Ottawa

I’m heading downstate to Grand Haven, MI to complete my run in Ottawa County.

What caught my eye was this coal tower. There’s also one in Clare County, where I’ve run before. I’m told there are only six of these in the state. It’s very cool to see, as I’ve probably run past the Clare County one 30-50 times. I frequent that loop often since it’s close to my rental.

At the start of my run, I headed up to the other side of the train tracks, towards the Grand River, which flows into Lake Michigan.

Running southwest along the path, I saw a lot of boats on the river.

Was pretty wide at this point.

Here’s an entertainment area with steps for people to sit and enjoy the show.

Very wide part of the river. I think lake Michigan is close.

I loved seeing the flowering tree. Around this time last year, I was running in Monroe County.

I was able to get onto the sidewalks heading east.

The growth on the tree was remarkable. It looked like the tree was being strangled.

The residence behind the steps looked like a lovely place.

I loved all the colored leaves and flowers.

The rock wall with the garden was impressive as well.

Police car looked cool and close. I think i was heading North at this point.

I passed a runner on the sidewalk, but didn’t see many other people, just a few cars driving by.

Was so cool seeing the other side of the coal tower.

And the caboose!

I had dinner with Matt Kenny, a salesperson I used to work with at my previous job. I’ve always admired his talent and have immense respect for his abilities. Since I’ll likely be venturing into sales for myself soon, I wanted to glean insights from him. We discussed marketing strategies, cold emailing techniques, campaign tactics, video distribution, and various sales topics. I feel incredibly fortunate to have him as a friend.

On May 9th, my agenda is set to rendezvous with Matt K., a former colleague and friend who currently works as a salesperson for my previous company. Anticipation brims within me as I eagerly look forward to our reunion, eager to catch up on his endeavors and share my own accomplishments. I’m particularly keen on tapping into his expertise in sales, an area where I admit I could use some guidance. While my strengths lie in design, website development, and marketing, sales is a realm I’m eager to delve deeper into. After a delightful dinner catching up with Matt, my journey will commence towards running a 5k set amidst the scenic beauty of Ottawa County.

Ottawa County

Holland
Allendale
Blendon
Chester
Coopersville
Crockery
Ferrysburg
Georgetown
Grand Haven
Holland
Hudsonville
Jamestown
Olive
Park
Polkton
Port Sheldon
Robinson
Spring Lake
Tallmadge
Wright
Zeeland

Any place in Bold and Red are townships / towns / cities I’ve run a 5k for the county run (or the closest city to my county run)

Any place in Bold and Blue are townships / towns / cities I’ve run anytime in the past.

Any place in Bold and Green are townships / towns / cities I’ve done website / hosting / design work – best website builder for small business – WordPress design hosting and search engine optimization. I’m a small business website builder – contact me to get a website that works! If no Green color is on this page, please talk with me (Click Here). I’ll be encouraged to change one to Green!

November 23, 2023September 25, 2024

Ingham County – Special Offer

Special offer for Marketing Results or online advertising

As you reach the end of this page, it becomes clear that I haven’t taken on any projects related to website design, hosting, SVG Art or advertising (including Facebook advertising, Google Ads, and social media promotion) for clients in this county. For an exclusive offer tailored to the first business to engage my services, please refer to the bottom of this page. I am enthusiastic about extending the same level of marketing success that I’ve achieved for numerous small businesses across Michigan to a deserving enterprise in Lansing. Your business could be the next to benefit from my proven expertise. Thank you for considering a potential partnership, and I look forward to delivering impactful marketing results for your business.

Ingham County Run

On Thanksgiving Day 2023, I joined my nephew, Cody, for the Turkey Trot in Lansing, Michigan. Our parents were on their way to Tennessee for Thanksgiving celebrations with another branch of our family, but due to prior commitments and work, we couldn’t join them. Nevertheless, we took a break to participate in this run early in the morning.

Preparing for the race kickoff, I noticed my bib number was in the four thousands, suggesting a large turnout – probably thousands of participants! This picture doesn’t capture the crowd as it was taken a bit early in the event.

Cody and I ran side by side along the entire stretch of this street.

We caught a glimpse of the Capitol building at the end of one street!

A little farther into the run.

Turned the corner and ran in the opposite direction closer to the capitol buillding.

Take a look at all these small businesses lining the right side of the street! Surely, someone here could benefit from a website update, SEO, or graphic design services. This town is bustling with opportunities!

Michigan State Capitol Building! WOW!

Above, gazing further down the street, this was perhaps the halfway point. Below, take one last glance at the Capitol.

We ran down and then made a turn to go up between those two streets.

I believe this photo was taken around the 2.5-mile mark of the run. At this point, I was pushing myself harder, sprinting at full speed down the entire last straightaway. Below is, I think, the final turn leading into the straightaway, though I might be mistaken.

Here’s a final glimpse of the Capitol! There’s a business here that could benefit from graphic design.

I finished then Cody finished shortly after me.

While Cody and I were participating in a turkey trot in Lansing, my daughter was simultaneously running a Turkey Trot 5k in Torrance, California. She resides in LA with her family, and I couldn’t be prouder of her! It was a unique experience to have the three of us engaged in the same activity while being separated by thousands of miles. I’m extending the same offer below to the first small business from Torrance, Englewood, Los Angeles, or the surrounding areas that contacts me. In the past, I’ve collaborated with a few businesses in California (aviation, metalwork, or pet related) for online advertising and print advertisements, though I don’t recall the specific counties.

I have previously ran in this county, with my children and father. Creig, who once worked for the DNR in Lansing, led us to participate in a turkey trot run, I think. Over the years, my family and I actively engaged in numerous 5k runs, with the Rat Race in Mt. Pleasant being a recurring event that held special significance for us.

Upon embarking on my current challenge, I had anticipated revisiting the Turkey Trot, and it wasn’t until Cody suggested joining me in early November that I solidified my decision. I am genuinely grateful for his encouragement. So this run was my completion of Inham County in the town of Lansing.

Be the First Small Business from this County to work with me – Advertising, Website Design, Hosting, Social Media Marketing, whatever!

In my professional endeavors, I have not undertaken any marketing, website development, or advertising projects with individuals or businesses in Ingham County before. To express my commitment to the local community, I am offering a 50% reduction in my standard fee for the initial two hours of services to the first small business that reaches out to me from this county. I am eager for the opportunity to conduct a website audit, create Facebook or Google ads, and generate compelling content to contribute to the growth of the first business to engage with me. Please be the first business from this county that I can impress with my skills.

Ingham County

Alaiedon
Aurelius
Bunker Hill
Dansville
Delhi
East Lansing
Ingham
Lansing
Lansing State capital
Leroy
Leslie
Locke
Mason
Meridian
Onondaga
Stockbridge
Vevay
Webberville
Wheatfield
White Oak
Williamston
Williamstown

Any place in Bold and Red are townships / towns / cities I’ve run a 5k for the county run (or the closest city to my county run)

Any place in Bold and Blue are townships / towns / cities I’ve run anytime in the past.

August 3, 2023June 21, 2024

SVG Images for websites – MI run counties

How many Counties have you run in Michigan?

SVG Images for Websites: Unveiling the Power of SVG and JavaScript”

This page serves as a concise yet comprehensive showcase of my endeavors in mastering SVG file image creation. Here, I demonstrate the creative potential of SVG files and the magic of JavaScript (JS) through four captivating examples:

“Dynamic Image Selection”: Experience the versatility of SVG as I transform an image based on your selection from a dynamic Michigan Map. Imagine this capability extended to any state or concept you envision.
“SVG Social Media Icons”: Discover a collection of SVG social media icons, available for free download or sharing. These icons seamlessly integrate into your website, adding a touch of visual appeal and interactivity.
“SVG Animation: Crafting Stunning Visuals”: Witness the art of animating SVG images as I guide you through the process of outlining and coloring SVG elements for your website. Elevate your web design game with eye-catching animations.
“Interactive Michigan Map: County Insights”: Delve into the realm of interactivity as we animate and recolor an SVG image of Michigan’s map. With JavaScript, you’ll not only see captivating animations but also learn which county you’ve clicked on, opening doors to interactive map experiences.

Join me on this journey of exploring SVG images and JavaScript’s potential for enhancing website aesthetics and functionality. Unleash the creativity within and elevate your web design with SVG and JS.

SVG Images for websites – MI run county map – below are other examples of how SVGs are used on websites.

SVGs, or Scalable Vector Graphics, are invaluable resources for website construction and lead generation. These versatile files can serve various purposes, from counting the number of counties you’ve explored to displaying the geographical location of a specific county. But why are SVGs such valuable tools, and how can they enhance your online presence?

User Interaction: One significant advantage of SVGs is their ability to engage users. Pages that offer interactive elements tend to keep visitors engaged for longer periods. This, in turn, is appreciated by search engines like Google, which reward such pages with higher rankings. Ultimately, this can lead to increased traffic to your website.

Counting Counties: Imagine having a dynamic tool that allows you to track the number of counties you’ve visited. This is not only fun but also informative. Whether you’re a traveler, a geography enthusiast, or simply curious, SVGs can provide a visually appealing and interactive way to showcase your county-counting achievements.

Geographical Insights: SVGs can do more than just count counties. They can also display specific information about each county. This can be a valuable asset for educators, researchers, or anyone interested in sharing geographical knowledge. Users can easily explore the location, boundaries, or unique features of individual counties through interactive SVGs.

SVGs are a powerful asset for web development and content creation. They not only make your website more engaging but also enhance the user experience. By incorporating interactive elements like SVGs, you can encourage visitors to stay longer on your page, which can boost your website’s ranking on search engines like Google. Whether you’re counting counties or providing educational insights, SVGs offer a dynamic and visually appealing way to connect with your audience.

Free Social Media SVG file Logos to download

The images above are social link-sharing buttons, all crafted as SVG images / SVG files. If you’d like to obtain a copy of these images: Facebook SVG, Reddit SVG, Twitter SVG, “X” SVG, Pinterest SVG, and LinkedIn SVG simply click the green button below. Tik Tok SVG, and Instagram SVG files are not shown in the display above, as these two networks do not support page sharing, however both are included in this zip file bellow. All of these files are conveniently packaged within a compressed zip file, totaling a mere 25kb in size, making it exceptionally compact and easy to download. SVGs are so much smaller than JPGs, PNGs, and other image formats. You can share this page with one of the above buttons if you find in valuable, thank you.

Unlocking the Potential of SVG Images: Harnessing the Power of Scalable Vector Graphics

In the vast landscape of web design and digital content creation, choosing the right image format can significantly impact the user experience and overall performance of a website. One format that has gained remarkable attention and popularity is SVG, short for Scalable Vector Graphics. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages and benefits of using SVG images and how they can revolutionize the way we design and present content on the web.

Understanding SVG Images

SVG images are unlike your typical image files. They are not composed of pixels, like JPEGs or PNGs. Instead, they are built using mathematical equations that describe the shapes and curves of the image. This unique approach allows SVGs to be infinitely scalable without losing image quality. No matter the screen size or resolution, SVG images will maintain their crispness and clarity.

Animation SVG using a checkbox that draws and colors itself

Advantages of Using SVG Images

Resolution Independence: One of the most remarkable advantages of SVG images is their resolution independence. Whether displayed on a small smartphone screen or a large desktop monitor, SVGs retain their sharpness and quality. This feature is particularly valuable in the era of responsive web design, where websites need to adapt seamlessly to various devices and screen sizes.
Smaller File Sizes: SVG files are generally smaller compared to raster image formats like JPEG or PNG. This is due to their mathematical nature that relies on equations rather than storing individual pixel information. Smaller file sizes lead to faster loading times, which is crucial for optimizing website performance.
Scalability: As the name suggests, Scalable Vector Graphics are designed to be scaled without losing quality. This is a game-changer for web designers who no longer need to create multiple versions of an image for different screen sizes. SVGs ensure consistent and sharp visuals across all devices.
SEO Friendly: SVG images are defined in XML text files, which makes them easily readable by search engines. This allows search engines to better understand and index the content of the images, potentially improving your website’s search engine rankings.
Animation Possibilities: SVG images can also be animated using CSS and JavaScript. This opens up a whole new realm of interactive and engaging design possibilities. From subtle hover effects to complex animations, SVGs empower designers to create dynamic user experiences.
Accessibility: SVG images are accessible by nature. They can be resized without losing quality, making it easier for users with visual impairments to zoom in and interact with the content. Additionally, SVGs can be customized with alternative text (alt text), enhancing the accessibility of your website.

This is just an example of what’s possible with SVGs.

Animation example using Michigan county names and coloring each county on hover:

countyname

Click on any county.

Utilizing SVG Images in Web Design

SVG images find their place in various aspects of web design and development:

Icons and Logos: SVGs are ideal for creating icons and logos that need to be consistently sharp and recognizable across different devices.
Infographics and Data Visualizations: The scalability of SVGs makes them perfect for creating interactive and data-rich visuals that can be explored at different zoom levels.
Animations: SVG animations can be used to guide users’ attention, add interactivity to user interfaces, or enhance storytelling on a website.
Responsive Web Design: SVG images seamlessly adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions, making them an excellent choice for responsive web design.

In conclusion, the benefits of using SVG images in web design are clear. Their resolution independence, smaller file sizes, and scalability make them a powerful tool for creating visually stunning and user-friendly websites. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, SVGs provide designers and developers with the flexibility they need to deliver exceptional online experiences. By embracing SVG images, we can elevate web design to new heights and provide users with captivating and responsive content.

Michigan SVG Map or Business Logo made into an SVG

Need a Michigan SVG? Need a Michigan SVG customized? Need your Business Logo or map made into an SGV?

Frequenly Asked Questions

Are SVG images good for websites? SVG images are ideal for websites due to their scalability, small file size, high quality, and ability to be animated and edited, making them perfect for logos, icons, and interactive graphics. However, they may be less suitable for highly complex images.

Where to get SVG images for website? You can get SVG images for websites from resources like free vector image sites (e.g., Unsplash, Pixabay, and Freepik), design marketplaces (e.g., Shutterstock, Adobe Stock), and specialized SVG repositories. Or you can simply tell me what you need and I can help you quickly.

Can SVG be used on website? Yes, SVG can be used on websites as it offers scalability, small file sizes, high quality, and support for animations and interactivity, making it ideal for graphics like logos, icons, and illustrations. The maps on all my pages are SVG files.

How do I create an SVG image for my website You can create an SVG image for your website using graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or online tools like Vectr or SVG-edit, then export or save your design as an SVG file. Or you can click on the link above and allow me to help you with your images. I’m fast!

Can an SVG be used on a WordPress Wix or Squarespace website? YES.
WordPress Use a plugin like “Safe SVG” to enable SVG uploads. Paste SVG code directly into the HTML block.
Wix Upload SVG via “Add” > “Image” > “My Image Uploads”. Drag and drop the SVG onto the page.
Squarespace Upload SVG in the “Custom CSS” section. Paste SVG code into the Custom CSS editor or use “Manage Custom Files” to upload.

What are the benefits of using SVG over other image formats? SVG images are scalable without loss of quality, have smaller file sizes for simpler graphics, and support interactivity and animation, making them ideal for responsive and dynamic web design.

Are SVG files SEO-friendly? Yes, SVG files are SEO-friendly because they are text-based and can be indexed by search engines. This allows search engines to read and rank the content within the SVG, improving website SEO.

How can I optimize SVG files for better performance? To optimize SVG files, minimize the file size by removing unnecessary metadata and comments, simplify paths, use tools like SVGO to compress the SVG, and ensure the code is clean and efficient.

June 28, 2023June 28, 2023

June 28th run

Tonight was my first “regular” noncounty run after Wayne County. I’ve been upset with myself because although I have frequently been running, I hadn’t done a county run in the Spring. I’d been through April, May, and most of June and had yet to complete a single county.

I’ve been figuring out how to change this for the rest of the year—thinking about heading up to the UP for a few more very soon. I need to contact Matt to get the Ottawa County run done. Also, I’d like to accomplish three counties around Ingham County in a couple of days, maybe next week.

In thinking about all that and listening to a book, “the lean startup,” I was running when a deer crossed my path.

I’m encouraged by getting the first county done this summer. I plan to continue with this goal at full speed. I’ve also been considering expanding my reach with websites, social media advertising, content creation, SEO, and other design services through advertising and doing some SEO on this site in particular and recording my progress.

Hoping to move forward quickly – both with running and with content creation.

June 26, 2023October 1, 2024

Wayne County – Special offer!

Wayne County Run

I was taking a picture in the other direction. I was much more uncomfortable than I looked. I started thinking about how I could get business down in this community. I’ve decided that I could do social media advertising to pick up clients down here. You will notice that I have yet to experience clients from this location at the bottom of this page. So I will run some Facebook, Instagram, TickTok, and LinkedIn ads to pick up more social media clients. The advertising will be geo-targeted, focusing on towns like Livonia, Gross Point, Dearborn, Detroit, etc. While I started this site to get some website design and SEO work, I’ve designed around ten sites since starting. The results of this site have yet to bring me any work. I’ll start focusing on the SEO of my sites and redesign mccatty.net. I’ve also purchased mccatty.site, mccatty.website, and mccatty.org to do email marketing to attempt to get a marketing business moving. I’ve started email marketing and will contact some companies down here to get some work. I’ve had a lot of success with other clients and continue to do work for others, but if I could pick up 10 to 20 more clients, that would open up options for me and allow me to be more focused on clients’ work and try to get my own thing going.

The start of my run. The photo is of the Wayne exit just north of the airport. My sister and I went down to Florida after my dads passing. Since I have dropped the ball this year with county runs, I asked her if I did a county-run was okay. The question was a HUGE ask as we had two very, very stressful flights. The first one, we were on the plane from Detroit to Florida for over 7 hours. We stayed the night at the airport for the second one because we had to be there at 3 am and fly out at 5. The second flight was good, but we were just SO tired at the point of this run, and we had a 3-4 hour drive home from there. I told her to go to Bob Evans up the Road, and I would run there and meet her for breakfast. I had to run past Bob Evans to get a full 5k in, but it was so nice to get a county done finally.
I suggested to Mary (a high school friend) that Lisa and I would meet up with them when I ran this county. So sad that I didn’t do that, but I will make it a point to meet up with Mary and Rob someday soon.

I ran out of sidewalk and had to run on the road for a big section of this run.

Here I was running on the road but it had a nice big shoulder and there wasn’t a ton of traffic. It was super hot though.

A little farther down the road. Almost no cars.

I’m not sure what that run ball was, but I thought it was interesting.

Further down the road, there was a big building that had a dome.

I finally made it to Bob Evans, but I was only at 2.2 miles, so I had to keep going and turn around in .425 miles

This was past Bob Evans.

A pick of my shadow. This was an accidental shot but I though it was cool.

I saw this man-hole-cover by EJIW. A long time ago, I used to design for EJIW. I have drawn probably thousands of these covers for their brochures, White papers, presentations, and any media or advertising they did. I worked with them probably 15 years ago, but I’m still proud of all I did for them. I was doing about 13 3d illustrations of manhole covers a day. They found it was cheaper to hire me to draw them using 3d modeling software than to hire a photographer, forklift operator, and several people to lift and move these around for the photos. After the photos were taken, they would need to hire someone to airbrush them to look clean. So much less expensive to hire me to develop these products for advertising.

Turn around point and run back to Bob Evans.

In Florida, at my Dad and Sharon’s home with my brother Geoff and his wife Kim. On the right is my sister Vicki. It was a super stressful weekend, but made so much better, having company who cared. Thank you.

Sharon, my step mom, I was able to visit with her while I was down there in Florida. Love you.

Picture of Lisa my wife, me, Greg, Dad, Myron, and in the front, Geoff, Sharon, Lisa, and Vicki

As I stated above, I planned to meet up with Mary and Rob, but it came up that I needed to use the Detroit airport, and I decided to complete this county so I could check one off this summer.

Be the First Small Business from this County to work with me – Advertising, Website Design, Hosting, Social Media Marketing, whatever!

In my professional endeavors, I have not undertaken any marketing, website development, or advertising projects with individuals or businesses in Wayne County before. To express my commitment to the local community, I am offering a 50% reduction in my standard fee for the initial two hours of services to the first small business that reaches out to me from this county. I am eager for the opportunity to conduct a website audit, create Facebook or Google ads, and generate compelling content to contribute to the growth of the first business to engage with me. Please be the first business from this county that I can impress with my skills.

Wayne County

Flat Rock
Allen Park
Belleville
Brownstown
Canton
Dearborn
Dearborn Heights
Detroit
Ecorse
Garden City
Gibraltar
Grosse Ile
Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe Farms
Grosse Pointe Park
Grosse Pointe Woods
Hamtrack
Harper Woods
Highland Park
Huron
Inkster
Lincoln Park
Livonia
Melvindale
Northville
Plymouth
Redford
River Rouge
Riverview
Rockwood
Romulus
Southgate
Sumpter
Taylor
Trenton
Van Buren
Village of Grosse Pointe Shores
Westland
Woodhaven
Wyandotte

Any place in Bold and Red are townships / towns / cities I’ve run a 5k for the county run (or the closest city to my county run)

Any place in Bold and Blue are townships / towns / cities I’ve run anytime in the past.

Author: Michael

Ottawa

Ottawa County

Ingham County – Special Offer

Special offer for Marketing Results or online advertising

Be the First Small Business from this County to work with me – Advertising, Website Design, Hosting, Social Media Marketing, whatever!

Ingham County

SVG Images for websites – MI run counties

SVG Images for Websites: Unveiling the Power of SVG and JavaScript”

SVG Images for websites – MI run county map – below are other examples of how SVGs are used on websites.

Free Social Media SVG file Logos to download

Unlocking the Potential of SVG Images: Harnessing the Power of Scalable Vector Graphics

Understanding SVG Images

Animation SVG using a checkbox that draws and colors itself

Advantages of Using SVG Images

Animation example using Michigan county names and coloring each county on hover:

Michigan SVG Map or Business Logo made into an SVG

Frequenly Asked Questions

June 28th run

Wayne County – Special offer!

Be the First Small Business from this County to work with me – Advertising, Website Design, Hosting, Social Media Marketing, whatever!

Wayne County

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