|
Viewing 73 - 81 out of 340 Blogs.
| Page:
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
I was going through some of the last boxes in the trailer the other day and I found my dads old VFW hat. He was commander of Lt. Edmond Gamble post 4626 in 66-67 and 68-69. Mom and him were very active members and did a lot of great charity work through the years. I bring this up because my brother Jim was telling me that dad has been wondering what happened to it. When I went to town this morning I dropped it into the mail so he could have it again. Seeing that hat got me to thinking.... I talked to dad this morning and he is upbeat but very weak and lamented how tough it is getting old. Isn't that the truth. I told him that many people were praying for him and he appreciated hearing that. I remember when he wore that hat back in 66 and I'll never forget the acceptance speech he made that night. You could say my dad isn't polished. I'd say he is down to earth. An honest man. He talked about hope during a time we were at war in Vietnam and after a few opening gitters it was like he was talking to you or me. About how the vets would need our help. I was impressed that night and he still impresses me now. He's a warrior.... Kris is coming to visit tomorrow afternoon and will be here for a couple of weeks. It will be good to see him and hopefully he can make me smile and get me back on my game. One thing he will do is keep me on my toes. The only problem is the road from the mailbox is one big pile of muck and snow. The only time he can drive it in is when the ground is frozen. Winter will just not give up. We can complain about it on our birthday's Friday; eating turkey and adding another wishbone to our collection...... Have a great week, eh? Easy....
My Dad is not doing well and probably will start chemo in the next week or so. Please keep him in your prayers...
Update (Sunday morning): Our family and the Dr.'s have decided that my dad will not be getting chemo. It would be too hard on him. Thx for all the prayers...
Easy....
When I was 10, I would shoots hoops at a makeshift basket my dad had hung to the garage behind our house. Back then Dave Debusschere was an All-American college basketball player at the University of Detroit and I wanted to be him. I also wanted to be Al Kaline in baseball, Gordie Howe in hockey, and Bobby Lane in football. I excelled in all sports back on Ferguson and Santa Maria on the northwest side of Detroit....
I had two close friends; Bobby and Kenny. Bobby's parents were from Denmark and Kenny's were orthodox Jews. Compared to my 'home grown' heritage their families were much different. I wasn't a social gadfly by any means. My feelings were hurt easily and I wasn't on the 'A' list at school until we hit the playground for lunch. Out there I ruled. I could run like the wind and forget my fears. It was a grand time to be a kid... I remember the hula hoop. So do you. What a sight it was to see a bunch of kids all rotating those hips and having fun too. They were cheap and they all ended up in the garage somewhere hanging from a nail. They were fun for awhile and someone got rich.... I remember the super ball that was hard as a rock and when I bounced it I feared it would hit the clouds. I would have had more fun with it if I could find the dang thing. It just never stopped rolling... I remember the dances at school when the boys would be on one side and the girls on the other. It was as stiff as an icicle hanging by the back door. My prowess on the playground didn't impress the girls much and I always wondered why. Now, I know that I couldn't carry over that confidence in the open field to the Friday night dance at Isaac Newton school. Sometimes I feel like I'm still in that line. What was your schools name?...... They were grand times, eh? Our parents were reaping the just reward of a good economy, a decent wage and a good life. It hurts me to see the kids of today trying to understand the pain of their parents who have trouble making ends meet in a lousy economy. I don't care who is to blame anymore. It is so far past that. We just have to get this country going again. The kids of today need those memories we had as kids.... I wanted to tell you today about how my dad and his posse would give me a hard time shooting hoops while they worked on another car in the garage. Grease was everywhere as were opinions by my dads friends. They would always have the beer in hand and a cig dangling from their mouth looking like James Dean. But, that will wait for another day... They meant no harm. They were good guys. I just wish I didn't have to wash my hands for an hour to get the grease off. Cars come with grease and oil. Out of bounds for me was the stack of tires off the garage. But, it was all good when we are a kid. Nothing much else matters besides what is for lunch and can I go play ball at the park? I pray the kids of today can worry about such mundane thoughts like the ones I write for you now.... Easy...
I saw my first Robin this morning and I must say his timing is most excellent. My chin is resting on my desk deep in the doldrums waiting for inspiration or any other signs of life. Too many hours and so much time indoors has left me wondering if it is worth it to stay here all winter. I can make a mountain out of a molehill. I can think others don't like me. And, I can spend too much time wondering why Chester walked with a limp.... I call it micromanaging life. I find it distasteful and irritating. I find myself talking too much with Burner who just shakes his head and says, "I'll wait til your done". He is a patient man and I am lucky to have him as a trusted friend. He knows me and my moods. He knows my weaknesses and he knows my faults. But, does he really like me? There I go again. See. Of course he does. lol.... Doubts arise in my mind because I am usually so easy going and happy that when I feel lousy I wonder why? Really wonder why. I think it is too easy to blame it on the Michigan winters. I think it is something deep inside me and maybe I'm trying to keep it there. Or maybe I just need a new pair of shoes that fight right. Lol... We have to be able to laugh, eh? I'm Mr. Laughsalot when I get nervous. I make others laugh to distract them or get me un-nervous. Or hide something about me? Some roll the ring on their finger. I use my razor whit. Than I relax.... I haven't figured out life yet. I'm too young. Ten years from now I will look back on the day I saw my first Robin of the spring and I will think, man, what were you thinking? Why are you so bummed? When we are alone it is the toughest. Most of you have a family member or a close friend close by. I envy you guys for being able to jump in a car and go visit. Got a problem? Pick a friend. It's harder living off the net for the most part. So impersonal. So deceiving and so many idiots out there we have a hard time telling who they are and what they are. I live that cyber life and it's been a long winter... Thank God I have boomer. This blog doesn't make much sense but to me I feel real good writing it. A catharsis I suspect. You are my family. You are my friends and when I am down I turn to you. I do it over and over until I feel better... I already feel better. Thanks for listening to nothing about nothing. Just me thinking... Love ya guys.... Easy....
Funny thing happened the other day. Burner and I were sitting in his wife's car by my mailbox and I was preparing to jump on Blue for the last half mile because the road was so mucky. He noticed tire tracks in the snow/mud and said someone had come out and I asked him why the car couldn't have been going in? Hmmmm. We are both good trackers but Burner is way better. He hypothesized that the car was going out because of the angle it went by Blue who was parked just off the road. I wasn't sure he was right but I sure did get a fantastic idea for the book I'm writing. A clue in catching the bad guy. Anyway, we argued a bit like we do and I said I would find out if that car had been coming in or going out. It took me only a couple of minutes on Blue looking for signs to know the car had been coming in. Got any idea's how I knew? Hang on til the end and I'll tell you....no peeking.... Why is it still snowing on my spring? Active51 size flakes. I've given it a good tug this last winter but come on, eh? Ok. I didn't write the great novel I thought I would. I have doubted my own sanity in the last couple weeks and if it isn't normal cabin fever I should seek help. Help!!!! What I need is one of those days when the sky is bluer than my eyes and I close them and gaze at the sun and feel the heat. The real heat. Tee shirt weather. Blue and me on the road again. Getting caught in a rain storm again. Oh my.... Island lake is still frozen and snow covered but the deer won't touch it. They know something and I won't walk on the ice either. I've been cutting up pieces of cloth to make covers for my boots to walk down the driveway without falling. I fell once already a few days ago and my shoulder hurts a bit but not like falling off a ladder hurts. I've given up on the road and now follow the deer trails to get my mail and my walk. I'm out of nicotine patches and under estimated their value but more are on the way and until then I walk. I did six miles yesterday and seven the day before. Cold, wind in the face walks. I'm walking to clean air and clear lungs. For me... Ok. I knew the car was coming in after I saw the tire tracks splash through a pool of water/ice. The splashes from the tires were shot towards my camp and not the other way. The car was coming in and Burner would pay thinking the opposite. They told me when I moved from the city back to the UP that it would be 20 years before I could call myself and outdoors man. That was 23 years ago. I have arrived..... God bless this Sunday. God bless all of you.... Easy.....
I've been gone for awhile trying to adjust to life without smoking. Yesterday was a real bad day for me but I didn't smoke and I passed my first real test. Not being able to jump in a car and head for the store helps too. Thx for all your support and as soon as I can figure out how to sit here and not want to smoke I will get back to blogging and my new book... Bought an almost new Metal Detector today and I can't wait for it to get here. And for the ground to melt.... Have a great weekend, eh? Easy....
I can't believe it. I have quit smoking!!!! I quit on the first day of spring. How apropo. After reading SavedByGrace's (Janet) "Quitting" blog, I decided it was time for me to quit too. She stuck her neck out so far she could pluck apples from the top of the tree but I respect her for wanting to quit and not afraid to tell us about it. I was with her just days before she quit and I knew she would make it. I just knew.... I needed a reason to quit. I couldn't do it for myself or I would have years ago. I couldn't do it for fear of cancer because I already have that. So, I did it for Gracie but not like you might think. I did it so when we meet again I also will be smoke free. Simple, eh? It has worked and I couldn't be happier. It is still a bit tough but already my lungs feel better and the tickle in my throat is gone. And, I figure I will save $100 a month which I will spend on a new metal detector for my 60th birthday next month. There ya go.... Now it is time for you to quit too. My son Kris has quit chewing tobacco because I have stopped smoking. He said he thought he would never see me not smoking ever. Neither did I. That's trhree of us now and I challenge you rethink your smoking addiction... I won't preach. I'm just proud to be smoke free. Dang proud... Easy...
Any yooper with any salt knows not to be lulled into thinking spring has arrived. May 12, 1990: 21 inches before noon. Yesterday, I took Blue to town/Blue took me and I slip slided over melting ice and avoided dirty brown snowbanks. My pants were wet up to my knee and I had to stop a couple times to clean off my new Foster Grants from Osco. Lol... When I entered to Grove for a morning coffee I heard, '''Where's Burner?" I said, "His fire went out" and the bartender sensed trouble in our friendship. Small towns love a rumor but I fessed up relying on Blue for a spring change.... Before heading home I filled up Blue with some fresh gas. How many of you can say you got through the winter on less then one tank of gas? Back home, I remember winter as the snow melts and I find things I lost, tossed or ignored. Like winter in reverse. The yard is full of hay the deer didn't get to and now don't want because it is wet. I take pride in knowing I have helped keep them alive this winter. I can hang my mad bomber cap on that. WE made it through another winter.... What will spring bring us this year? Spring is one big adventure. New life. New hopes and dreams. And the rekindling of old flames. My future is unlimited and only held back by my own lack of effort. Snugly warm in the nature of my life and afraid to step out and take on the unknown. I say this as the sun shines again this morning and I ponder life and how to live it. Winter was tough by any mans standards but I met it head on and found it to be a piece of cake. One I'd made from scratch with white icing to match the snow out the window of my place in a cabin on Island Lake..... Where do I go from here? Do I jump on my trusty ass and go and slay windmills? Or do I retreat back into the safeness of my domain? I have no clue what will happen this spring but I guarantee I won't be falling off any ladders. Whatever does happen I know it will be good. The expectations will lead to the unexpected and I am drawn into another adventure. I know this to be true. Too much life to live and too much left to love. I'm fired up and I'm leery of a false spring but it doesn't matter. All good things are worth waiting for...... one is today... Happy St. Patricks day.... Easy....
It was such a nice day Friday I decided to take a walk into the deep woods. Do some thinking. Relax and unwind. Take stock of my life as spring approaches. I've been torn inside for weeks and I suspect cabin fever and a Republic winter were taking it's toll on my physique. It happens every winter and this was a tough one indeed. Worst in ten years and even I was longing for company and a home in the burbs. A flush toilet, hot water, and a dog at my feet. Yup. it's not always easy.... The sun was high in the sky with the temps in the 30's. Oh man. Where ya been? The crust atop the snow enabled me to go without snowshoes but once in awhile I would cave through with snow to my knees. It always falls down into my socks. Dang. I had thoughts of sitting a bit in the plastic hunting blind I had left in the woods after hunting season. Did I tell you I am a bit lazy? But, like usual for me, I went off on a different tangent altogether.... Before I got to the blind I came upon one small pool of blood. It wasn't fresh; maybe a day or two old. I pay attention and read the signs I see. I'm proud of my talent as a tracker. Lots of coyote and maybe wolf tracks around and I find spots where the deer bed down to rest. I followed the blood trail... I was hoping I would hear the crows above fighting over a carcus but it was so quiet I could almost hear my heart beating. The chickadees are chirping no doubt happy about the warm weather, the squirrels are searching for their horde they'd hid and I was feeling good being in the woods again. Reborn. Recharged and reiterating my love of the outdoors... I lost the blood spots and then I'd find them again. An hour went by. I was concerned about getting lost because my memory is so bad at times I forget reference points. It's not a good thing when in the badlands. I rationalize this away saying I only have to follow my tracks back. Sure. That will work... Finally I come across the dead deer or should I say the bones of a dead deer. Blood covers the white ground and fur is everywhere. Almost a crime scene. I suspect it was a yearling; a first season deer. It is a small skull I will add to my collection and I hope you don't think this is morbid. The sight moves me and I pray for the deer like it is one of us. Did I tell you I am very sensitive? I'm loaded with compassion to a fault.... Out here it is a constant battle with others after your hide. I've figured that deer have four activities in their lives. They eat, they sleep, they procreate, and they are always on guard for their safety. I find it sad and wonder when deer are really happy.?Maybe it is when they run full blast on the ice to the Island. Busting loose. Are they like me when I was young and I would run like the wind just because I liked doing it? My trip is marred by my find even though I know it would be there.... Before I started home I grabbed a leg bone to bring back. Not as a souvenir but to find out how it died. I'll take a saw and cut into the bone to find the marrow. If the marrow is soft like jelly it died of malnutrition and if it is hard it died from a predator. I found that my deer had died from the latter. Probably jumped by a coyote. Late at night when I am in bed I hear the coyotes outside my bedroom window. It is collective yelping as they corner the deer. It can go on for minutes and then the night is silent again. I hear the refrigerator motor come on and the coyote are quiet. They are feasting on the kill. It's all a vicious circle out in the badlands. Never a moment of peace. It's sad in a way and I really hope that deer have those happy times too. Like the happy days I'm having again. I've got my groove back and here comes spring......
Happy Saturday!!!
Easy....
| Page:
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
