Buttersville sits across the water from town, and the wind that crosses Pere Marquette Lake arrives with no arguments — warm and cottonwood-scented in July, loaded with white by December. Absolute Land Management keeps both ends of that year in hand, mowing, trimming and edging through the growing months, then plowing drives and clearing walks once the storms start stacking up. Grass in this sandy country grows in bursts after rain, and there is real pleasure in cutting it back to an even sweep with the borders drawn sharp at the walk. In winter the pleasure is simpler: a driveway opened wide and salted while the porch light is still the brightest thing on the street. It is straightforward land work for Ludington and the townships around it, done in whatever the lake sends.