Ok. I got shut out on my first fishing trip of the spring. So much for bragging. I still had a great time on a beautiful day and gave up counting the tic's on me when I hit double figures. The old adage that if I see a beaver nearby I won't catch any trout and that is what happened. Can't even catch a break. I did catch a few chubs but no trout. Beavers protect their property with a huge tail and they sneak up and slap at me with that rubber like weapon which scares any man not prepared. The first time I thought jaws was chasing me. I worked my way through the wet marsh down stream and then up stream but it kept following me like the flu does. After about three hours of dedicated casting and rehooking worms I finally gave up. I lost my sunglasses again. Two pairs in a month. Not bad for me. I haven't been shut out in a long time but that is the way it goes with fishing. I won't always get what I want. I did get a partial ten second video of Beave Cleave harassing me but not enough to get him arrested and deported. Ha. I sat by the bank basking in the sun and thinking it doesn't get any better than this. I was back in my element. Just me and nature. Here, I'm safe. Life with people isn't going so good lately and I try to clear my head and not worry about things out  of my control. Hesitantly, I packed my gear and cruised the back roads past the potato farms and the open hay fields. I chase a wild turkey who asks me why I'm on his road and he wanders off not flying but running at quick pace. I stopped at my neighbors camp and we ended up eating brats, quaffing a few and discussing our lives over a campfire. Sonething about a campfire, eh? No marshmellows though. I got home late and went to bed exhausted. It was a grand time all around and...I'll get dem dere trout next time....

I'll be dog sitting for a week starting Tuesday night. The same dog I had last summer for a bit. Pixie. He's nineteen years old but still chases squirrels and he likes me because I give him biscuits and much attention. We'll take many walks while he is here. Pippen withdrawel; don't ya know. My friend is going on a camping trip to Isle Royal which is an Island inhabited only with wolves and Moose. A delicate balance. It is rugged but beautiful territory and I would love to be with him but a friend needs a favor and I need a buddy to talk to these days. I figure I will go on my own camping trip after he gets back and I'll go into the bad lands behind my property. I'm determined to stay away from people and their colds and flu like  coughing, sneezing diseases I don't need right now......

Yesterday, I had a very pregnant deer in the yard just wandering around. The fawns are due any day now and I think I'll be seeing this mom again. Probably one I fed all winter and she's just coming 'home' again. I've named her mama, go figure, and hope to spend a summer befriending her little one. It can be so much fun to see them grow. With luck, I could have one eating out of my hand. They haven't learned yet to be wary of strangers and it's a blessing and a curse. It's cranking up to be a great summer as I try to find my pace. Trying to find my way. And that's enough for now......

Easy.....

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I'm going trout fishing today. It will be a good day and unless I've lost my touch I'll catch my limit and they will hit the skillet tonight. I fry them in butter with salt and pepper to taste. I'll fry up some potato's with onions and brown them like my dad did many years ago at a Sunday morning breakfast when he would give mom a break.....It's hard to not think of my dad today too. Little brother Jimmie called me last night to say dad is failing. He'd spent another night in the emergency room and then sent him home with no resolution but more agony of getting old and feeling so poorly......

I travel light when I fish for brookies. Hooks, sinkers, Listerine, worms and a creel to carry the trout. I bring a spare pair of socks and pants in case I take a digger jumping from rock to rock. The water is only about three feet deep and even less in other spots. I'll bring the metal detector too. The shovel, reading glasses and coin book. Yup, I'm confident....

I cooked a venison roast last night. I'll make a dandy sandwich with what is left and I was hard pressed not eating it all before I went to bed. I hit the oreo's, a healthy type candy bar that was delicious and the last of the wavy chips that were actually crumpled chips in the corner of the bag. I need to put on some weight. I didn't like my bean pole look in Gracie's pics. It comes with the Leukemia turf but dang, my pants are too loose. Could cause a problem running from a critter....

The anticipation is as much fun as the fishing. My so called methodical preparation always leaves me forgetting something but that is ok. I forget stuff all the time. I think of all the times I've fished the little Michigan and I smile. This portion of the river is small compared to the rest. It's almost impossible to fish from shore because of the tag elders that tag you more then 'Red rover, Red rover, send little Gene over'. Pretty yellow wild Maigolds border the edges of the river and birds sing sweetly from the trees. A soft breezes blows in my face. I look up at the sun and rejoice in life and my fun living it. Now, I hop from rock to rock dropping my line peacefully into a swirl of water that I call a 'hole'. The brookie will tap on it quick if its down there. I wait for the right instant and jerk my pole. Got em'. It squirms in my hand and no net needed. A small one. Maybe seven or eight inches. Rainbow spots dot the sides of the fish. So colorful with an orange belly. That means it is a natural trout and not one planted. And no scales. It will be tasty and I gently place it in my creel where it bounces off my thigh. Oh yea, I love trout fishing. Can't catch two until I catch one.....

See, I've caught one and I haven't even left yet. I am good. Naw, I'm just Easy. What are you doing this weekend? Yea, you. Anything like my fishing expedition into your weekend? Whatever you do, do it well and do it with a smile. Make someone happy today who is sad. I'm a bit sad but I am going to be happy soon......

Easy.... 

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I've spent some time lately stumbling through the woods breaking off tree limbs with a crack, swatting at gnats that circle my head like planes above Midway and all to find my new spot to sit in the woods. To find my Shangri-La for 09. I will venture there most nights before dark to watch my critters, to relax or work out a problem I may be having in my life. It's there I think up my blogs. It's where I end one day and think of the one coming with the next dawn. All sitting in a portable chair scribbling into a small notepad on my lap slapping mosquito's. Sometimes, I won't do anything but listen. It is the sounds from Heaven and as soothing as a cool breeze on a hot day. The site I choose is as important as my command post here in my one room cabin on Island Lake and I go there not to get away from life but to embrace it on its simplest terms. At my spot no one will be mean to me, no one will blame me and no one will think any less of me for my faults. There will be no bad news, no computer, and no phone calls but I may answer if you call. I surely, thoroughly Thoreau it.....

My new spot is 50 feet away from Beaver Creek and up about 30 feet up on a mound looking down on the marshy area that borders the rippling water where the moss is the deepest green I've ever seen. Dead Pine or Birch trees have fallen or been knocked down by the wind and they lay to decay and become part of the land again. It is a dandy vantage point and I am quite happy with it. I will take nice pictures I can show to you. It might be my best spot so far....

A few days before I had set up my chair a few feet from Beaver Creek right up on the action thinking this might be my new spot. Every animal gets thirsty and this is where they come; one and all. To my left, I saw a well beaten trail the Mink or Otter use and to my right I see a larger trail that is for the deer or the.....err.....Black Bear. Yikes, I ask myself...self...Do I want to be this close to a thirsty Bear with cute, cuddly cubs? I have never carried a gun with me into the woods but I do have a large knife. After I'm forced to deftly slay a rogue Bear I can whittle that fact into a tree like Danial Boone....or was it Davy Crockett..... or Fess Parker. Point is, nothing scares me out here but I must think smart. Hello..... I packed up my stuff, turned around and looked up to a nice spot with a neat mound that would be like sitting in the balcony at the NY Met looking down on nature's best......

A mist covers the surface of Island Lake this morning. It' gloomy cool, raining and looks like I won't be taking off for town today. I feel worse than the Tigers getting rained out on a seven game winning streak. I'm chomping at the bit and so is blue. Life isn't fair some times and other times I get a phone call that is unexpected and pleasing. My feelings ebb and flo with events that have happened or haven't happened yet. I'm back home but I do miss what I despise at times. That other world. It is why I have my spot. To figure life out and be better for it....

Easy....

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(When they thought I was sleeping in the back seat they talked of the war like Jimmy had never talked to me and they spoke of death. They spoke of fear. And they spoke of the fun they had. I believe they cried. I know I did. It was eerie. Like I shouldn't be listening.)

 Ten hours after I'd left my cabin on the lake (try that in your state!) we arrived at Jim's home where I slept in a ratty camper in his back yard hoping the bugs that were here last year had died.They had but the wasps were friendly and climbing the canvas walls where I was hanging out with a rolled up Detroit Free Press sports section shagging stingers and reading about the first place Detroit Tigers. Yoo Hoo. My accommodations were a penthouse to me. I can make any negative a positive and I did. It rained a lot though and not having a gondola I was forced to take off my shoes and socks every time I wanted to say hi to my mom and dad. Then, my sister in law would hide my new tennies I'd just bought along with ten pairs of socks (four dry on any given day) and she doesn't like me much. I give her a wide berth. I sloshed my way through my first week in the land of the many cars and many people all in a hurry going somewhere. I set up a book signing at a country store on my next trip south and guarantee I may have wet feet but not cold feet.... 

At the VA the story wasn't about me. I'm feeling fine again. It's about the vets. When I meet a total stranger we shake hands and when we say goodbye we hug. Amazing. What a bond. God bless the soldiers who have died in harms way. God bless the ones who raised their right arm to serve. And to all the families whose sons and daughters are only a memory now. A visit to a graveyard with an American flags flapping in the breeze. Their memorial is their selfless courage. A snappy Marine Corps salute to every single brave soldier.....

Dad has an unusual bond with his great grand daughter Leslie who is almost three. She helps him take off his prosthesis, helps wash his leg and to generally keeps Dads spirit upbeat. It works. Were sitting in his bedroom; just the two of us. It smells of antiseptic and the table next to his bed is filled with pill bottles. Behind us a small TV is playing the Tigers game. Baseball has always been our buffer when I was disappointing him or him me. I know he doesn't have long now and so does he. I can hardly keep it together. Ya know? His eyes are watery, his face like expensive leather worn like weathered Levis. His black/grey hair is desheveled. His heart is strong and he pulls a notebook out of a drawer and hands it to me.....

(It's called 'Letters to Leslie'. He tells me that she is too young to remember him after he is gone and he has written his thoughts on their friendship and other stuff he wants off his chest. It is hard for me to read and a tear lands on the page. I feel sad but Ismile. What can I say to him? I struggle but never find the right words. But, I try, hoping nothing is left unsaid.)

On the Amtrak to Chicago. My parents and family left behind again and it's ironic I'm facing backwards in my seat. Like not wanting to let Mom and Dad go while I'm off to see Gracie, Pippen and Chicago. Double Woo Hoo. I'm nervous but elated. I relax knowing I'm going 'home' again; if only for a few days. I've had difficulty being her Friend instead of us being an item but I'm growing into it and Gracie is always the consummate host. She's waiting outside the station like clockwork and we hug the big hug we send to each other so often in an email....

On a beautiful sun shining day we visit the Navy Pier and it was a special day. We rode on a Ferris wheel which seemed taller than the Sears tower. I don't like heights and did squeal like a baby for a bit but then I was ok and took some great pictures. We played miniature golf and I snuck in a putt on the last hole to tie the putt hustler. Gracie had three holes in one telling me the whole time she wasn't very good. Right. I mean really.....Hello.......

I think it took about seven minutes after settling in at her home before I took Pippen on his first walk. He can get all four of his feet off the ground spinning around when I just mention, 'walk'. It was a tie as to who was the happiest. We picked up right where we had left off and he knew his way to the park and I gave him a long leash so he thought he was taking me for a walk. Lol....

The best part and a new tact for this smart Scottie is when he knows the walk is almost over and he would stop in his tracks and not move unless I prodded him. It was classic, 'prolong the talk' strategy and I wouldn't think any less of his zeal and the bond we have. I'll probably read 'Marley and Me' but the rest of the story is Pippen and I....

The time has gone and Gracie and I are sitting on a bench waiting for a train that is an hour late. I'm elated for the extra time. I want to say the right things but it is hard to say goodbye to such a special friend. I think the Navy Pier set me free. I relaxed and just enjoyed our adventure without being afraid to make a mistake or say the wrong thing. It felt really good. It was a grand time...

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 It was about this time ten years ago when I bought my ATV. Long before I started calling it 'blue' it was a Suzuki 250 Quad Runner. Kris went on record lamenting that it was a real bad idea considering I only see half of what is out there to see. Well, blue and I are still in one piece after 6,400 miles. I figure that is about 213 trips to Republic and back. Most in the rain. Lol. I've bought 6 new tires and I'm on my third helmet. The seat is torn and I need a new headlight, the choke is stuck, front brakes squek but besides that blue is better then ever. Just like me.....

A loophole in the law allows me to 'drive' blue because a license is not required. But, that is not the point. The point is I believe I can operate an ATV safely. If I didn't believe that I wouldn't be driving. Heck. I want to live too. I stay to the right of the road or trail and when I do need to turn I check ten times instead of once. My first mistake will be my last. I give myself an 'atta boy' for going on ten years without making a careless mistake. Having said that, I'm only as good as my next ride...

Being able to jump on blue and go changed my life. No longer was I in the passenger seat begging someone to take me to one more store. No longer was my thumb out praying for patience while hitchhiking. No longer would I take those 12 mile force marches to South Republic and the only store within 30 miles. I remember when Janet was here and she was telling me of how she watched me take off down the driveway with my first ride with blue in months and how happy I looked. I was happy and still am......

It's only right I go for a ride today. Sun is out. Chance of rain. And with colder weather coming it may be awhile before our next adventure. I'll bring the MD. Yea, that's the ticket. And mine is punched....with a smile. Later dude!

Easy..

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A Bald Eagle soars over Island lake on a regular basis and I wonder where his nest is. I'll find it but it may take time. No doubt at the top of one of our 50 foot Jack pines that dot the horizon out my window tonight. It's downright balmy and my face is burnt from sneaking out to do a bit of detecting at a 100 year old home. It's Annie Oakley's place and I found a Quarter, dime and a lucky penny. And she didn't shoot me. That's always a plus. It didn't matter. Easy is on the prowl again.....

 I woke up feeling better this morning and it is about time. The coffee tasted good, the early sun seemed brighter, the sky bluer and the smells fresh and sweet. Out my window the birds chirp familiar tunes and the crows are still angry and I'm not. I'm getting my game back and so are my beloved Tigers and together were on a mission to make this spring and summer the best of our lives ...

I do have an appointment down in Ann Arbor on the 12th and it will be a good time to check up on my Mom and Dad. Then, I'll spend some time with Janet on my way home via Chicago. I miss her, Pippen and the windy city. Hope to be back home in a couple of weeks at the most. And then it's time to dig in and do some work around my cabin on the lake. Work on my book. It's the second year in a row I've wasted a month and it's time to hit the ground running. Fighting the good fight. God is great and I broke down and prayed for myself this time. I usually figure he will take care of me but I was scared. Honest....

Feels great to be back. Missed you....

Easy....

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My fever has come back and I will be heading to Ann Arbor on Wednesday morning to see my primary care Doctor. I feel like I just have a bad case of the flu. They have already ruled out it being a flareup of my Leukiemia. So, I'm going to be gone again for awhile....

After they get me well again, I will be going to Janet's to rest before I head back home....

God bless all of you and I'll see you when I get back..

 Keep smiling, Gene

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It sure is nice to be appreciated. After reading the wonderful blogs by Janet (SavedByGrace), I felt a pulse on boomer like I've never seen before. Maybe this is what TC had in mind all along. You guys blew it off the charts. We ARE family. The comments and back comments were alive. It was like a family gathering on a Sunday afternoon and one was sick. How lovely....

I am humbled with a grin. I am a ham. God does answer prayers and I prayed non stop for days. On Tuesday my temp was 103 and I was in trouble. If I hit 104 I'd be in a bath tub of ice. Or worse. I shivered as ice packs were set on my fore head and neck and I was again in crisis. I've had so many in my life I gave up counting. I wondered if my angel was watching. I think God likes me. Or he thinks I'm more important here then up there. I said the Lords prayer 10 times and I felt fear inside me. It's a natural reaction knowing life is taking another turn again....

It's like PTSD and all those memories of last time came over me like a metal jacket. It chills my soul. I was in a hospital room again and looking at that industrial size bed meant the fight was on. The lousy pillows, the too thin blankets, pulling my IV's to the bathroom that was half the size of my cabin and getting it tangled with the plug-in chord, the vitals checking, the shots in the belly and the poking, probing and and sleep deprivation. I wanted so badly to never be there again. My cancer haunts me....

after moping, It was like a Marine Corps battle cry. Here I am and bring your A game. I'm ahead 1-0. Fight the good fight. And my mood changed. I did everything asked and smiled too. I complimented the nurses because they are unsung heroes and laughed with the cleaning lady and might have mentioned I am an author. What a surprise. I excel in this element of sickness because I have God to carry the load. I can't...

I'm talking to the Chaplin and he's telling me of his 45 year old son who died of cancer and I could see the emotion on his face and than he smiled. His son had smiled as he died and I want to be remembered for doing that too. Bill Wheeler was sent to talk to me and reinforced my spirit and my faith....

And than a funny thing happened. The medication took hold and I woke up Thursday and felt better. I ate solid food for the first time, my fever hovered around 100 and a cat scan came back a negative positive. This is after I ralfed on a gallon of vanilla barium. The nurses were most impressed. I drank all the juices even the grape and my motivation was like a wave on the ocean crashing down on the shore.  Don't show me the light at the end of the tunnel because if it was the size of the head of a needle I'd find a way through....

The rest is history and I'm back home. My arms are covered with bruises from blood given. I need about two days of sleep to get back into my area code. I need to unwind and relax and do nothing for a while. Except write. And here I am...

                                                  *********

I can't thank you enough. Your prayers were vital and sincere. I cried reading the comments knowing I am truly blessed to be in your company. Like I said at the top of this blog; It is nice to be appreciated. It's even nicer to be back with my friends again. I will get through the down days knowing you are with me through my trials....

Thank you from the bottom of my heart....

Easy....

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421 blogs. That is a lot since I joined Boomer back in August of 06. I have 86 friends who have supported me from day one with comments and messages. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. I love your comments to a fault...

  I think it is time I take some time off from Boomer. I'm not leaving for good. I will be back better than ever; whatever that is. It just seems like my blogs all run together and if they don't make sense to me anymore....well...I hope you understand....

This is not good bye. My email is geneplankey@gmail.com for anyone who wants to stay in touch. I am also Easy6747@yahoo.com to chat. I hope you will. You are my family too....

Now, I want to write the book of all books. The best seller...

I love all of you and God bless you on your journey and I'll see you down the road.....

I thank Tom for a venue to write....
..
Easy...

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