kmesh36w

"Boss Oysters" for lunch

2012-02-16T18:41:00.000-06:00

This afternoon Wendy and I had lunch at Boss Oysters where Wendy ordered the grilled chicken breast with red beans. Go figure. I had a dozen raw on the half shell then had the local blue crab. Mighty fine fiddles if I say so my self! The follow video may, err, does sound really bad! You may want to turn down your computers sound to start with. The poor sound quality is due to the heavens opening up with large amounts of rain and Boss Oysters with a metal roof the results can be heard.

Proof of "Obama's rescission" washes up on shore.

2012-02-11T16:30:00.000-06:00

I was told that the proof of how bad "Obama's recession" really is, is in the fact that even the sand dollars are getting smaller!

Oysters on the half shell.

2012-02-10T07:13:00.000-06:00

Brother SJE is correct when noting that Oysters are meant to be eaten raw. I must admit my first Oyster was in New Orleans at Mardi Gras when I was 19. It was full of salt water and not very good. Seance then I have had them covered in a number of toppings and have enjoyed them. Yesterday Wendy and I had lunch a Caroline's in Apalachicola. Wendy ordered the Ruben sandwich and I started with a half dozen huge, raw, on the half shell. V

VERRY GOOD!

A little Tabasco and cocktail sauce and I did not realize what I had been missing all these years! Apalachicola Oysters have to be the prime rib of the oyster world.

Wendy was only happy because there was way less fat involved in the portions I was eating.

I did offer Wendy an Oyster. The expression on her face says it all!

Papa Joe's!

2012-02-06T16:42:00.000-06:00

Today,Wendy and Kurt went to Papa Joe's so Wendy could get her oyster fix.

NOT!!

Don't let the picture fool you.
"I'ts a textural issue", Wendy says as she cringes and swears never, ever, to let an oyster touch her lips!

Kurt got a start on his oyster fix though!! OOOOH the OYSTERS!!! He has picked out the next 4-5 orders, yes that would be by the dozen and he can not wait until the next time they go to Papa Joe's!

Big Bird errr Snow Birds

2012-02-04T18:29:00.000-06:00

On our travels the day before my 60th birthday there were several “Rest Area” stops so as to ease Wendy’s fears that the dogs would not explode we visited them with quite a frequency. During the first stop as I looked around I thought something was a bit out of place but was not able to figure it out. Then the second Rest Area came and I started to see some of the same cars/travelers. Then it dawned on me. There were no children to be seen or heard for as far as I could see. The average age of the couples, lots of couples, was 65-70 I would guess. This was a new experience for me that is being at a Rest Area and not seeing kids running around. I guess that Wendy are officially part of the flock considered Snow Birds. helllllp

SGI .... GOOD Morning!

2012-02-03T07:11:00.000-06:00

Moving day for the most part, gets by me .. or January 18, 2012, a day that shall live in infamy.

2012-01-19T14:51:00.000-06:00

I was on my way to Stewart Ave via bay-pass 20 to pick up Tiffani and give her a ride to school when I was a bit surprised to see or more precisely, not see, what remained of 568 Elm Grove Dr. I picked up Tiffani and explained to her that I had thought I felt a little something off in my world the last couple of days but was unable to put my finger on what it might be until my drive over to pick her up. I went on to say that we would take a different route to ECC today so I could show her what I saw. She is very intuitive and quickly questioned if my old home was being tore down. I smiled and said we shall see.

A quote by- Letty Cottin Pogrebin

“The family endures because it offers the truth of mortality and immortality within the same group. The family endures because, better than the commune, kibbutz, or classroom, it seems to individualize and socialize its children, to make us feel at the same time unique and yet joined to all humanity, accepted as is and yet challenged to grow, loved unconditionally and yet propelled by greater expectations. Only in the family can so many extremes be reconciled and synthesized. Only in the family do we have a lifetime in which to do it.”

Anatolea Boehm Scaletta, Baptism

2012-01-17T15:48:00.001-06:00

On Sunday morning we witnessed the baptism of Anatolea, aka "Tonee" Scaletta. Following the blessing we enjoyed breafkist at the local VFW.

Tis the season

2011-12-12T15:40:00.000-06:00

Wendy, Sue and Holly spent the better part of the day setting up the Lull's "Dreh Trum" (turning tower) Christmas tree. The sisters have a good time talking and reminiscing
and talking . Oh did I mention talking.

As promised ....

2011-12-09T23:03:00.000-06:00

Cookie day group picture!

COOKIE DAY AT KRISTINA'S

2011-11-27T17:35:00.000-06:00

The 60th annual cookie day was, as always, a complete success! A small sampling of cookies are shown here in the basement with as much if not more out of frame. The stash is being guarded by Heather Riley's father Jim, from sneaky, sticky fingered, bug eyed kids. Group picture to come in future post.

Pic's courtesy of Becca.

As Good as Gold Summer News Letter

2011-10-20T10:15:00.000-05:00

Click here to see the 20011 summer news letter from As Good as Gold. No mention of "Eshel Bucks" but we do know the members (both two and four legged) that were profiled in this issue.

Join us on a pictorial walk

2011-10-13T20:12:00.000-05:00

and then the camera battery died... to be continued.

Cody, & Tianna (Tia) Scaletta - Birthday News

2011-09-13T16:39:00.003-05:00

Monday, September 12, 2011 at 1:05 p.m., Sherman Hospital, Elgin IL,
Anatolea Contessa Scaletta weighing 8 lbs 8oz and 22" long came into this world.

Mom, Dad and Anatolea all doing well.

Grandmother (Yikes!!) Kristina, Tiff and Echo all excited!

Great-Grandmother (Yikes!!! and OMG) and Great-Great Aunts, Holly and Sue, all excited also!

Great-Grandfather Kurt, needs a stiff drink or two.

Houston, we have the Rhubarb plant!

2011-09-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

The rhubarb plant that has called 568 home for over 55 years has landed, er has been dug up and transplanted at 36W555 in hopes that future generations can enjoy the lip smacking pies that as a child I remember so well.

I thought it would be an easy hist, so, as Scaredstiff, (names have been changed to protect the not so innocent) my trusty lookout, along with our two four legged friends waited in the car with the engine running just in case a haste retreat was called for. I picked up the shovel and held it close to my side so as not to draw any attention. As I neared the back yard I heard a yell "KURT, you forgot the container." It has my trusty lookout Scaredstiff, helping me in not drawing any attention to us.

As I slipped into the back yard,with the shovel over my shoulder and container under my arm, I cautiously checked out the back yard to insure I was alone. The over growth along the fence bordering the bypass and electrical substation enclosed the backyard almost to the point of complete privacy. I was indeed alone but had this funny feeling that at any moment some one would come out of the house yelling... "MOM, Kurt's digging up the rhubarb plant. I'm going to tell Daaad"

After sizing up the plant I set the shovel into the dirt and stepped down hard. I hit what I thought was concrete. Adjusting the shovel, and another hard step I was, I thought, successful. I bore down on the shovel handle in hopes of bringing up the root ball. I heard wood cracking and popping and felt that at any moment I would be off with the bounty. The cracking and popping I heard was from the shovel handle giving way under the massive root system the rhubarb plant had developed over the years. It was like digging up a small tree. After considering getting a backhoe to finish the job I managed to get the plant into the container and make a clean getaway.

While the plant had set it's roots firmly into the ground at 568, I trust /hope it will flourish as we all have when we all set out on our different journeys leaving 568 in our memories.

Elmo, a.k.a. Echo & Kookla, a.k.a. Kayla - Invade North Woods

2011-08-27T17:12:00.000-05:00

Scott, Ann, Ema, Aramis and we cant forget Loona, were kind enough to extend an invitation to me, Echo and her friend Kayla for a Rhinelander week end visit.

Ann did a wonderful job showing the girls the sights while I soaked in the north woods fresh air, beautiful marsh scenery and wildlife.

The weather was perfect! A little breezy fishing on the marsh Saturday but we all had a good time. Echo hauled in the only fish.

Echo and Kayla feed the ducks.

Thanks Scott and Ann for the fun, food, laughs and great time!

WARNING: The following pics may be to upsetting to view! But view you must.

2011-08-12T11:42:00.000-05:00

The other day on a lark, I decided to drive by the old homestead at 568 Elm Grove Dr.

Much to my surprise I find that it is in a state or disrepair and all boarded up. I thought for a moment that the present owners had had a fire but upon further investigation I find that the State of Illinois, department of Transportation, now owns the property!

It was purchased by the State and I'm sad to report that in September or November 2011 it will be torn down in order to accommodate the U.S 20 bypass /South McLean Blvd. improvements.

My attempts to gain access to the house one last time have been rebuffed by bureaucratic "safety" fears.

I have not given up just yet. Will work on the contractor the day of demo and slip the equipment operator a saw buck and see what happens.

Much to my surprise, delight, I found the rhubarb plant in the exact spot where it was planted some 60 years ago. By hook or crook, it will be transplanted to its new home on Erie street.

As Good as Gold News Letter

2011-07-04T11:43:00.000-05:00

Good "sucess story" at end of news letter. Click here.

Have a happy, safe 4th!

Softball..hospital..and weiners

2011-07-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

Summer is in full swing for Echo. She is playing fast pitch softball for the first time and just finished a week at Camp Edwards then came home to play in a softball tournament where her team, Lightnings, came in second place. She played left, center, and right fields, and second base. While this was her first year she did see her share of the bench which might have dampened her spirits regarding a return to softball next summer. Her good friend, Kayla, and her coach / father (for a different team) said that they will work on her "she is a natural ball player".

Tiffani and boy friend Sean, families and friends, had a big scare when Sean was admitted to the hospital and placed into a four day medically induced coma after his Asthma became so severe that the coma and ventilation was the only thing that could be done to save him. He has since recovered and has been discharged along with adjustments to his medication.

Cody is working hard. I understand he has one full time job and a part time job though they do not pay any benefits and are for a defined short period of time. After being turned down by the U.S Coastguard and the Navy, Cody is turning his efforts towards a stint in the Army. He said that his recruiter is setting him up with service in the small vehicle maintenance squadron. No schedule on physical yet. Cody has moved in with his girl friend Tia and they are expecting a girl in September.

Kristina is taking the summer off of school bus driving though she is keeping busy with graduation parties and painting rooms at the house. Jeff, her live in, is looking to change his carrier field. He was a union trim installer until the housing market went belly up. Jeff has been working side jobs here and there while looking for something more stable. He is interviewing for a maintenance job at the gambling boat.

Pic's from a recent visit to Scott and Ann's.

Pic's from walk / run with Mya and Payton.

and finally... a Weiner sighting!!! Click on the last pic and zoom in on the drivers side door mirror.

Tiffani at Graduation

2011-06-08T17:33:00.000-05:00

With a 4.6 grade point average, Tiffani graduated from Dundee Crown High school.

We could not be more proud of her accomplishment!

Oh My God! Do they grow up FAST!!!

Tiff and her high school sweetheart, Sean plan on attending ECC this fall semester, studying for nursing degree's.

Prom night for Tiffani and Sean

2011-05-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

First on the itinerary, a buss ride to the Hotel were there will be dinner and dancing. Then back on the buss to Navy Pier for an evening boat ride viewing the Chicago sky line along with snacks and more dancing. Around 3 p.m. the night was winding down and the plan was to go for brefkiest at Denney's but on the buss ride back to school everyone fell asleep and when the buss pulled they decided to called it a night and went home, all safe and sound.

Will the improvement increase the value of this home ..... NOT

2011-04-23T23:04:00.000-05:00

Growing up at 568 Elm Grove Dr, the closest house in Elgin too U.S 20 by-pass, you may remember, how could one forget, the smell of diesel fumes, the drown of tires on concrete, the roar of the motorcycles, the semis the occasional drag race, the list goes on and on.

Brother Scott had come upon an article a few months back and shared it with us. Seams the State of Illinois is going to put $50 mil into an upgrade of the U.S 20 overpass and N. McLean Blvd. entrance and exit ramps. During the afternoon rush hour the traffic exiting onto McLean backs up well East of the house.

Engineering takes place 2011, with construction to start 2012 and last for two -three years. The State has all ready purchased business in the area in anticipation of this project.

I share this info with you because if you thought that the by-pass could not get any closer to the old homestead, think again.

The picture here, (look closely, you may have to zoom in) shows an engineering stake that I believe represents the new location of the northern edge of the realigned exit ramp to McLean Blvd.

You know, there may be a business opportunity here. When the by-pass was constructed I remember dragging pop up and down the construction site selling it to the workers. With the realigned off ramp, maybe a drive by window in Mom and Dads old bed room, what do you think?

More construction photos as progress (?) goes on.

Words of wisdom from brother Scott

2011-04-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

Pic's from Mya and Payton's morning run / walk

2011-02-28T18:58:00.000-06:00

Wanted to share this with you...I got a real hoot out of it!

2011-01-27T10:19:00.000-06:00

Major Richard "Dick" Winters

2011-01-13T17:26:00.000-06:00

I followed Majors Winters story as told thought the HBO’s series Band of Brothers, and came away with a profound since of gratitude and admiration for all soldiers who fought and died in War.
As a kid not yet understanding the sacrifice of war, I enjoyed watching a lot of war movies and T.V. series which for the times did its best but I now realize fell woefully short in bring the true horror of war to the screen.
Reenacted war productions today along with interviews from the surviving solders of the 101st Airborne Division’s Easy Company, brings realism to the screen that can not be denied.
Clint Eastwood’s “The Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima” also bring both a human and inhumane truth of war too the screen.
An article from the associated Press states, “Winters talked about his view of leadership for an August 2004 article in American History Magazine:”
“If you can” he wrote “find that peace within yourself, that peace and quiet and confidence that you can pass on to others, so that they know you are honest and you are fair and will help them no matter what, when the chips are down”

You can read the complete Associated Press story on Major Richard Winters here.

Paytons father Rudy, a.k.a. Buddy.

2011-01-05T17:37:00.001-06:00

Success Stories from As Good as Gold -

Our family decided to find a playmate for our four year-old golden, Roxy. We contacted AGaG and were introduced to Buddy, a six year old golden who was rescued from a puppy mill in Iowa. He was used as a stud dog, kept in a cage for most of his life, sick and needed dental work. AGaG and his foster family nursed him back to health and six months after he was rescued, we brought him home and renamed him Rudy.

Rudy and Roxy are now best friends. Rudy has learned how to play with squeaky toys and run around the yard. He loves to eat as much as he can, enjoys daily walks with Roxy and cuddling. Rudy has been a terrific addition to our family, and we are lucky to have found him. Thank you, AGaG!

A first for me ...

2011-01-02T13:21:00.000-06:00

At the end of last week, before the snow melt, we awoke to this pretty sight across from the house. It was very still out and just below freezing. I told myself that I must take my camera along on our morning run. I forgot the camera but was not disappointed at the calm beauty that was found in theforest preserve.

I did see, for the first time, a sight that had me puzzled at first. A bird with a red breast that looked familiar yet out of place for this time of year. I was about ten yards from the bird and as I squinted my eyes two, more red breasted birds joined the other and then I realized what I was seeing. Here I am with out my camera and three male Robins feeding on seeds from a bush, a site that I can never recall seeing in late December. With the frost covered, sun filled woods, a missed picture indeed.

Ron Santo article in Daily Herald - a must read for all.

2010-12-25T20:47:00.000-06:00

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101224/sports/712259923/

A German Christmas Tree

2010-12-09T21:51:00.001-06:00

A Zeisig, Metzger, Lull family tradition for over 75 – 80 years is carried on with the Lull / Eshelman family Christmas.

Some of you might be familiar with the traditional German Christmas tree that Bill and Connie have been putting up since 1973. The tree has been in Connie’s family for over 75 years, over 150 years dating back to Saxony, Germany.

Since Bills passing, the weekend after “cookie day” the son-in-laws put up the tree and the girls, making a day of it with their mother, decorating the “pyramid” tree. With Connie’s passing her daughters decided that since Christmas Day was spent at our home with family that the tradition should continue on Erie Street.

Connie’s grand father, Emil Zeisig, had the idea to build a “pyramid” Christmas tree which his grandfather and great grandfather had made 75 years earlier in Germany. Emil had missed this tradition while living in America and with the help of Connie’s father, Gabriel Metzger the three tear (“Dreh Turm”, turning tower) Christmas tree was built.

The tree was originally built with hand made card board fins. The fins were attached to a wooden broom stick handle and used to deflect the heat from burning candles thus turning the three centered tables The bottom of the broom stick had a needle in it that rested on a piece of glass that carries the weight of the tables and their displays. Emil hand carved the picket fence from cigar boxes.

Over the years the tree has seen some improvements. The broom stick handle has been replaced with a metal pole. The fins replaced with metal frames and aluminum foil. The picked fence remains as built.
With the tree balanced properly, the warmth from the sun light coming in through the windows (large picture windows at 756 Stewart Ave) and rising to the ceiling would deflect off the pyramids fins and slowly turn the tables. Candles are lit on occasion and under strict supervision.

Old Oak Tree with something to say ...

2010-10-11T12:35:00.000-05:00

Two homes - twice the work - welcome to my world...

2010-09-25T20:17:00.000-05:00

I must apologize to all for not writing anything for some time. Wendy and I have been busy with projects at both houses. After Connie’s passing the girls have been going over once a week for several hours going through their parents belongings. Every time they turn around they find something that has a story. There are lots of stories in this old house, and some tears that go along with them. After which there is swimming at Holly’s. Bill and his father in-law built the house in 1949, starting with the basement and living in the basement until 1952. Wendy was told that the house was latterly built around her while she was in a crib.

It is Connie’s wish that the three daughters serve as exactors and that they “share and share alike”. Things are going along Ok. Items of mutual interest are decided by drawing names from a hat.

Wendy and I first thought that the value of the house would prohibit us from buying out Sue and Holly. After talking to a couple realtors and being shocked as to how much I was off (high) in my estimate of its value, the girls worked out a sale price and as it turns out we are able to buy the sisters out. It had been Connie and Bills hope for some time to somehow take care of their daughters and Grandchildren but did not know how to do this at the same time being fair to all. As you may know we spoke to Kristina who has been living with her boyfriend and his parents for several years. Kris and the kids are very excited about moving out and into her grandparent’s home.

I have been doing a couple upgrades that were in need of maintenance. A new roof and furnace installed by contractors, and insulation in the attic (Cody, Matt and I) will go a long way in keeping down the electric and heating bills.

Among several interesting finds in the house I ran across this promotional yard stick. I can not help but wonder what PR person thought this one up?

St. Mary's Church in Elgin

2010-07-15T20:17:00.001-05:00

While Marc and Linda were visiting over the 4th of July weekend Wendy and I took them on a tour of Elgin. The stained glass windows /Church at St. Mary's Church are beautiful! We were allowed to visit a few hours before a wedding. The church was decked out. Left click on any picture to in large / save.

Kristina's little boy Cody graduates !!

2010-06-13T16:04:00.001-05:00

Chas Eshelman

2010-05-20T22:40:00.002-05:00

A friend of Matthew’s, Chris, who works on the Professional building (still the tallest building in Elgin) maintenance staff in down town Elgin, was going through some old papers and ran across this picture of “Chas Eshelman” and wondered if he was any relation to Matthew. Dad confirms that indeed it is Glenn Eshelman’s oldest brother Charles. Mustaches must have been a requirement for postal carriers back then.

Pictures for your pleasure.

2010-04-17T19:44:00.000-05:00

While walking through the forest preserve the other day I found these Daisies (?)

and this swamp creature!

I just can't help myself..

2010-04-07T20:21:00.000-05:00

While working on a video to DVD transfer I found Scott at his prime and had to share.

Cody and Echo showing off their stuff!

2010-04-06T21:32:00.000-05:00

Cody happy to have his driver’s license!

Mom felt it best for Cody to wait until his senior year to get his license and he is one happy camper that that day has come!!

Echo shows off four medals she won at the District swim meet in February. You may recall she qualified for the state meet and will be awarded medals some time in the next week or so.

A riddle for you today….

2010-03-14T17:46:00.000-05:00

What channel surfs, weights 67 lbs and helps to pay for retirement?

Before

After

He looks GUILTY!

and the $115 vet bill does help to pay towards the Vets retirement plan!!

Yes both Payton and Wendy are OK! We have taken steps too Payton proof the house, so we think.

Payton's Great Adventure continues.

2010-03-09T17:53:00.000-06:00

Wendy and I are happy to report that Payton is doing great. After dealing with a sensitive digestive track we now have him on a low fat diet and that has turn things around for the time being. The energy that both Mya and Payton have is keeping Wendy and me on our toes errr feet. We have enlisted Payton in an obedience class at Spot on K9s. This type of training is recommended and required of dogs adopted from the Good as Gold Golden Retriever organization. The training is based on the philosophy of Positive Reinforcement and uses a “clicker” and small food rewards for good behavior in training. I had heard of using a “clicker” but was unsure of any success using it. I’m a believer now. After three, one hour sessions, and homework, Payton is doing great.

He / we have more work ahead of us but things are coming along fine.

Mya and I continue our visits to the Greens of Elgin, Rosewood Nursing Home and St. Joseph Hospital.

Hang on Scott and Ann, they are on their way…. Birds that is.

2010-03-09T16:54:00.000-06:00

Wendy and I look forward to the time of the year /winter when we can record our first sighting of the returning Robins and Red Wing Blackbirds. We feel that winter must be on the down hill slide with the migrations of the local and not so local birds. Monday morning was that day we saw a few and today on our Payton 7 Mya walk saw bunches of Black birds. While out cleaning up the yard today I heard and saw Cranes flying low. It was a fogy day today. Sandhill Cranes I believe. Over the next month or so the sky will be full or them. You most likely will hear them before you see them but if you look high in the sky you will see them by the hundreds. Very neat!

Echo Competes at District Meet, Qualifies for State Meet in March; and other News

2010-03-03T16:29:00.000-06:00

Kristina writes about Echo competing in the recent YMCA District swim meet held at the University of Illinois –Chicago. Hope to have pictures soon.

On Feb. 28th 2010 we went to echo’s district swim meet at the University of Illinois –Chicago. This is the swim meet that decides whether she goes onto state. That is determined only if she makes a state time at this meet. Very nerve racking!!!!!!!!!!!

Understand, she had state times in a handful of events in 2009 /2010, but she had to do them again at district in order to qualify for state compatition.

She was scheduled to swim the 200 freestyle that is 8 lengths of the pool. State time for that event is a 2:17.87 she swam a 2:13.70. The next event was the 100 freestyle state for that event is 1:02.79 she swam a 1:00.69 so on march 21st we will be going to Dekalb for the state meet. GO ECHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next year she will be 13 and that is when she is eligible nationals. I don’t know will see that would be pretty exciting that would mean a rode trip to Florida. No pressure Echo. I’m not sure what national times are to give you an idea though state times for when she turns 13 are for the 200 2:11. 59 and for the 100 it is 1:00.09 so she is really close to those times already. That is the only meet that I get really nervous at. I’ll let you know how she does at state.

Love ya Keyto

STATE of ILLINOIS adds one more to the road!

A happy, very happy Tiffani shows off her new drivers' license!

Dis and dat…

2010-01-24T14:07:00.000-06:00

While I have been giving most if not all of this space / attention too Mya and Payton it is because they have taken up most of our time these days.
I will attempt to update you on what has been happening around here.
Payton, aka Getty, has official been adopted from As Good as Gold and is doing ok. He decided to eat a little leftover rabbit carcass that had been dispatched in our yard and ended up with another case of Montezuma’s revenge but has been nursed back to health with the help of a three hundred dollar vet bill. We love our dogs but I should not have retired so as to be able to keep up with the food and vet bills that come with owning dogs. Gold fish in the future and Wendy can name them all!

Mya and I have been spending time, about an hour or two, three times a week, visiting assisted living and nursing homes along with St Joesph Hospital. The residents and patients that we have come to know are very happy to see us and welcome our visits. At the Greens in Elgin there are five ladies that come to a room each Monday and wait for Mya to come and lick them sloppy. They claim with discussed delight that they will have to go wash their hands before dinner!
Visits to Rosewood nursing home can be a bit more depressing and rewarding at the same time. Many residents appear to be lost in a empty shell of life, while others are grateful to see a dog and someone to talk with about their pet dog long gone or perhaps being taken care of by family while they recover.
My first visit to Rosewood while Mya and I were walking from room too room I came up to an white haired little elderly lady in a wheel chair that was bigger then her. As we walked up I asked if she would like a visit with Mya. The look on her face was one of puzzlement and excitement. She spoke to me in a very soft voice. So soft I was unable to hear her. I stepped closer again asking if she would like a visit with Mya my therapy dog. Her eyes got bigger and again said something to me that I was unable to hear. By this time Mya and I were very close to her and by now she seamed a bit excited and her eyes were about to pop out of her head. As I leaned over to hear her she said with a crack in her voice “I’m afraid of dogs”

We see her in her wheel chair each time we visit. We keep our distance but she now has this telling little smile on face that I had not seen in the past visits.
Grandkids are doing great. Tiff finished her second year on swim team swimming on the varsity team. When the girls swim season ends the boy's season starts. Unfortunately Cody had to withdraw from the swim team due to hip pain. You may recall he had pins implanted into his left hip when he was young due to Perthes disease. Seams that the pins may have to come out and an MRI that was taken last Monday will determine what if anything will be done. He is on track to graduate this spring and is looking into going to ECC studying police sciences.
Echo continues to qualify for state swim meets through the local YMCA swim team. They will be competing in state swim meet in March. I hope to get some video of her this year and will share with you.
Kristina continues to drive a school buss and does not like it much. Kids on the buss can be troublesome at times.

Time to let the dogs out!

Check out this great MSN Video: Optical Illusion Animations

2010-01-04T11:18:00.000-06:00

Check out this great MSN Video: Optical Illusion Animations

Geddy’s Great Adventure continued ….

2009-12-29T19:22:00.000-06:00

The six hour trip to pick up Geddy four weeks ago has turn out to be worth every minute of the drive. He remains the property of As Good As Gold, Golden retriever rescue, (AGAG) while we provided a foster home for him during his recovery from a skin infection and a bad case of worms. He had started to itch often and with great vigor and continued with very soft stools so we took him to the vet three weeks ago. Geddy weighted in at 55 lbs and was under nourished with a swayback and hip bones showing through his skin. The Dr. examined him along with a stool sample and confirmed that he indeed had worms and a skin infection. A shot of steroids along with meds for the loose stool and antibiotics and we were on our way.

Geddy eats like a horse and last weeks follow up veterinary visit reflects that he is on the mend. His stool is formed and he weighted in at 58 lbs, three lbs gain, proof that his body is absorbing the nutrients from his food. Both Wendy and I can see the improvement in his health. He has much more strength and continues to play with Mya every day. With daily visits to the park he is getting stronger each day. We will have a stool sample checked this week to see how the worms are doing and he is on the tail end of a second dose of steroids for the itching. He continues to itch now and then but Wendy thinks no more then I do.

We work on training Geddy every day and he is doing OK. He gets very excited at meal time and has slowed down eating a bit. We, or should I say, I, was considering “Flash” for his adopted name. Crate training was a bust. He broke out of the crate once. Not sure if it was my fault not getting the crate put together right or his Whodeani like abilities but he broke out. He reluctantly slept in the crate at night and when we left the house would break wires. We had left him out of the crate while we were gone for short periods with no or few problems. We came to the conclusion that it would be safer for him if we let him have the run of the house with Mya. Things are working out fine. Only one accident in the house on his first day otherwise he knows were to stand to ask to go out.

A German Christmas tree

2009-12-13T16:06:00.000-06:00

Some of you might be familiar with the traditional German Christmas tree that Bill and Connie have been putting up since 1973. The tree has been in Connie’s family for over 75 years.

Since Bills passing, the day after “cookie day” the son-in-laws put up the tree and the girls, making a day of it with their mother decorating the “pyramid” tree.
Connie’s grand father, Emil Zeidler, had the idea to build a “pyramid” Christmas tree and with the help of Connie’s father GabrielMetzger the pyramid Christmas tree was built.

The tree was originally built with hand made card board fins. The fins were attached to a wooden broom stick handle and used to deflect the heat from burning candles thus turning the three centered tables The bottom of the broom stick had a needle in it that rested on a piece of glass that carries the weight of the tables and their displays. Emil hand carved the picked fence from cigar boxes.

Over the years the tree has seen some improvements. The broom stick handle has been replaced with a metal pole. The fins replaced with metal frames and aluminum foil but the picked fence remains as built by Emil.

With the tree balanced properly, the warmth from the sun light coming in through the windows and rising to the ceiling would deflect off the pyramids fins and slowly turn the tables.

60 Years in the making ! We love you Marc !!

2009-12-06T17:52:00.000-06:00

Payton a.k.a. Geddy’s great adventure continues…

2009-12-04T20:49:00.000-06:00

Five days after picking up Patyon (Wendy had picked out his new name upon first seeing his picture) he is settling in very well.

Payton turned one year old on Thanksgiving Day. He, along with four other dogs were rescued from a back yard breeder in Iowa. The dogs were in horrible condition, dirty and scared. Good as Gold foster family volunteers took them sight unseen and got them cleaned up.

There are a few small things that we have to work on with Payton, one being loading up into the car.
We need to coax, encourage, and bribe Payton into the car. Each morning we load up into the car and go to the park Fox Riverbluff West, for our walk / run. Once he gets to a certain point he does manage a jump up and into the back seat and lays down all stretched out. Mya gives him all the room he wants with no objection. He lays down for the ten minute ride and is eager to disembark once we get the car parked. Not sure why but when we get back to the car after the walk he is ready and willing and I might say, can’t wait to get into the car. Go figure. Payton might remember the trip home last Sunday and the upset stomach or the long ride from Iowa in a car with April. April is Payton’s rescuer / loving foster mother. The way Payton acts towards Wendy, he is by her side where ever she goes, I suspect he acted towards April. I now understand why it was hard for April to say good-bye to her little boy. He will always be here and I'm sure very happy for her to visit.

Today marked a milestone for both Mya and Payton as evident in this video.

Mya and Payton are saying "Happy days are here again" !

Geddy’s Great Adventure Begins….

2009-12-01T19:51:00.000-06:00

As most of you know Wendy and I went on a road trip this last Sunday to visit with a family that had been involved with a recent rescue of several Golden Retrievers from an Iowa “back yard breeder”. Read more here. Outside of Peoria Illinois we meet April, Will, their pet dogs of which Sting and Geddy stood out the most. Geddy had found a best buddy in Sting.

April and Will welcomed us to their home, their beautiful home I would add and the introductions of Mya to the Geddy and the rest of the dogs went very well. We visited for a while and decided to take Geddy with us. With April’s and Will’s best wishes we loaded up Mya and Geddy and headed back to Elgin.

Geddy did OK on the three hour ride home but did have an upset stomach the last hour or so. We stopped at a gas station to clean him and the car up as much as we could. When we got home he was happy to get out of that car. We took him and Mya to the back yard and he went both ways the second being a runny stool. We feel the drive home was a success since he made it to the back yard before he pooped!

April had told us that Geddy’s vet check had found a sever case of parasites which he was treated for and still recovering from so we were not surprised.

We got into the house and took a tour no doubt looking for April and Sting but soon laid down next to Mya and seemed less anxious.

Because of the car sickness, Wendy felt that less food the first night might be the way to go so he got a little less than a cup. It had been over an hour and his food has stayed down and in if you know what I mean.

Geddy is doing much better today. His first night in the cage was a little scary and barking / crying for about an hour or so before we had things settled down. We have his crate in a bedroom across from ours and at first we started with lights out. Then after about a half hour we thought he could not see us very well and we put a night light on in our bed room. After a while he settled down and was fine the rest of the night.

Monday night he went in his cage and settled down right away with no problem. We moved the night light to a bathroom so as not to be too bright for either/any of us.

This morning we went for Geddy’s first walk at the park and walked for a mile while visiting a couple of other dogs along the way. He was a little nervous but did well even though he pulled me all the way back to the car once we had turned around. I think he new that we were going back to something familiar, the car.

We have started to split his food 50/50 with boiled rice and dog food in an attempt to head off the runny stool. It seems to have helped this a.m. One accident in the house yesterday after Wendy left for work. I should have had a closer eye on him or out right after Wendy left.

After our walk / run, this morning he slept next to me as I did some computer work.

Mya is warming up to the idea that there is another dog in her and her boys (me) life.

After these couple of days I have seen what I believe to be a very smart, sweet dog, hence the name Payton, after sweetness himself.

Stay tuned for more of Payton’s a.k.a. Geddy, Great adventure!

P.S. Thanks April and Will!

Mya the Therapy Dog

2009-11-18T17:30:00.000-06:00

It’s official. Mya has the sheep skin or in this case the certificate that documents that she is in fact an associate member (in good standing) of Therapy Dogs International, Inc. After passing the two hour Canine Good Citizen test and filing the proper veterinary paper work I mailed the annual $35 registration fee and the rest is history.

Our first assignment was to find organizations in the area that would be interested in visits from Mya. I contacted the Greens of Elgin, a retirement center that offers assisted living if requested, Rosewood nursing home, St Joseph and Delnor and Sherman Hospitals. Both Wendy and I feel that a three day week is about all Mya would be able to handle. We have met several people that know both Mom and Dad Bill and Connie and even Scott. The process of gaining access for visits ranges from just showing up (The Greens) to filling out a volunteer application (Rosewood) to four hours training and background check for the two hospitals. I received a call from Sherman Hospital and with the opening of the new hospital off of Randall Rd the first of December things are a little hectic. They tell me that their requirements for dog visitations are more involved than other hospitals. Not only is the four hour volunteer training required but both Mya and I will have to go through an additional four hours with a certified dog trainer.

On our way out of Rosewood last week a lady stop to talk with me and introduced herself as a regional manager with Hosts and expressed a great interest for our services. Seams that the demand for certified therapy dogs out weights the number of dogs there are. People are interested in bringing their pets but when they understand the training requirements they become disinterested.

We will go through the hospital orientation and a few visits before we consider tackling hosts.

The people we visit are very grateful for the time we spend with them.

Guest Bolger, Tiff & baby, yikes !!!!!!!

2009-10-03T17:11:00.004-05:00

During the weekend of October 2, 3, and 4th, I have had to take home a computerized baby. This is a project for parenting class which is an elective I’m taking in high school. This baby cries like a real baby does. When the baby cries it either has to be fed, burped, rocked, or have its diaper changed. So far it has been pretty easy taking care of the baby, but it is difficult having to wake up when the baby does at night. This project is worth 30% of my grade in the class. I get graded by the way I take care of the baby. If the baby cries for more than two minutes, and I don’t attend to the babies needs before the two minutes is up it will record that I neglected the baby. Or if I do anything to damage the baby like “dropping it or not supporting the babies neck and head” it will record as abuse. This project will help me in the future when I decide to become a parent. It has showed me that I’m not ready to have a baby at this age, but it has showed me how to be responsible with the actions I take. Caring for a baby is a lot of hard work and it takes a lot of patience. Even though this weekend has been exhausting I’m glad I decided to take this class and take home this baby. This weekend I had a swim meet where I had to take the baby with me, and I went to the store.

Home grown “maters”, mmm…mmm good!!

2009-08-29T17:52:00.002-05:00

An annual event around this neck of the concrete / black top is the harvesting of the, as Echo first said, “maters”. Grandpa Kurt’s annual planting of tomatoes and with the help of Mother Nature it has turned out to be one of the better years for abundance, verity and diseased free tomatoes. We all look forward to the first maters of the season and as the pic’s show we are well into a great harvest.

Wendy starts the summer with a list of tomato recipes that she has to make before the end of the summer and what a list it is. One of my favorite (I have four or five) is a diced cucumber, red onion, gorgonzola cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette with chopped Illinois home grown maters!

MYAAAAA!!!!! DOWN!!

2009-08-21T16:43:00.005-05:00

Yesterday evening we loaded up Mya and headed down to St. Charles to the Kane County Fair grounds where the Fox Valley Dog Training Club held testing for the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification. Wendy, Mya and I walked into a world that was as strange to us as Ron Santo’s understanding of the Cubs season. I understand that there was just recently another "cash for clunkers" deal but I digress.

The county building where the testing was held was a buzz with every size and shape dog that the AKC has registered and some they won’t register including beautiful Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, Rotweilers, Dschshund, Poodles, mutts to mention a few. We never have been to a shindig like this so I ended up spending the first ten minutes at the wrong table before I was told to go over to another one. Seams there were sever test and or competitions going on at the same time. We got to the correct table and confirmed that all the proper paper work was /had been filed properly. At its peak there had to be 150 dogs in this one building along with there handlers and their supporters. One very noisy, busy place. Other dogs were being put through there paces. Regretfully the battrie in my camra died so Wendy was only able to get a couple of shots. Both Wendy and I were very impressed with the other dogs and how well they had been trained. We were a bit set back watching how some handles rewarded there dogs. As the dog did as he or she was instructed the handler would spit something, a treat we found out later, out of their mouth and the dog would happily snap it up. I tried to get Wendy to put a dog treat into her mouth and spit at Mya but she, Wendy, refused no matter how hard I tried to convince her that the tester required this act in order to get Mya certified.

Mya behaved herself well from the beginning but as the night went on we could tell that all she wanted to do was get off the leash and run around and make a few friends and or go to Wendy out in the audience. I realized that this was most likely the longest time Mya had ever been on a leash at one time. The testing (for CGC) started out with ten of us in a small rink while six or seven other rinks started there testing and or competition.

Basic commands were observed, sit stay, walking and greeting the tester to see how your dog handled meeting strangers. Right, as if being in a building milling around for thirty minutes with 100 other handlers and their dogs waiting for the testing to begin was not test enough you had to walk up and great the tester. Mya lunged at the testers throat.. just kidding… there were two test where I thought she would have difficulty, while on a leash she does better at not jumping up but still does on occasion. I’m happy to report that she stayed down the whole time. I had to hand Mya over to a young girl sitting in the corner of the rink and walk away out of site for three minutes. Then Mya had to be on a twenty foot leash and stay, sitting, while I walked to the end of the leash turn around and returned then go back half way and call her.

Well about an hour and a half after we started it became official, Mya has been certified by the AKC as a “Canine Good Citizen”! Well on her way too becoming a Therapy Dog.

HAIR today GONE today…..

2009-08-11T20:06:00.007-05:00

Not sure if it was the hot, very hot and humid weather or the picture of (Flat Head, or is it Flat Top) SJE or crew cut MRE but I talked Tiff and Echo into giving Grandpa Kurt a very cool hair cut.

I don’t know about you but I don’t see much of a change from the last time I had a buzz cut….

Blossoms for Bill

2009-05-19T16:12:00.003-05:00

The first spring after planting the tree in memory of Bill Lull confirms that the selection of an Adam’s Crabapple was indeed a wise choice. As you can see it has a beautiful flower and foliage. Looking at this picture one might speculate, due to the slight lean, that we had thrown back a few two many before planting this tree. :-)That is not the case. I took the picture from this angle to show the contrast against the flowering Columbian ornamental Pear tree that grows next to the deck. Looking out the back of the house the tree stands straight… at least it looks straight to me after a couple of drinks.

Zachary

2009-05-06T21:27:00.009-05:00

The day, Monday May 4, 2009 started out much the same as all the other days the past four years, shaving, sometimes, making the bed, most of the time, letting Zach and Mya out to inspect and lay claim to their kingdom, all the time. All trespassers and any manner of creature that my have left their calling cards were given fair warning. This has taken on a different twist over the last five months or so. Zach had been diagnosed several years ago with spinal neuropathy, a disorder of the spinal cord which fails to carry signals to the back legs. As a young dog we noticed that he had a strange habit of twisting his left hind foot outward while walking. The twist went away as his walk became a trot and when he ran, which was seldom and only for very short distances he would mostly use his hind legs much a rabbit would, with a hop. He has been living with this problem all his life which did not cause him any pain. Recently stair steps of any kind became an impoossible task to overcome. The deck off the back of our house has two sets of steps, to the left, Zach’s favorite, a two stepper and to the right a three stepper. Last fall I tacked down a welcome mat by the steps so when Zach went down the steps his hind legs would not slip out from underneath him. Picture the yoga position “down dog”, front arms straight with head held high chest up, waist and hips down and legs straight back and with out the mat tacked to the deck Zach ended up in this position looking back at me with a look of anguish that would melt your heart. That was in the fall of 2008. By this spring going up stairs became increasingly difficult. So much so he could not get the mind to overcome what ever was preventing his back end from getting the signals to climb steps so we would have to pick up his back end to help him. About the time we thought we had to help him up he would climb the steps. There became fewer times he was able to do it on his own. One time when he was out back and we were encouraging him to come up the steps he decided to run / hop around to the front door were there is a lower stoop and a step up into and through the front door. This quickly became the only way he would be able to come into the house on his own. I built a ramp over the steps off the deck but with no luck. Mya would tear up and down the ramp but Zach would have nothing to do with it. He would take one look at the ramp and head for the front door.
A few days ago we went to the forest preserves for our daily run. This spring has been an exceptionally wet spring in Elgin so we have not gotten out to the park as often as Mya and Zach would like so they were ready to go! The walk was typical except that Zach was having difficulty catching his breath. We cut the walk short and went home were he settled down and the day went on. Last Sunday Wendy joined us for our walk and Zach’s breathing was labored again. We had seen this in the past and had given him medicine that helped environmental allergies with some success. When we got home all was well.
Monday morning during our walk Zach’s breathing became quit labored to the point that I thought it best to be checked out by a veterinarian and get the correct “allergy” medicine for his problem. The receptionist went to tell the doctor we had arrived and the doctor came out to see / listen to Zach’s labored breathing. The doctor was concerned and took us into an examination room. What Wendy and I thought was a symptom of allergies turned out to be much more serious. The Doctor explained that Zach’s neuropathy was likely affecting the muscles that control the valve in his throat that allowed him to breath. He quickly explained there to be two different surgical procedures that can be considered but first Zach need to be stabilized. They took him in the back where a sedative and oxygen were administrated. About ten minutes later they came and got me from the waiting room. With a grim face I was told the Zach had not responded to the sedative and had been given a second one in an effort to stabilize him. It was suggested that because of the distress Zach was in that possibly being with me might help to settle him down. With in a minute of Zach’s return to the exam room the labored breathing which was causing him to loose color, a clear sign of oxygen depravation, I knew in my heart that it was time to help him one last time. I carried him to the back room and laid him on a blanket that had been spread out over a table and within a few minutes Zach was at peace.

Wendy and I have been very fortunate to have had several wonderful, loving pet dogs through out our lives. Zach will be remember as one of the kindest, gentlest dogs we have known.

TRAINER FOR A DAY

2009-04-06T12:54:00.004-05:00

Kristina, the one with a big smile on her face is pictured with Lighting. Kris recently spent the day at the Mirage in Las Vegas as trainer for the day and “had the time of her life”.

Pic's from new camera...

2008-07-18T18:56:00.006-05:00

Brother Scott had lent me a digital camera after I had mentioned that I was considering purchasing one. I had / have a Cannon 35 mm that has given me some good pictures. After about two years I returned Scott’s digital camera and broke down and purchased a Nikon P80. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure. The butterfly was the first picture taken while walking Zach and Mya at the forest preserve / dog park.

More pic's...

2008-07-05T20:55:00.001-05:00

More pictures of Matt & Sandy’s wedding here....Wait for link! Lots of pictures!!

er-er-er-er-errrrrrrrrr......

2008-07-01T19:23:00.004-05:00

What is it that my neighbor finds enjoyable, listening to the sound of a half dozen roosters calling out (the sound made by them is often referred to as "cocking" and is spelled “onomatopoeically” as "cock-a-doodle-do" in English) at the top of their lungs for fifteen hours a day, seven days a week?

A little over a year ago, you may recall, a posting about Mya chasing and catching my neighbors chicken. Shortly after my neighbor moved in he had built cages along the back of his house, to house several roosters. At the time I was apologizing for Mya’s murderous behavior (which turned out to be a chicken doing a great impression of a dead opossum) he told me he was building a fence and garage along with larger structure to hold the roosters and hoped that that would help quiet them down. The fence looks great and keeps all manner of vermin, manly Mya, from de-feathering any more birds. The roosters on the other hand could be used to wake the dead. From 9 or 10 at night until 3 or 4 in the morning there is peace in Elgin then they start up and the onomatopoeia starts over again.

Well the larger building to house the roosters, which is attached to the back of the new garage and open for ventilation a few feet at the top of its three walls, is about 80 - 100 feet closer to our bedroom window, is just about complete. Oh boy oh joy.

I’m torn as what to do. Register a formal complaint with the county sheriff? There is a noise ordinance that allows a county deputy to make his own decision as to weather the ordinance is being broke or not or wait to see if the new, much closer rooster digs do in fact quite them down. The difference between the old digs and new is the roosters will not have the penthouse view of the backyard. Just a view, I presume, of their fellow feathered friends across the room from them.

Have a cock-a-doodle-do of aday!!!! Wendy and I have decided that the Englih version “cock-a-doodle-do” makes it sound like a loving farm animal. Its better represented as..”er-er-er-er-errrrrrrr” @ ... where is the barbaque sauce?

There is an Echo at Camp ….

2008-06-20T19:32:00.003-05:00

It’s that time of the year when Camp Edwards is packed with campers of all sizes. Echo started her week last Saturday and will return home tomorrow.
Here is Echo with other cabin friends. Will have more to report after she gets home.

Matthew and Sandy Eshelman .......

2008-06-16T19:35:00.009-05:00

June 7th, 2008 was a warm and humid Saturday that found us along with 60 or so family and friends in the backyard of Matt and Sandy’s where their friend, Chris Bird preformed a short wedding and Sandy and Matt exchanged vows and rings. The couple had worked very hard over the past couple months to fix up the house and yard and working with a limited budget they felt that the money and time put into the house and yard for the wedding was money wisely spent. We could not agree more.

The couple celebrate with cupcakes made by Sandy’s friend Noelle.

More pictures here

A gift from family...

2008-05-11T10:58:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was tree planting day in memory of Wendy’s father. Thanks go to Jenny for organizing this thoughtful gift from the Eshelman family. Wendy and I decided on a flowering ornamental Crabapple tree and with supervision from Holly, Wendy and Connie, David and I set it in place. We all agree that it is a beautiful tree and that it will be flowering for many springs to come.

Willam C. Lull 1920 – 2008

2008-04-28T22:06:00.003-05:00

I write tonight in memory of Willam Lull, “Billy” to all that have come know and love him. Recently Billy had an in office procedure that was to treat what was believed to be a prostate problem. Complications resulted in a couple trips to the emergence room before he was admitted to the hospital. A surgical procedure that allows doctors to look into the prostrate was scheduled and canceled in favor of a less intrusive procedure. After three and a half days of testing and hopeful waiting surgery was again scheduled to see where the bleeding was coming from. The surgeon found the problem, not with the prostate but his bladder. Pathology confirmed he had a “very aggressive” form of bladder cancer. Within two days of his surgery, the effects of anesthesia and pneumonia caused him to become restless and increasingly more disoriented as the hours slipped by. Caring nurses and doctors at the hospital heped to make his pasing peaceful.

I would reach the hospital by 7:30 am in hope of seeing the doctors on their rounds and was successful most of the time. Last Saturday morning started out ok but as the hours went by I could see Billy slipping. In the morning he started with a tube supplying him with oxygen that progressed to a mask. After surgery it had become increasingly harder to understand what he was saying and the addition of the mask made it that much harder.

As I had mentioned Billy was becoming restless. It became both sad and humors at times. He would be moving his hands around his waist and trying to say something so I would leaned in close to him pulling the oxygen mask up onto his forehead asking him what he wanted. He would reply in soft but gruff, horse, gravely voice “I’m getting dressed”. One time that Saturday morning as he tried to roll to his right side he had an expression of pain on his face as he reached out his left arm as far as he could (over the years he had lost some range of motion in both shoulders) while trying to say something. Again I leaned in close to him pulling the mask up onto his forehead asking him what he wanted. “Stiff! Shoulder stiff”! Do you want me to raise your arm to stretch it? OK. As I leaned over him to reach his left arm I slowly raised it. I was afraid I might cause him more pain. After a couple times of raising his arm to my surprise and relief, he settled back becoming very peaceful. As I continued moving his arm I watched has a devilish little smile appeared under his oxygen mask? He said something I did not understand. Removing the mask and leaning in I hear Billy ask “do you want to dance”.

A few hours later he was sedated and resting. We thought that he would be with us for a day or so longer and sadly were not with him when he passed. His nurse told us she had checked on him an hour and a half before and asked him if he was in any pain. He said no.

Billy had a love for life right up to the end. He had what one might say “a gift for gab”. He would talk, and talk, and talk again about his cars, (he never purchased a new car, always a used car which had been taken well care of by the previous owner) the trip to the Mayo Clinic that saved his life and his family. We all will miss him.

Echo swims in state meet.....

2008-04-06T15:47:00.002-05:00

I had hoped to fill my blog with pictures and videos of Echo swimming in the recent state swim meet but the DeKalb YMCA was so crowded that I was unable to get into the door. Well that’s not quite true; I was able to get into the door but was/would have been standing in front of other people who could not have seen much of anything from their vantage point anyway but with me in the way I’m sure they would have been a little more then peeved with me. Wendy and Connie were able to scoot through the crowd and squat down, way down so as not to be in any ones way. The last time I squatted down was when I was born. Kristina had tried to save us a couple seats but ended up in tears when a lady, I use the term loosely, berated Kris for saving seats which is against the “rules”.

Echo did us proud as the article in the Courier News describes.

Ouch! Thats got to hurt....

2008-03-09T12:22:00.006-05:00

Last Thursday unfortunately was not a good day for us. We started our day as we normally do by heading for the local dog park. Weather permitting, Zach, Mya and I have been doing this most every morning for the past few years. Wendy would sometimes join us on her days off.

The park / Forest Preserve, is located along the Fox River and has about 100 acres for dog owners to let their dogs run off leach. The park has become very popular over the years, so much so that during the early morning hours on the weekends finding a parking spot can be difficult.

Mya and Zach love to go to the park and play, run, poop, sniff, roll in God knows what and just be dogs. I get to meet and enjoy other dogs and their owners along with watching the seasonal wild life come and go.

Last Thursday started with Mya, as usual running like the wind, straight into a large patch of ice that had formed in a field. As I watched and cringed, she hit the ice and went down hard on her left hip. As she slid along the ice she tried in rappid secession to regain her footing each time crashing to her left hip.

She finally got her feet under her and was off the ice. I uncovered my eyes expecting to see her trying to walk with a broken leg or shattered hip and breathed a sigh of relief to see she appeared to be unhurt. Yikes! She dodged that bullet.

The rest of our walk was uneventful. Towards the end of our walk Mya found the “treat guy” and was given more treats then she needed and then we headed to the parking lot. Here is where things went badly.

The park parallels U.S. 31, for about a mile with the parking lot immediately off the road. Dogs have been known to run / wandered out into the road.

Mya and Zach generally listen to me and are very close at hand at the end of our walk. Today I failed to keep a close eye on Mya. Something, I suspect a small rodent, she loves to chase squirrels, caused her to be out into the road. As I was loading Zach into the car I heard someone laying on their car horn. As I looked around for Mya she came out between two parked cars. She was crouched down as if she did something wrong but at the same time appeared to be happy to find me. She did not hesitate to jump into the car and we headed home. As we turned out onto the highway there were no cars in sight.

Once we got back home she jumps out of the car and I see she is favoring her left leg. I noticed a small little cut on her left knee and thought the slip on the ice caused this. As we got inside and I was able to take a closer look and found she was acting strange and found more cuts and scrapes on the inside of her leg.

A trip to the vet, and x-rays told the story. Mya had been hit by a car that tore the ligament completely out that holds her left leg in the hip joint. She was fortunate that she was hit in the back. Had it been mid section or in the front end it likely would have killed her.

An operation to remove the top portion (knuckle) of the leg was performed the following day. The vet said that she will make a full recovery and in a few months be back at the park running with the rest of the dogs. Apparently the leg muscles will hold the leg in the correct position. The joint is now like a human shoulder joint.

Time will tell if she still wants to chase squirrels or not.

I learned, the hard way, I will keep a closer eye on them both!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!

2008-01-01T11:12:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas at Kurt and Wendy’s went off like clock work. Some folk did not make it due to work schedules while others were caring for their little girl who was hospitalized, sick with phenomena. All is well with Delaney who is now at home with Mom and Dad. Matt and Sandy hosted Thanksgiving, their first in their new home, with Sandy’s family. We are told that everything went well. This last week a head cold has put a cramp into Kurt’s YMCA schedule. Wendy has taken a few days off work but came down with a cold a few days before Kurt caught it. It has slowed us down a bit but we are plugging along. We have had quite the snowy December around here. Last night, New Years Eve, we got about eight inches by the time we woke up to the New Year.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe 2008 !!

You don’t see this every day ….

2007-12-07T14:48:00.000-06:00

I was saying to Wendy that the bird feeder was quite popular this December. With the snow and below zero temps the last week or so it has been busy, very busy with the same kind of birds as always. With the exception of a couple of cardinals not much color against the white snow. Not five minutes later we got this visitor.
An escape from someone’s home no dought! I believe it has been in the wild for some time because it flies like a bolt of lighting. The sparrows that fight everything, who are not even the least bit intimated by the squirrels, give this bird the feeder all to him/herself.

Packer Backer Can-Can ...

2007-10-26T21:40:00.001-05:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!While not an orginal idea, it was fun putting this together! Thank SJ for this "Jab"..

Moving day/week for Matt and Sandy……..

2007-09-01T21:38:00.000-05:00

After countless visits (mostly Sandy while Matt traveled for work) through houses that were listed for sale, Matt and Sandy have landed a nice (nice is code, for it needs some work, but don’t they all…) brick three bed room ranch, located at 44 Woodland Ave, Elgin IL 60123. I have been working on windows at the new house that are in dire need of scraping, window glazing and paint. They have been working hard the last week moving/cleaning out the rental and into their new digs. The yard has three or four very large old Oak trees, a large wood deck in the spacious, fenced in back yard.

Knee update…. After five weeks of physical therapy, I have been unable to get more then 30-40% range of motion out of my knee after the partial knee replacement. My last visit with the doctor indicated that too much scar tissue has taken hold and that he needs to have me go back under general anesthesia to bend and force the knee to 100% motion. He said that this condition is seen more in total knee replacements but not unheard of in partial knee replacements. I’m scheduled for this out patient procedure on Tuesday the 4th at 1 pm. Speaking of patients, Zach is recovering (I’m doing OK after seeing the bill and getting oxygen) from surgery that removed two “suspicious” growths. One from under his chin and one from the right shoulder. He is doing OK. We should know more after pathology reports come back in a few days.

Cody, Tiff and Echo start school on Tuesday. I think I can safely say for them that the summer went by way to fast. We have trees on our block, soft Maples that are turning fall colors already. Kristina continues to drive school buss on a part time bases.
Wishing you all well…….

Wendy is wild about her wild flowers …

2007-08-09T16:39:00.000-05:00

Knee update. . . after three weeks of the therapist pulling, pushing and generally causing me pain I’m able to make a complete revolution on the stationary bike. While the knee is still a bit stiff, I’m working hard to regain my full range of motion. Dr. Palmer released me today to any type of exercise that I would care to do. Earlier this week under the watchful eye of the life guard (Wendy) I sneaked into the YMCA pool to stretch my knee. I’m looking forward to getting back into my three time a week swimming routine. Weather permitting (we have had lots of rain over the last week, I would guess the total is close to 8 – 10 inches just in Elgin) I walk Zach and Mya two times a day for a total of 2½ miles.

Sorry, it has been way to long since last posting....

2007-07-29T14:05:00.000-05:00

Recovery from a partial knee replacement is slow going. Except for last night I have not been sleeping well. Wendy has been taking great care of me. Today we took Zack and Mya for a run and we walked about ¾ of a mile then iced the knee when we got home.

We are very proud of our Grandson Cody who spent two weeks this spring getting his certification as a Life Guard. At fifteen he needed to get a workers permit from school before he was allowed into class. He worked hard and passed all test to becoming a certified Life Guard. He was hired by the city of Elgin and works at Wing Park pool. Yes his first paycheck was spent the day he started work. A Zune player had to be bought. I understand that future paydays will require a 75% savings plan. We will have to see if this plays out.

Tiff and Echo spent the last month visiting their father in Florida. They went to the beach on three occasions but spent most of their time at Fred’s house. They came home late Thursday evening in time for Tiff and Cody to pack and head to Camp Edwards for a week. Echo went to camp the week before she went to Florida. Kristina said this will be Tiff and Cody’s last year at camp. This fall Tiff starts 9th grade, Cody 10th (at Dundee Crown High) and Echo 4th grade.

Kristina has been hired by the private buss company that took over school buss services for Dist 300. She is happy to learn that her hourly wage will be higher then she expected but the down side is there are little benefits that come with the job, but the upside is it is a job.

Matt and Sandy have been very busy the last few months. For some time Sandy has been conflicted with the idea of three more years of collage in pursuit of a veterinary degree and after much thought has decided to leave collage and return to Elgin. Within a week of benign back she landed a veterinary tech job in St. Charles and is happy to be home. Matt stopped in a week ago talking about their house hunting experiences and told us that he and Sandy have set their Wedding date for June 7th , 2008 ( 06/07/08). When Wendy and I first heard that they were going to get married I asked Sandy if she had any ideas for the wedding. Both she and Matt want a “back yard” wedding with family and friends. At that time Wendy and I offered our house if they wished. Matt asked if the offer was still good and we said yes. On top of all this they have found and made an offer on a house in Elgin. The offer has been accepted and the closing is set for the end of August. A nice three bed room brick ranch with a large fenced in back yard just up the street (north) of the West side Dairy Queen. The City’s newest fire station is just across the street from the Dairy Queen. We have yet to see the inside of the house but Matt is very excited to show us.

Wendy continues to Life Guard and teach class at the Taylor YMCA but is considering the idea of leaving the Life Guarding for the younger people. The testing and in-service days (more testing) to maintain one’s certification is very stressful for her to the point she becomes sick and troughs out her back. While she loves the job, over the years when she was making herself sick re-certifying, I raised the question why she puts herself through that misery. This year she is asking herself that same question. I suggested that she teach swim lessons to the younger kids and did not get much of an interested response.

Kurt was contacted by the contractor that is building a water treatment facility. Their specifications call for a “Startup Manager” to get the new plant running and delivering water to the public. I shall likely meet with a representative sometime in August to discuss the requirements of the job. Sounds like a good challenge.

Britain's got talent ...

2007-06-21T14:05:00.000-05:00

Thought you might like to see / hear this for yourself. Paul went on to win.

Kerry who???

2007-05-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

Matt and Sandy stopped in to wish Wendy a happy mother’s day today. During their visit Matt told us a story that he ran into Kerry Woods while catching a flight home from Phoenix last Friday. Matt’s story is by far more entertaining but I will try to tell it the way he describes his encounter with a guy that looks a little like Kerry Woods. As Matt was waiting for his flight home he saw a guy that was by himself that looked like someone he know but was not sure who it was. Not wanting to stare at this person Matt watched as the man walked past and over to food stand. Matt still felt that he new this person when it struck him that this was Kerry Woods! As Matt tried to collect himself he thought of how he would approach this person to see if he could get an autograph, hell maybe even a picture without looking like a fool. You know all Cubs fans keep their cool in situations like this. Strange, there are other people around waiting for the flight that are wearing Cubs hats but no one is showing this guy any attention. Is it really Kerry or just a look-alike? Will Matt got the nerve up to go over and say, “hay, can I have and autograph”? Sure you can was the reply. Matt was not sure where he was or what he was doing. I think the saying is “star struck”. After the autograph was secured, “can I get a picture”? Again, an enthusiast reply, sure you can! Matt pulled out his camera and with his hand noticeably shaking, took this shot.....

Kerry, or this gut that looks a little like him said no, no we need to do this right. Taking Matts camera and with Matt stuttering instructions on how to use it Kerry, or who ever this guy is, leaned in and caught this shot ...
Matt is the one who looks like a dear caught in headlights. The other guy? Ok he might look a little like Kerry Woods….

Checking in....or what's for dinner, chicken?

2007-04-23T14:05:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I’ve checked in so here goes…

The last week of March Wendy, Zach, Mya and I took a road trip and spent a week in St George Island at a rental we nick named “the cave”. It was located across the street from the beach and has a “community” pool. We found ourselves alone among the six other rentals for much of the week. Wendy did enjoy the pool! To cold for me!! We visited Mom and Dad, Scott and Ann and had a great time with lots of laughs. Mya, and Zach loved the walks/runs on the beach every morning. Mya was hell bent on chasing the birds (more on Mya chasing birds later) out into the surf while Zach watched from the safety of the sandy beach. Kurt became an official coinsurer or Apalachicola Bay Oysters. Mum, mum good!!! Wendy not so much. Not even a tast to try one. Wendy would always tell her children and grandchildren at dinner when there was anything they did not want to eat, “you have to try it before you can say you don’t like it”. Seams this is not the rule that applies to Wendy and oysters.

Winter finally broke in Elgin so I’ve been outside spring cleaning. When we got home from Florida we had our 30 year old furnace and AC removed and replaced. I had been considering their retirement for over the past few years with each year thinking / hoping I could get one more year out of them. I wish I had replaced them sooner. The old AC was so inefficient that I shutter to think how much electricity we wasted in cooling this house. We picked the right time of the year to buy, between the heating and cooling seasons when business are running specials in order to keep their crews working. With a couple of quotes that were hundreds of dollars higher a ten year parts and labor warrantee sealed the deal. We both are confident that we got a good deal.

Another project was started, a storage shed or rather, have a shed built. I spent the last weekend getting the site leveled and composite timbers set in place for a contractor to build a shed. Cody will earn a few bucks painting it when it is finished. Look for pictures in future blog postings. Ah yes, Mya and bird chasing. Our neighbor who moved in about a year ago has a hobby raising chickens. He has a half dozen or so hens and about ten roosters.Loard are they noisey! All hours of the day and night! The hens are free to run while the roosters are, for the most part, kept in cages. Mya and Zach are good about staying in their own yard, unless there is a squirrel or bird that needs to be chased down. Zach would not know what to do with them, Mya on the other hand goes bonkers. The other day I sensed something amiss and looked up to see Mya chasing a chicken through the neighbor’s yard. In an explosion of feathers she got it before I could get to her. As I caught up to them I was sure Mya had killed the chicken. It lay on it’s back, moitionless with its legs straight up in the air. I took Mya home and put her on a leach and returned to the carnage. Offering an apology to the neighbors wife, who speaks no English, and kids, dad was not home. I managed to explain what had happened using the kids as translator. I got the OK to take that dead chicken and bury it. Still lying on its back with its legs straight up in the air, I picked it up and returned home. As I came close to Mya I dropped the chicken in front of her thinking this could be a learning experience for her, teaching her to leave it alone. Something like trying to un-ring a bell I told myself but needed to try. As I dropped the dead bird it scared me to death by bouncing up to its feet and started running around both Mya and me. Mya did not attack much to my surprise, she may remember how upset I was with her a few minutes ago. I chased the bird into the bushes and caught it, returning it to the neighbor who reassured me it was not a problem that the hen was an old bird headed for the dinner table any way. He showed me the roosters that he raises and explained that they cost over one thousand dollars each. Mya now spend her days on a 30 foot leash while outside.

Tom and I feel Brittney's pain ....

2007-03-05T15:32:00.000-06:00

Brush Creek Campfire
Starter Kit

A different Smiley face

I wounder if Scott would
touch it if it said
Wet Paint, Do Not Touch!

DISTRICT SWIM MEET …..

2007-03-03T14:20:00.000-06:00

It’s that time of the year when Mothers, Fathers, Grandmothers, and Grandfathers travel to faraway lands (Aurora IL.) too support and watch their children/grandchildren compete in the annual district swim Meet. Last Saturday, as in past years, Kris and the kids were on the road by 6 a.m. to meet the 7 a.m. start time. Wendy, Connie and I arrived around 10 am trying to time our arrival to maximize the time we can see the kids compete. While the meet can be 12 hours long (this year they combined the girls and boys into a one day event) the actual time the kids swim is counted in minutes or in some cases, seconds. So there are times when hours go by before a “Heat” where one of the kids is swimming starts. Then, in what seems like the blink of an eye (one minute and six seconds later, Cody’s 100 yard free style time) you sit and wait for the next Heat someone you know is in, which may be a a few minutes later or a few hours later. Cody, Tiffani and Echo are very proud (not to mention Mom, Grandpa and Grandma's) that they best their times in some Heats and walked away with metals. Echo did so well that she qualified for the State meet, again! Last year Echo qualified for the State meet but was unable to attend. Next week Echo will travel with the family of a friend to the 2007 Illinois/Missouri Area YMCA Championships on Saturday, March 10th (Girls)at the University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri. Kris and her friend, Jeff had made prior plans to go to Vegas so will not be able to make the trip. Matt may be visiting Sandy that weekend and hopes to see Echo swim.The Meet will be held at the Mizzou Aquatics Center

This guy can lift your spirts...let your's soar, enjoy!

2007-02-11T11:44:00.000-06:00

Cooooooold days in Elgin

2007-02-03T13:04:00.000-06:00

A posting is past due so here goes. GO BEARS! Kristina and I continue to workout three times a week, trying to get into a healthier lifestyle. Kris has me up to ¾ of a mile each day swimming on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She blows past her father in the lap lanes. We both still struggle with poor eating habits but pledge to try harder. This time of the year is exceptionally hard for me when it comes to eating. Not to make excuses but it all starts around Christmas and continues through mid February with several birthday dinners, Christmas dinners / food, anniversary dinners, Super Bowl (GO BEARS!!) food fest and yet more birthday dinners. What’s that? I hear Wendy calling me for lunch. It was much easer to quit smoking, for once I had removed the cigarettes from my life I was not opening my refrigerator and looking a cartons of them, three times or more a day. We are definitely a society that celebrates with food! I know, Iknow, it's what you eat dummy... we are working on it.

Most of my blog readers know of my recent visit with a cardiologist who was kind enough to leave two stents in my right coronary artery. All is well and the symptoms that started it all are a thing of the past. I have a follow-up with him in six months. This leaves me with the ability to take care of another health issue that has been giving me a pain in my knee since prior to the heart issue. On Monday Feb 12th I will have outpatient surgery on my right knee to remove cartilage that is causing me considerable discomfort. I suspect we will go out for dinner to celebrate the end of this month! ha,ha, ha. GO BEARS!!!

Next few days are forecasted to be the coldest of the year with wind chills any where from -20 too -30 below zero. That’s probably a heat wave for those poor soles that live in Wisconsin or Minnesota. That’s OK. Think warm thoughts… GO BEARS!!!!

Happy News Year ....

2007-01-06T10:14:00.000-06:00

Last night Wendy and I took Matthew and Sandy out to dinner to celebrate their birthdays. Sandy's was on December 20th while Matt's was the 23rd. Shortly after we sat down, Matt announced that he had asked Sandy to marry him. The bright, happy smile on both their faces reflected that Sandy had in fact excepted his marriage proposal. Sandy will continue with college at the University of Missouri at Columbia studying to become a veterinarian. At the end of the first semester we understand that she is first in her class with a 4.0 GPA! She is working on transferring to the University of Illinois at Champaign where she would be closer to home. They have not set a date yet but believe it will be a summer wedding. Wendy and I could not be any happier for the two of them!!

Matt and Sandy, Christmas 2006.

Blog Update 12-28-06

2006-12-28T22:13:00.000-06:00

Little to report on these days, Christmas day had twenty five family members over for the annual turkey dinner. The bird was cooked to perfection I do say so myself. The trick is the twenty hour brine the twenty-one plus pound Butter Ball sits in before a slow, 320 degree, six hour roast. Wendy prefers that the bird not be stuffed. Instead a large batch of stuffing is cooked on the side. With all the other great dishes that were brought along, no one went away hungry.

Cody, Tiffani and Echo are spending the Christmas break with their father in Florida. I understand that for the first few days it has been raining most of the time. Hope to get a complete report on their first ever plan ride(s) and trip when they get home late on the 5th of January.

Wendy and I are doing our part in keep the economy running like a well tuned engine by spending a boat load of money the past month on things like car repairs, a new snow thrower, septic system repairs, Christmas presents, and a $500 veterinary visit (Zach is ok) to mention a few, we hope things finally settle down a bit.

Happy New Year!!!

May God make your year a happy one!

Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;

Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.

God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

Birthday cake for Cody

2006-11-30T20:57:00.000-06:00

Wait, I Got More ....

2006-11-02T15:36:00.000-06:00

Good News, Bad News, Good News .....

2006-10-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

This Saturday morning started as most Saturdays do, with a shave and a shower and while waiting for Wendy to get ready for breakfast out at the local Colonial restaurant, I read the morning paper .The headline in the news paper jumped right off the page, “ School buss crash sends six to hospital”. As some of you know, Kristina just recently started to drive a school buss. As I started reading I was telling myself that this could not be her buss, could it? She surly would have called to let us know of the accident, wouldn’t she? Unless dummy, she was hurt and unable to call. My heart sped up a couple beats as I continued to read on. Sure enough, the buss that had been hit was in fact from school district 300 where Kris works. The story goes on to say that four kids and two drivers were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The buss drivers name was listed and thankfully not Kristina’s. That’s the first good news. At a time like this, ones emotions go way up and way down in a heart beat. Happy to find out it was not your daughter that was hurt, yet someone’s daughter was hurt. It did not dawn on Wendy or I that any of our grand children would be on a school buss. I thought all three of them walked to school. Later Saturday afternoon while visiting with Russ and Kristy Riley and their new baby at Connie and Bills, Kristina and Tiffina informed as that one of the kids taken to the hospital had been Tiffani, who at the time was experiencing lower back pain. Tiffina reassures us that she is Ok and free of any back pain. I asked Kristina that in the future to please call us if something of this nature happens again rather then reading about it in the morning paper. She said that she know she was going to see us that afternoon and didn’t think about the story being in the paper. Click here to read the news paper article. My not so normal Saturday continues, yes with a few more gray hairs.

Vancouver

2006-09-27T17:54:00.000-05:00

We arrived in Vancouver, our last stop, to a beautiful, clear sunrise. We docked at 6:30 am but were unable to get off the ship until 8:30. Because our flight home was to leave at 2:10 pm that day, we had little time for site seeing so we took a buss tour of Vancouver. We stopped at Stanley Park to see the plastic totem poles. Then through the gold cost of Vancouver and from there we headed to the Vancouver airport. After a four hour flight and short limo ride we arrived in Elgin around 9:30 pm to, you guessed it, rain, and found two very happy dogs waiting for us. While the weather was not the best on our trip it could have been worse and we will not likely forget the twenty foot seas pitching the ship, and all not nailed down, to and fro, back and forth, side to side (I’m turning a little green thinking of it) the four of us had a great time and would recommend that if you have not seen Alaska to put it high on your list of places to visit. Click here to see more pictures taken on our great Alaskan adventure.

Next posting ... ????? ...

Ketchikan

2006-09-19T19:57:00.000-05:00

Ketchikan was another short stop, arriving at 10:00 am and departing at 6 pm. We had not made any morning plans so as Wendy, David and Holly finished getting ready, I went down on the dock to find information on a Totem Pole tour. We made the buss just in the nick of time. Wendy and Holly pose for a picture at the entrance of the park. In the afternoon Wendy and I went on a Rain Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary tour while David and Holly opted for a Canopy Adventure & Wild Life Expedition which covered the Rain forest by means of a harness and “zip” line. Before we caught our afternoon buss we stopped for lunch at a local store were Wendy and I shared a Salmon wrap. A short walk back to the dock to board our buss was interrupted by an elderly lady who had grabbed my elbow. When I turned to see who had a hold of my arm, I saw the face of this very, frightened lady who asked me in a trembling voice, “did you, were you on the boat with me? I can’t find my husband and I don’t know were he is”! This poor lady was in tears and very frightened. She wanted to go and look for her husband but did not know where to start. Wendy and I tried to reassure her that her husband would be found but walking around was not the best way to find him. We asked her if she came on the big boat or a smaller boat. She was not sure, which feed her fears more. We asked her if she had her boarding card. No her husband had it. By this time the lady’s emotional appeal for her husband had draw attention to the three of us and a man came up and started asking questions. He identified himself as an employee with Princess Cruises and was wearing an identification badge around his neck. He tried to ease her fears with about as much success as Wendy and I. He did manage to escort her off to the side. Wendy and I went on to get our buss but not before he reassured us that he would take care of her and find both her husband and their boat. I worried for her the rest of the trip, until, three days later, at the Vancouver airport were I’m sure I saw her going through a security line, safe and sound. The Rain Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary tour was nice. At times the sun was coming out from behind clouds which made for some very nice picture opportunities.

David and Holly enjoyed their Zip line tour of the rain forest. We saw lots of Salmon, but no bear. Lots of trees, but no bear. Lots of bear poop, but no bear.

Next post … Vancouver …

Juneau

2006-09-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

Juneau’s weather started much the same with overcast, cloudy skies which turned to a steady rain that morning. We had a late lunch under a tent having the best, all you can eat, “baked” salmon diner. I sit in front of my computer salivating while recalling the meal, no, feast that was prepared for us. Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. The only planed excursion in Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier, Macaulay Hatchery tour, & Salmon Bake. The stop in Juneau is a short one, docking at 6:30 am and departing at 4:00 pm. We boarded our buss and headed to the Mendenhall Glacier where trails and large wood walkways built above the water ways gave us a look at our first bear. The small Black bear cub had been chased up a tree we presumed, by its mother. There were “signs” (bear poop and fish parts,I thought of a picture of the “signs” then reconsidered) of bear all over the forest floor and along the shore line and we were sure the presence of a larger bear had caused the mother bear to take these precaution in order to protect the cub. The little bear looked to David and I to be a second year cub which would most likely make this his last fishing trip with mom. Up a path we did see a large Black bear sleeping away what surly had been a fresh fish meal. The bear lounged not fifteen yards from the trail! A little unnerving I must admit. The Mendenhall Glacier is a site to see. I like this picture which captures the size, the enormity, of not only the glacier but the waterfall that the rangers say had not been this large in many years. This glacier, as most glaciers in Alaska, but not all, is receding back up into the mountains. I was a bit surprised to hear that the rangers, while not 100% convinced that the receding ice is due to global warming, they are warming up to this theory. The newly renovated visitor center was very busy. So busy in fact we were unable to see the video that gives the history of Mendenhall Glacier. We got back on the buss and twenty minutes later were being given a tour of the Macaulay Hatchery which I found very informative and interesting. By 1:30 pm we were sitting down to that great baked/grilled salmon I had mentioned earlier. Salmon Creek put on quite the feast. The salmon was grilled over a wood burning fire. David and I went back for several pieces of Coho salmon. The Coho was delicious! All three stops, Mendenhall Glacier, Macaulay Hatchery and Salmon Creek are a must see if you ever visit Juneau.

A short walk up Salmon Creek revealed beautiful waterfalls along with spawning salmon in the creek.

Next post ... Ketchikan or "Are you on the boat with me"???

Skagway

2006-09-12T15:40:00.000-05:00

We docked in Skagway at 7 am on the 22nd as scheduled. There was no change in the overcast skies but the rain did hold off for most of the day. Our first land excursion was a Klondike bicycle tour which consisted of a buss ride up into the mountains and a bicycle ride, with very little peddling, back down into town. Wendy and I were reminded of our bicycle ride in Hawaii down Mt. Haleakulah, without the altitude sickness.This waterfall was at our droupoff point before we started down hill. We stopped at the Black Water pounds which are fresh water pounds that have a very high acid concentration, causing them to appear black. Our guide said he enjoyed the reflective nature of the water on a calm day. Our afternoon excursion was an “Evening Wildlife Expedition” which took as on a 45 minute catamaran cruise to the city of Haines. The one animal we did see most often was the Bald Eagle.

We passed beautiful waterfalls that were flowing harder then in past years due to the heavy rains Alaska had been getting all summer long.

This excursion we had our hopes set high in seeing a brown bear (the smaller version of the grizzly bear) of two. Our buss driver/guide explained that this was prime season during the salmon run for bear to be teaching their cubs how to fish and fatting up for the winter. We stopped along the Lutka Inlet where the DNR had a fish gate (not calling it by its proper name) where there were many “signs” of bear. The shore line was littered with salmon that had been torn open, along with bear droppings all over the place which convinced everyone that we were in fact in bear country. Every year the DNR count the number and type of salmon that return to this Inlet. I was told that the salmon population was very healthy. Our guided explained that the DNR employee has a boom box playing all the time while on duty, on the gate, not only for entertainment but mainly to help keep bears away. We continued on our way to the Chilkoot Lake State Park where we toured the forest then returned to the catamaran which took us back to the ship. Sadly, with no bear sittings. Spectacular scenery! Neat pictures! Lots of bald eagles! Looking for bear facts? Click here.

Next Post ... Juneau

Glacier Bay

2006-09-10T14:14:00.000-05:00

Having survived the twenty foot swells from the night before and after a days worth of antibiotics I was feeling better. Can’t say the same for David who was feeling very tired and was diagnose with monition sickness by both Wendy and Holly. They prescribed Ginger root for him. So David ask one of the waitress to see if the chef would part with some ginger root and sure enough she brought David two pieces. While he chewed on the first piece, his face, in a contorted expression that clearly said this was something that did in fact not taste very good at all. This took place just as I was returning to the breakfast table and I heard, “ I’m not going to eat that crap” which came in unison from both Holly and Wendy as David suggested they try some of the ginger. Go figur... The girls argued that they do not have motion sickness so they don’t have to try it. A few minutes later, David said that he was feeling better and proceeded to chew on the second piece of ginger which he said, did not taste any better. No one could keep up with David for the rest of the trip. Seems it doesn’t taste very good but has something going for it when it comes to curing (being very tired)/ motion sickness.
By 10:30 am we were entering Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The weather was overcast but brighter then other days past. The park offers spectacular views of glaciers and wildlife. We started at the back of the boat were we saw breaching Humpback whales, seals, and birds. We returned to our rooms to sit and watch as we cruised past Reid, then Lamplugh glaciers. A park ranger had been picked up prior to entering the park and was providing the entire ship information on what we were seeing over the ships TV system. At the far north end of the park were the Mergerie and Grand Pacific glaciers. The ship stayed within a half mile from the face of Mergerie and after about a half hour turned the ship 180 degrees so everyone onboard could get an up close look at the glacier. The whole time we were on the ship looking out I had trouble understanding how big things were. The ranger said that from the water line to Mergeries highest point was about fifteen stories high. I tried, as everyone else did, to get a video or picture of a glacier calving, ice breaking off a glacier forming an ice burg, with no luck. By this time we had moved up to the observation deck. I did get a picture of Wendy holding on in fear, real fear that the railing would give way against all the people trying to get the best view. We made it without loosing anyone.

Next posting.... Skagway

Onboard the food train ..... ship

2006-09-07T20:49:00.000-05:00

The weather delayed our departure to College Fjord by four hours while tourists who were being bussed in from all parts of Alaska arrived. After checking out our Staterooms we found the buffet line. All kinds of food, 24 hour a day! When we first started or trip six day ago, on the way into the airport, I said to Holly, David and Wendy that I was afraid that I would, when I did get to the buffet think that I would have to eat as much as I could to be sure I was getting my moneys worth. Holly and Wendy reassured me that if I eat just a little and had plenty of fruits and vegetables, bla bla, bla. This advice from the three of them who visited the buffet lines four too five times a day. No lie. I was in bed (my sinus infection may had a little to do with it) by 10:30 pm or so most nights while the three of them went to clubs and shows, having a great time, and of course, hitting the buffet line one more time before they turned in. I tried, unsuccessfully to see the ships doctor when I first got on board. Office hours were two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. Not sure what he did during the off time. Maybe he wore a second hat as the golf pro for the virtual golf shop on board? I had to wait till the next morning and made sure I was first in line. Being on a ship, I thought I was in for a large bill and was surprised when the bill totaled a little over one hundred bucks. Dr. Andrew, we were on a first name basis, proscribed an antibiotic, “Z pack”, which had me feeling much, much better, in a day or so.

As scheduled, we arrived in College Fjord at 5:30 am.The rain along with it being just before sun rise made for an eerie site and sound. Thunder and what I believe was the rain making the glacier ice give way much more frequently then it would have with out the rain, was very cool to experience. The sound of the glacier ice giving way, even though I did not witness any calving (more on calving later) is hard to describe. Like thunder but different in a deeper frequency kind of way.

The next 24 hours were at sea and the boat was rocking. Not from all the dancing David, Holly and Wendy were doing but the twenty foot swells that were being wiped up by the storm we steamed, or should I say dieseled through. The captain announced that the twenty foot seas’ were “normal” and that we were not to worry. The next morning we talked to our waiter and waitress who by the looks of them had a very rough night, said that was not a normal rid for them and they were glad it had settled down.

Next posting ….. Glacier Bay National Park

Blown back to Anchorage....

2006-09-06T19:14:00.000-05:00

While I was getting warmed up next to a roaring fire, Wendy, Holly and David were rafting down a river. High winds had blown down trees that took down power lines to the lodge leaving the power off for 3 ½ hours. Besides rafting, Wendy, Holly and David were helping to pull downed trees from the roads. That night while in our rooms, a letter was passed under our door explaining that due to 70 mph winds in Valdez our catamaran cruise to Whittier was canceled. We were scheduled to leave the next morning at 8:30 am for a 2 ½ hour buss ride to Valdez. The change in plans turned the 2 ½ hour ride into a six hour ride back to Anchorage. Princess Cruises gave us a two hundred dollar, on ship credit and gave us each a lunch certificate that could be used at several restaurants in Anchorage. After breakfast we loaded up the buss and left promptly at 8:30 am. The weather, as you might have guessed, was cloudy and overcast with rain showers on and off until we got to Anchorage, were it rained most of the time we were there. We had a hurried but very tasty lunch for the price. The revised plans included a lunch stop an than catch another buss to Whittier. These plans changed, for the better I might add. A two minute buss ride to the train station and we were on the road/tracks again, headed for Whittier. Princess Cruises had their hands full the past two days. The high winds along with heavy persistent rains had washed out train bridges and roads between Denali and Fairbanks. Tourist from all over Alaska were having to endure long, very long, buss rides around the troubled areas. We were very lucky! Princess employees are to be commended for their patience. They truly went the extra mile in taking care of their customers. The train ride to Whittier was uneventful. It rained most of the trip and the domed cars we rode in had fogged up shortly after we left. The bar was open but it was a cash bar. We arrived in Whittier around 6 p.m. A short walk from the train and we were checking into the Sapphire Princess.

We got to our staterooms and in front of our doors was our luggage which we had not seen sence we left Copper River that morning.

Next posting ... Twenty foot swells made for lots of green gills.....

ATV's, the bear truth & high winds...

2006-09-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

We pulled into the Copper River Princess Lodge around 5:30 pm, a bit tired from the nine hour trip. By this time my sinus infection had taken a good hold on me. The weather… you guess it, cloudy and overcast but the views from the lodge of Mt. Drum, Mt. Wrangell and Mt. Blackburn were still spectuler! We found a large fire burning in the fire place that felt heavenly. Daily temperatures were in the upper 50’s and mid 40’s for lows. Dinner and a return to the fire place did me in. When we arrived the winds were just picking up. The next morning, by the time we were done with breakfast, the winds were 15 too 25 mph and building. Our first scheduled excursion of the day was ATV’s. This was a first for all of us. Wendy was terrified of the thought of having to learn how to handle an ATV and was only distracted by the add fear that we could run and I mean “run” in every way, run into, run past, run around, run over … a BEAR!!!! We were picked up in front of the lodge by our twenty year old guide, Amanda’s whose presence had settled Wendy’s nervousness’ even if just a little. More so when Wendy found out that there would only be the five of us and that Amanda was going to be with us the whole trip. Amanda we came to find out was born and raised in Alaska and reassured Wendy that she would be fine. While she would not guarantee us we would not see a bear she reassured Wendy that “the noise from the ATV’s engine(s) would scare off all bears”. Three hours early, I’m sure Holly, David or I said something to this effect and more, which had zero impact on Wendy. We had a great time riding the ATV trails which included a stop at the Alaskan oil pipeline. Yeh, we're holding up the pipe line! That afternoon our second excursion was rafting down the Copper River. I was sick so I stayed in the lodge by the fire. Wendy, Holly and David went rafting. Wendy took these pictures of their trip, which due to high winds ended up not on the Copper River. I was told this rafting trip was not as rough as the Whitewater rafting in Denali.

Next posting.... "Blown back to Anchorage"

Denali Highway / washboard

2006-09-03T19:55:00.000-05:00

Day four started with a nine hour buss ride cross country to Copper River. Cloudy and overcast, we loaded up the buss and left Denali about 8:30 am. The scenery on the Denali Highway was great, even though the weather was not the best. The rain held off for the most part. Not many wild animal sightings. A bald eagle here and there, After about three hours on the road, if you call an unpaved, pot hole ridden narrow lane trail a road, we stopped for home made pie and ice cream. I was not feeling that good, coming down with a sins infection, so Wendy, David and Holly sampled the goods with smiles of approval. This is Wendy before the pie and ice cream. The buss ride was not too bad, bumpy but otherwise ok. The rains kept the dust down which was a good thing. We stopped for lunch at a small place built in the middle of nowhere. Soup and sandwich and back on the road again but not before we got our first look at a glacier.Sorry I did not do a better job in documenting the names of the stops for pie, lunch or this glacier. I promise to do a better job on the next vacation. This link has great pictures of the Denali Highway. I know I have said this before but the Alaska scenery is something to behold! Enjoy!! Our driver/guide stopped at the Susitna River bridge so we could walk across and stretch our legs.
On the other side, shortly after we pulled away, there was a yell by two or three people, in unison,”Mooooose”!!! The buss comes to a stop and backs up to give those who can see it through the trees, a better look. Most everyone saw a cow (female moose) and Wendy and one or two others said they saw the large antlers of a male moose. With the moose mostly hidden in/by the trees there was no photo op. That was it for wildlife on this ride.

Susitna River.

Next posting… not sure of a title just yet… “ATV’s & bear attacks” or “ATV’s can’t out run a Grizzly” or ??????.

Denali, Day 2 - pm

2006-09-02T19:29:00.000-05:00

So far the only animals we have seen are bald eagles and artic ground squirrels.But we had our hopes up during our fifty mile buss trip into Denali National Park (DNP) to see all kinds of wild life. With cameras, binoculars bottled water in hand we left the lodge with thirty or so other tourist. The weather continued to be overcast but the rain held off for the most part. During the trip looking out over the tundra there would be areas where it was sunny and others were it was raining or snowing, all in the same breath taking scene. The link above to the DNP is full of information and pictures of the wild life we did not see. We did get to see, from a far, a few caribou, a large herd of Dall sheep and more ground squirrels. Mt. McKinley remained hidden in the clouds but I did get a couple of pictures that do not, after having been there, do justice to the vastness of this beautiful land. Visit the park to see the breathtaking landscape!! If you do see wildlife, it will be an added treat!!

Click on this (or any picture) to inlarge it. If you look close, very close on top of the ridge, you can see a male caribou posing majusticly showing off his large antlers.

I tried but was unsuccessful in getting a picture of a tour buss as it traversed the narrow gravel road through the mountain pass. This portion or the buss ride is not for the faint of heart. Several hundred foot drop offs were but a few feet away from the busses wheels. I held my breath a few times. The driver says it gets even better when you meet a buss head on and have to pass each other. Thankfully we did not meet anyone along this portion of the trip.

Denali, Day 2 - a.m.

2006-09-01T18:22:00.000-05:00

The view form the Denali Princess lodge. Nenana Gorge in forground.

Having dried out and warmed up after our whitewater rafting we started our second day in Denali on an Alaska Walking Tour. Our guide, Kevin, met us at the lodge at 7:30 am. After introductions we left to pick up two other people. Bob and Larry from Colorado, formally Huston Texas, loaded up a min van and a short twenty minutes later we were in the Alaska wilderness. I learned that everyone is in the Alaska wilderness when driving a few minutes out of any city in Alaska. The only sign of civilization is the occasional road sign. I did notice that most all road signs, even along the highways in Anchorage, were full of gun shot holes. I thought that was only a Wisconsin thing… “lets wanta goan bagas a road sign son”.... Back to the wilderness tour. Kevin is a very knowledgeable and interesting guide. He took us to “Dry Creek River” were glacial runoff cuts its way through the earth. Kevin explained that some days the glacial thaw is so strong that the river is impassable. Some days it consists of two or three creeks while others days there is no run off and the creek is dry. We hit it on a dry day. The day before there were several creeks running and a week earlier we could not have crossed it. We walked up the dry bed for about a few hundred yards then followed a path into the woods were we found all sorts of berries. Kevin pointed out ferns, fungi, trees, and mushrooms and told us stories or what he does in the off season. He climbs 200 foot towers in 40 below zero weather to build/repair towers. His talking about climbing towers was as interesting as the wilderness tour.

Planes, Trains, Busses and Boats

2006-08-29T20:34:00.000-05:00

After a six hour and twenty minute plane ride we found our Princess representative at the baggage claim area. Our first buss ride was to the hotel for a one night stay in Anchorage. Arriving after 9 pm we were hungry and tired. The buss driver recommended several places to eat. His favorite was Humpy’s, so after getting our bags into our rooms we headed to Humpy’s. The live band was loud but the fresh vegetable soup along with a glass of Alaskan Ale was to die for. The soup had all kinds of veggies with just a little kick to it. It did hit the spot. The next morning bright and early or rather cloud/rainy and early, we got on another buss to catch the Princess train to Denali. I must say that Princess had both the land and sea tours well organized. We were given tags for our luggage at each stop. Leaving them out the night before we left, we would find them in our rooms along with additional information when we got to our hotels/ship. We had been advised that there may be up to a three hour delay in getting the bags that traveled with us but this was not the case. Our luggage beat us to our rooms in all three stops and we got to the rooms with no delays.

The train ride to Denali was in the upper level of the Princess train car with there glass domes providing unobstructed viewing for the most part. A table sat four of us comfortable. Breakfast and lunch were served in the lower portion of the car. I squeezed, and I mean squeezed into the booth for breakfast, passed on lunch. There were open air observation decks that we visited.

When we got to Denali we had booked a white water rafting tour. This was a first for all of us and a tour I would recommend. I may have mentioned that it had been raining for most of the summer in most of Alaska. The rain run off along with glacier runoff made for great rafting on the Nenana Gorge which runs through Denali for eleven miles or so. The guides were excited for us.“ We will ride level three, four and five white water this evening, hang on tight”! There were detailed safety instructions given along with demonstration on how to put on your wet suit. A young mountain man type, who was one of the raft guides, came up to me and said that three of his buddies (other guides) had a bet that they could get me into one of the wet suits but that I would be very uncomfortable. He suggested that I wear a pair of foam rubber overalls along with an additional rain coat and that I would only get wet from the lower half. I should have taken the bet! There was no way they could have gotten me into that wet suit.
These picture is one of the smaller rapids. We were faced with waves five to six feet over our heads a couple of times with two to four waves the norm.
This is serious bussiness! Wendy was very concerned that we were all going to die. "Kurt! Hold on!! Kurt are you holding on!!! To say she was frighten would not discribe it. Her hands held so tight to the bar behide us that it took several minutes to strighten her finders out after we were on land. We all got our heads wet and I did end up with a wet bottom. The water temp was 35....cooold!!!

Alaska

2006-08-27T22:38:00.000-05:00

After two weeks in Alaska we are home again. We arrived in Anchorage around 9 pm with it raining with what seamed like much of the land and sea trip in rain or with overcast skies. We got home around 9 pm to rain and two, three if you count Holly and David’s, very happy dogs. The rain did not dampen our spirits. We all had a great time. I ate to much but more later on what use to be called the, Love Boat and known now as the, Food Boat. Over the next week or so I hope to write about our travels through this beautiful state. Thanks to the use of Scotts digital camera I was able to get some very nice pictures. This is one of several that I like. It was taken in Ketchikan, Tongass National Forest.

Hot, Hot, Hot....

2006-07-28T20:02:00.000-05:00

Hot and humid, 95 with 87% humidity today with the forecast of even hotter temperatures predicted for the next few days. Hit lower 90’s last for days Reminds me of the summer’s nights as a kid in the upstairs bedroom at 568 Elm Grove Dr. Nights when it was so hot and the air so thick I could not sleep.

Not a lot to write about since the storm that ripped through on the 17th . I’ve been cutting up downed tree limbs for the past couple of weeks. Working for two to three hours most mornings, and on some afternoons, I’m 70% complete. A water department employee who is an expert at tree trimming will, sometime in September, come to cut the hanging limbs out of the trees for me. Then I start all over cutting and burning what comes down. My neighbor’s huge Cotton Wood tree, actually it was three large trees that grow out from each others base at about a 45 degree angle to the ground, fell destroying a swing set in the process. I feared that the massive tree would fall onto kids who often play in their back yard. I had prayed that the one section would fall in a strong wind at night when no one was there.. Seems my prays were answered. No one hurt, yet. One of the original three trees remains upright. Not for long though. Using a bobcat my neighbor piled the very large sections of tree trunks and started a fire that should burn into next year. The fire is burning the base of the last standing tree. When it comes down is any ones guess.

Wendy, Kristina, Tiffani, Echo and Connie are at a baby shower for Kristy Riley. Cody and I are hanging together tonight. We went to see “Superman Returns” and then to Silver Lake restaurant were I introduced Cody to Pot Stickers. Cody likes them plain, I like my spicy hot.

Kris is getting the kids ready for Camp Edwards this Sunday. She spent some time today shopping for clothes and shoes. At lunch time today Tiff announced to Wendy and I that “from now on, I’m a vegetarian, except when I’m at camp. I love Camp Edwards fried chicken!” Funny, I say pretty much the same thing right after I finish shopping for clothes.

Stormy Night

2006-07-18T16:06:00.000-05:00

Went to bed last night with a great deal of heat lighting in the skies over Elgin. Wendy woke me around midnight to tell me that we had lost a big tree in the back yard. I was not totally awake and I vaguely remember grumbling something to the effect that I would take care of it in the morning and in a snap of a tree trunk returned to a hard sleep. Sleeping on my left side, my good ear buried into a pillow, I hear little of anything along with the air conditioning running and all the windows in the house closed I'm afraid the house could have been swept away and I would have slept through it. As the pictures show we did indeed have some tree damage. About 15 hours with no electricity, neighbor is still without and the bad news is that it may be late tomorrow, 7/19, before it is restored. Thankfully there was no damage too any houses in the area. Only trees and power lines downed.

Pictures from the Park

2006-07-07T11:09:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I took a couple of pictures and I thought you might enjoy them. Maybe there is an horticulturist out there that can ID the strange looking long plant.