My Family and I

My family and I moved to Monroe, Michigan in May 2003. We live in a historic brick home located a few blocks north of the River Raisin. The building was once a home for blind babies and is known to many local residents as the Blind Baby House.

The City of Monroe and Monroe County are situated in the southeast corner of the State of Michigan on Lake Erie. Originally settled by the French, the community played a key role in the War of 1812, Battle of Frenchtown. Port Toledo and the Toledo strip were once part of Monroe County and Monroe was caught up in a dispute between the state of Ohio and the territory that has been called the Toledo War.

Monroe has been home to many famous Americans; Tecumseh met here with the French, the founder of Arbor Day, J. Sterling Morton, grew up in Monroe and Elizabeth "Aunt Bett" Upham McWebb, the author of The Little Brown Bear books, lived across the road from us and passed away only a year after we moved here. Monroe's most notable son is George Armstrong Custer. His bronzed likeness graces the intersection of Monroe Street and Elm Street just a few blocks southwest of our home.

    We lived outside of the Great Lakes region for ten years; seven in Nebraska and three in Texas. The one thing I missed the most about Michigan was our four seasons. Each spring, as the daffodils bloom I get the restless urge to turn soil and plant vegetables; I want to rush to the woods and search for moral mushrooms. Sadly, my own back yard is not suited to gardening and the woods in Monroe County are not really great mushroom patches. Someday ...

Spring Flowers

School's Out, School's Out!

The 2005-2006 school year is almost over. Linda, William, Sarah and I all attended college at Monroe County Community College. Linda graduated Cum Laude this semester earning her Associates of Science in General Studies. She will be attending Eastern Michigan University this fall with the goal of earning her Bachelor's of Science in Journalism.

William is persuing courses in electronics and PC repair. He works downtown on weekends at Zorba's Coney Island. Sarah is taking courses in fine arts and graphics. I am taking courses in programming.

Lydia, Lisa and Nathan are all home educating. Our program doesn't really stop for the summer, but it slows down and the summer is time to catch up on areas were they are a bit behind. Lydia's recent interests include introductory web site design with HTML and her favorite school subject is science. She is our "dark child" and has some twisted obsession with Harry Potter, Neopets and X-Men. Visit her NeoPotter pages.

Lisa has recently discovered the joy of reading; her favorite books are Animorphs, Warriors and X-Men comics and her favorite school subject is math.

Nathan takes care of his Tamagotchi and collects Yu-Gi-Uh! cards. He enjoys reading with Mom.