The John Ten Have Memorial Forest

Surrounded by an incredible forest is Clear Lake, also known as Clear Bottom Lake, the names are pretty much synonymous.

Anyway, this peaceful space of trees and winding paths, a space where one could clear the head, lighten the heart and forget the turmoil of life, was tended, maintained and watched over by John Ten Have, my uncle by marriage and a longtime friend. He didn't just own the woods he understood the trees, the plants and the world of this forest. Thank you Uncle John for sharing, your knowledge and yourself. His spirit is there now, in the place he loved most. . .

daughter Jennifer and Uncle John

Van Halsema cousins

There was quite the Van Halsema reunion for Aunt Thea's 92nd birthday at Raybrook this past Saturday. I had the opportunity to photograph at least three Van Halsema cousins who hadn't seen each other for quite a few years: Emily/Amahl Van Halsema from California, Melissa Ten Have Loaney from St. Louis and Jennifer Ten Have Galloway from Clear Lake right here in Kent County.

Emily/Amahl and Jen

Susie and her cousin Lissa

Update from Grand Rapids

Life is pretty good -- in fact, it's damn good.

The Tarte has several irons in the fire (and they're getting hotter by the minute), I'm very close to wrapping up my four-volume series of guidebooks to the sculptures in Paris Cemeteries, our trip to France is inching ever closer (cannot wait), the family here is all well, and Dick and Dorothy spent a few days last week to visit family, friends and just enjoy being in Western Michigan.

Good? I'd say it's great! and I've got the photos to prove it. . .

the French Tarte plotting her next move

this is quite probably the only palm tree on a beach in Michigan (Grand Haven State Beach)

part of the Victorian Garden at Meijer Gardens

waterfall at Meijer Gardens

Dick and Dorothy on their 34th anniversary at Meijer Gardens

Van Halsema cousins at Clear Lake: Melissa Ten Have Loaney, Jennifer Galloway and Susan VandenBereg

Clear Lake: a place of refuge

It's never too early for Thanksgiving - thinking of family

With the passing of Uncle Martin VandenBerg I thought what better time to share a couple of photos of other family members with you.

The two Bergman girls (now married and with families of their own), Rachel and her big sister Christina, playing at Dick and Dorothy's house in Massachusetts in May of 2000:

And then there is Jennifer and her dad John TenHave, taken on a lovely afternoon out a Clear Lake in July of 2000: