" All right," Mike said. "If that's the way you want it, that's what you get."They harnessed up the dogs, and walked the team over to the starting lin...e. Greg had his three Siberians in the start chute when they got there; he was soon off and running with them. They moved Tiffany and the three dogs into the starting gate. "You ready, honey?" Vicky called from her table at the start line."Yes, Mrs. Mears," Tiffany said politely"OK, I'll count down from five, and you can go. Ready ... five .... I was instructed to dress fancy and as I sat waiting for my date, I felt like a schoolgirl going on a prom date. My escort, James arrived on time and looked quite handsome dressed in a suit and tie. I was nervous but James put me at ease right away, as he was relaxed and treated me as a long known friend. We dined at La Frit, a place I had longed to go to but never had the opportunity. My date asked me if he could order for me and I acquiesced with pleasure. He spoke perfect French and turned. "Yes," Claire admitted, "but I don't want us to become just sex buddies. Or, more precisely, people who have watched each other have sex, and then that's all we talk about." What would you like to talk about, Claire?" I asked.She thought for a moment. "We shouldn't discuss religion or politics, right?" Although both of you do work for the government," I noted.“And you don’t have children?” Claire continued.“Not yet. But you both do, correct?”“Too many,” Gina jested, “all of them visiting their. . they're French ... If you were Canadian you'd understand.There isn't a speck of difference in the water level of this great big lake that wraps around the Michigan mitten. It probably ought to be Gran Big Lac qui s'enroule autour de la péninsule ... but the explorers were French ... and that makes it self-explanatory.Gran Big Lac qui s'enroule autour de la péninsule is down about two feet from last year. This helps end the massive beach erosion from the high-water of 1954, two feet doesn't.