Don't Worry Be Happy

Photo Credit: Palm Tree Yacht Club

Driving home to Grosse Ile is a major pain some days.

First, on average we spend one half of our year enduring cloudy, dreary days. GI (Metro Detroit) averages 75 "sunny days" and 105 "partly sunny days" each year. That means it's really hard to stay out of the grasp of the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) monster. Especially around the end of February.

Second. I've discovered that if I don't come home through Trenton on West Rd. or E. Jefferson past the derelict steel plant, no matter the time of day or day of the week, I can spend a whole lot of time waiting for stalled RR trains blocking the road. Sometimes they will decide to roll over and give up an itty-bitty bit to let me pass. Other times, I'm not so lucky.

And, third, the “free” bridge. It may not be open. It may be under "inspection", swinging for some passing boat and get "stuck", or otherwise occupied doing whatever – except allowing traffic to pass.

Now that I’ve emptied my complaint jar, I want to say how wonderful it’s been to pass by the GI Palm Tree.

Each day, that bit of whimsy helps keep me centered, offering a reminder that I’m now entering a great place to live. It’s a beautiful nature’s preserve... sort of a "sunny Caribbean island"... just a little northern, with wonderful people. And a local government, with outstanding public servants, representing the will of the people. After all, local government is government by the people, with laws written by people. It’s not people created by ordinances, like in other towns.

Except... when it comes to that bit of whimsy... The GI Palm Tree.

The Township Council decided to ignore the 3,000 plus comments favoring keeping it shinning on GI Parkway.

Nope, it had to go.

If we leave it, some terrorist group might put up some sign declaring death to the free bridge… or fix the “damn roads” or something worse.

One elected township official declared it “some hideous piece of illuminated trash that greets us as we cross over the county bridge"… trailer trash… and demeaned even more by saying, "it is inappropriate as representative of our island."

Odd, I thought. He must have some special “Appropriateness Rx”, unknown to the rest of us.

Free GI's Palm Tree...Let a little whimsy free your heart and mind.

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy - 1988