• Wednesday-What'sUP November 15 - 06:07 am

Whenever Joyce Tormala heads out for a walk with her camera, we always end up with some "eye candy" to enjoy. These two photos today are no exception and they both include a bonus with her faithful walking companions subtly included. Those storm clouds in the first picture make the surroundings so dark, that if you don't look closely you may miss her feline friend along the side of the road. Note the leaves still hanging on too, there certainly aren't many, but some seem to be stuck to the branches with glue.

Joyce usually ends up on the shores of Lake Superior and she didn't disappoint us (or her four-legged friend) today. White crested waves like that can only mean one thing... the wind is whipping the waters into a bit of a frenzy. That doesn't seem to phase Joyce's partner though, as it looks like she's going to have to set her camera down for a game of fetch here soon.

You know, there's a saying here in the U.P. that if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it'll change. Two good indicators of the weather changing are always the skies and the Big Lake, so pay attention to them and you'll do just fine.

Good Morning: Both of those pictures look cold.
That top one looks like snow clouds and the bottom looks like the Big One is acting up.
I like both of them.

It happens so often, our lives here in the northwoods are mirrored on the Pasty Cam. Yesterday Edie and I watched some eerie, smooth, boiling storm clouds roll in from the Lake. I wished out loud that we had a camera. Glad Joyce did.

By the way, one of Joyce Tormala's wonderful photos appears for the month of October in the new 2008 Pasty Cam Color Calendar. A perfect gift for former and current yoopers, be sure to include a couple in your next pasty order.

Just set the top pic as my desktop. In the bigger pic I then could see kitty better.
Joyce always has some very interesting pics.

One picture is worth a thousand words.

Love the pictures today. As soon as I saw the cat, and then the dog, I knew they were from Joyce. Great job!

I love Joyce's pictures.

I commend our editors for creating the new pages, so this page and What's UP remain close to 'love of the UP' and related topics.

If you have ever carried a bucket of water to the sauna, and realized how heavy water is, these pictures of The Big One acting up really put me in awe of how much power Mother Nature has.

Great pictures, today! The top picture looks really ominous! I enjoyed looking at your Album, Joyce: you have some wonderful pictures! I love seeing your dogs in many of the pictures, and you have some great weather pictures, too. Thank you, Joyce and Mary, for today's pictures.

I'm looking at these wonderful pictures while listening to Christmas music, it's too bad I'll have to come back to reality soon to head off to work. Nice pictures with special pals included!

Hyvaa huomenta.
With all the wonderful scenery in the Keweenaw Peninsula, nearly everyone with a camera can be a very good photographer. There is some very nice scenery in the Whitewater (river) Valley in Indiana but it doesn't compare to the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Joyce, as always, thanks for you pics and your Pals! I too scrolled down on this top omnious pic. and when I saw the cat I knew they were yours and I smiled. Then there was the dog pal! What great places you have to walk!

Joyce's animals lead her out I think. She gets great pictures with them.

Gloomy skies for the Ohio State and Michigan game on Saturday!!!!

Go Bucks.

Ray: Good analogy; I never thought of that before.

Matt: Your use of the word "whitewater" reminded me I want to go to Whitewater's website and order a new CD for my husband for Christmas. I think I want the newest one. Got the one with Keweenaw Light on it this summer.

I think Joyce's cat just loves those adventures. See how high that tail is prancing down the road. Stick hauler seems in heaven too.

Hey Janie! I've been listening to Christmas music too. It's so beautiful, isn't it? On the 15th of December we're going to a TSO concert. I can't wait!

Joyce has a good eye and I love seeing UP scenes thru the lens of her camera. She takes such lovely pictures!

On the subject of Christmas concerts, has anyone been to a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert? I think they're the best!

I was feelin' a bit gloomy when I looked at the pics. Then my spirits soared as I put on my shorts and grabbed my golf clubs and headed for the course. Pics like that remind me why I am back in Florida this time of the year.Can't keep me from the UP in the good ol' summertime tho'.
Yup, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and tho'I'm not sure, I THINK I'm having the time of my life. I find I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up !!! GO PACKERS!!!!!

Deb S and Kathy P....I listen to Christmas music all year, now that a radio station is playing Christmas, the radio in my stable is set to it so my horses and ponies are jamming to it, as well as the radio for our dogs is set also so they can jam while hubby and I are at work. Mannheim is great music, never seen them but my CD is almost as good!

Speaking of Christmas, can you believe it is just under 6 weeks away? Yikes! Are you ready?

Mannheim Steamroller CDs are great. In their Christmas concerts the musicians are dressed in formal white; there is a light show with the high energy songs and a slide show with the ballads.

I don't know, I'm kinda partial to Trans Siberian Express, but that's just me ;-)

oops, orchestra..........

i'm still in beaumont typing on a pda, cut me some slack :P

Capt. Paul, you're thinking of the mild cold fronts we get here in the north.
We're headed to the TSO show in December, saw them for the first time last year, probably an annual event now.
Mr. Deb

I can't believe how many leaves are still on the trees down here near Detroit. Usually the late October rains knock the last of the leaves off of the trees, yet this year we still have tons of trees still holding their leaves. Some are still green! Last year they hung on into early November, but not this late!

Janie T, you are so lucky. But I can listen to them any time too. They're all on my computer. They're the best.

However, how can Mannheim be the best when TSO is? Hmmm, I'll have to mull that over. We have Mannheim CD's too, but we play the TSO ones more. Can't wait to go.

Hey, are we on What's UP? I don't think so. Sorry!!!

Nice pictures, Mom! Two of my favorite places and two of my favorite animals!

Question to Joyce Tormala, did you have a Dad named Alden who was our Lutheran pastor in Waukegan at St. Paul's church. He was from the UP. He once visited me while I was at Suomi. He walked in on my girlfreind, Susie from Houghton, and I, while we were sitting on a sofa in front of the fire. Enough said, my face was red, but not from the fire.
Oh for GREAT Xmas music tune in 88.1 from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. We start 1 minute after midnight on the Friday after turkey day and go until New Years Day. You can hear us over the internet thur Wheaton.edu and follow the prompts. Wonderful music, 24-7. Oh how do I know? I do announcing for them.

Jeffrey - Did you know that the president of Wheaton College, D.Liftin is from MI? Went to church with his family in Hazel Park. I am going to look now for your music on the internet.
Thank you for the information.

Hey, I checked out TSO...WOW! More really neat Christmas music. Thanks for the lead.

Yes,these animals certainally do lead me outside.
On this particular day I tried to sneak out for a quick one,knowing a thunderstorm was on the way. I thought I was free until I heard the familiar yowl off in the distance. Okay,okay,come on then. The storm closed in on us when we were on the final stretch. Let's get a move on,dood! After a clap and a flash,the cat was ahead of me. He doesn't like to miss out on a hike and holds a grudge when he is left indoors. He cries while running from window to door,I am told. I don't know how we managed without good ol' Pasty Paws. He is a great buddy.
The second picture was taken on October 31. It was too cold and windy for fun fetching,but Champ managed to snag a waterlogged stick to take home for future use. I am still trying determine whether this pup is aging me prematurely or helping to retain my youth!
I appreciate the comments more than words can say. Thank you!
The answer to Jeffrey's question is no. I feel your burn though,and it's a scorcher!

Joyce, your cat reminds me of a couple of cats that we have had. Usually cats don't like to walk with you but we had one back when the kids were small who had to go every place that they did. No matter how far they walked, he was with them. And up until a few years ago, our older cat (who we since had to have put down and still miss her) would walk as far as the corner with us, sit down and wait for us to make the return trip. As soon as she saw us, she'd start walking home. But we couldn't go unless she followed to her spot.

I can't understand why people don't like cats and feel that dogs make the better companion. I think it's how they're treated. I love your pictures with your animals.

You're welcome, Kathy! You should try one of their concerts.

Joyce, I have been remiss in not commenting on your pictures as I am one of your numerous fans. Your photos capture the essence of your cat & dog's personalities.
To many cats seem aloof; however, my experience is that given an opportunity they, too, want to be part of the activity. But it must be their idea.
The picture of Champ with his new found toy captures his proud and playful attitude.
And, of course, you always capyure some of the UP beauty.
Please keep snapping those photos.