The Journey
Welcome to The Journey, a space where Mary McKSchmidt shares her transition from business executive to advocate, photographer, poet, and storyteller. Here, she invites you to walk alongside her as she explores life in the Great Lakes region, its beauty and fragility, and the bonds that connect us all.
Three Things I Learned About Influencing Congressional Leaders
In my former life as an executive, I served as a board member for the company’s Political Action Committee (PAC). Professionally trained to influence Congressional leaders, I joined our Washington D.C. lobbyists in advocating on behalf of renal patients needing...
August Skosh: Thinking About Goals Along the Betsie Valley Trail
Absorbed in the hunt for the blazing fire of the hawkweed and the velvety pouch of the Lady’s-slipper,at first, I do not see the stubby legsof the snapping turtle digging so purposely in the stony soil. That can bethe...
When We Can See the Anchor
Photo taken off the shores of South Manitou IslandThis week’s question is framed by a favorite scientist who is working tirelessly, watershed by watershed, to improve the quality of water along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. His question to elected leaders...
Is Green the New Blue?
Lake Michigan outside Douglas, MI on Wednesday, August 8th. Please share this photograph with others.You think it can’t happen to Lake Michigan, until it does. Ribbons of a lime-green algae rolled in with the waves the morning of August 8th outside Douglas, MI. I...
How Can I Not?
Friends ask me how I can launch a grassroots effort to prioritize clean water at a time when my primary focus is on being present with a loved one diagnosed with a serious health issue. It’s a good question. When the unexpected news shook our lives...
The McKSchmidt Questions
A Grassroots Effort to Prioritize Clean Water You don’t think it can happen to you until it does. Or to someone living right around the corner. On Friday, July 27th, we received an urgent message from our Congressman warning residents of Parchment,...
Walking the Streets of San Francisco Some Twenty Years Ago
He plays bongos on a street corner,ragged, but focused. “I used to bea great artist,” he beams, buthis eyes are blank.I place a dollar bill in his jarthen see the sign, No begging.“You still are,” I reply,and slide him a ten from my wallet. But that is not all I...
“The Box”
“Did you know there are over fifty-five thousand shipwrecks recorded on the Great Lakes?” Rubin asks, looking up from his book.We are sitting in the cockpit of our sailboat, docked in its slip as the sun begins painting the evening skies with brush strokes of pink,...
Even Ben Franklin . . .
. . . needs a good summer read! Uncharted Waters: Romance, Adventure, and Advocacy on the Great Lakes is now available from your favorite bookstore or on Amazon or other online retailers. I know you’ll enjoy!Readers World (at 194 River in Holland,...
What They Are Saying . . .
Uncharted Waters is available July 3rd from your favorite local bookstoreor online retailer. I wrote the book, Uncharted Waters, so that others might experience the Great Lakes, join me in celebrating and protecting them. This is...
I Needed Math and English
I was raised to believe I could make a difference, that I could use my talents to help create a better world. According to my parents, the key was a strong, balanced education. Math and English. Science and Art. History and Physical...
Reflecting on the Woman Who Wore Purple
The year was 2015. Patty Birkholz was no longer my state senator but, as always, I was learning from this woman who championed the Great Lakes, who worked tirelessly to protect our watersheds, who advocated for Michigan's state parks.“When you look at an issue...