Happy Birthday and Happy Halloween!!

Happy Birthday to my little sister! You are very special to me and were since the day you were born. You were a chubby sweet baby. There is no one like you and you grew to be a very good woman. Enjoy your special day--I love you and treasure you. Today is also Halloween. It is a fun time of year for old and young alike. The weather is co-operating and it should be a good night for the kids to be out. I will miss seeing the grandkids dressed up but hope they will have some pictures on line of them. It is sunny and feels warm. Watch out for the kids and have a great evening.

Snowman

The Snowman is up for the winter. Jim and Kelly made him for us 3 years ago. I think he is a happy looking fellow. He is still not in the place of honor because of some final work we have to do in the back. He will soon be up front. I wonder how much snow he will gauge for us? I guess it won't be long and we will see what kind of winter we will have. Time to get supper going and have a good glass of wine by the fire at the end of a good day. Enjoy the night!

Trace

Good Morning! We got a trace of snow. I'm not disappointed at all--too early. The sky is dark with heavy clouds. The lake has a lazy roll and the wind is gently rocking the pines. We are planting some little pines today and I hope the sprig of a lilac that I got will grow. I'm tempted to keep it in the house for the winter but I know that all things have a time of rest so I will put it outside where it belongs and hope it will make it through the long winter. I'm putting out cracked corn for the little grouse and the other birds that feed off the ground. I saw a few of the pine groesbeck yesterday and the winter birds are starting to come in to the feeders. Have a good day!

Snowing

It has been snowing off and on all day. The ground is not froze so it isn't sticking. Sandy said Terrie and Ryan heard a pack of coyotes running something this early morning. It gives you goosebumps to hear the wild sounds--it is also exciting. My little fox has been coming around again like he did last year. Once in awhile, we see his mate. They don't hang around all summer but come the cold weather they are back. We might get up to 2 inches of snow tonight but until the morning you just don't know if it will come to pass. Mother Nature is hard to predict. Good night from us.

Anniversarys

Yesterday was Ben and Bridgets Anniversary. I was so busy that I forgot to wish them all the good things. I just have to say that the best years are to come. Today is Tracey and Jerrys first Anniversary and I wish them love and happiness and realize you all have a great part in what happens in your lives. Choose well! Love and best wishes from us!

Going Home

Greg and Mark are going back home today. It has been so nice to have them up here. The three brothers went to the falls yesterday and were a little disappointed that the brewery was closed. That seems to be a problem up here. Things aren't open all the time like the other side of the bridge. Times are tough and a lot of business is just hanging on. I hope the gas stays lower and we have a great year for snowmobiles. The guys bought some beef jerky from Genes store--very good stuff. They are always very pleasant when you go in so we make a point of buying something from them when we go by. The guys want to leave at about 10 so we will see if they make it. It is always hard to leave. Coffee is perking in the old pot and breakfast will be on the stove as soon as I hear feet hit the floor. Have a good day! Enjoy your life!

Winterized!

We met Mark and Greg at Marks place in St. Ignace and got his place ready for the winter. It is a very nice comfortable place. The original part of the cabin is around 40 some years old. It has a real nice stone fireplace and you can see part of the bridge span from the shore in front of the cabin. The wind was really blowing and it was cold. We had a lot of fun working together and Dennis really enjoyed being with his brothers. We got back here at about 9:30 and had a meal of steak and eggs. Mark wanted to treat us to a whitefish dinner and was disappointed that everything was closed. We sat and talked till way past midnight and then everyone crawled into bed. The guys are on the search for beef jerky tomarrow and a trip to the falls. They will probably have to go and have a beer at the brewry and one at the Yukon and the way home. Nice to see smiling faces around the table. Enjoy the coming day!

Ready!

We had a busy day today. We got the wood covered for winter, the septic run topped with more dirt so it won't freeze and we made 30 lbs of hamburger into patties for the freezer. We made 15lbs of it mixed with blue cheese. It makes an excellent burger. Sandy and Josh came over for awhile today. Sandy let me order some coffee for our single cup maker with her order and she got us a very good price. Dennis has to drink decaf now and he was very glad to see her come over with the order. Josh loves the tractor and he went from window to window watching it. Dennis asked if he wanted a ride and I think if his Dad would have been there he would have gone. Dennis brothers are coming tomarrow. Dennis is going to help them close up Marks place. He is very glad they will be here and I am glad to have a group to cook for. I miss the big meals the boys liked to eat--I miss all of them. It will be a good week-end. Good night from Camp Runamuck.

Anniversary

Today is our 42 anniversary. I am very happy to say that I have had a very good, hard working and loving partner all these years. We aren't perfect but love each other knowing the faults we have. Our biggest accomlishment is our kids who we love very much. I hope we can share more years as these are the ones that are not hurried, we are together and just enjoy the days. The leaves are down and the earth is getting ready for the winters nap. We are watching the ducks and birds gather for their flights out to warmer places. The bear has not been around so I guess he is getting sleepy and hanging around where he will den up. This means we will be sitting by the fire, watching the snow pile up and be glad we have each others company for another season. Have a good day this date has been a treasured one for me.

Snowfence

Yesterday, Dennis and I got the snow fence up. It is not so much to block the snow but to detour the few inconsiderate snowmobilers. We had them trying to go between the house and garage and tearing up the neighbors access to the beach. It is amazing how a few stupid people can ruin things for the many. We had just finished when we started to get pelleted with pea sized hail that looked liked little snowballs. The action of those pellets on the water and the rainbows they made were very pretty. It was a cooler night and the wood stove gave a comforting heat. Dennis brothers might be up this week-end and he is anxious to see them. They are coming up to close down Marks place in St. Ignace. Greg is going to come up to help. Today, we are finishing up in the garage---truck needs to be put in at night. We are hoping to get to the stores in Mackinac and St Ignace sometime next week. We want to go when Sandy has time--we enjoy her company. Have a good day and be good to yourself and others.

A ride

Yesterday, we went over to catch a ride with Sandy to the Soo. It is always an all day affair. We don't go often and it is fun to go to the stores, look for bargains and get done as much as we can in that trip. We want to go to St. Ignace and Mackinac City to scout out any buys there. It will be our turn to drive and it will be another fun day. The leaves are past peak but it is still very pretty. We went down Curly Louis Hwy. on the way back and it was like going down a golden corrider with breaks of dark green, deep reds, pale pinks and yellows. The steep hills were glowing and made you wish you could remember the beauty all around you. It is something you try to discribe but always fall short. Today is a day to work outside and get some things done before the real cold sets in. Dennis is working on getting the machines ready for winter storage and the snowblower ready for the long winters work. I have raking and planting my herbs out of their pots and into the ground so hopefully they will grow next year. I'm going to try to bring some in and I hope they will grow in the house. It is a dreary day so we are moving slow. A fire in the stove is a must to keep the dampness from stealing into the bones and joints. Have a good day!

Happy Anniversary and Birthday!

Today is Jackie and Jeffs anniversary. Jenna and Chris are celebrating one also. Nicholas is now 2 and Angie is ---we don't say after 21. Happy Anniversary and Birthday to all of you. You are much loved by your familys and are all very special just because you are you.

Red Wings Lost!

We watched the Red Wings game last night and I really thought they would win. It was a good game. Kate and Bill got here last night. They are here to close up for the winter. We will probably see them today. I heard from Norm last night---It was so good to hear his voice. I miss seeing him. I started a little fire in the stove this morning--37 degrees and the house felt a little damp. The fatwood we get from Plow and Hearth starts a fire with just two little sticks. I love the stuff. It looks like it is going to be a good day. We will be working outside--hurrah--I love to be out! The week-end is coming so I hope the men can get out hunting. Venison tastes great. We have so many downstate but the numbers are low here. To bad we can't transplant some of them. There have been more sightings of cougars all over the states. It would be a real thrill to see one but not to close and personal. When there is no place for the wild things it will be sad. They adapt to living around us---we just have to get people out of the mindset that they have to kill everything. Enjoy the day! It's starting like it or not.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Norm and Sandys anniversary. You are a good example of how two people working together can make a great life for themselves and their kids. You are a good team. Hope you can have a nice dinner together when Norm gets back from downstate.
We love you both and admire all your accomplishments on this road we all follow in life.

Home

We got back home at 10:30 last night. We were greeted by the sound of wind and rolling waves. The smell of the pines and the forest floor was in the air. We just got the truck and the trailer unloaded when the rain started. It was so relaxing to hear the sound of the rain on the metal roof and the wind and waves joining in to put us to sleep. The down comforter was warm and both of us drifted off to sleep. Today was a busy one--putting things away, going through the mail and then starting to work outside. A warm fire is burning and the end of another day is approaching. This would be perfect if all our kids and grandkids could be here to enjoy it with us. Good night from us.

Getting ready to go Home

We have been visiting for awhile and now we are packing up to go home. It is always nice to see everyone but I miss my bed and home. It is a different life than I had downstate but I treasure the days Dad and I have together. Dad says we are on the short end of the measuring stick now so these days are important. The grandkids are getting bigger and are so smart. I enjoy listening to them and hear about the things they are doing. My kids are so busy making a living and making sure their kids get from activity to activity. They have a very full day and will appreciate when things slow down for them as we do. They are in the best time of their lives---they will realize that later. By the way, Sarah had a birthday on the 3rd of Oct. and I posted it on the 2nd. I was not wanting to forget to post it. I was a day early and didn't notice till I hit the publish post button-----at least I didn't forget. Oh well, I know she will forgive my mistake. Have a good night!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

Today is my granddaughter Sarahs birthday. She is a smart, artistic and a very pretty young woman. She is a freshman in high school and had to start a new school this year. We love her very much and will watch her grow to be the good person and adult we know she will be. We love you Sarah! Have a great year.