven and Dee at her house at Torch Lake. Photo Socotra.) Let’s be candid about the process: this is no fun. It is still filled with bright spots, though they can be spread out a little bit. I steeled myself to go to Potemkin Village before lunch, so I could go through the mail. I […]

(Legendary Detroit Broadcaster JP McCarthy of WJR.) I spent the afternoon in a brand spanking new Hertz Chevy Impala. It is supposed to be a flex-fuel vehicle, at least the plate on the trunk lid  says so, though I don’t know what that means. The hyper-vigilant cop from Ogemaw was on revenue patrol at the […]