One of the most common questions that is asked by summer visitors is “What do you do up here in the winter?”. Life doesn’t really stop after the last leaf falls off of the trees. Life does generally become much more relaxed – this is a good thing after going non-stop for months during the summer. After we stop and take a deep breath, we can get on with the winter activities. This week has been particularly busy. One night, a new friend invited some local girls to dinner at her new house in Glen Arbor. She brought up one of her friends from Grand Rapids and we had a great evening – finding out just how small the world is – discovering how many people we all knew in common, despite almost 200 miles between our homes.

The next day I spent over near Lewiston, MI at the Rally America Sno-drift auto race. Believe me, I would have never done this except my son was racing a car that he and a friend had spent the last year putting together for this race. Unbelievably, I had a great time. It was cold, to say the least, but exciting and fun to watch. We only stayed for one of the runs, watching cars bounce off the snowbanks. In spite of their efforts, they finished last…

Sunday, I did something else that I have not done in quite a few years. That was to attend a chamber music concert sponsored by Chamber Music North at the Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City. This non-profit group has been started through the tremendous effort of Debbie Fayroian, a former longtime cello player with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, only one of the many musical accomplishments in her career. Her goal has been to bring world class chamber music to northern Michigan and she is doing a great job. The next concert in the Sundays at Three series will be February 22nd, featuring the Euclid Quartet, one of hottest groups in chamber music right now. Ticket and other information can be found at the Chamber Music North website.

Just when you thought life in the north couldn’t be any fuller. I have to tell you that I also attended a much different concert last night at Sleder’s Tavern in Traverse City. The Irish musical group, Chulrua, was here playing traditional Irish music. They conducted workshops for musicians prior to the concert. My husband and son both attended the guitar workshop and thought it well worth it. The concert was great with their selections of traditional jigs, reels, and ballads.

So between all of these types of events, then fitting in exercise classes, tennis, knitting, etc., life can be pretty full in the north country during the winter!