Upfirst
morning meditation
from the desks of Mike & Todd
View from the 510 Bridge
Negaunee Township
painting by Todd Carter
positive focus
September 27, 2022
Todd Making pizza
poem by Mike
Todd making pizza in the kitchenI writing poem about my feelings
Norway Pines gently swayingRiver current softly waving
Together we growIn love and with peaceWe thank our sweet Earthfor Her care and Her trees
Together we growIn love and with peaceWe thank our sweet Earthfor Her care and Her trees
Lovely Fall Colors at Forestville Bridge
over the Dead River
Marquette Townshipphoto by Todd Carter October 2022
About Us
Mike and Todd, partners for 40 years, created Upfirst in 1996 in their quest to understand top search engine placement without paying per click in the early years of the Internet. Upfirst has been a home for Mike and Todd's creative expressions for nearly 30 years. She continues to be an online vessel for reflecting and for sharing their artwork and ideas and information about themselves and the world.
For two decades Mike and Todd owned and operated state-licensed proprietary schools--with outstanding completion and placement rates and affordable tuition and fees--online throughout the world and in classrooms in Michigan. Together they taught computer skills and healthcare coding, billing, and transcription certificate programs--and more--and they provided free placement services to help successful graduates launch new careers.
For most of the past 13 years Mike has worked from her home office as a healthcare coder and auditor to improve healthcare equity and outcomes for everyone. Mike contributes on risk adjustment coding and data validation teams to improve the accuracy of coded healthcare data and to strengthen the correctness, clarity, and completeness of provider documentation.
Mike and Todd are members of Northern Center for LIfelong Learning (NCLL), sponsored by Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Northern Michigan University. In July, Mike began a new part-time job working 12 hours per week as Office Secretary for NCLL.
On two Sundays per month, Mike attends to young children, ages 0-5 years, in nursery. Mike is an affiliate member of the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette.
Todd is a painter and a working artist. He creates vibrant colorful works of art that reflect his harmony with nature and his love for Michigan outdoors. Todd has been active in art community for more than 40 years and has shown his artwork at juried art shows and art fairs and in many retail locations throughout Michigan. To view and purchase Todd's artwork, visit toddcarterfolkart.com and contact Todd at tcarter@upfirst.com. Todd's new online store is scheduled to launch March 2023.
Todd (left) and Mike (right) at Kawbawgam headstoneAugust 2022, Presque Isle Park, Marquette, MichiganWe support the National Native AmericanBoarding School Healing Coalition