It's Been a Good Year

Always ups and downs like everyone but for the most part it has been a good year.  Our family tradition for New Years has been to write and say 3 things about the coming year.  One is a prediction - which could be a world event not about yourself.  One is a wish for the coming year.  And, of course, one is a resolution.  Before we sat at the kitchen table to do this, we would read what was said and written the previous year.  This activity allowed the adults as well as the children to see life in a longer term perspective than next week. 

It's 7:30 pm and Lucyna called to wish us a Happy New Year.  "Are you going to bed in an hour or two?" She laughingly asks me.  I do have my PJs on already.  She knows her parents pretty well. 

Happy New Year!

Scrabble

We received a Scrabble game for Christmas and played after breakfast in our PJs in front of the woodstove.  A good time was had by both even though I didn't win.  The instructions list all these so called "words" that use a q without a u.  Is that American?  Obviously, we are not full-on Scrabble players.  A woman in my walking group can't get anyone to play with her because she has committed one of those scrabble dictionaries to memory.  Our big words of the day:  jonquils, facets, and ox on a triple word score!

The Best Gifts are Not in a Box

Our son Tad called us.  He told us that he proposed to his girlfriend, and she said yes.  We are very excited for both of them.  (They like to geocache so he set up a private one with the proposal inside.)

Christmas Goat

When I look at a Nativity,  I always enjoy seeing what animals are there.  I saw my first goat on December 23 when I went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill north of Milwaukee.  Tad lives near there and I try to visit when I can.  It is a beautiful  place inside and out.  The Nativity in the Chapel had a goat with horns.   A goat always looks threatening to me.  They are ornery and can turn on you at any time.  (Ask a second cousin of mine who got the wind knocked out of him.) The goat was posed laying down with his legs under him so he looked peaceful enough.  All is calm.  All is bright.

Standing in the Store

Well, it has happened.  I knew it would sometime.  I can't make it through a store in town without seeing someone I know so we stand and talk.  And when I go to 2 grocery stores, I am stopping and talking several times.  That small town thing is great.  Since we're retired, we have the time to talk and not hurry off.  Even at the post office - although there is not really a line - it happens.  Or meet someone new.  There were three women in line.  The first one turns to the two of us and asks,  "I have to buy some things for a 6 year old girl from the giving tree at church.  What do you suggest?"  The other woman and I had several ideas so the first woman was all set by the time we left. 

Fun Afternoon

About a dozen women gathered at the community room at church to wrap presents that the members had purchased for local families in need.  It was fun to see so many new pairs of socks, gloves and toys.  All you could hear was the rustling of wrapping paper and the zip of scissors on curling ribbon.  We then put them in large plastic bags by families: Family A through Family N.  I had a real feeling of satisfaction.  Merry Christmas!

Category: Glad this Wasn't Me

Blog followers know of my hiking/snowshoe/kayak group on Tuesdays called the WoWWs (Women of the Woods and Water).    There are other groups like that in the Hayward area.  One of the groups called the No Woes (the name is an omen) went to a local county park last Tuesday.  Three got tired/cold, etc. and went back to the parking lot...or so they thought.  The main part of the group arrived back to the lot about 11:15 as planned.  The 3 were not there so they called 911.  The County Sheriff  and deputies came.  They brought the dogs...and they put a "bear in the air."  This is the Northwoods.  However, they were on one of the most hiked, well-marked trails in the area.  They weren't dropped by helicopter in Denali.  Back to the story...by 1:00 a hiker had found them and drove them to the parking lot.  They were glad to be found but quite embarrassed.  (Perhaps they would have felt better if the 'copter and the dogs had found their lifeless bodies.)

Our group decided to shore up some of our safety rules.  We will not be embarrassed!

Let it Snow!

It is dreary and ugly here.  36 degrees and all is melting.  Motels and restaurants are languishing without clients because there is no snow to ski on or snow mobile on.  This is not good for a snow-driven economy like Sawyer County.  Case and I are walking the snowmobile trails because they are safe to walk now.  November 2010 the priest asked us to pray for snow because it is easier to deer hunt.  (Yes, priests hunt deer in Wisconsin.)  It kept snowing until April so this year he didn't ask us to pray for snow for deer hunting.  The congregation has started to grumble so we prayed for snow last week.  Looks like we are having a dusting tomorrow.  It's a good start. 

The Talking Lake

I was on the porch decorating the tree when I heard a sound like someone trying to lift something heavy.  In fact I thought it was Case carrying something around the side of the house.  Soon he walks on the porch and the sounds continue.  It's not him.  We had been told by locals that the lakes make a groaning sound when it is thawing.  Temperature was up to 39 by mid afternoon so the recently frozen lake was thawing.  Odd, very odd. 

Christmas Tree Without Cussing

Is that possible?  Putting up a real tree without profanity?  "Hold it this way.  #&$*  That way.  &$(@  It's not straight.  #&%  The screws of the stand are rusty.  $#*&  I'm covered with tree sap.$#*%"  Well, it is up and decorated on our porch.  No room in the house for a tree that big.  They always look smaller in the forest than inside, don't they?  This year our tree is compliments of President Obama.  We're suppose to get a $5 permit to go into the Chequamegon National Forest to cut down a Christmas tree.  We didn't.  We have turned into rebels in our retirement.  Soon we'll be buying Harleys. 

The Wreath to End All Wreaths

This afternoon I was at the house of one of my new friends learning to make a wreath.  She had the know-how, experience, and necessary materials.  In less than an hour and a half, I had made the world's most beautiful 14" wreath.  The main secret is to use 4 different kinds of evergreen and a special frame that she buys at a wreath outlet store.  (Yea, we have those around here.) I am home admiring it and making a few notes to help me remember for next year.  All is well in the Northwoods.

It Feels Like Christmas

Last year Christmas came right after we moved, and it didn't really feel like Christmas.  This year is different.  I am baking, shopping (see previous post), and wrapping in a happy way.  We are getting into the spirit of the season Northwoods style and in our own way.  Currently, I am combing the National Forest (Obama owes me.) for interesting evergreen boughs of different types in which to make a wreath.  I made a wreath on my own last year.  It was OK if you saw it at a distance.  A new friend has volunteered to teach me and a couple of other newbies how to make an "official" wreath.  I spoke with someone who received one of her wreaths as a gift last year.  It was the best wreath she has ever seen.  I am excited to learn! 

I will give the wreath report next week. 

Pitch Black Friday

We were at Tad's outside Milwaukee for Thanksgiving.  My usual Thanksgiving evening is checking sale papers to see if it is worth shopping early.  All of us were curious about Cabela's offer of a $600 gun or a gift card to the first 800 people, but I was the only one who needed to give it a try.  Tad lives about 15 minutes from Cabela's at the 41/45 split north of Milwaukee.  Store opened at 5 AM.  I arrived at 4:20.  It was "pitch black."  The line was wrapped around the store and I cued up exactly in the middle behind the store.  To keep us occupied they had Santa drive up and down the line in a Christmas tricked out golf cart giving out candy canes.  Then an employee came by with pieces of fudge.  At 10 minutes til 5 an employee with an armed escort came by to give out our envelopes.  I was in the 700-725 range.  Mine was a $5 gift card as was everyone around me although I did hear a big scream about 50 people behind me.  Entering the store was orderly.  I picked up the doorbusters but made the grave error of wandering around for additional shopping.  By the time I got in the check-out lane it snaked around the inside of the store - up and down ever aisle practically.  It took 50  minutes to check out.  I'm sleeping in next year.

Worn Out

Between my trip to Illinois, physical therapy for my left elbow (too much kayaking without strengthening before I started in early summer), eye appointment in Ashland, and a simple trip to church, and working all day - I am worn out.  It is 8:49 and I am going to bed.  In college I could count on 2 fingers the number of times that I studied past 9 pm.  (I studied during the daytime.)  I am just not a go all the time person especially in the evening. I need some down time to collect my thoughts a couple of times a day and I need a good night's sleep every night. 

Good Night!

A Simple Trip to Church

In the middle of an active snow storm we drove to Hayward for church.  Normally, we would have waited until Sunday but I was scheduled to lector at 4 pm service.  Truck in four-wheel drive, driving only 45 mph - what could go wrong?  Close to town we hit some ice and started to spin.  Ended up in the ditch facing the road with the back of the truck hanging over a stream.  Turning off the engine we could hear the water running behind us.  Cell phones safely at home, one of us needed to get out.  Case didn't get out because he couldn't.  The truck was laying at 45 degrees on the driver's side in heavy brush.  I get out by pushing open the truck door straight in the air against gravity and stand at the road in the storm.  A nice couple from the reservation stopped and let me use their cell.  I told 911 that we were in a ditch on 77 near Airport Road.  "Blue pick-up?"  Yes.  Other drivers must have called it in already.  In short order a deputy from the Sheriff's Department arrived (also Native American) and took care of us.  I asked him to call one of the 3 tow trucks in town who could get here the quickest.  "I am reading at St. Joseph's at 4."  Roadrunner showed right away but it took some time to extract us from our situation.  As I am settling up ($55 in Hayward-insurance will reimburse) with the tow driver in his truck at 3:46 pm, he says that we were very lucky.  "You missed a road sign by inches, did not go into the water and there is no damage to the truck and both of you are unhurt."  I smiled at him and replied, " In fourteen minutes I am to carry in the Bible at church.  Do you think that had anything to do with it?"  He smiled back.  We arrived at church on time, I carried in the Bible and read from Ezekiel.   

Good News is Always Good

I went to the ophthalmologist this week in Ashland about 70 minutes away.  None of the Hayward docs carry my insurance so off to the north I go.  Any excuse to see Lake Superior is OK with me.  My eyes received a clean bill of health again this year.  After 32 years of Type I diabetes I am very relieved that I can continue to make that statement. 

Most people say that you have to have good health to live in the Northwoods because specialists are at a distance.  I plan to buck that school of thought.  After spending much time researching the family doctors in Hayward, I found a woman who used to be a pastor.  I guess she found that calling too easy so she went to medical school and became a doctor in her 40's!  At my first appointment she had a list of questions for me that she had written down in preparation for the appointment.  This new doc had read my entire medical history from the files that I had sent to her from my numerous specialists in the Chicago area.  Those of you who are healthy and not as familiar with the system don't realize that doctors read the notes of the nurse that checked you in as they are walking in the exam room.  She wants to give me proper care, and she cares about me.  Plus with her being much younger than I am, she can assist me through the aging process with diabetes.  The medical care in the Northwoods was my major concern when we moved.  My mind is at ease.

Taking it out in Trade

Because Case worked for himself, he paid taxes quarterly, always overpaid (that is how the IRS wants it), and they hold the overpayment to go towards the next tax bill.  We received no interest, of course.  In retirement we are still extracting ourselves from that set-up.  In 2012 we will be paying annually. 

The holidays are upon us, and I want to decorate outside before the snow and cold weather.   I decided that I was going into the National Forest across the road and cut some evergreen boughs.  The U.S. Forest Service has restrictions that I followed:  balsam only, more than 50 feet or more from any road or path, and only take the lowest branches.  However, I did not pay the nominal fee ($5).  I figured that Barak owes me.  

Road Trip

I have not posted in a while because I have made a trip to Illinois.  Not been in the Land of Lincoln since Christmas.  It was time.  I wanted to see friends.  I am giving a shout out to everyone I saw and hugged!  We all just picked up where we left off.  It was wonderful. Sorry that I wasn't able to make connections with everyone.  Next time! 

On the way home I stopped at the rest stop a mile or so into Wisconsin.  When returning to the car, a gentlemen saw me and said, "You must be going somewhere important, walking with such purpose."  I replied, "I am going home."  It just came out without thinking.  Yes, I was going home. 

Raining Gold

All the trees have dropped their leaves except for Tamarack also called American Larch.  That tree is the only "evergreen" that does not stay green all year.  In the late fall it turns bright gold and slowly drops its golden needles leaving the tree as bare as any Maple.  When I am out walking under one of those trees, it seems as though it is raining gold.  I have only experienced that here in the Northwoods.  

(The poor porkie is still laying beside the road untouched.)

Wisconsin Sports

The Wisconsin Badgers football team is part of a public university system.  All the teams they play are public as well.  Why, then, are the Badgers being inundated with prayer?  "Hail, Mary" to be exact.  Two weeks in a row the other team pulled a Hail Mary play in the last few seconds beating the Badgers.  Isn't there still separation of church and state? 

Brewers lost the playoffs...so no World Series.  Badgers have been prayed into the losing column - dropping their national rank.  The Packers have won all of their games, but they had a bye yesterday.  All last week there was only ONE question being asked around here.  What are you going to do on Sunday afternoon?

A Porcupine Story

When there is road kill, it is taken care of by eagles, crows, coyotes, etc. in very short order.  This porcupine carcass has been laying along the main road for nearly 2 weeks. 

Moral of the story:  If you are prickly (grouchy, mean - fill in an unpleasant human trait here) in life, nobody will go near you even when you're dead. 

October 27, 2011

I am marking down this day.  It is snowing.  Our first one of the season.  Big fluffy flakes covering the ground.  It is a beautiful sight.

A year ago when we moved here - yes, it has been a year - October 1 was our moving anniversary - everyone had dire warnings about the snow in northern Wisconsin.  I checked the official totals from last winter.                                        
                                Hayward=37.6 inches     O'Hare=57.3 inches

Chicago had a blizzard or two.  I'll give you that.  Case got out the snowblower three times last winter.  Most of the time we just drove the 4 x 4 truck and didn't worry about it.

I think I hear Case downstairs waxing his skis...                                                   

No More Ground Squirrel

We had been noticing a ground squirrel literally running around the outside of the house.  There are two camps about any kind of squirrel:  they are cute and they are rats with tails.  I think they are cute unless they get to be somewhere they shouldn't be, and then I change camps.  It seems to me that squirrels have this simpleton mad-crazy personality.  When they do pause from their continuous activity, they have this look on their faces that say, "We're squirrels!"

Someone else had noticed his arrival as well - Foxy.  She spent a whole day in our yard stalking him.  Squirrel would run into the wood pile.  Foxy would sit on top of the pile waiting for him to exit.  Squirrel would run up a tree.  Foxy would be after him but knows he is not coming down the same tree so moves to another area.  This is all while Case is working outside the garage with power tools.  We didn't see the actual end of the story, but the squirrel is no longer around.   

Early in the Morning

What a beautiful morning it is!  Sunrise over the lake...the air temperature was warmer than the water so there was steam/fog/mist.  The sun is shining with few clouds.  Since yesterday four swans have landed on our lake to rest and refuel during their migration trip.  They seem happy and healthy.  All is well in the Northwoods.

Cooking

Together Case and I cooked a new recipe tonight.  We gave it an official evaluation about what to change to suit our tastes for next time.  Retirement affords us the time to do fun things like that.  And I am glad for it.

It needs basil.

Fun in the Northwoods

I hosted my hiking group yesterday.  Eighteen woman walked 4 miles through the National Forest and returned to my house for their lunch and UMW Apple Cake*.  Everyone wanted the recipe.  Where did I put 18 people in my 24 x 36 house?  Too cold for the porch so card tables and many chairs and stools fit the bill.  I was short of room but we were long on friendship and a good time. 

*UMW=United Methodist Women.  I learned this recipe from this group of women over 30 years ago and was a part of it until I moved.  It is one of their signature desserts that they serve.  I had to give them the credit.

Random note:  Brewers had a great season.  It was fun.  I think they just ran out of steam.  Cardinals certainly had the momentum.  

I Do Windows

This afternoon Case and I washed all the windows on the main floor.  Somehow I thought retirement would mean that I don't do windows.  I was wrong.  Our beautiful view is a whole lot clearer now.  It was worth it.

Time

Time gets away from you when you are retired and doing nothing....trip out of state, family visiting, hiking in the woods, eating out, watching the Packers and the Brewers.  (Looks like I will be watching the Brewers for several more weeks!!!) 

Too busy

I have spent a few days in the UP (Upper Peninsula Michigan) with my hiking group.  We have family this weekend.  Next blog is Sunday. 

A Day in the Dirt

I spent the day planting 18 plants in my 2 flower beds.  Cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon.  After I was done, I sprayed everything with "Liquid Fence".  It is a product to keep away the deer.  However, the yearlings eat anything even if it is considered deer resistant.  Too young to read I suppose. 

A Day in the Sky

Case and I hiked part of the North Country National Scenic Trail this morning.  Beautiful weather.  We ended up at tall outcropping of rock that is a 60 foot cliff overlooking the Chequamegon National Forest in its full-color glory.  Felt like we were in the sky! 

The North Country National Scenic Trail is a trail/footpath from New York to North Dakota.  It winds through northern Wisconsin.  We are planning to try other parts of the trail because this part was so good. 

A Day in Winter

I spent the morning in Winter, Wisconsin.  There is a nursery/greenhouse that has a huge selection as well as 25% off this time of year.  What it is known for is its display gardens.  The gardens are part of the terrain so you can't see one garden from the others - plus absolutely everything is labeled:  annuals, perennials, shade, prairie.  Probably more gardens but that is what I saw.  I bought a truck bed full to continue putting together my garden area.  All of the plants are native, deer resistant, and likes sandy, well drained soil (I use the word soil loosely.)  Then, of course, I have to like how they look.  There's not a large range that fit in all those categories.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.

A Day Inside

Rain and gusts of 40 mph wind.  'Nuf said.

A Day on the Water

Actually not a day but just a couple of hours in the boat.  Temperature was high 60's, full sun, no wind, water was calm.  The maples that turn bright red are at their peak.  This is why we are here.

A Day in the Woods

My activity group (18 of us today) drove north to Copper Falls Sate Park.  Even though it was misting, the falls (several) and the autumn colors were spectacular.  We made a fire in the fireplace in the pavilion to cook hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores.  A great day.

I thoroughly enjoy our outings on Tuesdays.  The best part of the day is the drive to and from.  We always carpool - not always with the same people.  Sometimes the talk is serious or political or deep.  Sometimes it is about the absolute stupidest things.  Whatever it is - the journey together is the important part - not the destination...although we have gone to some beautiful places that I would not have seen otherwise.  I like pushing myself physically, too.  Today was an easy day though.  Next week we will have lived here for one year.  I have been reflecting back upon the first 12 months.  This group has been an important part of making the transition to retirement and the Northwoods a smoother one than without the group. 

Saved by a Pumpkin Pie

Yesterday a friend and I spent the day at the Cable (town) Fall Fest.  We talked with people we knew, shopped, and had lunch at the Ojibwe food booth - chicken and wild rice (harvested locally) soup and fry bread.  On the way to the car I bought a pumpkin pie from ladies at a local church.  Little did I know how important that purchase was.  When I got home, the electricity was out - not weather related.  (I heard later that a large generator at our electric company went out.)  Here it is an hour before dinner.  There is nothing to eat except peanut butter sandwiches....didn't take long for me to connect the dots.  Also, to save the melting ice cream, we had it a la mode.  We spent the evening with friends with a huge generator and came home to lights on.

NOTE TO CASE IF HE READS THIS:  WE HAVE A GENERATOR.  IT IS TIME TO SET IT UP.  WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE FRESH PUMPKIN PIE AVAILABLE.  

Renting a Tool

First of all, I can't believe that Case doesn't already have every tool for all situations.  That's not the point of this blog.  He needed to rent a tool to assist in finishing the mechanical room (furnace, hot water heater, etc.) in the house.  It is the one room that was not completely redone as all the other rooms were. 
*****Let me preface that this is hearsay and I couldn't swear to this in a courtroom.*****

Case:  I want to rent a saws all for one day.
clerk:  Here it is.  I'll charge you when you bring it back.
Case:  Don't you want a deposit or something?
clerk: Why?  Are you planning on stealing it?
Case:  Uh, no.
clerk:  See you tomorrow.

Civic Duty

I was asked to serve as secretary for a committee in the township government.  It is the Zoning Board of Appeals that meets on an "as needed" basis.  An appeal of a zoning variance that was denied has been submitted.  I handle everything except chairing the meeting.  I have coordinated 12 people on both sides of the issue to set a date.  That was no easy task.  Now I am putting the meeting agenda in the newspaper and on the township's 3 bulletin boards.  Then there is a huge packet of info mailed to all parties.  You get the idea.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I am being paid $10 an hour for my efforts as well as reimbursed for all expenses including mileage.  No, I am not taking my money from taxes.  The petitioner paid $350 for the privilege of this hearing - no matter the outcome. 

Earlier in the year I was sworn in to this post at a township meeting.  I felt the seriousness of it at the time.  Now the local wheels of government need to get rolling.  The hearing is set for October 25. 

Wet and Rainy Wednesday

So it is a great day to get some paperwork done and as well as inside projects that I have been putting off since April.  Or I can surf the movie channels or finish the jigsaw puzzle.  Because there are not many deadlines in retirement, it is difficult to get motivated to do things I don't want to do.  Physics comes into the situation - inertia.  I am at rest or at play and want to continue doing do.  Once I get started on something, it is usually not hard to finish or at least work on a chunk of it.  After dinner some nights I don't think I can clean up one more time!  Case has table clearing, dishwasher, and putting away leftovers duties.  I hand wash a few things and wipe the counters.  Doesn't sound too bad, but I don't even want to do that. So I set the timer on the microwave for 10 minutes.  I can do anything for 10 minutes.  Usually I am done by the time the alarm goes off. 

Alright...time to work.

It's that Time Again

I wore my first turtleneck of the season today. 

You Had to See it

We were driving west in the lane from our house to the road.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  The orange-ish yellow light from the setting sun was shining through the dense forest to make it look like fireworks.  The kind of fireworks that explodes in the sky and then the bright fragments shimmer to the ground.  The light from the sun was not a stationary light but was broken up by the trees to look like fireworks because we were moving.  It was fantastic!

You had to see it.

One of those exciting days

Tuesday proved to be a great day - a day with my walking group.  We are back to the 10 AM start so I could sleep in.  Twenty-two women walked 4 miles along a road with only 3 cars going by.  Bag lunch at the woman's  home who organized the day.  Also got a tour of her recently-renovated home.  Brownies and rum cake were served for dessert.  Then an hour and a half kayaking on the Tiger Cat Flowage.  Weather was perfect.  Home at 4:00 with leftovers for supper (no cooking).  A few times during the day I thought to myself that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world but right here and right now walking and kayaking with friends in the Northwoods.

Yes, a good retirement day.  It's great to be alive. 

One of those unexciting days

The alarm went off at 5:30 AM.  It should have been set for 6 or after.  That will definitely be taken care of.  I worked this morning and this afternoon stayed in town to do many errands.  I made dinner when I got home.  Now I am writing my blog.  Tomorrow has to be better. 

Shouldn't retirement be one long party and fun times?

No Packer Talk, I Promise. - Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

I went with a group to Duluth today to see migrating raptors: Hawks, Falcons, Eagles and many other names that I had never even heard of.  Duluth is on tall bluffs overlooking the tip of Lake Superior.  The migrating birds in September and October either stop here or use this as a landmark.  More and more birds just kept flying over.  We also watched birds being banded for future study if they are captured again.  It was quite a thrill to see them being released afterward.  For $50 you could be the one to release one of these birds.  They take your picture with it and notify you if the bird is ever captured again.  I released a white-capped sparrow for free.  We called him "Cap'n Jack." 

It is satisfying to know that these volunteer organizations exist.  I certainly know how this one is funded. 

I'm just saying...

Packers are playing the season opener on TV in a few minutes.  Of course, I've been looking forward to it all week.  I've also been thinking how important the Green Bay Packers are.

• President Obama moved the timing of his speech - not any ol' speech - but addressing a joint session of Congress of the United States - so it would not conflict with the Packer game.
• There is a church just 30 minutes from Green Bay that has been given official approval by the Catholic Church that Mary appeared there in 1859 (18 months after Lourdes).
• The Green Bay Public Schools planned an early closing of all schools today for the game.

The government, the church, the schools all recognize the power of Green Bay.

(I realize I might be stretching it a bit to say the Mother of God likes the Packers but you never know.  I did visit that church the day after the game.  It's a beautiful place and a wonderful place to pray.)

Green Bay Pictures

You know that I don't usually post pictures.  Here is an exception:  Green Bay Packers' Fans at Lambeau Field before a game.  I went to the game by myself.  Driving to the game from Hayward, I started to think how I would make this trip different than if someone went with me.  By the time I got there I had a plan.  I would scout out a group of young good-looking guys.  Then I would look for someone close by who would be willing to take a picture.  After this was set up in my mind, I would go to the single person and ask if they would take my picture.  "Of course!"  After handing my camera to her/him, I would position myself among the guys and say, "these are my new best friends, take our picture."  I spent about 2 hours before the game in the air conditioned Atrium (90 degrees outside) having fun.  Everyone was in a good mood - no one had been overserved yet.  I ended up talking to many people that this was my first game.  I had so much fun.  Now to explain what I was wearing...I only have a Packers sweatshirt so I wasn't wearing that.  On the way I stopped at a JoAnn Fabrics store in Wausau and bought 1/8 of a yard of Packer fabric and tied it in a BIG bow around a generic baseball cap I was wearing.  Got a lot of smiles.  People couldn't laugh - I mean, they were wearing cheeseheads - how could they poke fun?  Here are a few of the pics....of me and complete strangers but we're all in the Packer Fan Family. 

Yes, there are cheesehead cowboy hats.

 Ya, hey dere!

 The girlfriend of the guy took this picture.  I had to wait in line to take a picture of the green Mohawk kid.

 This group was stunned.

 His friend also in full gear took the picture.

 He couldn't believe that this was my first game.

 In Curly's (Lambeau) bar

Retirement is great!

The Lambeau Experience

The whole thing was great!  I feel like an official Wisconsin resident. Too many cool things and neat experiences to name.  Yes, me and 79,000 of my closest friends.  Here are a few highlights:

• I ask the metro bus driver how much to ride to Lambeau.  "It's free.  The city of Green Bay welcomes you."
• The driver asks if the guy wearing the Vikings jersey is still on the bus.  Yes, we say.  "Too bad.  I thought you would have thrown him off by now."  (Why he was wearing a Vikings jersey is a mystery.  We were playing the KC Chiefs.)
• Miss Wisconsin sang the National Anthem.  A fighter flew over very low as she was finishing..."brave."
• Every third down for the Chiefs we stood to make noise.  That is called G-Force, making for a hostile work environment for the opponents.
• I saw Rodgers and starters make a touchdown on the first possession.  Looked easy.
• At halftime peewee ball carriers were lifted up for their own Lambeau leap.
• Packers won 20-19.  Priceless.  I'm ready for the season to begin.

I am so excited

As soon as I finish this entry, I am getting in the car and driving to the Packer game in Green Bay.  I am so excited.  All the details later!!!!!!!!!!!

Moose Lake

I just returned from a day on and around Moose Lake with my Tuesday group.  We walked 4 miles then took out 3 pontoons, toured the lake, then tied the 3 together so we could walk to each one.  The coolers were opened and we brought out this fabulous salad buffet with desserts that we had prepared ahead of time.  Weather was perfect.  Wouldn't be anywhere else in the world at that moment - good friends, good food, good location.  Got home late afternoon.  Retirement certainly has its high points. 

The Apostle Islands

On a beautiful day to be on the water we visited the Apostle Islands.  We chose a 3 hour tour (Yes, we sang the Gilligan's Island theme song under our breath several times.)  to see the 22 islands in Lake Superior.  All seven lighthouses are now automated.  However, the National Park Service and some local organizations are restoring a few of them as museums.  Also the National Park Service just finished restoring a commercial fish camp from the mid-1800's.  I don't understand why the NPS spent money to restore two log cabins that are empty on an island that only a hundred or so people visit.  It can only be accessed by private boat.   Lighthouses, yes.  Fish Camp, no. 

Northwoods Selection

We went with friends to a restaurant that none of us had been to before.  It looked like the usual: bar is bigger than the dining area, dead animal decorating on the walls, fireplace.  The waitress came to take our drink order.  Most of us had iced tea or a diet Coke.  One friend put in an order of this alcohol concoction saying things like "dry"  "neat"  "shaken not stirred" - you may know that type of stuff but I certainly don't.  Anyway, the waitress stands patiently throughout the order but not writing anything down.  When my friend was finally finished, the waitress asked, "Miller or Miller Lite?"  My friend ordered Miller Lite and the Northwoods evening continued. 

DNR Rules Wisconsin

Living in Illinois I never heard of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  I am sure it exists, but they certainly were on the low rung in that ladder of political hierarchy.  Here in Wisconsin - DNR rules.  More people know the name of the County Conservation Law Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - Sue Miller - than they do the County Sheriff or Hayward Chief of Police - I think I know the Sheriff's name but not sure.  Sue and the DNR held a free fish fry using confiscated fish!  Everyone received a button that said, "I ate the evidence." 

Another Radio Spot

A commercial heard on a Wisconsin radio station:  "At the Celebration Fireworks Station, we specialize in the big and loud."  I didn't know you could buy small and quiet fireworks...well, maybe snaps.  Yes, here in Wisconsin you can legally buy fireworks that can blow off a finger or put out an eye.  Somehow it isn't as much fun as shooting off illegal ones in Illinois. 

Heard on the Radio

As we were traveling, I heard on the radio "ATV fatality.  Sheriff says it was due to speed, alcohol, and no helmet."  I guess that goes under the category of "Proof of Darwin's Theory."

Too Busy and Out of Town

Even in retirement...sometimes you don't have enough time.  Next entry on August 21-ish.

Raspberries - day 4 and 5

Working and 4 inches of rain slowed the picking.  I did make a couple of raspberry pies (one tart and one with more sugar in it) for my walking group that was meeting here today.  My turn to host.  Did I mention 4 inches of rain?  A few in the group heard there was pie and vanilla ice cream (from Hayward's local dairy) so they came for lunch.  When it was only a mist, we walked an easy 2 miles.  Then Case and I went to the raspberry patch.  I think it was raining more mosquitoes than water.  As soon as we got home, I made the neighbors happy with some fresh produce.  Earlier, I sent my friends home with bags of berries. 

The evening lays before us with only sorting, cleaning, etc. of today's harvest on the agenda.

Raspberries - day 3

Five and a half...hours we spent on raspberries today.  Picking, washing, sorting (berries on ice cream, berries for jam, berries for pies), containing, making jam, eating.  Again today I had twice as many as Case after the picking part.  I am remembering that girl (Violet?) in Willa Wonka who turned into a blueberry.  I am witnessing my own Northwoods version of that. 

Raspberries - day 2

This morning I needed to be a "Dumpster Diva" for the Lions Club White Elephant Sale that is next Saturday.  So I called some friends to go with Case with buckets in hand.  He came home with over 6 cups and about 3 more cups transported in his stomach I imagine.  Friends went home with lots, too.  All this happened before a nasty thunderstorm with 90 minutes plus of continuous rolling thunder and 4 hours without power.  As we were eating our way through Schwan ice cream cones in the freezer, the power came back on - just in time to go to the World Lumberjack Championship held in Hayward each year.  Yes, there is a professional lumberjack circuit just like pro cowboys in the rodeo and drivers in NASCAR.  One of my new friends has a daughter who is a Lumberjill on the pro circuit.  Her specialty is Underhand Block Chop.  You stand on a 12 inch diameter log and with an axe chop it between your feet until it is in two pieces.  She broke her own world record of 28.19 seconds.  Other events were the 90 foot pole climb and descent, two-person saw, log rolling, springboard - which has to be seen to be believed, team relay, and "hot saw" which is slicing through a log three times with a tricked out chainsaw.  It was a fun Saturday night in the Northwoods!

Raspberries - day 1

One of our neighbors (retired couple) has been especially helpful to these Newbies in the Northwoods.  When they asked us a favor, we said yes immediately.   They were going on vacation for a week so...could we come over and take care of their garden while they were gone?  The garden is huge with a tall fence and then an electric fence farther out.  It is the peak of harvest for many things..mainly raspberries...rows and rows of raspberries.  Day 1 - we figured how to get inside both fences; we brought several large containers; we bought 2 children's sand buckets from the Dollar Store so we could hang them from a loose belt leaving both hands free to pick; we were astounded at the 10 cups that we picked.  There would have been more I feel - because my bucket was twice as full as Case's.  I think he was eating more than he was putting in the bucket.  We came home at 9 am and had vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries - lots of them. 

A Good Deed

Several weeks ago we were out for a walk when we noticed a television hidden about 20 feet off the road on National Forest land.  Case climbed back there.  Not one but THREE televisions.  We mentioned this to one neighbor.  "Oh, yes." they replied.  "We knew they were there."  When resorts would dismantle years ago, they would fly dump TV's so they wouldn't have to pay to dispose of them.  Well, what the heck!  Why hasn't anyone done anything about it?  I called the township chair for waste disposal and explained the situation.  He said that we could bring in the TV's at no charge since we found them along the road.  One day when I was at work Case took the truck and was loading up the TV's when a different neighbor came by and stopped to help carry.  Yes, he knew they were there, too.  When that neighbor got home, he called the first neighbor to say what Case had done.  That afternoon the first neighbor who originally knew about the TV's brought over a triple chocolate cake for Case to thank him for doing something about getting rid of the eyesores.  I guess the guilt about not doing anything about the televisions got the best of her.  As Case was thoroughly enjoying his first slice, he looked up briefly to say, "I'm going out to look for more TV's."

The Honeymoon is Over...

...between the Northwoods and us.  The reality of life is now looking at us squarely in the face.  We have been at some meetings about the cell tower where people have been less than civil.  On other issues we have felt the rivalry between between two local governments.  And one situation we did know about before we moved in - that the people who live on our lake are not as good as the people who live on the lake connecting to ours.   (Most of the people on the other lake are quite wealthy and don't like to hobnob with the little folk over here.)  We have been laughing off the last one for a long time.  "Just ask the people on the other lake, they'll tell you we are not as good as they are."  "We are not worthy." [Think Wayne and Garth.]  At least we can laugh off that one. 

People are people no matter where you live.  It was foolish for us to think otherwise.  Even though the honeymoon is over, there is still a solid marriage of real life experiences with the Northwoods.  We can live with that.

Paradise Lost

We found out that the local telephone company has struck a deal with the township to build a 320 foot cell tower on the lake connecting to our lake.  More later...

Defintion of Glide

In one word - kayaking.  I went out on the lake early this morning.  Quiet.  No noise as I gently paddle.  What a gift gliding is!  Possibly like skating but I am so poor at any kind of skating that my huffing and puffing and fear of falling ruins any glide sensation.  So it is kayaking for me. 

Out of Africa

Well, the insects have gotten so bad that waving a branch doesn't cut it any more.  We bought head nets also known as skeeter beaters.  Works for deer flies and other flying varmits as well.  You can wear them with or without a hat/cap underneath.  Vision is not impaired.  Not really hot unless you are in the blistering sun which is hot anyway. 

Case has nearly broken his arm patting himself on the back for insisting on air conditioning when we remodeled the house.  I have nearly broken my arm from patting myself on the back for insisting on a screened in porch. 

Another reason to move north

All the males in the area from age 12 and older - including surly teenagers - hold the doors for women to pass through.  This is a good thing.  Even though I am trying to build up my upper body strength, I like for the door to be held for me.  The boys and men can be dressed in everything from a shirt and tie to camo to right off the fishing boat.  It doesn't matter.  They hold the door.  I like it.

I can't even remember when a door was held for me in Chicago and suburban area.   

Too much fun

Family was visiting this week.  And a great time was had by all!  One day we drove to Lake Superior.  It was a beautiful day - not beastly hot.  After eating at a restaurant overlooking the lake, we walked along a beach.  The sand was warm so I waded in.  Surprisingly, the water wasn't that cold (as usual).  In the town of Bayfield we had the fortunate timing to see a tall ship that was staying for a few hours before going on to Duluth to a festival.  One of the men watching/protecting the ship said that the crew was 46 high schoolers spending their summer on board.  The ship is tall but not anywhere else in dimension.  You can't even stand up below deck.  There is quite a wait list to be chosen, and you pay dearly if you are lucky enough to make the cut. 

That type of summer is for the young.  I will enjoy my porch or my AC. 

Fishing

We went fishing this morning.  Even though I only caught one bluegill,  I enjoyed watching an osprey also catch one fish.  It dived straight down from flight under the water, grabbed it with its talons, surfaced and flew to a nearby tree with it.  The osprey's fish looked much bigger than my fish.  However,  I am not willing to dive to get my fish though.

Firemen's Picnic

We went to the annual Spider Lake Township Volunteer Firemen's Picnic today.  (As an aside-the Fire Chief is a woman.)  That group makes a mean BBQ chicken!  There were raffles, games, prizes...with heat and humidity.  I was telling everyone that we were calling our real estate agent to get our money back.  It's not suppose to get this hot here!  We attended 3 years ago after we bought our house.  We went, ate and left.  This year we knew so many people and enjoyed talking the news of the township.  We lasted two hours before the heat drove us out. 

Just Like Africa!

When I go for a walk which is almost daily, I break off a fern on the side of the road.  I use this to swish away the bugs as I walk. Swish on the right shoulder -  Swish on the left shoulder in a slow rhythm.  It reminds me of the movies in Africa and India where a slave continually fans the royalty sitting on the throne to keep off the insects. 

Yep...the Northwoods are just like Africa. 

I really, really love my 18 x 18 screened-in porch.

Busy Season

Tuesday AM - worked at my part time job
Tuesday PM - Toured a restored prairie complete with costumed historical re-enactors (French Voyager - 1600's and Finnish logger - 1800's)
Wednesday PM - enjoyed visitors from Arlington Heights, IL (We caught up on the Blago news.) Anyone coming to the Hayward area or through Hayward on their way to somewhere else, stop in!  It was SO good to see familiar faces from home!
Wednesday evening - monthly Lions Club meeting
Thursday morning - watch the contractor fix the garage roof

I don't have TIME to blog!

Sweet Corn Story

We, like most of you, will be having sweet corn today on the 4th of July.  This is how my  Dad would talk about sweet corn and the seriousness of eating FRESH sweet corn.

You start a pot of boiling water on the stove.  When it is a rolling boil, you walk to the stand of sweet corn and pull one ear off a stalk. Run as fast as you can to the house, shucking the corn as you run.  The idea is to cook and eat the corn as soon as possible.  IF YOU FALL DOWN while running to the house, throw that ear away and go back to the field for a fresh ear of corn because by falling you took too long and the first ear of sweet corn isn't considered fresh anymore. 

Happy 4th!

I blinked.

I stared a supercell/wind sheer thunderstorm in the eye on Friday evening at 8:30 pm and I blinked.  We were standing on the screened in porch, and I had to run in the house.  I was just too scared.  The wind took down 3 live trees.  Why those and not the 9 dead ones that we still need to work on, I don't know!  The radio kept saying supercell thunderstorm, rotating activity, take cover.  We lost power about 7:30 pm when it wasn't raining or windy so I knew it was bad - knocking out power as the storm came our way.  The next morning as we surveyed the damage we saw a softball-sized hole and another hole still with the branch in it - in the garage roof.  No damage inside the garage.  Insurance adjuster coming this week and the contractor shortly after.

There is levity in all situations.  When the storm was approaching, I heard one of the visiting teenagers next door yell, "Auntie Em! Auntie Em!"

Imagine...

Imagine the most crowded place that you have ever been.  Multiply that times 3 and that's what Hayward was like this morning the Friday before the 4th of July.  The week of July 4 is the busiest week of the year in Hayward.  Every store and parking lot is jammed with the one-week vacation people, the cabin-owning weekender people, and the snowbirds with a winter home in the South or Southwest.  We have been so busy that we needed to lay in some supplies.  Knowing that it would be crowded, we left the house at 8 am.  So much for that plan. We are trying to smile through all of it.  All the folks from Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa - you keep coming and spending your money.  About 70% of the money in the county comes from tourism.  We will enjoy the area the other 51 weeks of the year.

Muskie Fest - Part II

I now have the correct spelling of Muskie Fest.  There were two days of vendor booths.  It stretched for 4 blocks with vendors back to back in the middle of Main Street so you could go in the stores as well.  I partook of a couple of delicacies with the hand cut French Fries with the potato skin left on as one of them.  Several contests were at the temporary grandstand - dilly bars, watermelon, hula hoop and a few more.  I decided to go all out and attended the Muskie Queen Pageant for college scholarships.  There were 6 girls who just graduated from Hayward High School.  It was fun to watch even though I didn't know anyone.  The best part was the talent portion where one girl came out in camo from head to toe and demonstrated how to shoot a hunting bow and arrow...only in the Northwoods. 

It's Musky Fest Time!

I have been busy with Musky Fest activities.  MF is the second largest event of the year. (The cross country ski race is the biggest.)  I attended the Musky Queen pageant.  Shopped 6 blocks of vendor booths.  Ate brats. Rode in the Musky Fest parade.  Musky is short for the largest game fish in the US - the Muskellunge - that is prevalent around here and the fest is for it and celebrating fishing in general. 

The Lions Club that we are in award college scholarships to 2 high school seniors each year.  So the Lions Club president and I drove the current winners in the parade in a bright yellow Jeep Wrangler.  It was a huge parade because every fire department and organization from miles around were here.  Nobody else has a parade the last Sunday in June!  In the civilized Northwoods there is no throwing of candy or spraying from Super Soakers like in suburban parades.  It was great fun.  Highlight at the beginning of the parade was the introduction of 77 local members of the military that just returned from Afghanistan.  A proud day indeed!

More Musky Fest info later...

Tick Talk

I hate to say it, but I have become a tick expert.  The larger ones (dog ticks) are about the size of the end of a pencil eraser - easy to see (dark brown/black) and easy to remove with tweezers.  (There is NO burning them off with a match unless you want to burn them for fun after removal.)  Then there are the smaller ones (deer ticks) that more often than not - carry Lyme disease.  Let's just say that you don't want to contract Lyme disease.  Deer ticks are harder to see because they are smaller and are more brown than black. (My doctor has given me - and Case, too even though he is not her patient -  open prescriptions to take if the tick is on our body more than 24 hours.  That is suppose to stop any Lyme disease before it starts.)

The goal is to remove any ticks as soon as possible.  This portion of the blog is titled:  KEEPING YOUR MARRIAGE FRESH.  When we come in from being outside, we immediately walk to the shower stall. One of us strips down and steps inside.  Water is not turned on.  The other one inspects every nook and cranny of the one in the stall.  (At 56 and 63 there are nooks and crannies galore.)  Then we change places.  Located ticks are removed and flushed.  We put on clean clothes and go about our day.  There is a Brad Paisley country song, "I want to check you for ticks."  Now I know what the song means. 

Hometown Not Pleasures

Not pleasures can be answered in two words: mosquitoes and ticks. 

If a mosquito landed on my thumbnail, its legs would reach both sides of the nail.  However, one good thing is that they are slow.  Case has the one-overhanded grab technique.  He is quite good.  I am still perfecting my two-handed clap and rub style.  You can't just clap because they fly away when you open your hands so rubbing your hands once after clapping is necessary.  Yes, we do spray on the maximum % amount of DEET allowed, but they always find a spot we missed.  And they are annoying even if they don't land. 

That's all I can take of this...tick talk tomorrow. 

Hometown Pleasures

One of the pleasures of hometown living is the close proximity of everything. 

I left work driving a 1/2 mile to my haircut appointment.  I parked in front of the store.  On the way in I walked 10 feet to the edge of the Post Office property where I could mail my letters. After my haircut I walked across the street to drop off something at church.  I am enjoying all of this Mayberry stuff. 

The 30 minute ride home is a beautiful drive - State Route 77 - which is designated as The Great Divide Scenic Highway.  Doesn't get much better than this.

(The Great Divide that Route 77 follows is the watershed boundary between the Great Lakes (emptying into the Atlantic Ocean) and the Mississippi River (emptying into the Gulf of Mexico).

Tight Circles

I worked as a Dumpster Diva this morning for the Rummage Sale in August.  In the middle of the morning one gentleman dropped off some items to donate.  As he was handing me his boxes, he asked me,  "You aren't from Round Lake Township, are you?"  (The dump is located in that township.)  I reply, "No, I am from Spider Lake Township (the closest one to there) and I belong to the Chequamegon Lions (that take in both areas).  He seemed satisfied with my answer.  Yes, they run in tight circles in the Northwoods. 

I'm alive!

Yesterday at walking group we logged in 4 brisk miles and 1 hour of kayaking on a warm day.  I came home and rested.  I am not sore this morning which is good.  However, the tops of my thighs are quite sunburned.  I forgot to put sunblock there before sitting in the kayak.  This group is pushing me to be active and to be happy.  What a great thing!  Today is a beautifully cool day.  This house has a wonderful cross breeze that the Mt. Prospect house never had. 

It's good day to be alive.

Ah...retirement

Both of us have been quite busy the last few days so we took a three hour nap this afternoon. 

Ah...retirement...

I have arrived...

One of the organizations that we have joined is Lions Club International.  The local club is almost all retirees with 60 or so active members.  The major fundraiser of the year is the Moose Lake Festival held in August.  I have worked on the publicity committee since January.  Remember the 10 am meetings in local bars?  Well, now I know that I have arrived because I have been asked to work on the rummage sale part of the Festival.  They call it a White Elephant sale here.  That group has a name: Dumpster Divas.  The township has allowed us to use a garage on the recycling/garbage collection property.  We gather, sort and price items that are dropped off every Wednesday and Saturday mornings to get ready for the August event.  What fun!  We play several games:  what is it?   which one of us is going to open that awful-looking box?   what are we to do with this broken object that the donor wants us to sell? 

There you go...the exciting life of a retiree. 

On the road to...

Last Sunday Case and I decided to use back roads to get to another part of the county.  They were definitely driveable with the truck.  Along the way there were large stacks of recently cut trees so that means that these roads are currently used for logging roads - big trucks filled with heavy trees going very fast or at the least not giving way on these one and a half lane thoroughfare.We did decide to turn around when there were more ruts and puddles than road.  Probably wise not to drive this way during the week anyway. 

All in an afternoon's adventure.

I am fitting in when...

I know that I am fitting in when...eating lunch at a restaurant with the walking group, a local fishing guide comes in with his client for the day.  All of us, including me, wave and shout out, "Hi, Jerry!" 

It's a good feeling to fit in.

Speaking of clothing...

In our 8 months of retirement I have been noticing the Northwoods uniform in the different seasons.  Fall, of course, is flannel with a heavy dose of camouflage: shirts, sweatshirts, coats, hats, pants and shoes.  It goes without saying that these are in addition to Packer green and gold.  For deer season in November everyone wears bright orange because you have been hunting or are a hunting wannabe.  Winter brings out down and wool in great quantities.  Sweaters with designs across the upper arms and chest never went out of vogue here.  (I've bought myself one.)  Boots of all types are seen, usually untied.  Late winter/early spring is vest season.  After the very first day of warm weather...you know the day... a fluke of 55 degrees when there is still snow on the ground.  After that day the locals go to shirts only no matter what the temp is.  When all the snow has melted, it goes to short sleeves.  Don't think that I am just looking at teenagers.  They wear flip flops year round in both Wisconsin and Illinois. 

I am eager to view summer attire in the Northwoods.

The Changing of the Seasonal Clothes

Today we put away our winter clothes and got out our summer weather ones.  I think we almost shed a tear when we said good-bye to our long-sleeved flannel shirts until Fall.  We'll be alright because we said hello to our short-sleeved flannel shirts.  (A little Northwoods humor...) 

Children's Nursery Rhyme

1, 2 - Buckle my shoe              Lace up work boots
3, 4 - Shut the door              Head outside
5, 6 - Pick up sticks           Chainsaw logs
7, 8 - Lay them straight    In the woodpile for next winter
9, 10 - A big, fat hen.     No chickens...yet.
 
We have had much rain (gully washers) and 40+ mph winds in the past few days.  So today we are picking up sticks.  Some of the sticks are full grown birch trees that are dead.  Three downed trees can be seen from the windows.  We were planning to remove these trees on our timetable, but Mother Nature had different ideas.  Wood that isn't too rotten is cut and put in the woodpile.  Rotten wood and small limbs, branches and sticks are burned.  (A s'more lunch, anyone?)  Retirement affords us the time to stop doing nothing and to do something that needs to be done.

Life is like a children's nursery rhyme.

Touring the North Shore

     I want to clarify that this North Shore is on the north side of Lake Superior which is the pointy part of Minnesota when looking on a map.  A few weeks ago eleven women from my walking group took 3 days and 2 nights to stop and hike at almost all of the nine waterfalls and a few lighthouses.  It was spring run-off time from the melting snow.  The waterfalls were rushing, loud and exciting.  We would be hiking along and then begin to hear the roar in the distance.  The roar became louder the closer we hiked.  My favorite part is feeling the spray of the falls as the water bounces off the rocks.  And, of course, seeing a rainbow.  Most waterfalls seem to have them.  All were spectacular this time of year.  I thought Cascade Falls were the best.  There were seven cascades upstream on one side of the bridge over the river and three cascades that we could see downstream. 
     We enjoyed the camaraderie and not washing dishes for 3 days!  Retirement in the Northwoods (of Minnesota) is great! 

Having Too Much Fun

I see that my last post was 8 days ago.  We are having fun...Northwoods style.  There was a 3 day Birding and Nature Festival at Lake Superior that we attended.  With 100 workshops from which to choose, we had a difficult time deciding.  A few highlights:  seeing a flock of trumpeter swans (the big white ones) on the water and in flight.  Who would think those big things could fly? *  At 8 am one morning there was a very dense fog which got worse the closer to the Lake we got. Case and I found ourselves in a kayak on Lake Superior paddling away from shore into the mist.  No land in front.  No land behind.  Only fog.  The other participants in their kayaks didn't seem worried at all.  But here we all were - blindly following the lead kayak (literally).  After 100 yards or so a peninsula was in site. We beached and explored an estuary.  (Look it up.) We went birding and dragonfly hunting in other workshops. This is the type of thing that I want to do in retirement.  To be able to take 3 days from the usual routine and do something you want to do. 

Shopping in the Northwoods

This week I am shopping for propane gas.  The big silver tank things.  Gas is used for the hot water heater, clothes dryer, oven and stove stop.  Let me not forget: heat!  Because we are now full-time residents, we may pre-pay our propane for the year at a reduced rate.  I am letting my fingers do the walking.  It appears that $1.89 a gallon (500 gallon tank) is the best deal I can get.  Of course, it involves having the current company take their tank away (think big heavy equipment) and the new company bringing theirs in (think b.h.e. again).  Decision needs to be made before June 1 to lock in the pre-pay price.  That will be the dinner conversation this evening.

Green

The weather has finally turned the corner to spring.  The buds and leaves are emerging.  There are a few days - maybe a week - in the spring when the new leaves have this particular color of green...light, pale, translucent.  That color is at no other time. That time is here now, and I am soaking it in to the fullest. 

Fishing Season has Begun!

Today is the opening day of fishing season.  Wish us good luck!   There is a different feel to the area.  The town, roads, and stores are full of the weekenders and the summer season people who have returned for the opener.  Here is an example.  Case and I are in the garage prepping the boat to put into the water.  We hear gunshots very close behind the garage.  Perhaps a neighbor is shooting at a pesky squirrel.  He must be a bad shot because it continues sporadically for quite some time.  So I don my bright orange safety vest and go over to find out what is going on.  I come face to face with a man with glassy eyes, a beer in one hand and a gun in the other, asking me what I want.  (I want not to be shot - accidentally or intentionally.)  After a short discussion I found out that he was target shooting into a hill behind our garage.  The moonshine/maple syrup neighbor steps in to smooth things over and all is well. 

The sun is shining.  Time to go fishing.

I Saw a Bear!

As I was driving to a bar at 9:30 this morning, I saw a bear.  (Lions Club Committee meetings are held in a bar.)  The black bear was sitting at the side of the road just hanging out.  He/she lumbered into the woods, stood on its hind legs, and scratched its back on a big tree.  Returning to the side of the road, he/she was eating something in the grass or maybe the grass itself. Here was a real bear doing bear things. This is a great Northwoods activity from the safety of my car.

Remembering 9/11

The news from last night, of course, reminds me of what I was doing that day.  When I heard the news, I was preparing my classroom for 19 three-year-olds.  When my colleague came in with the initial report, I was confused and bewildered.  Whatever was going on I felt safe with my three-year-olds in a church classroom.  At home in the afternoon it became clearer what was happening.  I had anger and a dull feeling in my stomach.  Lucyna and Tad were freshmen at high school that had started a few weeks ago.  Case was at work as usual.  In the early evening as soon as Case returned home, we stood in a circle in the kitchen just holding one another without talking. 

For many years after 9/11 I divided time as before that date and after that date. Nine plus years later it seems to me that there is only an after that date time.


The immediate result was no flights in or out of O'Hare for many days.  It was so silent.  An eerie, uneasy  silence.  We never really heard the airplanes before 9/11.  They were merely background noise that we were used to. But no sound now.  They had stopped us...for awhile.  I am grateful to our military who have worked tirelessly on our behalf in their efforts against terrorism.  One part of that effort was accomplished yesterday. Thank you.   

The Answer to Prayer was No and Yes

It is snowing/ice pelleting this afternoon so my prayer on Palm Sunday about snow was a no.  However, the answer was yes to all the ice being off the lake before fishing season, which is May 7 this year.  This Saturday!  With the help of a neighbor we put the dock in the water yesterday.  When we purchased the house, this dock came with it.  Hadn't been used in over 5 years.  Of course, it wasn't one of those new, lightweight deals.  It is all steel and rust and, in a word, heavy.  Once it is in the water, it is solid and great to use.  The problem is getting it in the water.  The first thing we needed to do to the dock after we bought the house was to put new tires on it, because they were beyond busted.  Only needed two of them.  My junkyarding spouse drew a template of the placement of the lug nuts and off he went to find some wheels to match the dock wheels.  I am still laughing about what car matched...a Ford Crown Victoria!  The work crew remodeling the house laughed as well.  "You're the only one on the lake with Crown Vic wheels for your dock."  I am sure that is true.  They sure are shiny.  Glad they are in the water for this year. 

All my Friends are Clowns

I am beginning some new friendships in the Northwoods.  Unfortunately, they are all clowns.  Well, not all of them.  Someone (and I would like to know who) held a Clown Camp in the area.  A number of my new friends went.  They are learning the moves, sewing a costume, buying props and practicing how to apply makeup.  The most important piece of it is choosing a name.  Now my friends are Muddy, Happy and Goofy. Since the summer round of festivals has not yet started, I haven't seen any of them in action yet.  It is all in good fun.  I'll let you know how this first season of circus comes out. 

We have been on our knees all week.

Yes, we have been on our knees all week...for two reasons.  It is Holy Week and we have been attending church alot.  It is Tree Week.  We have been planting trees - 80 of them.  In this area trees are sold in the early spring by pulling them out of the ground to bare root status.  They are between 6 inches and 24 inches tall depending on the age, cost and kind of tree.  Then the nurseries and the county sells them in damp plastic bags.  so planting them as soon as possible is very important.  We planted many pine trees (red, white, jack), birch trees and cranberry bushes. Most years Easter is much earlier so the two weeks don't usually coincide.  Thankfully.

Yes, we have been on our knees all week.  Both are very good reasons.

Palm Sunday Prayer

I pray that it stops snowing by Easter.  I pray that the ice is off the lake before fishing season.

Oblivion

Case and I went to Superior (1 hour, 45 minutes) for a special church service at the Cathedral, so we did some errands as well.  Social Security has not been withholding the correct amount for taxes.  (Yep, that's right all you youngins, you get taxed on Social Security.)  Case has emailed and called, but it is still wrong.  Superior has the closest office so in we go.  When Case explained that he had contacted SS several times to no positive results, she replied that his requests are in "oblivion."  And the only way to change something was to come in person. 

Definition of oblivion:  noun - the state of being completely forgotten or unknown.

No other comments needed.

Banking Wars

In this small town there are many banks.  They offer the same rates, same services - all about the same.  What can each bank offer to set themselves apart from all the others.  In Hayward...it is food.  One bank lays out a tray of freshly-baked break apart chocolate chip cookies at about 9:10.  Gee, how would I know that?  Another bank cooks brats for lunch on certain Fridays.  The brats are from a special meat shop in Cumberland.  Very tasty.  A bank on Main Street has a popcorn cart going for most of the day.  Popcorn is nice to eat as you are strolling around town.  There are still two or three other banks that I need to visit.  For now I am staying with the chocolate chip cookie bank 

A Retirement Activity

This is definitely a retirement activity - watching the neighbors.  However, we do have a problem because there are no neighbors.  That isn't totally true.  There are two elderly brothers who live here year round like us.  They don't get out much - so we can't actually watch them.  We can only see a couple of other places, and they are here only one or sometimes two weekends a month.  Then, there are the trees and hills in the line of sight, so neighbor watching is basically non-existent for us.  Though this last weekend...there was so much activity, steam, and equipment that we had to have a look see.  First, I thought it was a still, and they were making moonshine!  After awhile we decided that they were boiling maple syrup.  We had seen some trees in the area that were tapped.  That's good Northwoods activity, too! 

We Saw Our First One!

A few miles from here we saw our first one.  Heard people talk about them.  One of the bars in town has a stuffed one.  We saw one with our own eyes - an albino deer!  It was a yearling about the size of a large goat.  Absolutely pure white.  It is not a myth but a real occurrence in nature.  Amazing to see!

So Much to Learn

Well, I found out the noise was not the turkeys that I saw.  Sandhill cranes who just arrived at the local marsh were the ones making those calls.  (No wonder that it didn't sound like a gobble!)  When I was walking with a friend yesterday, we heard the call, and she said that they were cranes.  We have a large picture book of birds with audio from the Cornell Lab (leading bird people in the US).  So I looked up the cranes.  Yes, it was the Sandhill Cranes.  Their calls can be heard up to 2 miles away.  There is so much for the newly retired to learn in the Northwoods. 

For our wedding anniversary in May, we have signed up for 3 days of birdwatching from canoes, kayaks, and hiking.  That should help us get up to speed in bird identification, especially their calls.  Because you can hear them much more than you can see them. 

Noisy in the Northwoods

For the last few days we have been hearing the turkeys' mating call.  In my opinion it doesn't sound like gobble gobble.  However, it is loud, and it seems to echo.  Today I saw who was making all the ruckus.  It was a male turkey with all of his feathers spread out just like you see on any Thanksgiving picture.  This lucky guy had two hens walking toward him.  That is the noise in the Northwoods for early April. 

Retirement: Day 187

We put up the shelves in the laundry room. 

I guess they weren't really urgent, but we will appreciate them anyway.  Don't want to rush anything when we're retired!

Retirement Reminiscences

When you are retired, you have time to reminiscence.  The local games that were postponed reminded me of going to Lucyna and Tad's games at St. Viator High School.  Tad was on the tennis team. (MVP his sophomore year.) Lucyna had a spot on the water polo team.  On the day she came home and said that she was on the team, I asked her how they got the ponies in and out of the pool.  I had never heard of water polo.  There are no ponies involved I found out. There are six players and 1 goalie on one team played in a swimming pool.  It is a cross between soccer and ice hockey.  Yes, it is rough.  There are four quarters of  7 minutes each.  Doesn't sound like much except that the players are in water over their heads and tread water THE ENTIRE TIME while passing the ball to one another to get it in the net.  Then when one team scores or the other team gets the ball,  all 12 players swim as fast as they can to get to the other end of the pool and the other net.  Since the referee is on the sidelines and not in the water, there are many fouls not called - like when 1 player wraps her legs around an opposing player and pulls her under.

On Tuesdays they both had games.  So I would watch Tad play tennis - a polite sport - where everyone claps when anyone makes a good play and says in a normal voice  "good shot."  If a player makes a very poor shot, that player uses body language to the opposing player apologizing for the poor shot.  Then I would jump in the car and drive to the pool.  It is now time to re-read my description of water polo.  Parents including myself would stand on the bleachers and yell for our team and against the other team.  It was raucous. 

Thank goodness I never mixed up where I was.  Watching my children play on sports in high school is a very fond memory.

This is also a sign

This is also a sign.  However, it is a sign that winter is not yet over.  The high school boys' baseball game was postponed because there was too much snow on the diamond.  Ouch!  However, I do remember in Illinois that the first few matches of the season for Tad's tennis team in high school were postponed due to cold weather/rain - all four years.  So it happens all over. 

This is definitely a sign...

I went for a long walk today that took me around an edge of a bog.  There was a huge patch of pussy willows in all their fuzzy glory!  This is definitely a sign of spring!

Maybe this is one of those things that you had to be there to appreciate it

Our Pastor, Fr. Phil, has been ill for several weeks and returned to church on Sunday.  After the service he explained that he had been diagnosed with tinnitus, a ringing in the ears.  The doctors said that he can minimize the ringing by staying away from stress and anxiety (his brother died days before his diagnosis).  We gave a collective nervous laugh.  I would think that his type of job would be full of stress and anxiety.  He went on to explain that he needs to stop drinking caffeine and stop eating chocolate.  We all sat silently except for the woman near the front who gave a loud audible gasp.  He turned to her and said that he probably won't be in anymore.  That woman owns the fudge store on Main Street.  He ended with a positive note that if he stays busy, he doesn't hear it.  We definitely will keep him busy. 

A few years ago when I was telling everyone that we were moving to Hayward, there were 2 usual responses:  blank stare (they had never heard of Hayward) or isn't that where there is the four story museum shaped like a fish? or isn't that where there is a fabulous candy shop on Main Street?  Yes, to both.  I think that Trembly's will continue to thrive even though Phil won't be coming in anymore. 

Gardening in the Northwoods

I attended a continuing education class about gardening - No Fear No Deer Gardening.  There was a handout listing all the plants that deer absolutely do not eat.  It was blank.  Lots of talk about electric fences, 8 foot fences and double fences.  I'm sticking with the native plants.  They can't eat all of those!

Basketball Cliches

Usually when I lay under a down comforter on the couch (1 below zero last night), I am the one to fall asleep.  Not last night -Wisconsin fell asleep first- looked like they were asleep right out of the locker room.  I was also checking in on Duke.  They fell asleep as the game progressed.  I was the third one to fall asleep.

At the big dance...the Badgers and the Blue Devils were wallflowers.  The Bulldogs and Wildcats came to play and play hard the entire game.

I have been going with the theory of rooting for the team where I live.  Perhaps we should have moved to Arizona or Indianapolis?

Not crying UNCLE just yet

We got up this morning to 8+ inches of blowing and drifting snow.   All schools (including the one in the town of Winter which I find very amusing that Winter is closed because of snow) and many businesses are closed.  The post office said that they are delivering mail but not to expect it at the usual time. 

There is food in the frig and firewood outside the door.  We're good!  However, I do need to go to work tomorrow.  (Jo yelling:  "CASE, IS THERE GAS IN THE SNOWBLOWER?")

One Thought Leads to Another

or...my mind is wandering.
      Case and I have a list of user ids and passwords for the numerous websites we go to.  They are kept on a large piece of paper placed between our computers.  (Yes, we each have a computer because someone has a difficult time sharing, and he wasn't an only child.  That topic will be saved for a possible future blog.)  After moving, changing banks, etc, I have typed this list as the handwritten one was just about too scratched up to read.  It is both sides.  I remember when we used the same info for all of our 2 websites.  Didn't need to write anything down.  Each site has certain parameters:  how many characters, upper and lower case, letters and numbers.  You know the drill.  How can anyone remember all of these?  The experts have stopped telling the public not to write any down and don't keep it beside the computer.  Sorry, experts, that ship has sailed.  And then there are the personal safety questions.  Name of the best man at your wedding.  Father's middle name.  Your first car.  Gone are the days of only "your mother's maiden name."  Some websites we share.  Some are separate.  Recently I was looking up one of mine when I saw one of his.  "Red Horde"  What the heck is a red horde?  His answer:  high school mascot.  I use mine sometimes - Panthers.  That got us talking about high school.  Had the NCAA on TV.  Which brought us to Coach K at Duke.  Case went to Weber High School in Chicago with him (different class). 
     So I started with computer passwords and ended up with the NCAA basketball tournament....my mind is wandering. 

PSA on Northwoods Radio

After the radio aired a story about yet another truck falling through the ice with the driver inside (driver did get out), the radio announcer read a public service announcement.  "If you are driving on the ice this time of year, be sure to keep your windows rolled down."  That seemed like a comedy segment from the Northwoods television show - The Red Green Show. 

And, yes, all the lakes are still ice covered - except where the trucks have fallen through, that is. 

America at Work

I keep thinking about the lumber manufacturer where we bought our firewood.  Walter Brothers was family owned and run.  It was a nice operation and told him so.  I saw over a dozen pickups and beaters from the employees parked around   It looked as though they were busy.  Currently, they are going 60 hours a week making pallets for John Deere in Moline, IL.  So John Deere must be busy.  I see these as good signs for the economy.  The family was employing many locals and shipping their product to a neighboring state where they were employing people, etc.  It was exciting to see America at work.

A Bad Day in the Northwoods

It wasn't really a bad day but not what I planned.  We have run out of firewood...again.  There is an explanation.  We burn propane gas from one of those big silver tanks to heat the house, water, clothes dryer, and oven/stove.  Since we were not full time residents until October, we couldn't lock in a good rate so we have been paying top dollar for propane.  To continue to explain...if we keep the wood stove going (with wood - hence, the name), then the propane heat for the house doesn't go on.  Our mantra is "save the propane." Last summer saw us working hard to sell our Mt. Prospect house.  Because we came to Wisconsin so little, we didn't have time to cut dead trees to store up for the winter. Now back to...we are out of firewood again.  The first time we looked in the newspaper and bought a pickup full of wood  for $70.  We were happy.  However, we have burned all of that wood, and we don't think it was oak as advertised.  We asked around and found a lumber manufacturer about an hour away.  They make pallets from local lumber and have "ends" leftover that they sell for $65 a pile.  The ends are a perfect size for the wood stove.  We pulled up, paid, and loaded by hand.  When the truck was full, the pile was still quite large, so...we drove the hour home, unloaded by hand, drove back to the lumber place and loaded the remaining amount.  Thankfully, the rest of the wood fit in the truck.  We drove home again with our noses in the air because the weight of the wood caused the truck to be at quite an angle, but also perturbed that we previously paid $70 for one load instead of $65 for two.  We unloaded and took Aleve.  Next year we are locking in the price of propane and cutting down many dead trees before winter.

A Good Day in the Northwoods

March 1, 2011

Five months ago Case and I moved to Wisconsin.  Has it been that long?

Blue skies and bright sun today for Case to loosen up some muscles as he skied about 5 miles. Blue skies and bright sun today for my recreational group.  We hiked for 90 minutes.  Then off to the Seeley Sawmill Saloon (and restaurant) for lunch.  The manager offered a special that she made for today - not on the menu - basil/pesto grilled chicken wrap with "sawmill" fries for $6.28.  Yes, another good day in the Northwoods.

We wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

It was a great Race Day!

Case cross country skied his personal best with a time of 3 hours 34 minutes and 52 seconds for 23 km.  All the skiers wear a timer on their ankle.  Even though it was 10 degrees most of the day he was fine.  Since I was volunteering near his finish line, I ran over to greet him when they announced his name.  All of our new friends were able to cheer him as well.  He was flying high.  "Couldn't feel the last three hills.  I was on adrenaline."   We certainly had our feet up in front of the fire last night.  This morning we were both in great shape - didn't even need to take Aleve! 

I have decided to break my own rule of no pictures in the blog.  This moment is too wonderful to pass up. 

Many skiers including Case wear "lobster" gloves.  Don't you love it!  The white specks in the picture are snowflakes.  We wouldn't be anywhere else!

He has a number!

Case has a bib number of 17686.  His start time is 9:10 am in the Kortelopet - Classic Cross Country Ski - Wave 7.  He is so excited (and nervous).  I am proud of him that he has worked toward this goal and I am sure that he will beat last year's time.  Off we go to the spaghetti dinner for him to carb load and for me to eat normally.  In the Northwoods a spaghetti dinner is called a "feed."  It is advertised as such.  "Feed at St. Joe's from 4:00 to 8:00 pm."  And everyone knows what that means.  When I first read that term 4 years ago, I couldn't understand what they were writing in the newspaper.  My central Illinois upbringing told me that someone was bringing livestock to church.

I found a site where you can watch the finish line for the longer race (that Case is not in).

livestream.com/birkie        Saturday, February 26 from 9 am to noon. 

more pleasant things

We have Birkie fever here.    The big cross country ski race, the "American Birkebeiner," is Saturday.  You can feel the excitement in the air as Main Street is closed off and covered with snow.  Kids are off school to join in all the activities.   I brought in 4 baked goods for the Spaghetti dinner at church that feeds many of the visitors.  Case is done training with a brief ski today.  Saturday he will ski about 14 miles in the Korteloppet race.  Tomorrow we spend the day in town picking up his race bib and timing anklet, going to the Ski Expo with all the vendors of ski products, and eating at the spaghetti dinner.  This event is quite a big deal.  The race will be streaming live on WOJB.org.    The radio puts about 90% of its time on the big race that ends on Main Street so you won't be hearing Case's name announced when he crosses the finish line because his race doesn't end on Main Street. It ends at Telemark Resort near the town of Cable.  


This is an international event with more than 11,000 skiers.  Hayward's population is 2100.  Every one of the 2100 including me is volunteering to pull off this event.  I am in the Chequamegon Lions Club that will be handling, transporting, sorting and returning bags to the 2500 skiers in the Korte - the one that Case skis. 


This week is definitely a highlight of the year. 

Warning: this contains my political views

I think that things are a bit wild here in Wisconsin when the state is being compared to Cairo and Tunisia. 

I voted for Scott Walker to become governor and do what he is doing right now.  He said he would not raise taxes.  So he needs to cut spending.  Public officials who are having benefits and future wages cut are upset because they are the first ones affected.  They will not be the last.  All of us will need to accept less government programs and cuts to things that we are used to getting.  My turn is coming to feel the pain.  The public employees are only the first.  You may think that I am wrong, but there is one thing I do know.  I cannot afford to pay any more taxes than I do now - except in Illinois where I still own a piece of land and Illinois just raised taxes.  If it were possible to pick up my land and move it, I would. 

I will say that Gov. Walker needs to slow down and let discussion on the budget occur and not force it through so quickly.  That is why we have 3 branches of government - for checks and balances on each other. 

I am asking my Illinois friends for a favor...if you see my state senator Bob Jauch, who is now staying in Illinois to escape his responsibilities in Wisconsin, send him home!  How can he represent me from another state?  He and the other cheesehead senators need to come back to their home state to work out this situation.  Oh, I just heard that some Hoosier state legislators are coming to Illinois to escape their duties in Indiana.  Send them home, too.  Maybe Illinois could make some money by charging all these people rent.

For Pet Lovers Only

I have two pet birds - lovebirds, which are one of the smallest of the parrots.  They have peach-colored faces and blue/purple feathers.  Both are ornery and I love them.  I have read that about 10% of lovebirds talk.  I did not buy them to talk.  A very good friend told me, "You would get sick of them saying 'Jo's a pretty girl. Jo's a pretty girl' all day." 

When I am home, the male loves to sit on my shoulder and assist me.  We wash dishes, vacuum, send emails, and his personal favorite is to Skype Lucyna and Tad.  I try not to have him on my shoulder when I talk on the phone as his chirp can get loud over the line.  Although some customer service representatives have enjoyed hearing him as I order something or get clarification on a question.  Yesterday I was calling my mail order prescription folks.  We had a friendly conversation and I ended with saying thank you.  My bird said thank you, and the rep couldn't stop laughing. 

There are those that might disagree that the birds say thank you.  They certainly don't pronounce the "th" sound.  But they do say two quick syllables with the same inflection as I do plus they say it at the appropriate times:  when I uncover them in the morning - thank you; when I give them food - thank you; when I change their water - thank you; and when I say thank you to someone else - thank you. 

Yes, this is definitely a pet lover kind of story, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it.