4 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS!

WHERE DID DECEMBER GO? BOY, WHAT A GREAT MONTH. WE HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH CHRISTMAS PARTYS, BIRTHDAY PARTYS, HOCKEY GAMES, MORE GOOD FOOD FROM EVERY DIRECTION. CAKES, PIES, CANDY OF ALL KINDS AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. IT HAS BEEN SO NICE TO GET TO SEE EVERYONE AND EVEN DICK AND RICK STOPPED IN FOR A QUICK VISIT BEFORE GETTING DOWN TO HUNTING. THEY CAME RIGHT WHEN WE GOT 2 FEET OF SNOW, WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

NOW, I AM BUILDING UP FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK AND OF COURSE, HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THINGS ON THERE. WELL BEST GET SOME FOOD READY FOR DINNER. ALL TAKE CARE AND HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR AND DON'T PUT THE SHOVEL AWAY YET!

GREAT TRIP

THE WEATHER WAS GREAT, AND ALL THE EVENTS WENT SMOOTH. GREAT FOOD, SONGS, SWIMMING, HOCKEY MADE THE TRIP EXTRA SPECIAL. EVEN GOT TO RAKE UP SEVERAL BAGS OF THOSE THINGS THAT DROP FROM THE TREES. ALSO, I SAW THE BIGGEST WILLOW TREE THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. IT HAS A BOTTLE OF TEA SETTING ON IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND POST THAT PIC. WELL, GETTING CLOSE TO THE BIG DINNER. HOPE YOU ALL DON'T EAT TO MUCH TODAY.

COLD NIGHTS!

THE LAST WEEK HAS NOT GIVIN THE HUNTERS ANY SNOW FOR DEER SEASON, BUT IT NOW IS GETTING COLD AT NIGHT. IF YOU HURRY, YOU COULD TRACK THEM IN THE FROST! PRETTY HEAVY UNTIL THE SUN GETS UP. BUT, STILL NOTHING ON THE BUCK POLE.

BEEN GETTING ALL THE CHRISTMAS DECOR READY AND WORKING ON SOME OF THE AIR LEAKS AT THE HILLBILLY CABIN. NEED TO CUT THE OLD HEAT BILLS DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ALSO, ORGANIZING SOME OF THE PICS.

WELL, GOT TO FIND THE SNOW SHOVELS, I KNOW THEY WILL BE NEEDED SOON. WATCH FOR THE BLACK ICE! IT IS THAT SEASON.

ONE OF MANY

TODAY I PREPARED FOR THE VET DAY, BY INSTALLING A NEW FLAG ON THE FLAG POLE. I ALSO STARTED PUTTING UP SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS TREES BY THE FLAG POLE. WILL GET A PIC LATER WHEN I FINISH PUTTING UP THE REST OF THE LIGHTS.
SO JENNY BETTER GET ON THE BALL OR SHE WILL BE LATE! PRAYERS TO ALL OF OUR FIGHTING MEN & WOMEN.

MEMORIES

SPENT THE WEEKEND SORTING OUT ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE AND DECIDING WHAT TO GIVE TO THE SENIOR CENTER AND WHAT TO STORE. ALSO GOT LINDA INTO THE SORT FEVER AND SHE ALSO DID A BUNCH OF HER OLD BOXES ALSO. BOY, DID SHE USED TO CATCH THE FISH.

NOW, WHO IS THE BABY? AS I TOOK THE PICTURE OUT OF THE FRAME, THERE WAS A PICTURE OF HAROLD THROOP BEHIND IT. HIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN 1995. I SPENT MANY A EARLY MORNINGS WITH HIM TROLLING BURT LAKE FOR THE BIG WALLEYE. AND MANY FISH DINNERS WITH GREAT DESERTS COOKED BY DORTHY.

YES, GREAT MEMORIES ARE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER AND EVERYDAY GIVES US A CHANCE FOR ANOTHER ONE, FOR THE FUTURE.

SAD WEEK

WELL, MOM AND DICK GOT ON THE ROAD TUESDAY, FOR THE LONG TRIP TO THEIR WINTER PARTY SPOT, OLD MARK UP ISLAND. SO THE WEEK WAS FOR US WAS GETTING THE LAST CHORES DONE BEFORE WINTER SETS IN. AS NORMAL, IT WAS BUSY. WHILE TRAFFIC IN THE AREA IS DROPPING BEFORE THE DEER HUNTERS HIT THE AREA. IT WILL BE SLOWER THAN MOST YEARS, I AM SURE.

WE STILL WENT DANCING THURSDAY NIGHT AND THE CROWD WAS HALF OF THE NORMAL SUMMER GROUP. BUT STILL HAD ALOT OF FUN COVERING OLD TIMES.

I STARTED USING FACEBOOK THIS WEEK AND AM STILL FIGURING OUT ALL THE DO AND DON'TS. SORRY NO PICS THIS WEEK. BUT ALL YAS KEEP SMILING, I STILL HAVE MY CAMERA READY!

NOVEMBER ALREADY!

BETTER BE READY FOR WINTER, ALL THE SUMMER SPECIAL SPOTS ARE NOW CLOSED. GOT IN ONE LAST TRIP TO THE BAKERY AND PUT ON A COUPLE EXTRA POUNDS TO HELP LAST THE WINTER. I WAS TO LATE IN THE DAY TO GET STICKY BUNS, SO HAD TO GO WITH PNUT BUTTER AND APPLE FRITTERS. GOT BACK AND GRAM CARROLL HAD MADE CHOCOLATE PIE AND COCONUT PIE. WOW, WHERE ARE MY BIGGER PANTS?

THAN THE SECOND PARTY AT THE EAGLES CLUB, LINDA AND I KEPT THE PIRATE THEME AND GRAM AND DICK WENT TO THE ROARING 20S. GRAM DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY SHE LOOKED IN BLACK HAIR, SO NO PIRATE ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

THAN MONDAY WE MADE THE LAST DAY TRIP AND HAD A FREE DINNER AT BIG BOY, GRAM WON AT THE HARVEST BALL, AND PLAYED OUR LAST DIME POKER GAME, WHEN WE GOT BACK. EVERYBODY SURE MISSED STEVE'S DIMES. HEEEHHEEEEE. SORRY STEVE, HOPE YOUR EARS WEREN'T BURNING! SPEAKING OF BURNING, THE LAST FIRE WAS SLOWLY COMING TO AN END AND THE SWANS WERE IN THE RIVER ENJOYING SOME CORN.

HAVE A SAFE TRIP MOM, GRAM, GREAT GRAM AND UNCLE DICK. ENJOY THE WARM WEATHER ON MARK UP ISLAND. NOW, WHERE DID I PUT MY LONG JOHNS?

PARTY TIME WITH LOTS OF TRICKS

BOY DID WE FIND A SHIPWRECK, AND THE PLACE WAS JUST CRAWLING WITH DIRTY ROTTON BUNCH OF PIRATES. BUT BOY CAN THEY HAVE FUN. IN FACT, IT WAS SO GOOD THAT WE ARE HAVING A REPEAT SATURDAY NIGHT. SO YOU ALL BETTER HIDE YOUR GOLD!

WE ARE GETTING MORE RAIN HERE TODAY, SO INSIDE PROJECTS ARE ON THE TO DO LIST. I EVEN GOT SOME HOUSE PLANTS, THAT WERE ROOTING IN WATER, PLANTED TODAY. IT ONLY TOOD 3 MONTHS. HEE HEEE. OH WELL, WILL HAVE LOTS OF TIME THIS WINTER TO KEEP THE INSIDE PROJECT CHECKED OFF THE LIST.

WELL ALL TAKE AND DON'T TAKE ANY WOODEN GOLD COINS! YA MIGHT HAVE TO WALK THE PLANK!!

OPPS

WOW, MY LAST POST DISAPPEARED. SORRY. ANYWAY HAD MADE A GREAT BEEF STEW BEFORE OUR TRIP DOWNSTATE FOR BLAKE'S BIRTHDAY. GOT ALL KINDS OF THINGS DONE, ON THE TRIP, AND HAD TIME TO FIND ELVIS. HE WAS PUTTING ON A SHOW AT UNCLE JOHNS. SO NOT ONLY DID WE GET FRESH DONUTS, CIDAR AND PICK OUT PUMPKINS FROM THE PATCH. WE GOT TO HEAR THE KING SINGING TO EVERYONE! NOW IT'S TIME FOR CARVING.

WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A DIME TO SPARE, YOU MISSED THE CUT THROAT GAME OF THE YEAR. WE HAD NEW BLOOD IN THE GAME AS DANNY AND RICK WERE UP DOING SOME BOW HUNTING. THANKS GUYS, YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE ENJOYED!

AND AFTER OUR 2 DAY SUMMER, THE SNOW WAS FLYING THIS WEEK. WAKING UP TO ABOUT AN INCH ON THE GROUND BEFORE THE 15TH OF OCT. IS NORMAL FOR THE UPPERS.

TRIED MY LUCK FISHING LAST NIGHT AND JUST ABOUT FROOOOOOZE MY FINGERS OFF. EVEN THE NIGHT CRAWLERS HAD THEIR WINTER COATS ON! AND THEY KEPT ASKING ME TO START A FIRE! OH YES, THE FISH WERE JUST LAUGHING THEIR TAILS OFF. I GUESS THEY ALL HAD ATTENDED A SCHOOL.

GET OUT THE LONG JOHNS, AND NOT THE DONUT TYPE, AND SHOVELS, FOR THEY SAY THIS WILL BE THE WORST WINTER IN 20 YEARS. WELL MY LAUNDRY IS DONE, TIME TO GO OUT AND PLAY!

WORK, PLAY, WORK, PLAY, WORK........

THINGS ARE JUMPIN ALL OVER AND OUR TRIP NORTH GAVE US A TASTE OF WIND, RAIN AND OF COURSE THE RED LOBSTER. JUST HARD GETTING BY THE ADMIRIL'S PLATTER. PICKED UP SOME NEEDED SUPPLIES, TO GET READY FOR THE WINTER WEATHER. AND ENJOYED THE FALL COLORS, WHILE THEY WERE WET AND BLOWING.

THE WEATHER IMPROVED FOR OUR TRIP DOWNSTATE FOR THE BIG #11 BIRTHDAY PARTY. LINDA GOT TO SEE SOME WINNING SOCCER GAMES, WHILE I WORKED, AND WE ENJOYED A GREAT PARTY, CARDS, GAMES I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, SOME OF THE BIG NAME CHICKEN, TACOS AND PIZZA FROM A SOME LITTLE GUY.

AS AN EXTRA TREAT, SARAH AND THE BOYS MADE IT OVER, AFTER SOME TRAVEL MIX UPS. AND GRAMPS GOT TO ENJOY THE SPECIAL HUGS FROM THEM.

THIS WEEK WAS A BLUR... SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GONE, BEFORE THERE WAS TIME TO TURN AROUND. AND TODAY, THE LIST GOES ON, WE GET TO GO TO THE SENIOR PROM TONIGHT IN CURTIS AND PARTY. OH YES, RONDA'S OPERATION ON HER KNEE WENT VERY GOOD AND SHE IS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

TIME TO MAKE MY LIST FOR TODAY, SO ALL TAKE CARE AND GET OUT AND ENJOY THIS GREAT STATE WE LIVE IN. WHILE THE TOWNS NOT PAINTED, THE WOODS ARE!
THANKS MAMA NATURE!

RED RIPE JUICY TOMATOES

B.L.Ts HERE WE COME. BOY, CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH I ENJOYED THE TREAT THAT VERN GAVE US, ON MY TRIP TO THE OFFICE ON THURSDAY. FRESH, VINE RIPE TOMATOES, THAT MADE OUR TASTE BUDS DANCE AND HOLLER FOR MORE! WHO NEEDS DESERT, WHEN THE MEAL SO GOOD?

DICK HIT THE TROUT HOLE AGAIN, ON FRIDAY, AND ONCE AGAIN, DIDN'T COME HOME EMPTY HANDED. SCOTT, SET UP THE SAW MILL, AND THE CREW GOT TO WORK ON THE ROOF OF THE NEW PAVILION. THINGS JUST KEEP IMPROVING EVERYDAY.

SATURDAY, I HIT THE DONUT CASE AGAIN (THE CREW LIKED THAT) AND TOOK ON A COUPLE SIMPLE PROJECTS. FIRST, WAS PUTTING TOGETHER THE NEW STORAGE UNIT FOR MOM. THAN I HIT THE ATTIC FOR SOME CLEANING AND GETTING RID OF SOME OF THE OLD STUFF THAT NO ONE WAS USING. THAN OFF TO HELP ERIC, PERRY AND FRANK, WORK ON SCOTT'S NEW ROOF. ALL WATCH OUT FOR THE BUM DARTS AND CATCH YA LATER.

GETTING THINGS DONE!

FISH IN THE FREEZER, BABY SHOWER OFF WITHOUT A HITCH AND THE BEAR PROJECT COMPLETED.

ANOTHER WEEK OF GETTING THINGS DONE AND AGAIN THE WEATHER HAS BEEN GREAT. ONLY ALITTLE RAIN ON EARLY MONDAY MORNING. DID SOME FISHING WITH DICK AND RICKY ONE NIGHT, AT THE DAM, AND BOY WERE THE STARS OUT AND FALLING STARS. BUT, NO FISH THAT NIGHT.

THE BABY SHOWER WENT REAL GOOD AND WAS STILL GOING WHEN I GOT BACK FROM FISHING. I WAS ASKED IF I WAS THE MALE STRIPPER WHEN I WALKED THROUGH. OH YES, THEY KNOW THAT THE BABY WILL BE A GIRL.

THE BEAR PROJECT IS NOW DONE, I MAY STILL DRESS UP THE AREA SOME. BUT AT LEAST RONDA'S BEARS ARE LIKE NEW.

THIS WEEKEND, WE MAY BE GETTING THE ROOF RAISED AT HILLBILLY HEAVEN. OF COURSE, THAT IS IF ALL SHOW UP. AFTER ALL IT IS FALL NOW, SO TIME TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE COLORS! THEY ARE A CHANGING.

BEAR SEASON AND BIG LIES

THE SEASON OF TALL TALES, AND THE DEVIL'S TAIL ARE SHOWING THEIR TRUE COLORS. I BAGGED TWO RARE BEARS, ALL WHITE. NOW THE UGLY PART, GUTTING THEM.

RICK AND HIS WIFE CAME UP FRIDAY FOR THE WEEKEND AND WERE OUT AND ABOUT ON THEIR 4 WHEELER, SWAPPED SOME STORIES AND ENJOYED SOME OF MOM'S CHILLI.

GOT TO RUN, MORE PREPS FOR THE BABY SHOWER. DON'T FORGET TO WEAR CLEAN UNDERWEAR, NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING.

HISTORY AND MEMORIES AND GOOD TIMES

SARAH TAKES SOME GREAT PICTURES AND THE JUMP IN THE POOL THIS YEAR AT THE BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY, WAS ANOTHER ONE. THANKS SARAH FOR CATCHING THE GREAT MOMENTS.

THIS WEEK, I FINISHED OFF THE CANDY I BOUGHT WHEN SARAH, LINDA AND I WENT SHOPPING AFTER ONE OF NICK'S HOCKEY GAMES. IT WAS AMAZING THAT I MADE IT LAST SO LONG. I THINK IT WAS SO I WOULD THINK ABOUT HOW I HELD THE CLOTHS THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BUY. I AM SO USEFUL SOMETIMES. HEE HEE.

WELL, SUMMER HAS GOTTEN TO THE U.P. OUR WEEK WAS JUST PERFECT. HAD TO GET OUT AND GRILL TWICE. ONCE DID UP SOME RIBS WITH LINDA'S HOMEMADE BQ SAUCE. AND THAN AGAIN, SOME JUICY BURGERS AND SMOKED SAUSAGE. NOW I THOUGHT THAT BOTH MEALS WERE VERY GOOD BUT THE TREE FROG ONLY SHOWED UP, ON THE GRILL, FOR THE RIBS. HEY, WE COULD OF HAD FROG LEGS TOO!

TODAY I HELPED GET THE POOL ROOM READY FOR THE BIG BABY SHOWER THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY. AFTER THAT I WENT AND DID SOME FISHING WITH DICK. I HADN'T TAKEN MY POLES, SO I USED ONE OF DICK'S. I GOT THREE STICK FISH AND ONE LOG FISH. THE LOG FISH PUT UP THE BIGGEST FIGHT AND I BROKE THE POLE. SORRY UNCLE DICK, MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE THE LOG FISH MOUNTED AND PUT THE POLE BY IT. WE ONLY GOT THE LOG FISH HALFWAY OUT OF THE RIVER AND DICK SAID THAT HE WOULD BRING A CHAIN BACK TO PULL IT THE REST OF THE WAY OUT. I THINK HE JUST WANTS SOME OF THE CREDIT FOR CATCHING IT!

WITH TODAY BEING WEDNESDAY, I BEST GET SOME SLEEP, STILL ALOT OF TIME FOR MORE ADVENTURES THIS WEEK. DON'T FORGET TO KEEP YOUR POLE STRAIGHT.

BUSY-BUSY-BUSY

LOOK OUT, PEOPLE ARE GETTING OLDER EVERYDAY! AND THINGS ARE MOVING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. AND YET WE TAKE THE TIME FOR NEW EXPERIENCES. THE GRAND CHILDREN ARE MOVING INTO ALL AREAS AS THEY GROW UP. AND STILL LEARNING AND PULLING THE STRINGS OF THOSE AROUND THEM.

SO MOVING SOME FURNITURE TO SARAH'S THAN THE ARRANGING TOOK PLACE. BOB WAS PUT THRU HIS PACES AND SARAH BAKED UP A STORM BEFORE THE DUAL PARTY SET FOR SUNDAY. THE KITTYS ARE GETTING BIGGER AND TAKING CONTROL FROM ALL AROUND THEM. THEY KEEP A PRETTY GOOD EYE ON THE PLACE.

WE HAD TWO TRIPS TO THE POOL WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS. AND SARAH GOT HER PICTURE OF ALL JUMPING INTO THE POOL.

AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF DEALING WITH THE CELL PHONE, WHICH IS STILL GOING ON, FOR SOME TIME. AH YES, MAYBE SOMEDAY THE PHONE COMPANYS WILL GET COMPUTOR'S AS GOOD AS MOST PEOPLE HAVE.

WELL KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND DON'T TRY TO BREATH UNDER THE WATER.

BIG WEEK

WORK, PLAY, WORK, PLAY, WORK, PLAY, WORK AND DANCE. WOW, WHAT A WEEK. GLORIA AND DICK HAD THE BEST LUCK ON THE PLAY SIDE AND ON THE WORK SIDE, THE BUILDING TOOK A JUMP TO THE GOOD SIDE. IT IS NOW STANDING AND WAITING FOR THE ROOF TO BE INSTALLED. IT IS THE CLOSES THING TO A BARN RAISING THAT I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. GREAT JOB GUYS!

AND MORE PLAYING, WENT TO A WEDDING RECEPTION AND LO AND BEHOLD, THE CAKE HAD MY NAME WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. YUM-YUM!! WAIT MAYBE IT WAS MY TASTE BUDS THAT WERE ALL OVER IT. THANKS VICKI FOR YOUR WORK.

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED THEIR DIMES TO ME. DIME DANCING IN THE CIRCLE! YAHOO!

MOM'S BIG DAY!

MOM'S BIRTHDAY WENT OFF PRETTY SMOOTH. STARTED WITH THE DANCE CROWD ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY WITH THE FAMILY, ALOT OF FOOD, MOVIE, AND A SO SO CARD GAME ON HER NEW POKER TABLE CLOTH. MAY HAVE TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO WHO WINS!

THE SUPPLIES STARTED COMING IN, FOR THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT AT THE CLUB. NOW THE FUN WILL START ON THE RISING OF THE POLES. NOW WE JUST NEED THE RAIN TO STOP FOR A COUPLE DAYS!

BERRIES & FISH

THE BERRIES ARE RIPE AND THE PICKIN HAS STARTED. DICK GOT ENOUGH FOR A PIE AND I WANTED SOME OF THOSE WILD BABYS FOR FREEZER JAM. AFTER 3 HOURS OF PICKIN & GRINNIN, I NEEDED SOME REST. SO WENT TO THE FISH HOLE AND THEY MUST OF LIKED THE BERRY JUICE ON THE CRAWLERS, GOT MY FIRST 2 KEEPER WALLEYES. THAT WAS WEDNESDAY.

SO THURSDAY, I CLEANED THE BERRIES AND MADE FREEZER JAM. OF COURSE, IT TOOK A TRIP TO TOWN FOR SUPPLIES AND GOT DONE JUST IN TIME FOR THE MUD HOLE TRIP. GLORIA GOT UP AND LEFT SOME OF HER MONEY IN ST. IGNACE. I MAY HAVE TO MAKE A TRIP DOWN THERE TO GET IT BACK! AT LEAST SHE DIDN'T LOOSE HER RIBS!! THOSE ARE FOR DINNER TONIGHT.

WELL IT IS TIME FOR A MUFFIN WITH SOME OF THE MY SWEAT AND BLOOD ON THE TOP OF IT! NEXT TIME I WILL WEAR LONG SLEEVES!

BUSY WEEK!

THINGS ARE JUMPING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. WE STARTED THE WEEK WITH RONDA'S GIRLS, SOME KICK BALL PRATICE, SORRY BILL'S GIRLS TOO! THAN JENNY, JOY, NOELLE AND STEVE CAME IN FOR A COUPLE DAYS TO ENJOY THE WARMEST WEATHER OF THE SUMMER. THAN A TRIP NORTH TO THE CAMPING SITE AND TOUR OF THE BIG LAKE'S HISTORY.

JOY AND NOELLE GOT CAUGHT ON CANDID CAMERA DOING SOME DUSTING OF EACH OTHER, THEY ALSO GOT SOME INFO ON RUNNING A STORE. STEVE BROUGHT HIS CLOCK UP AND GOT IT CLEANED BY GRAM CARROLL. YES THE TABLE TURNED THIS YEAR! I GOT TO DO SOME OF THE GREATEST COOKING, KNOW TO THE HUMAN RACE, AND THE COOK DIDN'T GET KISSED ONCE! GUESS WE JUST HAD TO MUCH FOOD.

UP AT THE CAMP GROUND, DID SOME FISHING AND ATE A DINNER COOKED OVER THE FIRE WITH INDIAN BREAD AND ALLYSA'S PIKE. ONCE AGAIN, I COULDN'T GET A FISH IN THE BOAT. GUESS I NEED MORE PRATICE!

THE LIGHT HOUSE ON LAKE SUPERIOR WAS ALSO SET UP WITH LOTS OF THE SPONSERS CAMPING. AND LITTLE LAKE WAS A BONUS.

THE BERRY PICKEN WAS IN FULL FORCE UP HERE WITH BLUE BERRIES AND RASSEL DASSAL RED BERRIES THAT DICK PICKED. IS THE PIE DONE YET?

WELL THE PAINT IS DRYING SO I WILL TRY TO GET SOME REST BEFORE THINGS START JUMPIN AGAIN. ENJOY THE HEAT!

LONG BIKE RIDE

SORE LEGS, FROM RIDING AROUND THE LAKE, WEDNESDAY. SAW A BUNCH OF FLOWERS THAT I USED TO HAVE AT THE FARM. THE ONE I LIKE THE MOST, WAS A BLUE COLOR AND GREW UP TALL WITH SEVERAL FLOWERS IN A CONE SHAPE. ONLY HAD A COUPLE AT THE FARM, BUT HERE THERE ARE HUNDREDS.

ANYWAY, I DID MAKE UP AND DOWN ALL THE HILLS AROUND THE LAKE AND THAN THE LAST 50 FEET I HAD TO WALK THE BIKE. SURE IS A LOT OF PLACES FOR SALE AROUND THE LAKE. MAYBE THINGS WILL START IMPROVING SOON. BUT WATCH OUT FOR INFLATION!

DIDN'T HAVE MUCH LUCK FISHING THIS WEEK, ONLY LITTLE ONES. AND MY FIRST EXPERENCE WITH A SLIP BOBBER DIDN'T WORK OUT VERY GOOD. GOT HUNG UP AND THE LINE BROKE. I DID NET THE BOBBER. SO MAYBE I WILL TRY AGAIN SOMETIME. I HAVE HAD THAT SLIP BOBBER FOR 10 YEARS AND NOW, AT LEAST, I HAVE USED IT.

HOPEFULLY NEXT WEEK , JENNY'S FAMILY WILL BE UP AND WE CAN HAVE CAKE! FOR HER BIRTHDAY. I WILL KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED. KEEP YOUR CANDLES LIT A ONLY ONE END AND BE BACK LATER TO BLOW THEM OUT.

TIME ON THE RIVERS

FISHED 3 RIVERS ON MONDAY AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP ANY GOOD KEEPERS. BUT IT WAS A VERY NICE DAY AND THE ONLY THING THAT WAS A DOWNER, WAS THE BITING BUGS. OH YEAH, THE CREW AT HILLBILLY HEAVEN CLEANED MY CLOCK, AT POKER ON SUNDAY NIGHT. ONE MEAN BUNCH, I TELL YOU.

CATCHING UP ON MY CHORES TODAY AND WHO KNOWS WHAT THE BIG BOSS HAS PLANNED FOR ME. WILL HAVE TO GET ORGANIZED SOMEDAY, MAYBE 2012.

KEEP LOOKING UP AND DON'T LET THE GOBBLINS GET YA!

THE END OF THE MONTH

THE BOYS ARE HOME AND ALL IN ONE PIECE. IT WAS AN EXCITING MONTH, OHH IT WAS JUST A WEEK. AND WE DIDN'T GET TO FLY THE KITE, MAYBE NEXT TRIP.

THE LAST FEW DAYS, WAS FISHING UP THE RIVER TO MUD LAKE(AND GRAMPS DIDN'T THROW JAKE IN) ONLY JAKE CAN TRAVEL 6 MILES IN A 6 FOOT BOOT!, TO THE BAR FOR DINNER & DANCING(ANYBODY FIND A FINGER NAIL?), SOME GAMES AND GRAMPS SHOULD OF HAD A COUPLE OF BEERS. SORRY GUYS, I THINK YOUR DAYS OF DONUTS AND ICE CREAM ARE OVER FOR AWHILE. AND I STILL HAVE SOME BOOOMERS LEFT.

JAKE DID END UP KNOWING HOW TO TIE AND UNTIE HIS SHOES, THANKS TO LINDA, SHE HAS MORE PATIENTS THAN GRAMPS.

JAKE DID LOSE THE DART GAME CHAMPIONSHIP TO NICK, BUT OF COURSE GRAMPS WAS THE GRAND CHAMP! AND EVERYONE HAS ALL THEIR EYES STILL WORKING, AND NO HOLES IN THE WALL.

WELL NOW GRAMPS NEEDS TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT VISIT, LETS SEE? A LEASH AND COLLAR, TASER GUN, SLEEPING PILLS(FOR THE KIDS), AND STAIN REPELLANT FOR THE CARPET, JAKE AND THE CAR. YES WE DO LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY.

I WILL NOW TAKE A TWO DAY NAP AND YOU ALL BE SURE TO COUNT ALL YOUR DIMES!

A DAY WITH LITTLE RAIN!

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE! AND WE ARE OFF AND WALKING. YES JAKE TOO. BUT WE DID HEAR ABOUT IT. "WHY CAN'T WE PARK CLOSER?"

WE HIT OSWALD'S BEAR CAMP, WHERE ALL THE GOOD BEARS GO FOR FUN. ONLY SAW ONE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN TWO BEARS. WELL THE BIGGER ONE WON OUT, AND GOT TO CONTROL THE FENCE LINE WHERE MOST OF THE PEOPLE FED THEM. AND AS YOU WILL SEE BELOW, NICK HAD THEM EATING OUT OF HIS HAND, AND I THINK JAKE GOT A KISS, OR MAYBE IT WAS JUST A SNIFF! ANYWAY WE MADE IT OUT WITH ALL OUR BODY PARTS STILL ATTACHED AND WORKING.

THEN WE HEADED UP TO THE BIG LAKE AND HAD A PICNIC LUNCH ON THE BEACH AND WE WERE JOINED BY A FEW HUNDRED FLYS, THE BITING KIND. AFTER ENJOYING THEIR COMPANY FOR OUR LUNCH BREAK (AND I DO THINK THAT FIGURE IS A LOWBALL), WE LET THEM FOLLOW US ALONG THE SHORE AS WE SKIPPED ROCKS AND POCKETED SOME OF THOSE NEAT LOOKING ONES. THERE WERE A COUPLE BIG ONES THAT HAD TO BE PUT IN A BAG. WE LOADED UP AND HEADED TO GRAND MARAIS, WITH 30-40 OF OUR NEW FRIENDS(THE FLYS) IN THE CAR. OH YES, JAKES WET PANTS WERE HUNG OUT THE PASSAGERS WINDOW TO TRY TO GET THEM TO DRY, MY BACK SEAT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!

NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE ALL MADE IT BACK AND WE DID LEAVE MOST OF OUR NEW FRIENDS, TO LOOK FOR OTHER MEALS. WE THINK JAKE SMASHED THE LAST ONE ON THE WINDOW OF THE CAR AS A WARNING FOR ANY OTHERS THAT WOULD THINK ABOUT ENTERING. OH YES, WE DID GET SOME RAIN ALONG THE WAY. YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY, "INTO EVERYONE'S LIFE, A LITTLE RAIN MUST FALL." SO KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE WATER AND ENJOY THE COOL BREEZE. :+)

TIME WITH GRAMPS STARTS

LOOK OUT U.P. ! GRAMPS IS LOOSE WITH HIS TWO GRANDSONS. MET SARAH IN BIG MAC CITY THURSDAY TO PICK UP THE BOYS AND A HALF HOUR INTO THE TRIP THEY SAW THEIR FIRST FOX RUNNING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD JUST NORTH OF TROUT LAKE. WE GOT UP HERE, DISPITE THE FOG, IN RECORD TIME. DIDN'T HIT A DEER OR ANYTHING.

WE SURVIVED FRIDAY, WITH NO BROKEN BONES OR EYES PUT OUT, AND NOW ARE RESTING UP FOR SATURDAY'S BIG REUNION. OH YES, WE HAD THE BIGEST FIREWORKS DISPLAY THAT GRAMPS HAS EVER PUT ON. GETTING INTO THE BIGGER STUFF. HHEEEEEHEEEEEE OR SHOULD I SAY WEEEEE WEEEEEEE! KEEP YOUR FUSES DRY AND THE SHOW WILL GO ON.

A WALK IN THE FIELD

TOOK A WALK TODAY TO SEE WHAT WAS BLOOMING. AND FOUND A COUPLE MOSSES THAT HAD NEAT FLOWERS ON THEM. AND ALSO FOUND ONE OF MY ANNUAL DELIGHTS. OH YES I WAS ON MY WAY TO GET AN ICE CREAM CONE. OF COURSE IT WAS BETWEEN RAIN SHOWERS.

WELL FINAL PLANS ARE LINED UP FOR A EXCITING WEEK, BOTH NICK AND JAKE ARE COMING UP TO SPEND SOME TIME DOING HARD LABOR!! I JUST HOPE THEY ARE IN SHAPE TO HANLDE KEEPING UP WITH GRAMPS. IF NOT, THEY MAY BE BUG FOOD, YOU KNOW THOSE BLOOD SUCKERS THAT FLY AROUND LICKING THEIR CHOPS. THEY LIKE CITY KIDS!

WELL ENJOY THE PICS AND HOPE I HAVE TIME TO UPDATE THIS NEXT WEEK.

WHAT A WEEK!

WHAT A WEEK. ON THE ROAD AGAIN FOR MORE BIRTHDAYS THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A CANDLE AT! FIRST IT WAS GABE'S PARTY, THAN CAKE WITH STEVE AND LAST AN EARLY WISHES FOR RONDA.

WE ALSO WENT TO THE HARRY POTTER NEW MOVIE AND I CAME OUT WITH A BIG BUCKET OF POPCORN AND ONE LARGE DRINK CRAMMED INTO MY BELLY. SORRY NO PICTURE OF THAT. OH YES, THE MOVIE WAS GOOD ALSO AND HARRY IS STILL ALIVE.

HAD A SPLASH OF A TIME AT THE MOTEL POOL AND ROOM SERVICE WAS CATERED BY A GOOD LOOKING GUY, NAMED BILL. HE HAS GOOD TASTE FOR A TREE HUGGER!

WE WERE TO EARLY FOR SWEET CORN AT JENNY AND STEVE'S. BUT THE GIRLS WILL NOW BE CATCHING THEIR DREAMS!

STOPPED IN MT. PLEASANT AND GOT 4 DOOR PRIZES, 2 FOR THE BEDROOMS, ONE FOR COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET, AND A BI-FOLD WITH LITTLE VENTS.

NOW THAT WAS ONE GREAT TRIP, BUT IT WAS TOPPED OFF WITH SEEING A BUNCH OF BABY ELK. WHAT MORE COULD ONE ASK FOR. WELL MAYBE A BBQ WITH JACK AND RICA, BUT THERE WASN'T TIME. MAYBE NEXT TRIP ALL.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE NICK AND JAKE WILL BE COMING DOWN THE ROAD SOON AND WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN THAN!! MAYBE WE NEED A BIRDS EYE VIEW! TAKE CARE ALL.

HALF WAY MARK

HOLLY UNDERWEAR BATMAN! SUMMER IS HALF OVER AND IF THE SECOND HALF IS AS GOOD AS THE FIRST HALF, IT WILL BE ONE GREAT SUMMER.

AFTER THE BARS CLOSED THE OTHER NIGHT, I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO MY DEN, AND JUST NORTH OF GERMFASK, A SUPER BRIGHT SHOOTING STAR SHOT ACROSS THE SKY, HEADING FOR THE BIG LAKE. IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME SINCE I HAVE SEEN ONE SO BIG AND THE TAIL SO LONG. IT MUST OF SCARED A BIG BUCK, BECAUSE IT RAN ACROSS THE ROAD JUST AHEAD OF ME, AS MY EYES RETURNED TO THE ROAD. OH WELL, MAYBE SOME STEAKS NEXT TIME!

HAD A BUNCH OF COOK OUTS AT HILLBILLY HEAVEN THIS WEEK. FISH (PERCH AND THOSE LITTLE THINGS), CHICKEN AND ALL THE SIDE DISHES WITH GRAM'S CARROLLS APPLE PIE, SORRY DIDN'T GET A PIC.

SENT STEVE A BIRTHDAY CARD WITH BUTTERCUP TALKING ABOUT THE BENIFITS OF RUNNING. AND SINCE HE IS SO HIGH ON MY LIST, I PLAN ON SHARING SOME CAKE WITH HIM SOON.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, KEEP YOUR ROLLER IN THE PAINT!

ONE WORM, BUNCHES OF FISH, NAP TIME

TUESDAY WAS AN AMAZING DAY, WENT TO HILLBILLY HEAVEN TO RELAX AND DO SOME FISHING AND FORGOT THE WORMS. NOW I COULD OF RAN OUT AND BOUGHT SOME BUT I DECIDED TO DIG SOME IN THE WOODS. I GOT 1 (ONE) NIGHT CRAWLER, BUT IT WAS A MAGIC ONE. WE CAUGHT 37 PERCH WITH THAT SUPER CRAWLER. I THINK I CAUGHT THE MOST AND CADENCE CAME IN A CLOSE SECOND.

NOW WHILE WE WERE WORKING HARD PULLING IN THE FISH, NANA AND LANA WERE RELAXING TO THE MAX.

WENT BACK LATER, JUST BEFORE DARK AND ONLY CAUGHT ONE KEEPER SMALLMOUTH BASS.

REMEMBER, IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE WORM, IT'S HOW YOU USE IT!!

FLOWERS, FIREWORKS,PARADES AND MORE

WELL MY FLOWERS ARE NOT IN THE NUMBERS AS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST, BUT I SPENT ALOT LESS TIME THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE OTHER EVENTS GOING ON.

THE ONE THING THAT IS GOOD TO SEE, IS THE TRAFFIC THAT STARTED TO SHOW UP ON JULY 2, A THURSDAY, AND IT DIDN'T STOP SINCE THAN. IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING SOME TRAVELING AND VISITING THIS SUMMER. AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE FIREWORKS AT THE BEAR DEN, WAS ONE HAPPY GROUP.

NOW TO TOP THINGS OFF, OUR FLOAT, IN THE PARADE, TOOK FIRST PLACE IN THE NEWBERRY PARADE. THAT WAS WORTH 100 BIG ONES!!

THE MEETING AT HILLBILLY HEAVEN WENT EXTREMLY WELL, WITH EVERYONE LEAVING WITH GOOD FEELINGS, EXCEPT ONE MEMBER. BUT LIKE THEY SAY "YOU CAN'T PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME."

WELL KEEP YOUR HEAD ON YOUR SHOLDERS AND CRAP WON'T HAPPEN!

THE END OF JUNE!

BOY, DID GEORGE GET A STRANGE PHONE MESSAGE! SOME LITTLE BOY WAS CHECKING UP ON ME BECAUSE HE FOUND GEORGE'S PHONE NUMBER ON HIS MOTHER'S CELL PHONE, SURE GLAD LITTLE BOYS DON'T CARRY GUNS!! YES JAKE IT'S ME.

GOT BACK FROM ACTIVE WEEKEND, SOFTBALL GAMES, DONUTS GALORE, TREES BEING TRIMMED, CHECKING OUT WOOD WORKING SHOPS AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. NOW FOR SOME REST, NOPE, COVER FOR SICK PEOPLE, INSTALL FLAT SCREEN TVs, GET ALL THE HAIRS CUT, MAKE TACOS, AND GET READY FOR SOME COMPANY, THE COMING WEEKEND, THE BIG ONE, FORTH OF JULY.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU, BUT JUNE FLEW BY LIKE AN EAGLE WITH A CROW ON ITS REAR. HOPE JULY SLOWS DOWN SOMEWHAT.

OK NOW KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL AND WATCH OUT FOR FALLING LIMBS!

BANG! BOOM! OHHHH AHHH EEEEEE

AFTER A GREAT TRIP TO JENNY'S, LOW AND BEHOLD, I AM IN SEVENTH HEAVEN! FOR ALL MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE, WHAT DO I SEE BUT A BIG TENT, PACKED WITH FIREWORKS! DOES SOMEONE HAVE A LITE? LOOK OUT U.P.! AS MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS KNOW, GRAMPS HAS A TRUE LOVE FOR FIREWORKS. (MUST BE A HANG OVER FROM THE OLD ARMY DAYS.)

DON'T LOOK NOW ETHEL! TO LATE, SHE HAS ALREADY SEEN GRAMPS IN SHORTS! JUST LUCKY SHE WASN'T MOONED!

YOU ALL KEEP PICKEN AND GRINNEN AND ENJOY THE HEAT!

PAPA'S DAY

HERE I AM ON PAPA'S DAY WAITING WITH MY TWO LITTLE SWEETIES TO HAVE DINNER AT OUTBACK. I HAD THE BQ RIBS WITH FRIES AND SPICED UP MY TUMMY! THAN LATER BACK AT JENNY & STEVE'S FOR SOME MOOSE TRACKS ICE CREAM AND POPCORN FROM THE MOVIE THEATER. SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE FOR RUNNING TO GET THE POPCORN.

TODAY JENNY AND I CUT THE GRASS, TRIMMED AND DID SOME EDGING. DON'T TELL HER I GOT THIS PICTURE! I WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE AND SHE MIGHT DO LIKE JOY AND DELETE IT. HEE HEEE.

WELL DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, MY OTHER SWEETIE IS COMING OVER FROM ROCKFORD AND WE ARE GOING OUT FOR A SNACK AND MOVIE. I THINK IT IS A CHICK FLICK, BUT THE COMPANY CAN'T BE BEAT!

ALL TAKE CARE AND KEEP YOUR DIMES ON THE TABLE AND DON'T DROP UNTIL THE FLOP!!!

SUMMER TREATS

THE FIRST FAWN OF THE YEAR RAN ACROSS THE ROAD WITH IT'S MAMA, SO TINY AND PRETTY QUICK. NO PIC, HAVE TO DRIVE YA KNOW.

MORE FISH, AND TODAY IT WAS SUNNY SO GUESS WHAT WAS BITING? SUN FISH! AND WHEN I TRIED TO GET THE RIVER CLEANED UP, I ENDED UP CHASING ONE OF THE DAM TIMBERS DOWN THE RIVER, TWICE. SURE GLAD IT WAS WARM. SO THERE WAS MY FIRST SEMI SWIM OF THE YEAR! THANKS UNCLE DICK FOR THE REPLACEMENT PANTS.

AND THAN TO COME BACK TO A COOK OUT WITH A HOMEMADE CARMEL APPLE CRUMB PIE! WAIT THERE WAS TWO OF THEM AND ONE HAS BEEN PUT TO WORK ON MANY TASTEBUDS AND NOT A CRUMB TO SPARE!

WELL ALL KEEP YOUR PIGGIES DRY, YOUR COWS MILKED AND CATCH YOU ALL LATER. HOOK, LINE & SINKER!

STOPPED TO SMELL THE LILACS

AHHHH, THE SWEET SMELL OF THE LILACS, WHICH ARE IN FULL BLOOM NOW HERE IN THE U.P. AND I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE ENJOYING THEIR SWEET SCENT. A VERY LARGE YELLOW BUTTERFLY AND A FEW BIG BUMBLE BEES WERE RIGHT THERE WITH ME SNIFFING AWAY. YES IT WAS A FANTASTIC DAY, BLUE SKIES, WARM AIR AND THE SUN IN IT'S FULL GLORY HEATING UP THE OLD SKIN CELLS. GOT MY CHORES DONE AND ON THE ROAD TO SEE MORE OF THE U.P.

GOT A GREAT VIEW OF GRAND ISLAND AND THE PICTURED ROCKS FROM THE HI SPOT IN MUNISING AND HAD A GOOD DINNER AT LIL ABNERS WITH TWO COBBLERS, CHERRY AND PEACH. SOMETIMES ONE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH.

JENNY DID CATCH ME THIS MORNING TO COVER EVENTS OF THE LAST WEEK AND NEXT WEEKS ACTIVITIES. WHAT A WAY TO START THE DAY, TO HEAR WHAT THE LITTLE ONES ARE UP TO AND HOW THEY ARE DOIN.

YOU ALL KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD AND YOUR EAR ON THE RAIL.

THINGS PICKING UP

WHAT A WEEK. THINGS ARE STARTING TO GET A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE UP HERE. AFTER THE RED HAT GALS LEFT, WENT TO SEE CCR CONCERT, CAUGHT A NICE MESS OF BASS AND PUT NEW LIGHTS ON THE BRIDGE. I MUST SAY, THINGS ARE GOING GOOD.

THE FISH WERE BITING AND PUTTING UP A GOOD FIGHT, BUT GRAMPS OVERCAME THIER SLY SWIMMING METHODS TO TRY TO GET LOOOOOSE. WHAT A MEAL!

THE NEW LIGHTS ON THE BRIDGE ARE MUCH MORE EVEN LOOKING AND ALOT SAFER, WITH A GOOD THICK COAT OF CLEAR PLASTIC COVERING THEM.

THE TRAFFIC AROUND HAS REALLY PICKED UP AS MORE PEOPLE GET BACK FROM THEIR WINTER HIDE OUTS. AND WITH MOST SCHOOLS OUT, THE EARLY VACATIONERS ARE OUT AND ABOUT. GETTING ICE CREAM, FISHING, BOATING AND EATING OUT. HOPE FOR ALL BUSINESSES, THE TRAFFICE KEEPS COMING.

WELL KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD AND YOUR PADDLE IN THE WATER.

RED HAT ATTACK!

LOOK OUT, IT'S A RED HAT ATTACK! I JUST HOPE I SURVIVE. LINDA'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND HER TWIN FRIENDS ARE SPENDING A FEW DAYS AND SO FAR THE ACTION HASN'T STOPPED. THEY HAVE BEEN FISHING, TO THE BIG FALLS, IT STARTS WITH A T. AND THE LIST GOES ON WITH DONUTS, ICE CREAM, COOKOUT, AND PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE! WITH EXTRA CHERRIES, I PUT THEM ON! WELL IT IS LATE AND YOU ALL KEEP YOUR EARS CLEAN.

NICK WITH FANS

MADE A LAST MINUTE TRIP TO WATCH NICK PLAY IN TWO GAMES ON SATURDAY. I MADE IT TO THE GAMES AND SLEPT THREW(HEE HEE) THE AFTER GAME EVENTS. BOY THIS GETTING OLD IS KICKING GRAMPS BUTT! STILL IT WAS WELL WORTH THE TRIP TO SEE ALL WORKING ON LIFE'S SKILLS. SARAH SENT ME PACKING WITH A CD AND NOTHING ON IT.

THE BIG EVENT AT THE ROGER'S HOUSE IS A LITTLE KITTEN THAT STOLE THE SHOW, TIGER IS HIS NAME, AND BITING IS HIS GAME, WHEN NOT UNDER THE DISHWASHER. WE ALSO AGREED THAT HE HAS BEEN SLEEPING TO CLOSE TO SARAH'S BUTT.

JAKE PLAYED A COUPLE SONGS ON THE NEW CD PLAYER HE AND NICK HAS. GETTING A PICTURE OF JAKE'S FACE IS A CHORE IN ITS SELF. OH WELL, SOMEDAY MAYBE. WE WILL KEEP TRYING.

SWEET SCENTS CONTINUE

ANOTHER GREAT DAY, WAKE UP TO FARM LILACS FILLING THE AIR WITH THEIR SWEET SMELLS. THIS WILL BE PERFECT, THE LILACS UP HERE WILL BE OPEN IN A WEEK OR SO AND THE PLEASURE OF THEM WILL CONTINUE.

AS JENNY SAID WE WENT OUT TO CUT THE RUG TONIGHT AND HAVE A MEAL OF STROMBONIE. IT IS LIKE A PIZZA, ONLY IT HAS A CRUST ALL AROUND IT AND THE SAUCE IS ON THE SIDE FOR DIPPING. THE SAUCE IS SWEETER THAN REGULAR PIZZA SAUCE.

WENT SHOPPING FOR A FEW THINGS FOR LINDA'S GRAND DAUGHTER AND HER FRIENDS, THEY ARE COMING UP SATURDAY TO STAY A FEW DAYS. I GOT A COUPLE RUBBER BALLS TO PLAY KICK BALL WITH AND SOME PLANES THAT GLIDE OR CAN BE SHOT WITH A RUBBER BAND. ALSO GOT 3 RED FUZZY HATS.

ENOUGH FOR NOW, BE SURE TO PUT ON CLEAN UNDERWEAR EVERYDAY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU COULD GET PULLED OVER THE BY THE DINGLEBERRY COPS!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THINGS ARE JUMPIN, THE FISH ARE BITING, AND GOOD FOOD DISAPPEARS. HAD A SPECIAL TREAT MONDAY, JENNY, STEVE AND THE GIRLS STOPPED IN ON THEIR WAY BACK FROM MINISODA, YOU KNOW THAT PLACE BEYOND WESCONSON. WE GOBBLED SOME SUBS AND NOT JUST DONUTS AND ICE CREAM, BUT WARM DONUTS! STEVE GOT TO CLIMB UP INTO THE HAY LOFT TO GANDER AT SOME WOOD.

TUESDAY WAS VISIT THE MOOSE DAY, AND UNCLE FRANK GOT ALITTLE CLOSE, HE IS THE ONE ON THE RIGHT, AND IS LUCKY TO HAVE ANY HAIR LEFT ON HIS HEAD! WAIT, THERE IS NO HAIR ON HIS HEAD. DANG MOOSE ANYWAY.

AND I BELIEVE I HAD HELP EATING THE NO BAKES SARAH BROUGHT UP.

WENT TO THE FARM TODAY TO PICK SOME THINGS UP AND ALSO STOPPED TO SEE WHERE LORI WORKS, HAD A CARD FOR HER AND HER NEW HUBBY. I ALSO CUT A FEW LILACS AND THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH THEIR FANTASTIC SCENT ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE UP. GOT BACK JUST IN TIME TO MAKE THE DONUTS.

NOW I NEED TO GET SOME REST, FOR THURSDAY IS WHEN THE MUD HOLE BAND PLAYS AT THE SHIPWRECK. SO NIGHTY NIGHT AND KEEP YOUR TANK FILLED.

DUEL TRIP

WOW, MAY IS COMING TO AN END, AND GOT ONE LAST TRIP IN THIS WEEKEND. HAD TO GET SOME ITEMS IN MARQUETTE TO MAKE A FEW REPAIRS. AS NORMAL, HAD TO STOP AT WAGNER FALLS FOR A BREAK, NEVER BEEN THERE, AND SEE MORE OF THE U.P.'s GLORY.

AND NOW, WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM ELMER, ONE LITTLE BIRD NOW IS BACK IN ACTION, KEEPING AN EYE ON MY DESK. I JUST HAVE TO PICK OUT A PIC FOR IT TO HOLD.

WITH JUNE KNOCKING, I HOPE IT BRINGS IN SOME WARMER AIR WITH IT, WE WILL HAVE TO GET SOME MORE TRIPS ON THE CALENDAR, AND DON'T FORGET TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR BOBBER!

LITTLE PLEASURES

MADE THE TRIP TO CHEBOYGAN ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, BOTH DAYS WENT WELL. BUMPED INTO DEBBIE AT THE GLEN'S STORE AND SHE IS DOING WELL. TOLD HER THAT MY NEW HAIRDRESSER IS ALSO NAMED TAMMY. AND THAT LINDA ALSO OWNS A STORE. DEBBIE HELPED ME ALOT WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES IN MY LIFE. I WILL ALWAYS BE GREATFUL FOR THAT. IT WAS NICE TO BUMP INTO HER.

THAN I PICKED A TWIG OF LILAC FROM THE FARM, TO ENJOY ON THE WAY BACK TO THE U.P. AND THAN A STOP IN MAC CITY FOR GOOOODIES. YUM YUM!

OH YES, I ALMOST FORGOT REELING IN OVER 15 FISH THE OTHER DAY. AND THE BLUEGILL WAS THE NEETEST. BROUGHT BACK TO MY MIND, THE DAYS SPENT ON PINE LAKE WITH MY GRANDPARENTS.

WELL I STILL HAVE SOME MAC CITY GOODIES TO WORK ON, SO KEEP YOUR KITE IN THE AIR AND YOUR STICK ON THE ICE.

LOOK OUT HERE WE COME!

WHAT CAN I SAY? IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE BUGS, OUR TIME WITH SARAH, NICK, JAKE, GRAM CARROLL, GLORIA, UNCLE DICK, RANDY, CORY, LINDA, AND ALL PATTY'S FRIENDS? IT WOULD OF BEEN PERFECT. BIG FISH, GOOD FOOD, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AND THE LIST GOES ON. WHILE MEMORIAL DAY HASN'T YET GOT HERE, THERE WAS ALOT OF REMEMBERING OF OLD TIMES, EVENTS AND FUN FROM THE PAST. WHILE I DIDN'T PULL IN THE BIGGEST FISH, I LANDED A VERY NICE SMALL MOUTH BASS, I STILL HAVE IT! JAKE WAS THE NET MAN FOR THE 4 SUCKERS THAT NICK FOUGHT TO THE BANK. YES, THERE IS A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE!!! HEE HEE. :)

WE PLACED THE FRESHLY PAINTED EAGLE, THANKS TO LINDA'S GREAT TALENTS, BACK ON DAD'S MEMORIAL, I KNOW HE'S WATCHING ALL OF US ENJOY THE GREAT PLACE HE HAS LEFT HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

OH SH_OOT, I DOWNLOADED MY PICTURES AND DIDN'T GET ONE OF SARAH. GUESS SHE WILL HAVE TO COME BACK SOOOOON, no bake cookies, JUST SO I CAN GET, no bake cookies, A PICTURE OF, no bake cookies, HER. DID YOU ALL GUESS WHAT I AM EATING?

LOOK OUT FOR SHARKS!! NOT IN THE RIVER, AROUND THE POOL TABLE, BUT THEY ARE JUST SMALL SHARKS AND NOT TO HARMFUL YET, UNLESS YOU ARE A LITTLE BIRD!

OH YES, GRAMMA CARROLL IS STILL COUNTING HER CHICKENS, THEIR NUMBERS SEEM TO BE GROWING BY THE DAY. THANKS GLORIA YOU WOULD HAVE TO GET HER MORE THAN WE DID!

WELL, ENOUGH FOR NOW, STILL HAVE TIME LEFT IN THIS WEEKEND, SO ALL ENJOY AND KEEP YOUR STICK ON THE ICE!

TREES, FLOWERS AND INDIGO BUNTING

IT WAS A GREAT WEEKEND, A EXTRA LONG WALK THAT MADE THE LEGS ACHE. A COOKOUT AT HILLBILLY HEAVEN, HOT DOGS. AND STEAKS GRILLED TO PERFECTION, WHERE THE BEAR SLEEPS, WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR, HOW ABOUT A WEIRD TREE, NEW FLOWERS , MORE MUSHROOMS AND AN INDIGO BUNTING.

THAN A TRIP TO PICKLEMAN'S FOR DINNER AND THAN DID SOME DANCING, THE HOOOOKY POKEY, THE CHICKEN DANCE AND MANY MORE AT A WEDDING RECEPTION, WHERE THE POWER WAS OUT FOR THREE HOURS, BUT A GENERATOR SAVED THE SHOW FOR MUSIC AND A LITTLE LIGHT. OHHH THE LEGS!!

WELL BEST GET GOING INTO THE NEW WEEK AND HEADING FOR A LONG WEEKEND.
KEEP SMILING AND ENJOY ALL YOUR TIME OFF!

NICE WEEK

DANCING, YARD CLEAN UP, MORE MUSHROOMS, COOK OUT AND PERRY VISITING HILLBILLY HEAVEN.

DANCING LAST THURSDAY WAS NOT ONLY FUN, BUT WON A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS PLAYING THE KENO GAME. WAS JUST GLAD THAT THE LADIES WERE GETTING OVER THERE COLDS ENOUGH TO GO.

DID SOME YARD CLEAN UP AND STARTED CLEANING THE FLOWER BEDS. OH, SPEAKING OF FLOWERS, THE YELLOW PIC I HAVE ON HERE IS CALLED A TROUT LILY. THERE ARE YELLOW AND WHITE ONES! ONLY SEEN THE YELLOW SO FAR.

WALKED TO THE FOX AND EAST FOX RIVERS MEETING SPOT ON SUNDAY AND ALSO FOUND MORE MUSHROOMS. POSTED GRAM CARROLL'S NEW SIGN OUT FRONT FOR HER, IT WAS REPAINTED BE A CLOSE FRIEND.

PERRY HAS BEEN UP THIS WEEK DOING MISC. JOBS AROUND HILLBILLY HEAVEN AND STOPPED BY TONIGHT TO HAVE SOME DONUT FRAGMENTS AND AN ICE CREAM CONE. HE ALSO WISHED CINDY A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GAVE HER SOME LIQUID FOR DRINKING. LOOKS LIKE HE IS HEADING BACK WEDNESDAY.

WITH ALL THE MUSHROOMS, HAD TO CLEAN UP THE GRILL AND THROW ON A COUPLE STEAKS, GARLIC BREAD, VEGGIES AND SPUDS. FLO & ROGER HAD SOME HOT DOGS. WHILE THINGS WERE COOKING I WENT FOR A LITTLE WALK TO SEE THE FLOWERS BLOOMING IN THE WOODS.

WELL, HOPE THIS WEEK IS AS GOOD AND LAST AND WISH ALL THE SAME.

TIME FLYS WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN

BOY, HAVE THINGS BEEN JUMPIN! GRAM CARROLL AND UNCLE DICK GOT BACK FROM MARCO ISLAND AND I HAVE HAD MORE TRIPS THAN I CAN REMEMBER. BUT I WILL GIVE IT A TRY.

FIRST OF ALL, HAD A LONG WALK BACK, ALMOST, TO HOLLAND CREEK. AND A PAIR OF COOPERS HAWKS, NOT LIKING US THERE AT ALL. THEY KEPT JUST OUT OF SIGHT AND WAS RAISING A RACKET, LIKE YOU WOULDN'T BELEIVE. AFTER THEY HAD US FAR ENOUGH FROM THEIR NEST, THEY TOOK OFF BACK TO WHERE THEY FIRST CALLED US SEVERAL NASTY NAMES. I AM SURE THAT THEY CALLED US EVERYTHING IN THE BOOK, AS IT IS SAID.

THE OTHER THING WAS, THE SIGHTING OF ALL THE SPRING FLOWERS, WHICH MAKE THE LONG WALK WELL WORTH WHILE, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE EXERSIZE THAT WAS GOTTEN.

NOW THAT ALONE WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE THE DAY A GREAT ONE, BUT WHAT A WAITING FOR US WHEN WE RETURNED WAS JUST AS GREAT. MOM HAD MADE US VENISION MEAT LOAF WITH ALL THE NORMAL TRIMMINGS THAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR. AND OF COURSE I GOT RIGHT TO IT AND GRABBED THE END PIECE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, EVERYONE WAS STUFFED TO THE BRIM.

BIRTHDAY TIME FOR JOY, ALSO ARRIVED, AND A WHOLE LOT OF SPLISH-SPLASHING WAS GOING ON AT SPLASH VILLAGE IN FRANKENMUTH. AND THERE WAS ICE CREAM IN LITTLE COLORED BALLS. THERE WAS CHICKEN, NOODLES, DRESSING AND OF COURSE THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. BUT GRAMPS HIT THE DESERT BAR 3 TIMES. YES I ATE LIKE A HORSE AND LO AND BEHOLD WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND THERE WAS A HORSE, SO HOW ABOUT A NICE RIDE TO LET DINNER SETTLE? JOY SAID YES!!! AND AWAY WE WENT. THAN MORE SWIMING AND A WALK IN THE DARK, TO SEE ALL THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT BRONNERS.

THE NEXT DAY WAS MORE WATER PARK FOR THE GIRLS AND GRAMPS MISSED BREAKFAST AT THE CRACKER BARREL, JUST CAN'T GET MOVIN LIKE I USED TO. I CUT OUT A LITTLE EARLY AND HEADED TO BIRCH RUN TO DO SOME POWER SHOPPING. NEEDED SOME SMALL GLASSES, NEW SHOES(THE WALKING TYPE), CHECKED ON MINTS(NOPE DIDN'T HAVE THEM), SOME NEW PILLOW CASES, A COUPLE OF MOTHER DAYS PRESENTS, AND LOOKED FOR A NEW HAT, FOR THE SUNNY OR RAINY DAYS. AND COULDN'T GET OUT OF TOWN WITHOUT A 1/3 POUNDER HALO BURGER DELUXE WITH OLIVES. SURE GLAD I WENT TO THE DOCTOR LAST WEEK!!

THAN ON TO PETOSKEY, TO OFFICE MAX, AND A COUPLE OF BUSINESS STOPS. ALSO MET VERN TO PICK UP MY REGULAR VAN. THAN BACK ACROSS THE BRIDGE WITH A STOP AT MY OLD SECOND HOME.

THAN BACK TO EAT SOME OF THE BEEFSTEAKS THAT WE FOUND ON OUR FIRST WALK AND MORE TONIGHT, TO GO WITH THE GREAT FRIED CHICKEN DINNER LEFTOVERS.

WELL THAT IS A FRACTION OF THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS AND SINCE I AM NOT A WRITER, THIS HAS WORN ME OUT FOR TONIGHT. SO ENJOY THE PICTURES AND BE BACK LATER!

SOUNDS OF SPRING!

PEEPERS, YES, IT IS NOW SPRING! THE PEEPERS ARE SINGING THEIR SONGS TONIGHT, AS THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT OVERHEAD AND CLOUDS ARE ON THE WESTERN SKY TO BRING IN THE RAIN FOR LATER TONIGHT AND FOR SATURDAY.

WHILE TAKING A BREAK FROM WASHING WINDOWS TODAY, I SPOTTED THE FIRST BLOSSOM OF THE SEASON, FOR ME, IN THE U.P. THE HENS AND CHICKS ARE ALSO POPPING OUT. JUST MAY HAVE TO PUT IN A SMALL GARDEN, CAN'T LET STEVE OUT GROW ME! ALSO, GOT OUT THE GRILL TO BE READY FOR SOME OUTDOOR COOKING. NOW LETS GET READY TO FISH.

A GOOD WEEKEND TO ALL AND WELCOME BACK GREAT GRAM TO HILLBILLY HEAVEN. BACK ON WEDNESDAY AND DANCING ON THURSDAY NIGHT. GOT TO KEEP MOVING.

GREAT WEATHER ALL AROUND

HAD A GREAT TRIP DOWNSTATE LAST WEEKEND, GOT IN SOME BIKE RIDING, PLAYED SOME BASEBALL, A TRIP TO 7-11 FOR TREATS, A WILD BIRTHDAY PARTY AND A STOP IN MT. PLEASANT, FOR TIME TO LET THE ACHES AND PAINS SUBSIDE WITH A SOAK IN A BIG TUB. AND OF COURSE A BAKERY BASKET IN THE MORNING TO GET MONDAY OFF TO A GREAT START. AND THAN TUESDAY THE POWER WENT OUT AT HILLBILLY HEAVEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN THE EVENING. BOY DOES IT GET DARK IN THE WOODS. HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE WONDERFUL EVENTS OF SPRING.

A GREAT TUESDAY!

BOY, OUR FIRST DAY OVER 50 AND NO WIND TO SPEAK OF. SUPER, HAD TO GET OUTSIDE AND GET WORKING ON THE PINE CONES. HAD MY FIRST TRUE FIRE AND IT HAD A DUAL PURPOSE. ENJOY THE PINE SCENT IN THE SMOKE AND GET RID OF MANY PAST HAUNTING ITEMS.

THERE WAS ALSO A TRAIL EXPOSED BY THE FIRE PIT, IT MAY HAVE BEEN WHERE A MOUSE TUNNELED UNDER THE SNOW IN THE WINTER. AND ALSO GOT A PIC OF THE SUCKERS IN THE RIVER. I GUESS THEY WERE ENJOYING THE SUN TOO.!

AND TO TOP THINGS OFF WAS ABLE TO DO MY OFFICE WORK AND EMAIL IT TO COLLEEN TO TAKE CARE OF. SHE IS REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB AND MAKING MY LIFE MUCH EASIER. SORRY ABOUT THE RAIN DOWNSTATE, BUT IT WAS OUR TURN TO HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

UP TO EASTER

WOW, WHAT A WEEK. HAD ALL KINDS OF EXCITEMENT.

HAD TO HELP A DOG OUT OF A BEAVER TRAP. GOT TO LISTEN TO COYOTES AND RACOONS FIGHTING ONE NIGHT. THE SONG BIRDS ARE COMING BACK LIKE CRAZY. THE SUCKERS ARE BACK IN THE RIVER. AND HAD A NICE TRIP NORTH TO WATCH THE WATER FALLS WITH THE SPRING RUN OFF GIVING THEM ALOT MORE POWER AND SPLASH. TOOK A DAY TRIP TO THE FARM, TO GET SOME WORK DONE AND PICK UP SOME SUMMER CLOTHING. ALSO HAVE THE DATE THAT GREAT GRAM CARROLL WILL RETURN TO HILLBILLY HEAVEN. OH, GOT TO GET CLEANING!!

TRIP EVENTS

GOOD FOOD, GOOD PEOPLE AND GOOD TIMES. WOW, WHAT AN EVENT. WHILE THE DRIVE IS ABOUT 4 HOURS, I AM REWARDED WITH HUGS IN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES THAT MAKE IT ALL WORTH WHILE! AND THAN IT ONLY GETS BETTER.

THE GRANDCHILDREN KICKED THOSE MACHINES REAR ENDS, WE HAD GREAT MEALS WITH LAUGHS ALL AROUND. OH YES, DON'T FORGET THE SONG BEFORE DINNER. LOOK OUT FOR THOSE VEGGIES! AND THE SALAD SHOOTERS! AND SARAH HAD HER CAKE AND GOT TO EAT SOME OF IT TOO.

THE MOTEL WAS JUMPIN, RUNNING AND SPLASHING AND GRAMPS GOT A GREAT DEAL ON HIS 5 ROOM SUITE, THANKS TO JENNY. AND THAN SARAH WAS GRAND CHAMPION ON THE MS PAC MAN MACHINE, ONCE AGAIN THE YOUNGEST IS THE QUICKEST.

AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, WE GOT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR BETWEEN MONSTERS AND ALIANS, THE MONSTERS WON, THE SPARTANS WON AND I GOT A NAP AND POPCORN. WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?

WAIT, THERE WAS MORE. A TRIP TO THE PAST FOR SARAH, OLD HOUSE, OLD SCHOOLS, 7-11, LALONDES MKT AND GLOVERS TO NAME SOME. YES WE HAD TO DRAG THE BOYS, KICKING AND SCREAMING, TO MIDLAND. AND IT WAS JUST IN TIME TO SEE THE OLD HOUSE GUTTED.

THAN I COULDN'T REFUSE SARAH'S OFFER OF SOFT BUTT TISSUE, SO OFF TO ROCKFORD WE WENT, SARAH TOOK THE HI ROAD AND I STILL BEAT HER THERE. AFTER A GOOD NIGHTS REST THE BOYS AND I HEADED OUT TO TEAR UP THE TOWN, HAIRCUTS BY YOUNG HOT CHICKS, MAYBE THEY WERE REFS? LUNCH AT MING TENS, THAT'S HOW MANY POUNDS I PUT ON! AND A TRIP TO THE GAME SHOP. A LITTLE LOUD MUSIC WHILE TRAVELING AND NICK'S MICHAEL JACKSON SONG, MADE A FEW EXTRA LAUGHS. THANKS ALL FOR MAKING ANOTHER TRIP A GREAT MEMORY!

SPRING BREAK

ALL PACKED UP FOR A QUICK TRIP FOR SPRING BREAK AND SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD WITHIN AN HOUR OR SO. HAVE A FEW EXTRA THINGS TO TAKE DOWN TO THE GRAND CHILDREN. HAVE TO KEEP THEIR LEARNING PROCESS GOING YA KNOW. AND KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED. WELL BETTER GET MOVING, ALL YAS HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WINTER REBOUNDS!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! 6" SO FAR TODAY AND IT IS STILL COMING DOWN. SURE GLAD WE GOT ALL THE LIGHTS INSTALLED ON THE BRIDGE SATURDAY. NOW I WILL BE ABLE TO GET A PICTURE WITH THE SNOW ON IT TONIGHT. BUT THE PICTURE LAST NIGHT SHOWS HOW NEAT IT LOOKS. CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE A GOOD FIRE IN THE PIT AND THE LIGHTS GLOWING IN THE BACKGROUND ACROSS THE BRIDGE.

THE CRITTERS ARE STILL ENJOYING THE EXTRA FEED AND I HOPE IT WILL HELP PRODUCE A GOOD CROP OF BABIES. THE SWANS HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND FOR A FEW DAYS, SO THEY MAY BE SETTING UP THE NEST OR ALREADY SETTING ON THE EGGS. MAY HAVE TO LOOK IT UP.

SPRING KEEPS POPPING!

YES, IT IS COMING, SPRING THAT IS. HEARD THE FIRST ROBIN SINGING AT THE CRACK OF DAWN, THURSDAY. BUT NEVER GOT TO SEE IT. THE LAST BIG, AND I MEAN BIG, CHUNK OF ICE SLID OFF THE ROOF YESTERDAY WITH A MONSTER SOUND. A MINK RAN DOWN THE EDGE OF THE RIVER, GOING IN AND OUT OF THE WATER, AND I DID GET A VIDEO OF IT. NOW FOR THE BEST, CHIPPY CAME UP ON THE PORCH THIS MORNING AND GREETED ME FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR. HE CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT, ALL AROUND THE CABIN, AND DIDN'T SEEM IN ANY RUSH TO STOCK UP ON ANY OF THE FEED THAT WAS ON THE GROUND. HE DID SAMPLE A LITTLE, BUT NO FULL CHEEKS.

BEFORE & AFTER

WELL, ANOTHER TRIP DOWNSTATE TO DEAL WITH THE TROLLS AND WHEN I RETURNED, THE CRITTERS HAVE MADE ANOTHER RAID ON THE FEED. IT WILL BE NICE WHEN THE SNOW HAS MELTED AND I CAN GET TO THE GARAGE TO STORE THE EXTRA FOOD. UNTIL THAN THEY WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE WHAT THEY WANT.

HOPE YA ALL ARE NOT SETTING DOWN TO DINNER BEFORE YOU VEIW THIS, IT ISN'T FOR ONE'S WITH WEAK STOMICHS. :-)

CRITTER RAID!

HOLLY COW, GO AWAY FOR 3 DAYS AND THE CRITTERS DECIDED TO FEED THEMSELVES. I GOT BACK TO THE HILLBILLY HEAVEN CABIN AND IT HAD BEEN RAIDED BY RACOONS, SWANS, DEER AND OF COURSE THE LITTLE RED SQ. THEY WERE ALL AROUND THE PORCH, TRACKS THAT IS, AND THE BAGS OF CRACKED AND WHOLE CORN ON THE PORCH. I AM SUPPRISED THAT THEY WEREN'T ALL LAYING AROUND IN THE SNOW WITH BELLY ACHES!!

THAN I WENT FOR A WALK BACK TO THE DAM AND MORE CRITTERS HAVE BEEN MOVING AROUND IN THE FRESH SNOW. A BEAVER HAD CUT DOWN A COUPLE LITTLE SAPLINGS AND DRUG THEM TO THE RIVER.(SEE PICS) THE RIVER OTTERS HAD CROSSED THE TRAIL IN A COUPLE PLACES AND OF COURSE THE DEER. THE DOVES ARE REALLY GETTING INTO COOOOING TOO. THE ONLY THING I FORGOT WAS TO WEAR SUN GLASSES, WITH THE SNOW AND BRIGHT SUNSHINE, IT WAS HARD TO SEE TO FAR AHEAD WHILE WALKING. BUT STILL DID SEE MY FIRST LITTLE RED WINTERGREEN BERRY OF THE YEAR UNDER A TREE.

WELL, IT COULDN'T HAVE A BETTER ENDING TO A GREAT WEEKEND, TO GET BACK AND SEE MORE SIGNS OF SPRING MOVING IN.

GRAMP'S TRAVELING PAIN

OH DEAR, SPRING CLEANING ON FRIDAY HAS CAUSED MORE ACHES AND PAINS THAN I HAVE HAD IN SOME TIME. EVERY MOVE OF MY BODY RESULTS IN SOME KIND OF RUDE AWAKENING THAT I AM NOT AS YOUNG AS I USED TO BE! YES, MY OLD TEACHER WAS RIGHT, FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS A REACTION, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND TODAY, THE REACTIONS ARE ACHES AND PAINS!

NOW THE GOOD PART OF IT ALL WAS ONE GREAT NEW DISH WAS MADE FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT. YES, MY TASTE BUDS HAD A REAL PARTY! AND THAN I LEARNED TO PLAY CRIBBAGE, BUT WINNING WASN'T IN THE CARDS FOR ME, I GOT STOMPED TO SAY THE LEAST. THAN WATCHED THE MOVIE, GOOD WILL HUNTING, I HAD NOT SEEN IT AND REALLY ENJOYED IT. THE POPCORN WAS GOOD TOO!

NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS, IT SNOWED ABOUT 3" LAST NIGHT, SO MUCH FOR SPRING IN THE U.P.!! WELL IT'S NOON AND TIME FOR BREAKFAST. :) HOPE YA ALL HAVE A GREAT SATURDAY.

SPRING IS HERE TIME TO CLEAN

AHHHH THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING. IT'S A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY AND COULD BE A LITTLE WARMER, ONLY ABOUT 35 HERE.

HAD A GOOD DAY THURSDAY, SAW A WEISEL WITH A DEAD RED SQ. IN IT'S MOUTH AND HEADING FOR THE WOODS. TRIED TO GET A PICTURE BUT, WASN'T FAST ENOUGH WITH THE CAMERA. GOT EVERYBODY FED AND DID MY SHOPPING FOR THE WEEK. I JUST ABOUT SPEND MORE ON THE CRITTERS THAN FOOD FOR ME!

GOT TO SAY "HI" TO BART AT THE JOLLY INN, I WAS PICKING UP SOME ITEMS THERE FOR A GOOD FRIEND. THAN ENDED UP HAVING A FISH DINNER AT PICKLEMAN'S IN NEWBERRY. DIDN'T STAY AROUND FOR THE SINGING THAT STARTED AT 9:30 PM. MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME. DID PLAY KENO, THE STATE GAME, BUT DIDN'T WIN ANYTHING. WHAT'S NEW?

AND TODAY(FRIDAY) ALL I HAVE DONE IS SPRING CLEANING. ONLY WENT OUTSIDE TO GET MY TOOLS OUT OF THE CAR TO DO A COUPLE MINOR REPAIRS.

WELL BEST GET BACK TO CLEANING, HOPE EVERYONE'S SPRING IS GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START.

NIGHT RAID

WOW, WHAT A WACKY WEDNESDAY! HAD THE HILLBILLY BUFFET RAIDED LAST NIGHT BY A COUPLE RACOONS, THEY CLEANED IT OUT! I GUESS I AM LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T STICK MY HEAD OUT THE DOOR, THEY WERE REALLY EATING EVERYTHING IN THE FEEDERS.

HAD A EAGLE SITTING JUST OUTSIDE THE CABIN THIS MORNING AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL I WENT OUT AND IT FLEW AWAY, SORRY MY CAMERA WAS IN MY POCKET. I SHOULD OF KNOWN THAT SOMETHING WAS OUT THERE BECAUSE, THERE WERE NO BIRDS AT THE FEEDER AND NO SWANS, DUCKS OR GEESE ON THE RIVER. YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD LEARN TO LOOK BEFORE I LEAP :)=

THE SNOW IS GOING FAST, MIGHT BE DOWN TO ABOUT 8" ON THE LEVEL GROUND. OF COURSE IT IS THE DIRTY LOOKING SNOW.

TRYING TO GET ALL MY CHORES DONE TODAY SO I CAN SOAK IN THE HOT TUB TONIGHT OR MAYBE THE MAGIC CHAIR! MAYBE BOTH!!!

HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY, AND ANOTHER, AND ANOTHER............................................................................................

HOCKEY AND MORE

HAD A GREAT TRIP AND WATCHED SOME FAST PACED HOCKEY IN LANSING. GOT TO ENJOY A GREAT TRIP DOWN, WEATHER PERFECT, AND COMING BACK.

ALSO LOOSENED UP THE THROWING ARM, JUST HOPES IT STAYS LOOSE! AND I ALSO HAVE TO WORK ON NOT BEATING UP LITTLE GIRLS WITH THE BALL.

HAD A SUPER LUNCH DATE, MINUS THE BASKERBALL GAMES, AND GOT SARAH ON A SHOPPING TRIP, SHE STILL CAN'T OUT FOX GRAMPS! HEE HEEE HEEEEEEEEEEEEE

ALSO PICKED A CD PLAYER ON THE WAY BACK ALONG WITH A COMPUTOR CASE FOR MY NEW LAPTOP. STILL SETTING UP THINGS WITH IT AND WORKING THE BUGS OUT. AT LEAST THEY ARE NOT BED BUGS!

GOT TO RIDE SHOTGUN LAST NIGHT FOR THE FISRT TIME, AND I MUST OF DID A GOOD JOB BECAUSE WE WEREN'T AMBUSHED. KINDA FELT LIKE THE PONY EXPRESS.

WELL BEST GO AND GET RESTED UP FROM ALL THE BIG EVENTS AND START PLANNING THE NEXT OUTTING. OH YES, THE SNOW IS GETTING A LITTLE THINNER UP HERE, ONLY ABOUT A FOOT LEFT ON THE GROUND. WE HIT SNOW, ON THE GROUND, AT THE GRAYLING AREA ON THE WAY BACK. I GUESS SPRING MAY GET UP HERE IN A FEW MORE WEEKS. TAKE CARE ALL.

SPRING WEATHER TOOK A BREAK

WELL, LUCKY TO STILL BE HERE AND NOT BLOWN INTO ONE OF THE GREAT LAKES! IT WAS ONE WINDY MORNING AND SOME SNOW TO BOOT. GOT BACK TO THE CABIN AROUND NOON TODAY AND EVERYTHING WAS STILL STANDING. AND TO MY SURPRISE, THE POWER WAS STILL ON.

ALL THE CRITTERS WERE WAITING FOR THEIR TREATS AND THE SWANS HAD A FRIEND OVER FOR A TREAT. IT WAS THE FIRST GOOSE OF THE SEASON. OF COURSE IT WAS A LITTLE SAD TO ME, THAT IT'S MATE WAS NOT WITH IT. MAYBE LATER.

OH YES, AFTER HELPING MAKE DONUTS LAST NIGHT, GUESS WHAT I HAD FOR BREAKFAST? DONUTS!

TOOK A NICE VIDEO OF THE DEER TODAY AS THEY TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WAS, BETWEEN BITES THAT IS. AND I DIDN'T GET THE SCUFFLE BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS OVER WHO GOT TO EAT FIRST. AND THE FIRST GROUP DIDN'T LEAVE MUCH FOR THE ONES WHO LOST. MAYBE NEXT TIME THEY WILL GET HERE SOONER. AFTER ALL DOESN'T THE EARLY DEER GET THE CORN?

WELL, BEST GET BACK TO RESTING UP FOR THE BIG WEEKEND THAT IS COMING FAST.

HILLBILLY TRIP TO TROLL'S DAY

HERE IT IS TUESDAY, MY MOST DREADED DAY OF THE WEEK. WAIT, IT IS THE ONLY DAY I DREAD. JUST WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP.

WOKE UP AND FED THE SWANS, HAD A GOOD GROUP TODAY. 7 TOTAL, 6 ON THE WATER AND ONE THAT KEPT FLYING OVERHEAD. HAD ALITTLE POWER FIGHT AMOUNG A COUPLE OF THEM. I DID GET SOME OF IT ON VIDEO, JUST FOR THE RECORD. THE DEER WERE COMING IN LAST NIGHT BY THE REC ROOM AND HITTING THE HILLBILLY BUFFET, HAD CLEANED OUT THE FRIDGE OF OLD VEGGIES. AND GUESS WHAT? THEY GET TO KISS THE COOK!! WAS NOT A BIT OF LEFTOVERS!

GETTING A DUSTING OF SNOW THIS MORNING, WELL IT HASN'T STOPPED YET SO I AM HOPING THAT IT IS JUST A DUSTING. MAYBE AN INCH SO FAR. GUESS THE WIND IS SUPPOSE TO KICK IN THIS AFTERNOON OR TONIGHT.

THE MINK AND OTTERS HAVEN'T SHOWN THEIR FACE IN SOME TIME. MAYBE THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR SPRING AND HAVING SOME OF THOSE CUTE LITTLE ONES.

HOPE ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY AND I MUST GET READY TO HIT THE ROAD, AND HOPELY NOT SLIDE OFF OF IT!

HILLBILLY HEAVEN AGAIN

AHHHH WHAT A DAY, HOMEMADE BISCUITS AND SAUSAGE GRAVY, FRIED SPUDS AND HOT COFFEE. ANOTHER GREAT START TO A NEW WEEK AND NOW IT WILL STAY LIGHT LONGER WITH DAYLIGHT SAVINGS KICKIN IN. HAD A LITTLE MELT OFF THE LAST COUPLE DAYS AND SOME SNOW COMING IN FOR TONIGHT.

MAKING PLANS TO HIT THE KITTY KORNER AREA, NEXT WEEKEND, TO SEE SOME GREAT HOCKEY AND THE GREATEST GRANDCHILDREN IN THE WORLD. OH YES, AND CHILDREN TOO!

NO BIG PLANS FOR TODAY, MADE THE BED, DID THE DISHES AND CLEANED A LITTLE. ALSO ANSWERED THE BIG AND LITTLE SWEETIE'S EMAILS. SURE GLAD THAT I DON'T HAVE THE DINGLE BERRY PROBLEM UP HERE WITH ALL MY CRITTERS!!

WELL, ENOUGH SITTING AROUND, HAVE TO GET DRESSED AND START MOVING THIS OLD BODY BEFORE IT GETS STUCK IN THE SETTING MODE. HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.