Yesterday was a get-up – get ready – leave early type of day, but for a good reason. We were going with my sister-in-law and her husband to visit the Great Shipwreck Museum on Lake Superior. From our place to theirs in Guinn is about 45 minutes away, and then off we went for a three-hour drive. The weather was perfect, the company fun, and the drive beautiful. We spent the majority of our time beachcombing for agates, and I believe I found a couple. We gathered (permission granted) stones for our shower base and watched huge ships cross Lake Superior. I could see a little land far across the lake which was Canada – yes, I waved to our neighboring country. I am at home on the beach, so to say I could have stayed all day is an understatement. I’ll be posting some photos on Facebook after some editing takes place. After a while, we had to find a place to eat and were directed to a place in Paradise called The Fish House. 
It turned out to be one of those “hidden gems” you hear about. Friday Fish Fry is a well known happening event in the Yooper world, so you are guaranteed to find a fish dinner somewhere, but never have I tasted anything as good as their white fish. This place is only open from the time they get their fresh catch for the day until the last fish is gone. There is no frozen anything here. If it isn’t fresh that day, they don’t serve it. 
The atmosphere is friendly and fun, and the food is excellent. If you are ever up in Paradise, Michigan, I hope you will be lucky enough to find the restaurant open and are hungry, you won’t be disappointed. The waitress was hysterical and called Dan out for his finger-pointing. After a lifetime of loud farm equipment and construction, Dan is used to pointing out directions, places, people – pretty much a pointing man. We all got a good laugh at her ribbing, and have no doubt we will be back.
After our three-hour drive back we stopped in Marquette for a little more beachcombing and sightseeing. When you see the huge ship docked for ore-loading, you appreciate the size of the equipment involved. Photos do not do this process justice. 
The train is on top of the ore bridge, and though we didn’t get to see the operation take place you can see the ship lined up waiting for the iron ore to be loaded. The pockets drop and the loading process takes only minutes from what I’m told. The original ore bridge (no longer active) dates back to 1912 and is a beautiful piece of history to enjoy when visiting the waterfront. It was an amazing day, and I will go back to Marquette and the Shipwreck Museum area beachcombing again…hopefully, soon.
As always have a wonderful day, and thank you for reading my ramblings.
Yes, I said it, that word “hater” – but the truth is I have no use for hackers, and I doubt you do either. I am an early riser, and many times before I get up, I check my iPad (always close by) to see what happened in the world while I slept.
This morning I had a private message via Facebook from an author, Carolyn Strain, I met through a writer’s group. We have chatted many times on messenger and had built a friendship via our lives and interests. This morning when I checked there was a message from Carolyn asking how I was and if I got some sleep last night. Though generally, our discussion is about writing, personal subjects have come up before. Anyhow, I said I slept like a baby for six full hours – YAHOOO. We chatted a bit, and I asked how she was doing (recent illness) – that is where it went downhill. The response was, “I’m Carolyn’s brother, she is resting because she doesn’t feel well. Where are you from?” – I let him know I didn’t feel the need to engage in a private conversation with another man because I am married, and it is not appropriate. The next message had grammar content that gave me pause. My suspicions were quickly solidified; she had been hacked. The new profile pic I had missed was of a guy and his dog.
What is frustrating is I can’t even message her to let her know she’s been hacked because the guy will answer back as her. I hope a more personal friend will notify her. I had no other choice but to “Unfriend” her, and now I don’t trust to accept a “Friend Request” from her if she figures it out and tries to get in contact with me. This is one of the worse Facebook hacks I’ve encountered.
I have many friends on Facebook that are personal friends, so if I suspect they are hacked, I’ll contact them directly – problem solved. But I have made many friends through other authors, photographers, and like interests’ groups. I get it’s only online, but a friend regardless. We bounce thoughts off of each other, give advice or ideas when asked, or support when needed. So, I’ve enjoyed the friendships. As a shy introvert, Facebook has provided an excellent avenue for me to keep connected with family and friends in faraway places, connect with extended lost relatives, and meet many new friends. I guess, as this hacker, or hackers, infiltrate my contacts on Facebook, I will be forced to continue to “Unfriend” people. Hopefully, it won’t go on until all my friends have been eliminated, but that is a possibility. If you find I have had to “Unfriend” you, please take that as a sign you have likely been hacked, and I’m sorry to lose our connection. Which hacks me off.
That said, I will change all my passwords (in case he was successful with his dirty deeds) and move on with life. Maybe Facebook is too vulnerable now, and has run its course as my lifeline to the outside world – we shall see. Until then, be careful, my friends, real or online.