THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Was there ever such an autumn? And yet there was never such a panic and hard times in the commercial world. The merchants and banks are suspending and failing all the country over, but not the sandbanks, solid and warm, and streaked with bloody blackberry vines.You may run upon them as much as you please--even as the crickets do, and find their account in it. They are the stockholders in these banks, and I hear them creaking their content. " ~ Henry David Thoreau ( Journal, October 14, 1857) ~ Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (Sleeping Bear Dunes) ________________ Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Large, diverse, and unique, this National Lakeshore is one of the crown jewels of Michigan's natural resources. Here you will find 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, including dunes, bluffs, rocky points, and protected bays. North and South Manitou Islands add another 30 miles of shoreline. These remote islands offer pristine backpacking experiences from May through October...

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." ~ Henry David Thoreau ~ Pumpkins on parade _____________ PUMPKIN POUND CAKE ___________ 1 cup soft unsalted butter 3 cup sugar 5 large organic eggs 3 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. ginger 2 cups mashed pumpkin (canned is fine) 1/3 cup bourbon (or rum) Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Beat unsalted butter at medium speed about 2 minutes or until soft & creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears . Combine flour and next 6 ingredients. Combine pumpkin and bourbon (rum). Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin mixture , beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix after each addition on low until blended. Pour batter into greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 1 hour and 25-30 ...

"A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows." - Henry David Thoreau 'Earth's Eye' (June sunset ~ Hubbard Lake) _____________________ MESQUITE GRILLED CHICKEN ~ Lazy day supper fare __ 12 boneless chicken breast halves water soaked mesquite chips 1/2 cup soy sauce juice and zest of 1-2 lemons 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper Combine soy sauce, juice and zest of lemon, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder and black pepper. Pour marinade over chicken breasts and marinate several hours or overnight. Light grill and when ready place mesquite chips on coals. Place chicken breast on grill and grill on medium-medium high for 20-30 minutes, depending ...