Off to Play in the Sunny South

South Wisconsin, that is.  Wishing all a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Campers

There is snow on the ground and the sun in the sky.  It is great outdoor conditions in the Northwoods.  Case has been cross country skiing on the lake, and I have been snowshoeing in the forest.  We didn't get the double digit snow like the center of the state did, but we are happy for now.

Christmas Spirit

Today was the day at church that many of us gathered to wrap all the presents that were donated by the congregation for families whose wish lists we received from the Sawyer County Human Services.  The hall was full of people and presents.  And the wrapping paper and ribbon were flying.   Christmas Spirit filled the room. 

I wrapped presents for 2 sisters, aged 6 and 8.  Of course, there were different tags for each girl.  Of course, different people bought gifts for the girls.  One person bought 2 pairs of jeans, 2 tops, boots, coat, warm hat and mittens and snow pants.  One person bought 1 pair of jeans, 1 top, boots.  Let's just say the 6 year old may notice the discrepancy.  That led to talk amongst the volunteers how their parents balanced Christmas gifts and how they as parents and grandparents try to balance.  My Dad won the unofficial poll.  He set the same price limit for each child.  He bought one or two gifts each and then wrote a check for the difference.  It took a while for me to figure that one out after receiving a check at Christmas for $36. 27.  He knew he was being fair.

Wedding Photographs

All the wedding photos are in!  It shows a lovely celebration of love...a commitment to marriage. 

Tad Mazik and Carrie Sabo
September 8, 2012
Sturgeon Bay, WI

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyejones/sets/72157631780156336/

Sunday afternoon.  Packers aren't playing until tonight.  We went to church yesterday.  We are watching it snow - a winter storm warning is in effect.  Case is actually watching the radar.  The storm is stalled at the Minnesota/Wisconsin line.  Get here already!  We have been snow starved this year - for the past couple of years really.  Our skis are waxed.  Snowshoes are out of storage.  It's time!  Back to wrapping presents...

Little House in the Woods

I feel like Laura Ingalls.  Our hot water heater is broken so we have been heating water on the stove.  I have mastered the mix of hot water from the stove and cold water from the facet to make a shallow bath. When the new part didn't arrive as promised, a phone call to the company made us realize that they "forgot" to send it.  It is on its way now, thankfully.  I don't know how good a pioneer I would have been. 

Arby's- good karma

On the way to the wedding we stopped at an Arby's/gasoline combo place for gas and something quick to eat and get back on the road.  Case went to the restroom while I ordered.  The fresh-faced kid behind the counter asked if I would like a free promotional turkey sandwich. (I had yet to see the TV commercials about them.)  To which I replied, "What?"  He repeated his spiel.  By that time I looked around to notice everyone in the place was watching me and what I was going to do.  So I go over the "I am getting a free turkey sandwich - no strings" deal with him.  Everyone is laughing by now. Several people had set up spots just to watch the new customers' reactions to the free food.  I order may free sandwich.  By now Case is at the counter.  I say, "We are the millionth customers and get a free turkey sandwich."  More laughter.  Case orders his free food.  We sit down to eat and watch the next customers when they are given the free sandwich deal. 

Case predicted that our free food  was a good omen for a wonderful wedding weekend.  It did turn out to be a good weekend.  Of course, months of planning may have had something to do with it.  Or perhaps the stop before Arbys - a church to pray - was helpful as well.  Although, I won't turn  down free food. 

Case recommends the hot turkey with bacon.  I plan to stay with the Arby roast beef classic. 

ELF

I lead the hiking group this morning in the misting rain.  We walked a paved forest road in the national park system.  It is the only paved forest road in the United States.  This 3 mile road leads to the former Naval Facility that used Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) to communicate with submarines running at full speed deep under the polar ice cap.  It was in operation from 1985 to 2002.  In fact only one building with no windows and one door remains.  Currently it is used for storage by the National Park Service. Check out ELF Line, Clam Lake, WI on google.  Also, the next time you watch the movie, The Hunt for Red October, it mentions waiting for communication from this facility.

In this group of 22 walkers today, three had a connection to this ELF facility.  One woman lived her entire adult life here.  When the Navy moved in, they asked for volunteers to be given a 2 day physical every year to monitor if the large antenna caused any health problems.  She volunteered for 5 years - no health problems.  A second woman was in the Navy in communications and was familiar this facility.  A third woman had a husband who was an engineer with a Chicago company that worked on part of the facility design.

For lunch we stopped in downtown Clam Lake (unincorporated) at the Elkhorn Restaurant.  I had made arrangements ahead of time for them to set up tables and lay out a taco bar.   Sign on the front door:  Concealed weapons are not allowed. 

Fun in the Northwoods!

Swing State

Oh, to live in a swing state in an election year!  Illinois always goes democratic so we never got any political phone calls or political survey calls.  In Wisconsin we have received as many as 4 calls in one day!  I have gotten so that I just answer, "Romney" and hang up.   

Snow!

Woke up to snow on the ground on Saturday, September 22.  It melted by mid-morning.  The electric blanket was brought out for Sunday. 

Homecoming Parade

I happened to be in town when the Homecoming parade went down Main Street.  It had energy and was great fun.  I watched it with the owner of the Hallmark store who is a friend of mine.  We stood outside her place where lots of parents gathered including the Spanish teacher.  Whenever a group of students went by, they shouted, "Hola!"  Even the police cars had painted windows - Go Canes!  Their nickname is the Hurricanes.  'Canes for short.  Currently there is a publicity campaign that all the local businesses have a sign in the window referring to the 'Canes and their business.  "Floss like a 'Cane" - dentist    "Read like a 'Cane" - library.  "Keep warm like a 'Cane" - woodstove store.  It has generated some excitement.  The school's initials HHS are the same as the school where I grew up - Homer High School.  I need to buy a HHS sweatshirt with a swirl behind the letters (hurricane) although yellow and black are not my favorite colors.  Back to the parade...the 'Canes are playing the Barron Bears so the floats were:  Tree the Bears with stuffed bears in a real tree; Bury the Bears with a fake bear in a coffin; Bash the Bears with a kid in a bear costume being hit with a fake hammer; Roast the Bears with a paper mache bear over a spit.  All the usual small town stuff that I grew up with.  I loved it.  The most interesting part of the parade was the two Harleys that lead it.  I was told later that it was the Superintendent and the new high school athletic director.  (Private message to my hometown readers:  I couldn't imagine Mr. Gilpin riding a Harley.) 

Wedding Moments

• Beautiful weather.  Lovely ceremony.  Everyone was happy.  Pictures still being gathered.
• When Tad took his place in the front of the church to wait for Carrie and her Dad to walk down the aisle, it HIT me.  My son is getting married.  
• Carrie, his bride, was absolutely glowing.
• I read the scripture readings and did well despite the circumstances.  Receiving many compliments, I always replied, "I have a great Author."
• Lucyna was a bridesmaid and the bride's brother was a groomsmen.  They walked together.  It was sweet. 
• Flowers:  different shades of purple - gorgeous!  The women with a corsage like myself received wrist-lets that I had never experienced.  They were delicate and light and tied on my wrist by the florist himself with a wide organza ribbon.  I wore it on Sunday because I liked it so much. (Case tied it.)
• On a side table on the altar was a Memory Candle: listing the names of deceased family members like my father and mother and Case's father.  It was very meaningful.  I appreciated that fact that they were acknowledged. They all would have loved to have attended.
• At the reception hall there were framed photographs of wedding couples (parents, grandparents) from both sides of the family.  That was a great idea as well.  Honoring marriage.
• Food was delicious!  DJ was spectacular!  Tad and I danced to "You're My Inspiration" by Chicago.  That was a special moment for this Mom.
• To send off the couple, we went to the parking lot, lit sparklers and made an arch.  That was exciting!
• Many people worked to make this wedding as special as it was.  More later...

Labor Day

Well, it is definitely Labor Day for us.  We will be laboring all day - getting ready for the wedding and packing the car.  We are leaving for Sturgeon Bay early Thursday morning.  I have a neighbor coming in to feed the birds while we are gone.  So that means I need to pick up the house as well.  Eek!  At least I am not the bride's mom with wedding headquarters in the house.  Anyway, it looks like we are dodging any Isaac rain which will make for a more pleasant day of "laboring."

Recent animal sightings of note:  a rabbit - the first one we have EVER seen up here because of so many predators; flock of 4 large turkeys enjoying the yard,  doe with two fawns continue to inhabit our corner of the forest.

Don't Look at the Calendar

It is August 25.  The sugar maple trees are already oranges and reds.  The deer are eating the plentiful acorns that have fallen to the ground.  A few mornings have been down right cold.  We had a very early spring.  Now an early fall.  Should be in the 80's for the rest of the week to hold off autumn.  We definitely want good weather for Tad's and Carrie's wedding in September in Door County. 

We're Winners!

Case and I attended the annual picnic for people who live on our lake.  There is a raffle with many prizes.  We bought 6 tickets for $10.  Yes, we are the last of the big time spenders.  When it was time to draw the tickets, we went to sit with people who basically won everything last year.  I told them that I wanted to sit at the winning table this year.  We won 3 items (fishing rod, a basket of handmade cards, and a fabric wall hanging.)  Our winning friends from last year won only 1 item - restaurant gift certificate.  They said that we stole their luck!    We bought 6 tickets and won 3 prizes.  Those are great odds.

Not a Day of Rest

Case and I find ourselves chairs of the Sawyer County Fair parking lot.  The fair begins today and mercifully runs only 3 days.  We have a large crew taking different shifts but there was much work leading up to this day.  This week 5 of us painted the entire grass lot with parking lines.  Yes, it is as bad as it sounds.  The Lions Club will receive $1500 for this project. 

I am thinking of wearing my long underwear for my shift.  It was 39 degrees this morning.  Finally, Northwoods weather. 

A Day of Rest

What is nice about retirement is taking a day of rest when you want to.   We woke up to a gentle rain that has settled in for the day, we had breakfast and then slept until noon.  Life is good in the Northwoods.

A Day at the Beach

My Tuesday walking group crossed state lines today heading for a beach in upper peninsula Michigan.  It is a county park called Little Girls Point.  You can enjoy the sand but mainly you come to pick up rocks - from pea-sized to larger than a softball.  All free for the taking.  We brought buckets.  We brought boxes.  We brought bags.  Since we carpooled, we had rocks for up to 4 people per car.  Going home you could actually feel the vehicle ride heavier from the additional weight.  For a special day like this, we had a potluck salad lunch.  There was a large variety of good things to eat.  Weather was in the high 70's.  No insects bothering us. Lake Superior was 78 degrees.  Many went swimming.  Perfect for wading to chase the elusive rock. 

My treasures include granite, quartz, a coral fossil, sandstone, chert, feldspar, rhyolite, and porphyry.  Yes, I have been studying my "Rocks and Minerals Field Guide to Lake Superior" that I received as a Christmas present. 

Olympics - Summer Olympics

After I got over that there was going to be no ice skating, I have settled in to enjoy the Olympics.  (I know this is not the winter Olympics with all the events I really enjoy watching, but I hear the Olympic music and get excited with the opening ceremonies and think yahoo and all the winter stuff.)  We have watched cycling, water polo, beach volley ball with Misty May and Keri Walsh and, of course, gymnastics.  In my youth, I took gymnastic lessons.  Balance beam was my best event.  I could do a cartwheel and turn before eventually falling off.  You can just imagine how the other events went if that was my best.  Didn't have a flexible enough gymnast body. 

I have figured out table tennis, though.  After the server does some kind of odd ritual with the ball - think Art Carney: "Hello, ball."  - the server palms the ball and pretends to serve because I don't even see the ball going back and forth.  They make clicking sounds with their mouths to mimic the ball hitting the table.  No one can see a ball going that fast let alone hit it.  So that is what I figured out - to clue you in.  It's all pretend!  Event: Olympic Charades.

Weddings Have a Life of Their Own

I haven't been posting a blog lately due to wedding activities.  All wonderful and fun but no time to blog.  My daughter Lucyna and I hosted a wedding shower for my son Tad and his fiance Carrie last weekend in Chicago.  It was a good meeting point between my family in downstate Illinois, Carrie's family in Door County and my friends and Case's family in the Chicago area.  We treated them all to deep dish Chicago-style pizza at Lou Malnati's.  It was a lovely afternoon for the families to meet before the wedding weekend in September. 

Northwoods As It Should Be

Right after breakfast I went for a leisurely kayak paddle.  Bright sun and a cool breeze as the Northwoods should be on a July morning.  No sight of the Loons I am disappointed to say.  There was a baby painted turtle on a log sticking out of the water; a Great Blue Heron who took flight at my approach; an osprey being heckled by smaller birds (I am sure the bigger osprey was doing something they didn't like.); didn't see the beavers but their play area at the end of a creek was well used; a large group of gulls were sunning and preening on an outcropping of rocks in our bay; the resident pair of eagles that live two doors down were circling and enjoying the updrafts.  A lovely morning upon the water.

H-E-double hockey sticks

Today it is hot with a heat index of 110 degrees.  I moved to the Northwoods to get away from this type of stuff.  What the h-e-double hockey sticks is going on?  The majority of people here do not have air conditioning.  It really doesn't have to do with economic status.  The richest couple we know here do not have it.  In the past AC wasn't needed.  Maybe a few days a year.  When we remodeled our place, the contractor asked if we wanted AC.  "You'll only need it 2 weeks of the year."  We said yes, we will use it the 2 weeks.  You can attribute the heat to global warming or to natural weather cycles.  Either way, we are using our air conditioning. 

I Won!

There was a silent auction at the annual Spider Lake Township Volunteer Firefighter BBQ.  I bid on several items.  Got the call from the Town Treasurer that I had won.  Which one did I win?  The Packer afghan, of course.  Some talented woman had knitted a lap throw in the Packer colors. Couldn't resist bidding.  I can just see me snuggling up under it on a Sunday afternoon during football season.  During the picnic itself, I won a flashlight.  You buy a plastic egg for $1.  It contains a number that corresponds to your prize.  We also won gummy bears, pudding, granola bars and smarties until we got the flashlight.  We didn't pull the correct eggs for the great prizes.  Next year!   By the way, the BBQ chicken was delicious! 

Wildlife Update

Loons:  While kayaking this morning, I saw the mom and dad but no juveniles.  I saw all of them 5 days ago.  I will poll the loon watchers in the area to find out the situation.  Saturday is turn around day at all the resorts.  People move out who have been here a week and the new ones move in.  The resort staff certainly earn their money on a Saturday.  As I was gliding by, one workers says to another, "That's what I'd rather be doing - kayaking."  We were 200 feet apart.  Sounds and voices travel on water.  So I say back, "Why don't you join me?"  "You got room for 2 of us?"  "You bet!"  I knew one of the guys.  I'll have to rib him the next time at church.  He probably didn't know that it was me.  Although I think I am the only one on the lake with a pink kayak.
Foxie:  She is so tame.  She acts as though she owns the place.  She lays in the yard or our drive to clean her fur like any other animal does.  When the other neighbor drives by, she just watches and doesn't move.  When Case and I were cleaning up logs and brush from downed trees last week after a storm, she came upon us.  We were in her path that she wanted to take so she went behind some low shrubs to watch us for a bit.  I could still see her though.  How could I miss those big ears sticking up!  She gave up watching and took another route.  Foxie checks the stump daily at 4:45 pm.  Seems like she has an inner clock because it is the same time everyday.  If we have scraps, they better be out there by then. 

Four Letter Words

C-A-K-E    B-A-L-L    These are now my new swear words.  Our future daughter-in-law served us cake balls for dessert the last time we were at her house.  Absolutely delicious!  They sounded so easy to make.  Case and I decided that we would make cake balls, too.  Well, we are on day 3 of the process with a few more days ahead.  Three ingredients - only three: cake, icing, chocolate.  What could go wrong?  I guess nothing has really gone wrong.  It is just so labor intensive!

Day 1:  Bake cake.  Let cool.
Day 2:  Crumble the cake so there are no lumps - just crumbs.  It takes forever!  Add 3/4 of a can of ready made frosting to crumbles.  Mix until a paste like consistency.  Refrigerate.
Day 3:  Use a melon baller plus your hands to scoop paste and roll into a ball.  It takes forever!  Put on wax paper and refrigerate.  We finished that after supper today.
I can't even imagine how wild Day 4 is going to be.
Day 4:  Melt chocolate.  Dip and coat balls.  Put on other wax paper to harden.  I can just see the mess.  I can just feel the heartache if the balls fall apart while dipping. 

We have gone this far.  We must continue.  These better be the best #&*# cake balls ever!

Perspective

Last night we went with another couple to a local establishment that reportedly has good pizza.  Each of us heard this from different sources.  Nice Northwoods atmosphere.  Friendly staff, in fact, she was the owner.  The pizza is a frozen pizza chain product from Minnesota.  The four of us kept looking at the menu, looking at her, asking questions, looking at the menu, looking at her.  You get the idea. We had all gotten reports about a Minnesota frozen pizza.  We couldn't quite believe it.  We were there.  We were hungry.  Yes, we would give it a try.  It was actually pretty good for frozen pizza from Minnesota. 

Tents

Tents are springing up everywhere.  It is the weekend before the 4th of July in Wisconsin.  Every tent is selling fireworks, of course.  I assume that you need a license to sell fireworks but they must be easy to get with the number of tents.  The radio advertises the "Celebration Station" on a major intersection 70 and 27.  They specialize in the BIG and LOUD, the announcer says.  I want to know where the small and quiet fireworks tent is.  I probably won't buy any from tent named Three-Fingers Mike. 

Even though I grew up in Illinois where fireworks are illegal, I always had an ample supply.  I have fond memories (age 7-8) of sitting on a tree stump with my best friend lighting individual firecrackers and throwing them.  Over the years Case and I have spent some hard-earned money on fireworks and enjoyed them.  Now that we can do it legally, we have stopped buying them.  One of our neighbors does up a very large display.  Boats come from every part of our chain to sit in our bay to watch them.  They honk their boat horns until he begins the show.

Loon Watch

Both Loon chicks are doing well.  After supper I was watching the family of four from our dock.  The only time that Loons are on land is when they make a nest (quite near the water) and tend the eggs.  At no other time are they on land.  Because their wings are centered on their bodies from beak to tail, they can't actually walk on land.  But, can they swim!   And, boy, can they fly from lake to lake and to the Gulf in late fall.  Amazing birds.

Cool Breeze

Hiking today with my group was near perfect conditions with no bugs being the icing on the cake.  Oh, the hostess did serve chocolate cake.  That was nice, too.  Now I'm home puttering.  I can feel a light breeze coming through the window.  That is one of those small things in life I really enjoy - a light, cool breeze.  Life is good.

Skin Cancer

The docs call it basal cell carcinoma.  Sounds so much better.        I had a place on my back that didn't seem right to me.  It was skin cancer so a "divot" was removed which included good skin to insure all the bad skin is gone.  The procedure went well.  I have now begun the itching/healing stage. 

When I mention this to friends, they all start pointing to their body parts and holding up numerous fingers to show how many times that THEY have had this procedure done.  Quite common, I guess.  The doc and I will keep checking for any more in the future. 

This I do know...my string bikini days are over.

Sprucing Up

The weeds around the Spider Lake Town Hall were really getting to me so I called a few people and we went over and took care of it.  New landscape cloth, sifted old rocks, added new ones.  It looks wonderful.  Afterwards I called the man of the town board in charge of the grounds and told him what we did.  He had seen it and was delighted.  "Go ahead and do other things.  We'll reimburse for supplies."  That's how things get done around here - usually without permission.  This group that I am organizing will be looking at the outside and the inside of the town hall.  I need a name for this group. The Sprucing Up Group comes to mind.  If you think of a clever or non-clever name, pass it along to me.  This is grass roots at its best.

Good to be Home

Case and I visited family and friends for a few days in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  We had a great time.  Always good to catch up.  But there is something about driving in your own driveway, being in your own house, sleeping in your own bed.  We definitely consider this home. 

Water Sprinkler

No need for the water sprinkler today.  It has been pouring most of the day.  Our road goes up and down a few hills so we get deep ruts.  When it stops raining, the neighbors and we will head outside with our rakes to put it back in shape.  It is a community road and the seasonal people on the road don't want to pave it because it will ruin that Northwoods look.

No comment.

Orchids in a Bog

The walking group literally sloshed through a bog with a guide this morning to find the elusive bog orchids.  We found many plants in bloom.  What a thrill!  This is a Grass Pinks Orchid which opened within the hour.  The guide walked the area before we came and it had not yet bloomed.  The second one is a blooming Pitcher Plant.  The carnivorous Pitchers with water to draw in insects to eat them is on the ground.  The Pitcher flowers are almost 18 inches tall.  We all managed well because there are no leeches or snakes in bogs - water is too acidic.  Fun in the Northwoods!

Recall Election

Last Tuesday was the recall election of current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.  He was not recalled and remains in office until the end of his term. 

Most of the local political pundits say that this recall was less about Gov. Walker and more about using the recall process improperly.  The recall was definitely legal.  However, most people feel it should be used against someone in office who has committed a crime or something big - not just because you disagree with his policies.  There were 900,000 signatures on petitions that caused the recall which cost 125 million dollars of taxpayer money.  That is approximately $139 per signer.  I think each signer owes the Wisconsin $139. 

Animal Explosion

• There are still 2 baby Loons.  No eagles or muskies have gotten to them yet.  We watch them every day.
• Painted turtles are everywhere laying their eggs in the sand.  They have bright orange bellies. Unfortunately, not all make it when they cross the road.
• We hear baby birds squawking for food.  
• I have not seen so many dragonflies.  They have curious natures and like to see what you are doing so they often fly back to where we are.
• Then the big (basketball-size) snapping turtles are out and about.  I stay clear of them.  They do look prehistoric.  And their name is for a reason.
• Along our road there are several does and fawns darting in front of our vehicles.
• Several different frogs are croaking every evening.

 I know there are more but these are the ones that immediately come to mind. 

One Thing off the Bucket List

I don't really have a bucket list, but if I did...it would have included seeing baby Loons riding on their parents back.  After a Loon chick hatches, it swims some of the time with mom and dad and it rides on one of their backs some of the time.  This only occurs for two weeks after hatching.  Then they swim all the time. 

Monday morning I went kayaking and came across a Loon pair in our bay.  I noticed that they were swimming very close together, which is unusual unless there is a chick.  Yes, there was a chick swimming between them.  I became so excited because there hasn't been a Loon chick on our lake in many years let alone our bay.  When I got inside, I emailed the local Loon Ranger who lives on the neighboring connecting lake that has loons every year.  I was the first to report the Steamboat Bay chick.  Later in the day I went out with binoculars to see if all was well.  Now there were two chicks!  A neighbor had reported to the Loon Ranger that indeed there was one chick in the morning with one egg still in the nest. The nest is on their property.  The second egg hatched and was out swimming with the family by afternoon. 

Warning:  this blog will, for all practical purposes, become a loon watch.

Vacuuming is Fun

Yesterday I was vacuuming the bathroom with a hand tool to get to the corners and such.  Well, the nozzle got too close to the toilet paper because it was coming off the roll as fast as it could into the vacuum hose.  For a just a second or two I watched because it was fascinating!  Coming to my senses, I was able to stop all this frivolity and get back to cleaning.  But it sure was good retirement fun in the Northwoods.

36th Wedding Anniversary

Case and I spent our 36th wedding anniversary volunteering as guides through our Lions Club.  Our club sponsored a field trip for 120 third graders to do some hands on learning about water quality, fish anatomy, fish species, loons and invasive species.  We had lined up 6 stations with local experts doing the teaching - all of them volunteering their time.  We held it on a famous campground on the Chippewa Flowage arguably the largest and best fishing wilderness lake in the Midwest.  The family that owns the campground didn't charge us.  The main expense for the Lions Club was the buses and drivers to transport the children from school to the campground (30 minutes) and back to school at the end of the day.  The program went smoothly for the club's first time.  In the past when Lucyna and Tad were young,.Case and I were scout leaders, room parents, chaperons, etc.   It was good to be reminded of what fun children are.  My first classroom in 1977 were third graders.

May 22, 2012 was a day well spent. 

Another Me...Can't Be!

At the Birding Festival, we all wore printed name tags around our neck.  It made it easier to make friends and easier for the leaders to learn our names.  Anyway, there was a "Jo" in my group.  We immediately walk to one another to find out the answer that we both want.  What is Jo short for?  Josephine?  Joann?  We were both dumbfounded and speechless to find out that we were both "Linda Jo."  How cool was that!  We both got a kick out of the coincidence.  She lives in Marquette, Michigan so we won't be crossing paths unless next year at the Festival.  Life is fun!

No Rest for the Weary

Case and I are attending the Chequamegon Bay Birding Festival for the second time.  It falls on our anniversary weekend and that is how we want to celebrate.  It is 3 days of  half day outings - over 100 from which to choose.  Last year we did all water: canoes, kayaks, giant canoe from the 1700's.  This year is hiking.  We are having such a great time celebrating 36 years of marriage.  Of course, on all of these excursions, the group is looking and listening for local birds.  Today we identified 23 different birds.  I am off to bed as we are getting up at 4 am again tomorrow.

St. Peter's Dome

My walking group (15 of us that day) hiked to the top of St. Peter's Dome yesterday.  It is a wilderness area under the US Forest Service.  So many wildflowers were in bloom.  Among everyone in the group we could identify almost all of them.  After 2 miles of an upward climb on a rocky path, we reached the top which is a outcropping of rocks where we all sat and ate our lunches.  It was a clear day and the sun was shining.  We could see the cliffs behind Duluth, Minnesota and Lake Superior.  What an expansive view!

The second highest waterfalls in Wisconsin at 80 feet was also on our trail in a secluded glen (Morgan Falls).  We stayed there a long time.  Afterwards we drove to a member's house who served us her famous homemade apple pie with ice cream.  Life is good.

I noticed 2 things about this group yesterday.  All of us love moss.  On trees.  On rocks.  In running water.  The other thing I noticed was our creativity and ingenuity.  All 15 of us had devised our own style of tick defense:  sprays, pants inside socks, duct tape sticky side out, tick repellent clothing, a dog collar around each ankle or a combination of several.  We were quite a sight, but a happier group you could not find.

Opening Day - Northwoods Style

Of course, I have improved enough to attend opening day...opening day of fishing season!  It is raining off and on but we got in one hour's worth anyway.  I caught my personal best (largest ever) for Black crappie, Bluegill, and Northern Pike. What a thrill!  The pike was over 26 inches long and big enough around so my fingers couldn't touch...and it was UGLY.  I had forgotten how ugly those things are.  In recent years we are strictly CPR anglers: catch, photograph, release.  However, we forgot the camera!  That is probably good since the size of the fish seems to get bigger every time I tell the story.  (Case caught one average-sized Crappie.  He has been a good sport and has been very happy for me.)

Laid up with a Virus

I seem to have a virus thing going on.  Case even took me to the doctor today which is unusual since he thinks a doctor visit is only needed to call time of death!  Yes, it is a virus so the remedy is to take a nap every day.  I better follow doctor's orders.

Error in Judgement

We decided to launch the boat today when I got home from gallivanting around a few counties.  A friend and I went to a few shops that were recommended to us that also had a recommended restaurant next door.  It did not disappoint.  What a great day to spend a retirement Friday!  Anyway, I get home and we launched the boat.  Ten seconds after it was in the water, we both realized that it is too windy.  It is already in the water so it would be nearly impossible to get back on the trailer in that amount of wind.  We spent a good deal of time cussing, pulling on the ropes, cussing, jumping in and out of the boat, cussing, trying to get it started before it blows into the rocks...and did I mention cussing?  Case had to travel in a serpentine manner in the lake to get to our dock.  He did make it although in a much longer time than usual.  Tying up was uneventful.  Wow!  That is done.  We leave the boat in the water until fall.  Even if that is not how we usually do it, that is how we would handle it this year.  

Exhausted

It is spring planting time in the Northwoods.  Every year we continue to "beef up" the forest in our line of sight with additional trees.  This year was only birch.  They were labeled Canoe Birch.  Won't be hollowing out any canoes very soon.  The trees are about 2 feet tall.  The birch trees in our area are in a maturing cycle so we want to make sure some young ones are on their way.  In addition a friend is re-doing her yard so we came home with a trunk full of plants.  Both of us are exhausted from all the planting.  I haven't had the nerve to tell Case that I ordered more plants that are on their way from a catalog.  I'll let the UPS guy let him know.  I hope that I am at work when they arrive. 

Only in the Northwoods

• The smelt are running in Lake Superior so there was a beat up truck in a parking lot selling them.  Case slows.  I say, "We can't buy smelt on the way to church and have them sit in the backseat for a couple of hours, can we?"  Case continues to slow.  I state, "No, we can't."  On the way home from church the truck was already gone.  This goes to show you that prayer works.  
• Ads are starting up for Mother's Day gifts.  A new fishing pole seems to be the going thing.  
• The DNR set up a net in our bay of the lake.  They caught huge muskies, removed the eggs and milt, returned the fish to the lake and then took the eggs and milt to the state fish hatchery in Spooner, WI where all the muskies for the entire state are raised.  Wowzer!
• To complete my piscine blog today, Case is cooking talpia (from the store) for dinner tonight.

Random Bits

• A critter has been eating parts of fish and leaving the remains on the dock.  Case has been burying the remains with small trees we have been planting.  A critter - the same one or different one, I don't know - digs up the buried fish.  Case reburies the fish.  Ah, fertilizing in the Northwoods.
• We have been traveling and having fun seeing friends and family.  But there is something about sleeping in your own bed that you can't duplicate.
• Didn't watch much basketball with Wisconsin and Duke out early.  Case went to high school with Coach K.  And we live in WISCONSIN!
• This spring has had the earliest "ice out" on record.  (ice off the lake)  We even ate lunch on the porch a few times.
• My walking group went to a wonderful program and hike at an Audubon Sanctuary.  I had been hearing great things about the director.  I mentioned the experience to my boss.  The director was my boss' scout master 20 years ago in another part of the state.  Small world!
• My diabetes has not been acting as it usually does so I am paying close attention to it to make adjustments.  And that makes me cranky.  It better start behaving.
• Speaking of cranky...I am also cranky about lawyers.  The township did win the zoning hearing that I am secretary for.  However, there is an appeal so I have even more busy work putting papers together to give to the other side.  It makes me slam drawers and the like.
• I am working on a sewing project so that calms me down.
• We have formed an agreeable routine of participating in local organizations and of short trips to see Lucyna and Tad in Iowa and southern Wisconsin, respectively.  It's a comfortable feeling.

A Glorious Day

We spent a good bit of time outside today.  It was sunny and unseasonably warm - t-shirt weather.  However, ice still covers about 3/4 of the lake.  When we walked next to it, the wind was much cooler from blowing over the ice.  In the wooded area we felt satisfaction from seeing all the little evergreen trees we had planted in the last 4 years that had made it through the winter.  Robins have returned.  The spring peeper frogs have started up.  We had lunch and dinner on the porch.  I think it is spring...until it snows again.  We will wait and see.

The Fifth Season is Over

It has been unusually warm last week and forecasted the same for the next week.  The snow is gone except for a few piles.  There are open water patches in the lake.  It is mid-March and this is not as it should be.  We accept what we get so we are enjoying - eating on the porch, logging trees - you know, the Northwoods thing.  I need this wonderful distraction because it has been rough otherwise.  I have been arguing with my new health insurance company about what prescriptions they will cover.  I have also been dealing with the opposing lawyer to the township about the March 28 meeting.  Insurance companies and lawyers - need I say more?  I ended up in tears and throwing papers a few times.  The insurance company has finally agreed, but I feel that I am worse for the wear.  I believe the ugliest part with the lawyer is over but we'll see.

The Five Seasons

Wisconsin has five seasons. 
Spring - a time to plant new trees, log old trees and enjoy the Northwoods. 
Summer - a time to fish, kayak and enjoy the Northwoods. 
Fall - a time to hike, view the leaves and enjoy the Northwoods. 
Winter - a time to snowshoe, ski and enjoy the Northwoods.
________ - I don't know what to call this fifth season between winter and spring.  I can't ask anyone else either because they have all left for vacations to avoid this time of year in the Northwoods.  There is snow on the ground but it is all slosh and can't be skied or snowshoed.  You can't walk on the roads - all mud or whatever it is.  You can walk on blacktop if you can get to it - which I can't.  It is difficult to be outside because of the wind.  I guess this is a time for pre-spring cleaning and doing projects indoors.  I'll be thinking of a name.

One of those days

I had one of those days today.  I won't mention the list of things that went wrong - only the last one.  I went to the Town Hall to put up a poster inside the building about an upcoming Lions Club event.  Believe it or not I have a key for the place because of my lofty status.  Well...the key got stuck in the door.  I could lock the door.  I could unlock the door.  However, I could not remove the key.  So I drove home to get Case.  There is no cell service between town hall and our house so I had to drive to get him.  He can fix anything!  After a few moments, he was able to remove the key.  How?

He was doing this bare-handed so the warmth of his hands melted the bit of ice in the lock.  I was using gloves. 

Government Work

There is a township meeting next week that I am secretary for.  To abide by the Open Meeting laws of Wisconsin I need to notify the public.

• email the agenda to the newspaper to publish in the legal notice section - check
• email the agenda to the township webmaster for the town website- check
• print three copies of the agenda and post them on the township bulletin boards - check

The last point took 29 miles in 1 hour to do.  I earn $10 an hour and $.555 per mile.  That was $26.10 worth of government work.  Yes, I am living large in the Northwoods. 

Timing is Everything

I left to visit my daughter Lucyna in Iowa on Tuesday morning.  It was a lovely 45 degrees with dry ground there.  Meanwhile 13 inches of snow fell in Hayward and 18 inches where we live.  While I was visiting in the sunny south, the roads were cleared off.  And Case took care of the lane and driveway.  I arrived home late Friday without a problem.  Didn't have to drive in any snow.  Timing is everything. 

Sunday - A Day of Rest

After church we attended the "thank you to the volunteers" lunch put on by our bank, a main sponsor of the race.  There was about 600 of us at the Steakhouse Lodge.  Food was great.  All of our Lions friends were there.  We knew lots of other folks, too.  It was a fun afternoon.  (Case came as my guest because he skied the race and was not volunteering.)  Life is good.

Just call me "Squire"

Today is race day.  My job is to be the squire.  Tote, fetch, carry things...like a coat, ski poles, etc.  It is not my favorite thing to do but he looks forward to this all year.  It may even be his highlight.  I will have to ask him.  Case started the race at 9: 20 am.  He skied 23 K and crossed the finish line in less than 3 hours.  He was disappointed as he was hoping closer to 2 and a half.  However, I was satisfied because he accomplished my personal goal for him:  to finish and not be bloody!  After I saw him off at the start line with my cow bell ringing, I went to the finish line to hand baggage back to the skiers when they finished.  We're home and he is in the shower.  It is time for a rest...for both of us. 

700 cups later

I'm home from a 4 hour plus shift at the salad table for the spaghetti feed at church.  My main job was to fill 700 little cups of salad dressing for the people to pick up as they went through the food line.  French, Italian or Ranch.  When I left, there were 150 in line and 90 minutes left to go until close.  Main people in the kitchen were assigning volunteers to go out to buy what we were running low on.  It is very difficult to predict how many will come.  I'll hear about the outcome on Sunday.  I had a great time.  What a rush!

Feet up for a while so tomorrow morning I can sort and return baggage to the skiers when they finish. 

THE Week

This is THE WEEK of the American Birkebeiner Cross Country Ski Race.  Case has trained well and is ready to go on Saturday.  We are even getting some fresh snow which will make for good trail conditions.  This race is the largest one in North America with 9,000 skiers.  They ski from Hayward to Cable. Most of  these skiers bring an entourage with them so that is a lot of folks for Hayward and Cable with population of 2,000 each to take care of.  The organization that puts it on works year round to pull it off smoothly.

Here is part of what I do for the event.  Friday morning I will be making several desserts at home.  Then Friday afternoon at church I take in my goodies and assist in food preparation for one of the carb-loading spaghetti "feeds."  On race day after seeing Case off at the starting line, I will go to the finish line to hand back the skiers' bags of street clothes, etc.   This baggage handling is what the Lions Club of which I am a member does for this race.  The excitement is building.  Locally it is called "Birkie Fever."

It didn't take long

It hasn't taken long for me to evolve into a Wisconsin native.  Yesterday I had a few errands in nearby counties- gone most of the day.  The sun was shining.  It was 38 degrees.  I just wore a fleece jacket.  My cautious nature did have me throw a winter coat and gloves in the backseat but I didn't need them.  It was how everyone else was dressed...except teenagers who wear short sleeves for any day above freezing. 

Wisconsin Taxes

Last year's taxes were so ugly I could barely look at them.  This year I was eager to see how everything shook out because 2011 was the first full year of retirement.  We are getting a refund from the Feds, having to pay Illinois, of course, and Wisconsin was a wash - no refund - no payment from us.  That works for us.  The fun thing about Wisconsin taxes is that there are 10 organizations that you could donate to if you wanted to.  Here they are as they were listed:

1. Endangered resources
2. Packers football stadium
3. Breast cancer research
4. Veterans trust fund
5. Multiple sclerosis
6. Firefighters memorial
7. Prostate cancer research
8. Military family relief
9. Feeding America
10. Red Cross WI Disaster Relief

Endangered resources (which I don't even know what that is) must be really important to be before the Packers stadium!  3 through 10 are all serious, helpful, worthwhile organizations.  Wisconsin is just too fun!

WOLF!

Our phone started ringing about 7:30 am and continued ringing.  Everyone in the area was abuzz.  "Have you seen the wolf?  Better go out and see it before it gets eaten or taken away."  It was hit by a car and laying beside the road about 2 miles from the house.  Yes, we had already seen it when we came home from town at 4 pm yesterday.  I think it had just happened because two cars were stopped next to it.

This morning I decided to go and take a closer look.  When I got there, two eagles were also taking a closer look from a nearby tree.  The wolf was still in tact.  It was rather small, mainly white with gray markings.  It was not as big as the one I crossed paths with in Minnesota last month.  Of course, my friends say my wolf gets bigger every time I tell the story.  Back to the dead one.  The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has been called by a neighbor.  We'll see what happens.

Big Doings

I am serving as the secretary of the township's Zoning Board of Appeals.  It only meets when there is a problem.  There is a problem.  Some seasonal people on the next lake got a building permit to put on a new roof with a new roof line, new windows, siding, etc.  However, they demolished it to the ground and are starting over new.  It is a complicated story but the bottom line is: that is a no-no.  So now they have a lawyer and the township has a lawyer. A court reporter is needed so I am not taking minutes.  But I am responsible for organizing this circus...actually it is pretty exciting stuff.  It's fun to be part of the balance of justice.  The hearing is March 28 so I'll have everything in order by then. As secretary I don't have a vote and am required to remain neutral. 

(I am taking side bets that the township wins.)

This is why I'm here.

Today is one reason why we retired here.  After lunch I stepped out the door and strapped on my snowshoes to go out on one of my own trails.  The sun was bright.  The sky was cloudless and such a dark shade of blue.  Everywhere was quiet.  Everywhere was beautiful. 

It made me laugh.

I had promised myself that I was not going to give a running commentary on what I eat every day.  I am sticking to that.  However, that promise does not extend to my pet birds.  I have 2 small parrots called Lovebirds.  They are smart little guys ages 12 and 13 years.  They have different foods at each meal.  I purchase all these items through Foster & Smith, a mail order in Rhinelander for pets.  Breakfast consists of 2 small balls of dried fruit that we call "berries".  Lunch is a square of grains (held together by what I hope is healthy) that we call "Avi-cake," which is the actual name of it.  Dinner alternates between corn that I buy in the frozen vegetable aisle at the local grocery and a cooked mixture called "Cream of Tweet."  It has rice, barley, veggies, fruit, etc. and has an apple/cinnamon smell.  Both of these get warmed up.  It gets called "hot dinner" as in "Who wants a hot dinner?"  That line always brings them to their food dishes and usually causes Case to say,  "I do!"  I am laughing writing this up and this is not even the funny part! 

As I was feeding them lunch, I was distracted and put in 2 breakfast berries instead of the usual Avi-cake.  Both of them went to their food dish, looked at the berries, then looked up at me with a "what the heck" look.  They both just sat there  - not eating.  I removed the berries and gave them each an Avi-cake.  They ate like starved convicts.  That's the funny part. 

If I need to begin labeling what is funny in my blog, perhaps it is time to stop.

Where Does the Time Go?

I looked at the date of my last blog entry.  Four days ago.  Where does the time go?  We're happy and busy.  That is good.  However, I have officially called us old.  Why?  Because on our last trip to Walmart in Hayward, we heard a "red light" special going on - aisle 6.  If you go there, you receive a free paring knife.   We went to aisle 6.  Over the course of the salesman's presentation, there were about 12-15 people wandering in...and out...realizing that they had to stand through his speel of unknown length to receive a free paring knife.  Fast forward to the end.  Case and I were so enamored with the knives he was selling that we bought them:  fourteen knives for $29.99.  The check out clerk said 3 years ago when the knife man was last here, he bought knives and they still are sharp.  No buyer's remorse yet.  They are sharp.  They work great.  The fish fillet knife is so sharp that Case won't take it out of its box.  All to say...I have declared us officially old when we have the time to listen to a free presentation and then buy knives. 

Snowshoe Conditions

I have recovered and have been out snowshoeing everyday in the forest around our house.  Bushwhacking is adventurous - just step out and pick your own way to go - no trail...over a log....through two trees...choosing which way...it is exhilarating.  However, it is not a fast way to go and quite tiring breaking a new trail.  So I have been re-using my own original trails.  That has been fun, too. 

This morning is already above 32 degrees and going to climb.  All this beautiful snow is melting away.  No snowshoeing today.  It is February 1 so there will be more snow coming but not this week.  Case and all the skiers preparing for the big ski race the end of the month are not happy at all. 

A Lovely Afternoon Indoors

A soft light snow is falling.  Usually I would be out snowshoeing but instead I am enjoying time indoors with emails and fun projects.  And here is why...I was walking through the house after breakfast.  Not rushing - just walking.  I stepped on the side of my foot and put my full weight on it.  Don't you just hate it when you do that!  To recover my awkward step I pulled a muscle on the inner thigh of the other leg.  No pain -just not as it should be.  Retirement?  Age?  Or merely klutzy?  Anyway I am going easy today to be able to get out and about tomorrow. 

Winter Discoveries

I was snowshoeing on the lake this afternoon and decided to climb a bank to get back to the house.  I found a den in some exposed tree roots.  Definitely this animal has been going in and out recently because the dusting of snow from last night was removed around the opening.  It would be only a guess on my part who it belonged to.  Then in a clearing  I saw a circle of tracks from a small animal with tracks of a large bird that landed next to it.  In the snow I could see the brush of the wings outstretched as the bird landed quickly to catch its prey.  Don't know who those two parties are either.  However, I could identify Foxy's tracks as she went from our neighbors' place of feeding her to our stump on the other side of the garage.   

Fantastic Road Trip to the Engagement World

Case and I have been on the road for a bit.  We met his fiance's parents. (They're great!)   I went with the bride when she selected a wedding dress.  (She's beautiful!)   Case worked on the house where they will live after the wedding.  (He's tired!)  I was major cleaning that same house.  (I'm tired!)  All six of us have wedding fever and all the excitement that goes with it.  We are home and we are resting until the next visit.

One last Packer note until training camp:  As we were winding our way through Wisconsin, we saw many Packer flags on flagpoles as usual.  However, one was at half-mast.  Very appropriate...

Insurance

Life can be complicated and dull.  Yes, I am talking about insurance.  My COBRA health insurance from work in Illinois will be ending in February so I am in the tedious process of securing new insurance.  I am jumping through several hoops but will end up with Wisconsin's high-risk pool.  The plan is pretty good and the premiums aren't outrageous especially with someone with insulin-dependent diabetes like me.  I was speaking on the phone with agent Brian from Humana in Waukesha, WI.  He ended the 35 minute call with "Awful about the Packers - at least we won Miss America."  Got to love Wisconsin!

Closing note:  I think the bye week as well as the death of a Green Bay coach's son didn't help the team's frame of mind. However, if the the Packers play like the Bears and the Vikings, they deserve to lose.

Time On?

It was exciting to ride the red gondolas to the top of one of the mountains at the ski resort.  Our condos were 20 feet from Lake Superior so lake watching was a highlight as well.  We faced south so could see the sunrise and sunset daily from the large windows in all directions. However, no snow.  These tourists places are shriveling up before our eyes...here and back in Hayward, too.  So we hiked or went to the pool  One of my hikes with just one other woman caused us to cross paths with a wolf.  He was about 30 feet away.  I had never seen one in the wild.  Big would not even begin to describe it - even a St. Bernard would pale in comparison.  And he was healthy, well fed so he merely glanced at us and kept trotting along.  Returning to Hayward found 4-5 inches of fresh snow so I guess that I have come home to ski and snowshoe.

Time Off

At 8 am I am leaving with my walking group to a ski resort on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota - Lutsen.  It has all the bells and whistles.  There are 13 of us going in 3 vehicles staying in 2 villas.  As with past outings I am sure a good time will be had by all.  We were planning on 2 nights then we got a third night free.  How could we not stay?  So I'm getting from time off from retirement.  Case will be keeping the home fire burning - literally (in the wood stove). 

Wisconsin Makes Me Smile

During Christmas I was telling how many Christmas Cookie exchanges I had participated in.  (four)  We certainly enjoyed them throughout the season.  Our son Tad said that he was in an exchange this year, too.  "Cookies?" I inquired.  No.  "Beer."  Everyone either makes their own beer or buys beer from an out of the way brewery and brings 24 bottles to the exchange.  You go home with 24 bottles of different kinds of beer.  A Wisconsin Beer Exchange.   Most of you know that Case and I don't imbibe, but the state and its ways still make me smile.

As a final note for today...I only send checks to two organizations through the mail.  One is MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  Drinking is up to you.  If you drive, then it is up to all of us. 

Winter Rainbow

I have never seen a winter rainbow.  During my walk the sun began to shine and there it was...a winter rainbow.  Snow on the ground.  Thirty some degrees and a rainbow.  I didn't know it was possible.  I could see the entire rainbow.  I sure needed that today.  It was calming and beautiful. 

 From the Bible in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 9:  God said to Noah, " I will set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings." 

Difficult Week

This week we have received notification of two deaths and one person in hospice that we know.  That news stops me cold.  I think of and pray about these people and their immediate families.  Of course, I remember people who have died in the past.  Then, being human, I think of my own death in the future.  Yes, a difficult week. 

The World Needs to Make Up Its Mind

It is January 2, 2012.  Is it a holiday today?  There was no mail service but Hayward Schools were in session.  The Rose Bowl with Wisconsin was today in Pasadena but I went to work.  The banks were closed but most stores were open.  Doesn't matter to me what kind of day it is today BUT is it a holiday or a regular day?  It made me cranky just thinking about it.  However, I brightened up when I watched the stealth airplane fly over the Rose Bowl after the National Anthem with The Badger and The Duck standing at reverent attention.  It was amusing.  I am sorry that Wisconsin lost, but it was a fabulous game to watch.  And the Ducks had those cool mirror helmets.  Wow!