Coyote

Saw my first coyote on the ice today. He was way out there and maybe by luck--I got the glasses focused in on him and he stopped and looked right at me like he knew I was watching. They can cover a lot of ground in very little time. It is snowing very fine sand-like flakes. The sky is hazey. It got down to 6 last night and I'm reading 10 now. I hear Detroit is having the 4th snowiest winter since they have been recording. We are finally getting the snows we expect up here but not the snowmobilers to help our business people. It is sad to see those beautiful trails and very few people enjoying them. Norm is setting up our computer. It takes time and we appreciate him doing it for us. Have a good morning!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday Sandy! You are a wonderful wife, mother and friend. We appreciate your generous heart and your loyal companionship. My brother is a lucky man to have found such a loving helpmate to go through life with. The sun is shining today and I hope it is a good year for you. You deserve it. Love from us.

Happy Birthday!

Today Ashley, Dennis brothers second grandaughter was born. Everyone is happy to greet her and join the family. A child is a precious gift. Welcome little one.

Working Outside

Dennis and his brothers were outside working on clearing the basement windows and the furnace exhaust. They got enough wood for the next couple of days and cleared the next woodpile.

They're Here!

Mom and the guys got here at 9 p.m. We had chili dogs and beer. Lots of laughter and good spirits rang through the house. It was a long ride for Mom but she made it. Good night from us--sleep tight and dreams good things!

Brothers and Mom

Dennis brothers and his Mom are on the way up. We are very happy. They should be here sometime after 7 tonight. They are having the Radar Time Trails this week-end so maybe the guys will go watch and Mom and I will cook and relax by the fire. It has been cloudy the last couple of days but no snow to speak of. We are supposed to go into the deep freeze this week-end so it's nice to have this 29 degree day . Ryan has the computer Mike got me up and running. Thanks, Ryan ! He is getting to be a computer whiz. Have to get a few things done. Enjoy the evening!

Beautiful Day

The sun was shining and the sky was blue. It seemed strange to not see it snowing. I called Sandy to help me with our Tai Chi class lesson. I am not getting it so I was very happy when she came over to help. I feel so clumbsy. She spent awhile giving me help. I guess I just have to keep practicing. Norm and Dennis worked outside. It was great having them over. She said she'd come back and help me learn. Thanks Sass!!! Have a good night!

The Sun !

It was a quiet day for us. The sun was shining and we are above zero--all is good. The boys were right. The video card needs to be replaced on Dennis laptop. He went on line with a Tech from Dell and he tried to fix it but came to the same conclusion as my guys at home--new video card. Dennis is calling Monday to see what the damage for that would be and if it is cost effective to fix it. We got some wood in for the night and will soon be starting a new wood pile. I'm so glad we have a lot of wood piled up as it has been very cold and we have been using a lot of it. I shudder to think what we would be spending on propane. The tractor is put away with the snowblower and we are settling in for the night. We both feel better after working outside. Have a good night and sweet dreams!

Above Zero!

We are above zero this morning. We were at -4 last night. The birds wake me up at daybreak. They demand seed on the deck so up I get and put some out for them.

The snow has been accumilating every day . We will have to push some back in order to keep moving the new stuff pretty soon. The wind has picked up making the temperatures dangerous. We did not see many snowmobilers in town yesterday. Hopefully they came in last night. The trails are excellant and not many on them. We need the business.

Still Cold

We are still in the frigid temperatures and snow is falling.

What will tomarrow bring! MORE SNOW! We will see.

Artic Weather

Good Morning from us! It is another day of cold temperatures. We are reading a notch short of -11. The birds are flocking in and are all fluffed up. We got some new snow over night but no tracks--animals must be hunkering down. My little grouse made herself a hole under the birdfeeder. You couldn't see her till she stuck out her head to get some seeds that fell from the feeder. Smart girl! We are expecting another frigid night and some snow--maybe up to 6-8 inches. I guess we will have to see what tomarrow brings. We have to restock our wood in the house and have a few outside chores. I think our seats by the stove will be used a good part of the day. Stay warm! Today is the last day the locks are opened until some time in March. We will miss those ships on the lake.

Tia Chi

Sandy and I went for my 2nd class. I feel so stiff and un-coordinated. It is a beautiful art and I hope to at least master a little part of it. The instructer is very nice and trys to get me to relax but it is very hard for me. It is a free flowing and graceful thing but when you are tense you mess it all up. Sandy will help me and I hope to relax and get the benifets from it. I am so glad Sandy got me to go because I think it will help me alot. It is still very cold and we are getting a light snow. The degative degrees are in our future for tonight. I will be practicing and trying to learn the lesson for the week. Hope relaxation and grace are in my future. Good night from us! I hope you all can find that place of peace and quiet in your busy lives.

BRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Daybreak brought us -12.5 degrees. Nothing was moving last night. No new tracks. Everything was holed up and trying to stay warm. The little birds are all puffed up and swarming in for suet and sunflower seeds. It is supposed to be colder tonight-global warming--ya sure. Sandy and I have our class this afternoon in Newberry. We are happy it is in the early afternoon and not in the evening. We got about another 2 inches of fluffy snow overnight. Hope the guys had a good time at the concert! Joe was looking forward to going. Ryan came down from Paradise to go. Have a good day! Stay warm!

Adding up

We got about 6 more inches of snow between yesterday and this morning. It is beautiful out there. It is 3 degrees and not supposed to get much warmer. I want to make sure the feeders are full and suet is handy for my birds. I also get food on the ground for my squirrels and grouse. It is surprising how many little birds like to ground feed. They will be flocking in to fill their bellys to stay warm. How they can keep those tiny, little hairless and featherless legs from freezing is a wonder. The Soo Locks will close in a couple of days till the spring. I miss the ships out on the lake and this year due to the terrible economy there were way fewer than normal. Everyone is taking a hit. I wish the new President well. I didn't vote for him but hope he can pull a rabbit out of a bag and get us moving to the positive again. Enjoy the day! Snow shovel and snowblower here we come!

More Snow

Norm, Sandy, Terrie and the kids came over for a fish and shrimp dinner last night. We had some chicken for the kids and Sandy brought over some delicious potatoes and mixed berry muffins. We had a nice time and the kids missed Kyle and Pierce--they couldn't believe they were not here. We got about 2 inches of snow overnight and they say by late tonight it should amount to 6 more inches on the ground. The temperatures are going to drop like a rock and -0 and lower are going to be our fate. The wood stove is burning and I think we will be spending more time in the house until it gets a little warmer--at least zero! We are geting ready to make a trip to the Soo--it should be beautiful down Curly Lewis highway. Have a good day! It is our choice to see the cup half full or just half empty. I choose half full!!!!

Winter Lunch

Foxy

PICTURES

Deep Freeze

It was 5 degrees this morning. I finally saw one of the Pine Grosbeaks. I had flocks of them last winter and today I just had one. I have used half the seed I did last year and even the suet is going slowly. I am letting my camera set for about 5 days and then will check for pictures. I am anxious to see a animal on it but will have to be patient. Sandy and I went for our Tai Chi class yesterday. I really enjoyed it. Sandy is a class ahead of me but that is good since she can help me do it right. My sense of balance needs a lot to be desired. I will practice and I am sure to improve. I think it will help me relax and be more flexable. We are going to Norm and Sandys for a turkey dinner tonight. Jackie will be going back home some time this week-end. She will be missed but I know Jeff needs them back home--he misses them more. He had classes starting and could not come. Everyone is so busy and there is not enough time for everything. Have a great day!

No luck

We have not captured any fox on our camera. It is disappointing but the pictures of the birds and Dennis and I are great. We will try another area today. I guess it just takes time. It is 5 degrees and two ships are out front. There may be more but that's all I see. They are full of lights and very pretty to see out there. I think there is only 10 days till they stop for the winter. I want to get over to see Jackie and the kids today. The little ones grow so fast. They are both so cute. Terries boys are always right there to tell me about the things they have done. They make the visit very enjoyable. Have a good day and I hope I can post some pictures soon.

Two again

Pierce and Kyle went home today. Alida and Joe met us in Gaylord. It is so quiet. The kids were all good and Dennis and I really enjoy them. The grandkids remind us of all the happy times we had with ours. They were all great kids and gave us no sorrow. The roads were good till we got near Gaylord and then black ice was sneaking up on the cars on the road. We saw one roll over but the car held up well and alot of people stopped to lend a hand. I called to Norms house so they could alert Jackie who was in her way up with her two little ones. I'm anxiously waiting to hear she is safely here. We are baack again--just the two of us--

Happy New Year!!

Norm, Sandy, Terrie, Ryan and kids came over to help us bring in the New Year. We had a very nice time and watched a Twilight Zone marathon. The kids played downstairs and Kyle was very happy to see them. Pierce stayed upstairs with us--the kids are alot younger than him so he enjoyed our company. We have had a lot to be thankful for this year. I am hoping for a good year for us all in 2009. Health is at the top of the list and then enough money to live. Things are not as imporant. Love each other. Try to say a kind word and give encouragement to those around us. Those things go a long way to make life worth living. Have a great year! Best wishes from us at Camp Runamuck.