The Northern Homestead

2009-11-19T22:49:00.002-05:00

Testing one, two, Tree!

2009-11-19T22:38:00.000-05:00

So close but no damage!! I knew it would be close... but it was closer than I expected. Not much more than 2 feet clearance when it comes to rest on the ground!

As the trunk shows... it twisted a little coming off the base... but the hinge held and kept the trunk from taking out the outhouse!!

Could be a commercial.... but it is just the new saw after taking down the little tree out back.

Video of the tree to come...

2009-11-19T22:23:00.000-05:00

So, when you get two chainsaw guys working in the bush... you can do great things!

Here is a little practise for the "new" guy on the saw. Not everyday you get to take down a tree this size, and not be worried too much where it goes!!

Saddly, the big burl on the tree was peppered with fungi.... so it is probably already starting to deteriorate inside! Maybe it is good .... we will check!

The tree is down, and things are still standing!
More to come.... one more little tree to take down!

2009-11-19T22:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the lake.... in November! On a clear, cold morning this week we made a visit to the bush! It was great.

The dock was decorated with frost.... amazing frost!

Just look at the length of this stuff... and it stayed for most of the day.

More pics to follow... of the logging day!

2009-08-16T22:18:00.001-05:00

That is concentration... he is full of anticipation for this treat.... toasting marshmallows!

and here it is ... ready for the fire..... he toasts them a little like his Uncle David.... black!

and even Mom took time to try one of the toasted treats.... lot's of fun... smoke and good times!

Ben was less concerned about toasting... but serious about eating them!!
Of course Luke was very interested in these "special" treats also! .... I want some what Sam has!!

2009-08-16T22:06:00.000-05:00

Sam also seemed to like working with the "digger"!!

So did Ben....

He preferred the "digger" to the clay....

The sad part is that Luke helped me repair the cracks on the second day but no pictures to document his help!
He was just as interested and got his hands right into the clay for over two hours!!

2009-08-16T21:48:00.000-05:00

Just working with your hands can be so much fun... and even more so when there is soft smooth clay involved!

We smooth the clay on the frame, hoping to make a clay oven for baking bannock... but it was not to be.
The project was fun, and we made a good looking thing.... that lasted until the clay began to dry out and we could not keep up with the cracks!!

And what do you do when you have clay on your hands and your nose has an itch??? You TWITCH!!

Then it is back to the task at hand! Such fun working with Sam.... he really liked this one!

2009-08-10T22:27:00.000-05:00

Sam in the woods.... seems like the woods are all around us here in Canada!

No... he is not fishing... but frogging! Lot's of life to observe in a dip net and a pond. Amazing the little bugs, creatures and crawly things one can find!

So why does it fly Poppa?? .... Ben it just seems to do that since it is a helicopter....! Why...?

We just have to wait for the frogs to come back!! Why... well Ben, they saw us coming and they dove for cover.... Why, because they didn't want us to step on them.... Why!??

2009-08-10T22:19:00.000-05:00

Nice day for a drive to Canada!! But one should always stop at Cabella's for a few minutes when in the area. Look up boys... those are friendly big bears.... are they not?!?!?

Wonder why Sam's mind was playing tricks with him.... seems like he would always hear a bear in the woods! At least he knew his mind was playing tricks on him.

Yes Luke .... that is a leopard in the tree.... beside the rhinoscer... rus...sus....

2009-07-25T09:40:00.000-05:00

So, how can you not love the morning as the fog slowly rises off the lake?

It seems hard to believe that it has been a year since I have been out there... the beauty is still there, even under the fog... and perhaps even more beautiful as you see the fog rising to give you a better view of the bluffs.

Morning on one side of the lake... and still snooze time on the other.... depending on which side of the decidous canopy to live!

The view from the edge .... still awesome!

2009-01-21T00:00:00.004-05:00

With a day to put in before Anna comes home from the hospital, Poppa gets a workout with the boys!

Must have played hard, because Ben had a great nap in the afternoon... nothing bothering him.

Then the star of the show appeared and everyone wanted to hold her, kiss her, and read her books!

A little time for everyone to see, hear, touch and generally begin the effort to add one more little being to the pack.

Then comes time for Poppa to hold her. What a fun thing to do... only yesterday she was brandnew!! Today, she is just one of the boys... well not really, but she does look alot like them!
Don't tell them we said that.....

What more needs to be said?? The boys will look after her, or toughen her up, maybe both!!

2009-01-20T07:23:00.004-05:00

So, sometimes life just kinda grabs you around the neck.... and in this case that is a good thing!! Here she is, Anna Ruth... and she is not going to get away from Dr. Starck!!

It was an exciting day for the Smith's and the Buehrle's yesterday. Baby Anna Ruth was born at 5:16pm. She weighed in at 8lb.11oz and is 20 inches tall!

Naomi is doing just fine and they are expected home from hospital today if everything goes to plan!

The boys were very excited to meet their new sister!! They were, just a Poppa & Grandma, in awe of this new little life! What a treat to be able to share the time with them as Anna begins her new life with her brothers!
There will be more picture coming.... of that I am sure!

2009-01-18T21:57:00.003-05:00

So the excitement for today was the celebration of Ben's birthday.... candles, cake, pizza, and presents! Lot's of those.... including a sleeping bag back pack. Should be able to take that to the quinzhee for a nap!

With food, tattoo band-aids, and assorted treats in his new lunch bag Ben was off to see the rest of the celebration!

Meanwhile, Naomi just waits patiently for the baby to emerge!

Ben is somewhat concerned about the fact that McQueen, Miss Sally, Doc and Mater are having to hand on their sides for supper!

So... one more shot of the snowhouse ... the joint effort! Tomorrow will no doubt require much attention to the activities in the quinzhee!!

2009-01-18T20:53:00.002-05:00

Well the grass is still green in Ohio.... at least the stuff that is growing on Santa's head !! In the house on the counter!!

While outside, the snow has arrived and with a little effort a quinzhee has appeared in the backyard of Matt and Naomi's house!

The boys were very excited about the potential to have naps, sleepovers, treats and a variety of other activities in the "tunnel" as Ben like to call it!

2008-12-29T13:44:00.004-05:00

Christmas in Ohio.
Green grass, walking with the boys and watching the motorcycles, scooters and assorted other forms of wheeled entertainment... all are a part of the Christmas season in Ohio this year. With Dad no longer in SSM, the need to be in the north for the holidays was replaced with a need to be with Matt, Naomi and the boys.

There will be pictures to post, and more storied to write, but for now, the saga will continue here with sunny days and walks with the super stroller!

Don't be too discouraged about the weather, this shot was taken on Labour Day weekend, not this past week!! Although, when it hit 60F it felt like this day all over!

And why put this shot in... just 'cuz it is from the lake, and I like the colour and smooth lines on the water! No hidden meanings, nothing more complicated than .... I like it!

2008-12-27T01:00:00.007-05:00

The truck arrives, the stakes are in the ground and before the day is done, there is a hole in the ground with boards ready to hold the concrete footings in place! The house has been started!

The next thing you know we are filling in around the walls and ready to start nailing boards together.

And before long, but not without some long hours of hard work... there is a shell of a house! More yet to do, however, it is closed in and ready for the inner workings to be installed!
The project started in September, continued through October and was closed in and ready for winter by mid-November!! Not bad for a small crew!

2008-08-09T15:57:00.002-05:00

So when Auntie Heidi takes the boys to the parade... they are serious about gathering candy. Ben looked after his little satchel all night long! Nobody was to mess with that bag. He was one of the more serious parade watchers in Desbarats!

We are not in on the conversation around these two pics...and we are not sure whether it is Mom's comments or Grandma's ... that draw the second "look" out of the two models!! Luke & Heidi were obviously both impressed by something!!

Do you really need words to go with 2 boys and a pond!! I think not !

2008-08-09T15:50:00.002-05:00

Not all visitors are quite so bold... like these two. They will suddenly appear in the pond... and just as quickly they move silently off into the cover of the trees. They do seem to enjoy the vegetation in the pond and with those long legs they seem to be able to move in and out of the water with ease! - and speed if required!

2008-08-09T15:42:00.002-05:00

So ... what do you do with a bag of dirt... well if you are a bear... you might move it around the yard and get your paws all dirty!!

Then you might come up on the deck and check out all the windows... with muddy paws... so people can see where you have been!!

These were the paw prints left by our latest black bear visitor!
It was Eddie who sounded the alarm as the screen rip on our bedroom window! This guy is getting a little toooo familiar!!

2008-08-07T13:05:00.001-05:00

So this guys big brother came back the other night.... left foot prints on all the windows... and ripped the screen on the bedroom window!! Eddie made a big fuss about 5 am and he left the window and wandered off the deck!! No pictures... too dark!!

The other visitor was the calf and cow moose ... Mom is not very far awa and you can just see he shoulder on the right!!

2008-07-13T22:36:00.002-05:00

You know your in the north when the visitor on the deck .... is looking for snacks at 7:00 am in the morning!!
... Oh, sorry .... I put them all away.... but try again tomorrow!

The posting has been very slow lately... but maybe in the next day or two I'll be able to catch up!!

Gnite for now!

2008-05-08T20:02:00.001-05:00

We spent the day driving to the farm... wandering around .... and watching the water flow out the drain... it was making a neat water fan that was fun to watch.

The fan would move.... but it looked amazing as it just kept splashing off the rocks.

Dad enjoyed the time with Eddie, although Eddie still is not keen about cameras!! Oh well!

2008-05-08T19:43:00.003-05:00

Well , even though the weather remains cool.... the flowers are blooming and in fact the wild flower garden in the back of Dad's house has trillium's, tulips, blue bells.... and a multitude of other colourful flowers.

The good news... the house has been sold... the down side is of course that Dad's retreat centre will be gone.... not an easy thing to do... 'cuz it signals a new era!!

We spent a day down at the farm... with Dad being able to wander around and check out the pond.... I think he enjoyed the day.

Of course Eddie was around... but was not keen on having his picture taken!!
A good day was had be all.

2008-04-13T20:09:00.001-05:00

So for the quick news.... we left the country for a couple weeks and enjoyed a cruise in the Caribbean aboard the Westerdam. Big boat.... not a big as some... and I have a ton of pictures.... that I won't post.... 'cuz I just don't have the space. I filled 3 cds with no room to spare...!!! 2,000 plus comes to mind! Glad they are digital!!

This flower was at Lois Hardie's condo in Florida. The latter part of the trip was more down to earth .... so to speak... it worked on Eienstein's theory of relativity.... and I might say it was much more cost effective ... and no less enjoyable!!

A final shot as we depart for the north.... little did we know that there would be yet another snow storm in April!!! We were already in summer time mode!

The sunsets are nice from the beach... but the sunrises .... are great from the deck of a ship.

And speaking of decks... well this is our deck here in the north on April 12th!! Yes, that is fresh white snow... and lots of it!

More to come .... as time allows!

2008-02-14T20:44:00.003-05:00

You know I am STUCK here in this contraption.... I would rather be out with my brothers!!!

Well if you don't get me out... I might just cry!! Do you get my point!

Really ... I mean it ... I will cry ....

Funny... that didn't work with my Mom either!!!

I could just be serious...

or maybe just a little grin...

... but then again.... smiles just seem to work so much better !!!

Luke was just enjoying the new stroller ... it is a very nice thing to push through the mall, or over the grass.... and maybe... just maybe... we will have to find a way to hitch it to the four wheeler!! ... Just maybe!!
Luke and I did chat about that... we will most likely have a positive response from Ben, and Sam.... it is Mom we are somewhat concerned about!!

2008-02-14T20:08:00.006-05:00

After my arrival... the snow arrived .... and did it arrive !! Lot's of it!!

First order... let's play in the snow... and Mom was home and Poppa kept an eye and ear on Luke... so Ben, Sam and Mom could play outside!! 3 Hours almost ... the all seemed to have fun!!

Ben was not opposed to get his face right into the snow!!

And with some help from the neighbour kids .... a snowman arose !! They all look rather pleased with the effort !!

Poppa's new winter boots offered some entertainment as they tried them out inside!!

Then our little scientist thought he should have a closer look at things...

One can never learn to be safety conscious too young!!

Brother Sam.... could you have a look also??

2008-02-14T19:37:00.007-05:00

Well it just wouldn't be right to go much further without some pictures of the grandsons now would it??? After having sometime to go visit them a week or so ago... I thought it was time for some pics from the visit.

This was Luke on Day 2 ... the first night there he was a little unsure about this ole' Poppa ... by the second day though .... we were once again friends and all was well .... at least most of the time!

Ben of course is the people guy... and we were back on track in no time at all. All one needs to do is mention food and Ben will saddle up his chair and be looking for the goods!

Sam is our high energy guy .... and was being very creative and was having fun "swimming" in the foam packing that brought Christmas and birthday gifts.

Of course the aftermath.... took three of us to clean up!! and much more time than it took to create the "pond" . But Mommy .... the water is sticking to me.... yes Sam .... that is static.... oh... Can Ben come in too?? Uh, No!!

Ben is working on his own style ... with a cupcake from his birthday party.

Yes there is a grin behind that hand.... this little guy is full of them... grins that is... cupcakes too... but mostly grins!

Luke ... on the other hand... keeps his grins for just the right moment!!

Big brother Ben ... loves to sit with his brother and help him... not all the help is appreciated by little brother but most of it is... and Ben has proven himself a good and gentle helper!

2008-02-11T21:28:00.000-05:00

So after pulling and pulling and pulling on a very cold snowblower, I did actually think about rolling it into the room with the woodstove to warm it up... it was very cold and I can only imagine the viscosity of the oil was somewhat "thicker" than usual! But it did go ... and the driveway was cleared and I headed out to Sault Ste Marie... to start all over again ...

Even in the rear view mirror ... it is a pretty place to be... summer, fall, winter and spring!!

Seems that the Sault got snow also!! So once again the blower was chilled from a ride in an open truck ...

But if you think that the blower had a cold ride, how about this guy... riding a few feet in the air... down Highway 17...

that's right... hwy 17.. the trans canada.... It made me shiver just watching him driving the team from on high!! Never mind the fact that he didn't have his seat belt on!!

But he made it to the sideroad.... and was riding tall in the pallets the last I saw him!

2008-02-11T21:12:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you open a black bag ... full of legs?? An Instant Bench!!! What else would it be!?? Thanks to Grandpa George the pond skaters and the pontoon boat riders... will have a bench to sit on that is not cold... and will move easily to a new location...

2008-02-11T20:54:00.000-05:00

The first few picture need little comment... the snows came, the winds blew, and I cleaned the driveway a couple more times...

But there was a clear day... almost warm ... and the snow was sticky... and seemed to like Eddie's feet! The eyes say it all... put away the doggone camera and get these balls off my legs!!!

But the trees were loaded with snow and today when the sun came out... , although it was cold, it was absolutely beautiful!!

2008-01-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

The video below will give you a little taste of the crew that made their way to the lake one cold and wintry day!! As you will be able to tell.... they seemed to enjoy the trip... and this was the closing minutes of their time at the lake. More photos and comments to follow on other posts... for now... enjoy the group having fun ....

2008-01-23T19:59:00.000-05:00

So Heidi shows up at the door with a bunch of folks from the Leadership Development Program... and they came with a trailer full of treasures.

They filled the basement and spread throughout the rest of the house!!
Sooo... being the host ... I suggested they go to camp !! and take all their stuff.... and guess what ... they did!

After a beautiful walk in .... over the trails and lake... only about 2 klm. they filled the yard with camping gear!!

Eddie and I thought we should head back to town .... our hosting done... we headed home to a warm house...

Before we left ... the crew were piling snow... and hoping to make a warm shelter out of snow. Good thing the temperature was only -16 when I got back to the truck!

I'm sure we will have more shots tomorrow when they return to the land of electric everything.... but for now they seemed to be enjoying the land of snow, silence, and cold! I must admit that I might have stayed with them, but Eddie wanted more food! I'll blame it on him. It was a great walk though and I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the pictures and hear of the adventure. It will also be nice to have company back at Bruce Mines again to enjoy the surroundings!

2008-01-10T19:31:00.000-05:00

After all was said and done... Sam was happy to stay up a little longer and help Poppa assembly his Christmas gift... a bird house... Sam ...I'll help start the nail.... Sam .... if I hold the nail.... I will help start it......" Okay Poppa!"

With good intensity, and persistence all the glue was applied, nails were driven, and all parts assembled.

With concentration, Sam was able to drive the nails home and was more than willing to paint it that night... Mom, however, thought that might be a good project for another night!! Wise Mommy!! I have had a report that the house has been painted and is ready to be installed this spring!

Heidi and Poppa were kept busy trying to clear the rink.... be helped by Sam, and to answer the multitude of questions that flowed from his mind! Amazing what that boy thinks about!!

My little pal Ben was just not feeling well at all. That was really too bad 'cuz he really wanted to be on the tractor, and in the snow... but he just couldn't find the get and go to sustain much activity!

Baby Luke was crusin' around the house ... happy as could be while he was mobile... of course he did voice a few complaints with management when he was left to sit on his own!!

Sam on the other hand was ready to get out there and do something!!! Anything!!

Sam, can you see where we are going.... I hope so ... 'cuz somewhere around here is a Silverado... Burgundy... and not real small...

... but definitely undercover tonight!!

Naomi and "her" boys...... later in the week this comment would come back as we left her at home with 2 of the three.... Sam's comment..." have fun with your boys Mommy"

Okay Sam, looks like this guy is ready to watch over the yard for us...

"But Poppa... what is his name? " Luigi.... perhaps!!

Sam, let's walk back up to the house... there might be something warm for us to drink....

Poppa... I think I need more marshmallows... 'cuz ... ' 'cuz the others are all gone now!!

Where did they go Sam?.... I think they melted... and I ate some of them... but not all of them....

2008-01-09T22:13:00.000-05:00

Okay.... the cake is here.... and that name looks familiar... it must be true ... the cake says so! Can it really be that 30 years has passed here at GM...??

Okay Shirley, You and I are here... are there other coming or will we be eating cake for the next month?

Well Harry Stein managed to come through with a few words of encouragement and appreciation. Harry was my first manager when I moved from IPC warranty analysis to Supplier Quality. The best years of my time at GM were during this time!!

And then... the chance to say Thank-you and Farewell! I'm sure there will be more to write about this new stage of life .... stay tuned!

So Ron get one last moment of time to lecture at GM... the instructor just needs a crowd ... and then one can "wax elephants" or wax eloquent just for fun!!

But what people really want to hear.... "Let them eat cake!!"

But they waited patiently ... mostly.... Dave, are you in a hurry to get somewhere , or have you heard this all before?

And the best part... getting to chat with all the folks that made life a GM bearable!!

2008-01-09T22:04:00.000-05:00

Greetings All,
Since it has been so long between posts...I thought I would start with a little picture of "Wilson..." Well, you see he got a little too close to a passing porcupine... now they don't look bad in the first shot but when you get a closer look ... you have some seriously sharp points to deal with. Especially since the ball is a basket-ball and not just soft rubber. Oh and by the way ... the ball simply rolled into the porky... it was presented forcefully to him!!

More to follow...

2007-10-19T19:06:00.000-05:00

Okay, now for the star of the show.... Master Luke Buehrle!!

Who me.... cries Luke with a look of glee!!

Of course, periodically, a lip appears .... and then shortly after the lip.... come real tears and a sound of disappointment!!

But .... Poppa seemed to be able to deal with that and Matt and I had a great day looking after the three boys ... while Mom went to work.

Ben .... is such a cool little guy.... pretty laid back .... and has a grin that just warms you up!!

Ben likes to look out for Luke and does come over on a regular basis to check on him and give him a little pat !! Gently of course!!

Okay Sam... I want to see bubbles.... more bubbles!!!

Luke at time does not need the bubble stick to blow bubbles .... but he does keep the fun going through the day!

Sam has his corner for play .... and keeps himself busy. Of course he also keeps Mom and Dad busy .... just keeping the whole crew on track!

Thanksgiving weekend was warm and beautiful.... with rain, sun & summer temperatures.

Lots of colour.... in some places and still green in others.

Pull Heidi .... we need it out of the water!!

This little falls was found right close to home.... across the lake.... not often does it flow like this though!!

More colours and kid picture to choose from.... but this is a start!

2007-10-02T20:58:00.000-05:00

Heidi, Esther & Drew, planning the afternoon's activity!! Well, anticipating the activity ... they had the plan... and they executed it very well. It was a treat to see them in action with a school group.
Okay, teachers... Sarah, Chris & Deb ... they had a terrific group of young people from their school... and we enjoyed sharing a little time and of course the facilitator's with them!

And the facilitator's... another day done... time to plan for tomorrow!
More pictures of a visit to Medeba.... later.

So as I go through the other camera... and find pictures from the near past .... I thought some should be posted... Dad looks just a bit pleased with the newest of his Great Grandsons!! And Luke... well he just settled in for nap with Great Grandpa!!

Francis was good enough to bring Dad down for a visit... and we had a good time and a good dinner! Not bad for two folks that bring over a century and a half of life experience! 176 years... to be precise!!

Okay, great grandpa... I'll just lay here while you rub my back.... it has been a long day and I am just beat!

At the other end of the spectrum... here is Eddie as he makes friends with the postal worker. She brings treats for him and then takes a moment to say Hi to Phoebe!!

2007-09-27T23:51:00.000-05:00

Will it fit???

Well of course it will .... 'cuz Len measured it first!!! Not driving that far to find we are 2 feet short!

Some nice views along the way....

And there was "along the way" for 3400 kilometers!! Here is Len's turn...

Now it's Ron's turn....

Now it's Ron's turn with the BIG horn!! It was great!!! They get the idea when you pull this little rope!

Here it is... the dream has landed in the new shop... although about this time the only dreams these two had .... looked much like a bed that did not move.... or sound like a diesel....

One more things to do.... clean out the rig before it goes back to the rental shop

Len, leaving to take the big rig back home... and let us come down in the world and ride at the regular height along the highway.... what a let down!! Maybe I should buy a big rig ... when I retire!!

This would do....

2007-09-27T21:19:00.000-05:00

So for a weekend drive .... why not head to Atlanta, Georgia? Well, maybe 'cuz it is a long drive.... and there are some unexpected barriers to get past before you arrive.

And what would you do when you get there.... You would go to Ann's Clark's place! She lives in a quiet community and just happen's to have an airplane in her basement. Well, there is more to the story... as there usually is....

This is Ann's driveway.... and who would that be standing there looking like he wants me to follow him down the driveway with the Freightliner??

If you think is might be Len... you would be right!!
And he does want me to park the truck down there!!

No problem... it is only 26ft!! but diesel powered, power steering, automatic, air conditioned, cruise control, and CD player!! Oh yes... and one air ride seat!! For the driver... the other one... for the rider... well a little firm on the butt!

Why were we here.... well we were here to move a dream from one workshop to another one!

Ann's husband Glen, had a dream... he wanted to build an airplane. After building a shop in his home he began the task... it is a time consuming task that one must really be committed to!
Unfortunately, Glen passed away before he was able to complete the task.
Now the batton... and the airplane... has been passed along to Len... to complete. Our journey to Georgia was a good experience.... we met a very nice lady, who placed her husband's dream into our hands. She watched with interest as we loaded the aircraft into the truck, secured it and prepared to transport the dream to a new shop, in a new country under new the management of a new dreamer!

2007-09-09T22:13:00.000-05:00

So in the late summer... when the sun still shines ... in the early evening... you can look back at the house from the pond and say ... one of these days I'll be able to sit on the porch of my "little house" and look up at the big house!!

The cat tails are doing well and with the recent rains the water is coming up a little more in the pond. I have lots more room for water since it is down well over 18 inches.

No, they are not all the same shot ... just had orders for a picture from the back of the pond looking toward the house!

So, on the fall weekend ... what better place to go but to the fair ground and watch the horse pull. These big guys are just dancing and when they hear the wipple tree drop onto the hook on the stone boat they just want to go!!

Don't get in their way... they warmed up with 2,000 pounds... and peaked with the last pull having 9,000 pounds of steel rails on the boat!

Rather impressive when you think that the team weighs in at about 3,000 pounds or less.

Of course the fun team that everyone was rooting for was the pony's.... they weighed in at about 1,900 pounds and were able to pull about 4,000 pounds. Lots of fun at the fair....
Sam, Ben and Luke will enjoy this event one of these days... at if the horses are to their liking ... then the demolition derby, tractor pull, or ATV pull just might be!!

2007-08-22T21:40:00.000-05:00

The beauty of the lily is amazing. These flowers somehow find their way up from the bottom of the lake... and float along the shore for all to see.

Okay, Ben, let's go for a little ride... maybe we can drag a line along while we ride ....

Well, on the other hand... maybe it is more fun to make waves ... and then run over them .... and then make more waves... and make more waves!!

Well after being on the water for a while... one just has to have a little snooze! With a little insulation on his legs ... Ben didn't bother getting out of the lake for a nap... Sam on the other hand was shivering, and shaking... but didn't want to get out of the water either!!

2007-08-20T15:43:00.000-05:00

In no particular order... the pictures come from a week with the grandchildren, children and the son-in-law. The good news is that we all survived and Daddy only had to be asked if he needed a nap once!! Seems that the pool on the bridge was a hit... maybe not so much as the lake... but a decent way to cool off. And oh by the way... the lake water was much warmer than the well water!

Grandma successfully lulled baby Luke into lala land... much to everyone delight!

Picture time Poppa!! Okay hit it quick 'cuz this might not last too long!

Okay .... everyone smile! --- oh you mean all at once!!

Heidi.... you on the phone? Again or still!!

After 15 years of work maintaining a loon island... Uncle Bob was successful in having a pair of loons nest on it and produce 2 baby loons. Pictures will follow somewhere.... but right now ... who knows where they are.

One more good reason to move north... my last trip across 401 was slowed a little by this event!!

Of course Great Grandpa George had to take the boys for a ride on the scooter.... it was obviously a big hit!!

with anyone who could drive it and take boys with busy hands for a ride!! What does this button do Poppa... and this one ... and this one.... why!

So Mom and Luke had a little cabin on their own.... oh so quiet and ... ooops maybe Daddy and the boys had their own cabin.... not quite a tent but... those hard walls and solid roof are hard to complain about in any kind of weather.

And this little guy keep climbing the door of the house... right up the window ... those are little suction cups on his feet... he was at a frog's buffet when the lights came on and the bugs came to the white light!!

Well there will be more pictures to come... but for now... that's all!

2007-07-09T20:18:00.000-05:00

Let's start with the clamatus ... one flower is beautiful.... but wait until all the rest of the blooms begin to open... the northern flowers...

Not to be outdone.... this wild flower that will at this point remain unnamed was found on our beach at the lake... Solitary in it existence the flower survived the annual brush with the weed wacker!!

Of course a short tour of the lake ... did not include the Uncle Bob Island for loons... which for the first year is hosting a family with three eggs in the nest... apparently a 30 day gestation cycle ... so we should get to see some little loons on the lake this year.

The raw power of an old 6 horse johnson... is quite impressive... that is when it is the only motor left by thieves this year!

Of course when I looked at the picture of the motor .... below.... I saw all kinds of blemishes and marks that would have discouraged the casual thief.... little did they know that this old thing still runs!!

Anothe project on the go.... new landing at the bottom of the steps... still more work .... and more sand and more time!! One of these days I'll have the whole thing together ....

2007-07-04T17:32:00.000-05:00

Well with a delay in posting... and the time just flying past ... I thought I would try and get at least one post done during vacation. In no particular order... here are some shots to highlight the exciting days of the past couple week...
Our pet moose returned to the pond for snacks again last night... a most impressive creature. I was at least able to get a few shots during her second visit!

Practice with a loader and backhoe... things go slowly but are starting to appear like there is a plan....

Of course, things in the north slowed somewhat while we took time out to visit with our youngest grandson... Luke. For a more complete photo journal and the full story please follow the link to the Burly blog... lot's more pics there with all the boys...

Mom with Luke... after only 8 hours... both doing very well and Mom was ready to head home!! She did stay overnight...

Words just don't capture the feelings of having three grandsons.... they are all unique and very special. More posts to come with features on each of the boys... but for this time Luke gets all the attention.

I just could not help but post a picture of the little girl who a few doors away from the boys... Clare's eyes were just beautiful... so... she gets a spot her as well.
More to follow.... but not tonight!

2007-06-11T21:14:00.000-05:00

Hello Poppa... welcome to Gurnee!

Now who could have more fun with the box....??? Ben and Sam both enjoyed the packaging more than what was in the box.... of course the contents were actually for Mom & Dad ...

And talk about sitting at a table for food... Ben is a happy camper when there is food to be eaten! He seems to be generally a happy camper... but the smile does appear to get a little bigger when there is something to eat or when the glass is full of milk!

Oh Naomi.... is that you?? Why sure it is... but when you turn around....

oh my.... how did you get that basketball under your shirt?
Well, I guess you really are ready for number three to arrive... almost.... here is one fine little Mom!

And here is one fine little boy... making his strong man face... hard to do ... when the smile is just wanting to be there too!

Sam and Poppa went for a ride on the Milwaukee County Zoo Train. Poppa wanted the smokey engine.... Sam wanted the diesel .... Sam got the diesel!! But Poppa got some good pictures of the smokey one!!

We did have to wait in line.... and it was just our luck to land on the diesel train!! Sam was happy!!

Of course the real steam engine has a far better whistle!! and is so cool to listen as it starts up at the station! The engine is coal fired and the water tower is right beside the station!!

Sam was a little unsure about the goats... but little brother was terribly excited and wanted the attention from the goats as we made our way through the "domestic" section of the zoo...

Okay, so you want me in the car... I like rides.... let's go!!

Sam was enjoying his ride on the train.... probably his last free ride... since after three there is a small fee to ride! But actually, a very nice ride through the wilderness of the zoo.

Another shot along the way... the ride was long enough to be enjoyable and not so long that you are "waiting" for it to stop. In fact, Sam was ready to go around again!!!

Well, there will be more pics latter but this is a good start from a great weekend with the kids!!

2007-06-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

A collection of pictures that may or may not be appreciated by all .... no animals were lost in the making of this post... some were relocated.... and some moved on....

Let's start with the first BBQ of the season...
Hmm... what is that puff ball on the coals?

What's this... the ball is moving!

Oh... a mouse house! Let's relocate them to a box... outside the bbq and then adopt them ... (well let's not get carried away)

Okay... let's have a count of heads or feet.... they seem to be packed in like sardines here !!

Psst..... Phoebe.... what do you think little girl.... are you going to be able to handle your job here in the years ahead??

Okay .... so Mom is under the burner rather than on top.... gets hot under there too!! Talk about being in a hot spot.... a cat above you and a flame below!!

Guess maybe we should move out!!
Hey Mickey.... let's get out of here!

And what do you expect me to do... once these guys get bigger and want to move in where it is warm for the winter??

I think I like my ladder and my loft!! It is quiet and mouse free!

2007-06-04T20:48:00.000-05:00

Dad has done very well since his surgery in February... more recently he decided to try a retirement residence in town.

As of this picture we were in the process of moving him into his new residence. It was not that he really wanted to leave his house... but it is lonely and difficult to be making meals and eating alone day after day... when you are 87 years of age!

Here is a shot of the new sitting room that seemed rather small to start with but now has become quite a cozy and comfortable room.
Looking a little cold... we were getting things in place... and before long... with some lights being hung... and pictures being hung... the room started to take on a lived in... and warmer spot to settle into.

The same place ... a couple weeks later... once the Internet, tv and telephone were connected and he was feeling much better about his new place.

The big hanging light is a treasure that he built a few years ago. Lots of stained glass in it...! The real thing!

A new connection and new address.... but at least the email... stays the same!
Well... almost the same... and while a few "computer challenges" arise... he has quite a few friends that will come along and help when required.

The birds were quiet pets... so they were allowed to come to Pathway's.
Eddy of course moved to live with Phoebe and is hoping that we will all be back in the north real soon!

The furniture from the house fit into the room like it was made for it!! It was a tough decision ... but in retrospect I believe the right one for him at this time.

The girls of course were hung on the wall... right away.. and the furniture placed... to allow for comfort and convenience.

Once Dad moved into his new place he meet his new neighbour who had a four wheeled scooter .... he was impressed with her ability to get around town on her own... and so the search began for a new set of wheels. (quite honestly ... I am glad to see him trade the two wheeler in for a four wheeler!)

So once we all had a turn on this little machine ... we let him park it by his door and went in for a visit!
Some of us... of course had a better excuse for using a scooter... what does mobility mean to someone with a broken ankle!!

No ... you can't take it with us!!

It is Dad's scooter!

Well I better move to the next subject!!

2007-06-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

Okay, we are going to try and make a few different posts tonight. For some time now we have been gathering pictures ... but with little time and access to load... they have not appeared. Phoebe is just making her -self at home in Bruce and Oshawa. Of course brother Eddy is really more at home while in Bruce but does come along ... almost willingly to Oshawa! Eddy is a little camera shy tho.... so not nearly so many picture of him!

With a little round spot in the sun... one can get comfortable and just fall asleep in any area!

Lest you think that all she does is sleep... I will have to try and capture here sprinting from the bedroom to the sun room through the kitchen and over the ladder, under the table and around the island twice... in a few seconds! The eyes are focused and the paws move so quickly....

Dad likes to have her come sit with him.... and she does do that when the urge occurs!!

Eddy was riding back with me to Oshawa for the first time a few weeks ago.... he was coming home with me since Dad moved into Pathway's Retirement Residence.

More on that later....

But for now... the humiliation is that he (Eddy) gets to share his dish with Phoebe... she knows enough to stay out of the bowl when he is chewing... but she does press her luck a little at times!

Of course this is a scene that would never have taken place with Cooper...

2007-04-17T15:48:00.000-05:00

The life of a Phoebe is really not that bad.... with all these spots to sleep what more could you ask for...

Life might be hazardous if it were not for walls to keep your head from dropping off the table...

or a soft cushion to support you...

and then of course you just need to have a perspective from on high...

and once you learn how to navigate a ladder.... the possibilities are endless!!

2007-04-17T15:31:00.000-05:00

Okay ... for those of you who do not like reality shots.... turn away... if on the other hand you don't mind ... here are the ankle shots from start to now.... or at least after surgery.

There is not supposed to be all the little bits and pieces in the longer bones!

So with a little hardware .... stainless steel is really a good strong component.... the long screw joining the two bones together must come out before the ankle will function properly.

Here is the handy work.... notice the nice margins and spaces between the bones.... well aligned ... Now!!

So to protect the repair a nice fiber glass wrap worked well. If only I could have had a few of the "wraps" to keep in the workshop.... imagine the possibilities for water activated fibre glass cloth!!!

Of course the graduation to an air cast took place yesterday,,,, with an extra fee... one gets to keep this piece of technology!!

And now for the real thing.... wrapped up for a few weeks brought its own surprises....

And now we prepare for the next phase....

2007-03-21T22:38:00.000-05:00

So Phoebe has not been featured here for a while ... so I though a few shots would be in order.... you can see that she is growing and now has a few times through the day that she just blazes back and forth through the living room... kitchen... basement .... bedroom... everywhere.... then she crashes and snuggles up for a snooze!

She has establish several spots throughout the house that are her stop spots! My office chair downstairs seems to hold a warm and comfy attraction for her...

Of course it wouldn't be fair not to have a couple shots of the new fibreglass cast .... bright ... light and blue!! I suppose we should have picked the Carolina blue.... but the we weren't thinking about it at the time!!

So when the wheels stop the walker begins... and it is the primary mode of movement for a while....

Of course for the north .... and for a little rougher terrain we have the nice soft wheels and a rather bright red tractor seat with wheels for transport and support!

2007-03-17T16:21:00.000-05:00

Well sometimes things just don't work the way you expect them to... right now all the office chairs in the house are being used as transporters to and from other chairs and sitting spots!

Now this morning, March 17, St Patrick's Day.... and also Betty-Jean's birthday ... I was wondering what I should be getting for a birthday present.... over the past week I have been wondering .... thinking about things and then really not being able to make a decision.

This morning Betty-Jean handed the Lee Valley catalogue to me and suggested that this little garden cart could be a good thing for the house up north.... since rolling plastic wheels down the wooden floors would no doubt leave marks.... the wheels on this little machine would roll without difficulty and then become useful once this one-legged routine is completed.

So .... without delay I made it to LV and picked up a new set of wheels for her birthday.... worst comes to worst.... I'll have a new red seat for the tractor!

2007-03-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

Okay... so what does this have to do with anything??? Well, many of you will note that there has not been much posting done over the past month. Many of you will know also that my father has been in hospital and has been through a significant surgery .... and has come through it very well!

While he was recovering from that.... and I was in the north with him... my wife decided that a slip on the ice would provide an interesting way to add to the story line for the Smith soap opera.

The last time we checked... three broken bones in an ankle pretty much covered the bases.... and does not leave anything for weight bearing...

SOOOoooo, that means I am now nursing another patient in the Shwa!!

So far both patients are coming along nicely... don't know which one will win the "congeniality" award!!

More news to follow and probably an update on Phoebe would be good... the little lady is making herself known around the house and can now balance her way across the foot of the brass bed.... amazing balance!

2007-02-14T20:43:00.000-05:00

A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and
a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
It would appear that we have entered another season for Dad... He is about to begin some significant medical treatment over the next few weeks ....

Like the picture of the leaves, there is a bright spot... and that is good, but it will be a rough for a while.

2007-02-03T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well one never knows from one week to the next where one might be... in my case I had an excursion south that began at 4:30am last Monday morning.....

It started with snow capped peaks... then brown dry valleys ....

Then ended with the city of San Diego,Ca ... from there a short ride in the car lead us to the Pacific Terrace Hotel ...

... after a short wait for a room ... since we arrived shortly after we left (3 hour time change) ... we were greeted with rooms that had a view! Well some had more of a view than others... and Terry (a colleague from GM in Michigan) had a room on the second floor that had a rather nice view!

Terry wanted a picture to send home.... just in case his wife did not believe we were roughing it out here!!

The hotel from the outside.... ours is the smaller building with just three floors and most rooms having at least the opportunity to see the ocean.... although in my particular room there was a need to stand up and look out the window to see over the garden! Guess that might be why they said I had a garden view room!!!

Now just down the beach a short distance was a long wooden pier... and on the pier were little cottages that you could rent... it was a motel really... with a rather respectable nightly rate... in the neighbourhood of 250 per night.... off season!! From under the pier one could see the beams, bolts and other structural components that began to flex when the tide came in and especially the surf began to pound.

With each wave a little shudder went through the pier .... obviously the wooden structure has been there a while.... and serves as a testament for the tensile strength of home grown wood products.

The waves on the last day in San Diego were much larger and the surfers were flocking to the coast to ride. On Thursday afternoon my cousin Rossie came to visit from Topanga, Ca and while we were out on the pier watching the waves we saw a dolphin join the line of surfers and actually ride one of the waves! We could see the creature rise to the crest and then ride the curl of the wave.... it was an awesome sight!! And it was over in a flash ..... so no pictures were captured! Shortly after that a lone sea lion made an appearance off the end of the pier.

With the wave pounding in it was easy to simply spend time listening to and watching the ocean in its relentless attack on the shoreline!

As you can see .... the wave hitting the pier are quite substantial!! It would have been fun to play in them however... time and the fact that no wet suit was packed .... slowed my enthusiasm for actually getting into the ocean!

Of course the trip was not all pleasure ... we were up and on the bus headed to Tijuana, Mx Tuesday and Wednesday by 7 am. Our driver did a great job of keeping the coach moving and preventing a few accidents during our travels.

With very little rain ... it is possible to carve property out of the hills... you will notice a fence line right on the edge of the hill.... for some reason (lack of rain) this works in the area.... heaven help them if they start to get more than 3-6 inches of rain a year!!

Crossing the border was another story.... 60 million people cross this border each year!! That would be 225 thousand people each and every day!!! The line ups supported the statement! With enough gates to make Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie look like little border crossings the line up to get into the gates seemed endless. Morning, noon, or night the line is waiting to cross into the US. Of course going the other way is much easier .... but don't let the ease fool you.... they are still watching!

When you have family in the area it is always great to work in a visit! It has been a while since I have had a chance to sit and chat with my cousin Rossie! She has lived and worked in California for 18 years and loves California. With many changes happening in her life we were fortunate to be able to spend a good bit of time together catching up on life from each other's perspective.

On our second night in San Diego we were treated to a dinner cruise around the bay. We went past the naval base, saw the ships in port and were just returning to the docks when a fireworks display began on the fantail of the retire aircraft carrier Midway. Now my fireworks shots are not as good as Heidi's .... but then I was on a moving boat !!!

As I was leaving San Diego on Friday I was able to see the city and the coast. The air was pretty clear ... and you will note the low number of navy ships at the docks in the city. Apparently we just missed the nuclear power carrier Ronald Regan. It was in town for up fitting and left the Saturday before we arrived.

The final picture in the set was captured on the return trip as the sun was setting and I was loosing some of the 3 hours gained on our journey west!! The band of sun right on the horizon was spectacular... and although the picture does not capture the sound of the jet engine.... it does give some indication of the colours and intensity !!

Well it was back to reality on Saturday with mini blizzards for the day and change in temperature from 63F degrees warm to -13C cold today!!

2007-01-27T23:27:00.000-05:00

Well with a little time at home.... and at least a little progress made with my cold.... I finally got to the point of logging onto the home computer!

Of course things are more complicated now because Phoebe wants to be a part of everything! Which is not a bad thing... and can be fun ... when she is trying to catch the cursor going across the screen... but then comes the walk over the keyboard.... just about the time you are ready to send a message or name a file!

But what can you do when she looks up with those cat-like eyes .... and steps on three more keys!

Short post but it takes longer on dial-up!!

2007-01-15T21:16:00.000-05:00

So does this guy look cool or what? Living on a busy road in the country can be exciting.... living on a quiet road is even better!! Especially when your neighbour shows up at your door and as you answer the door you look out on the pond to see Mr Brush Wolf --- poking around in the footprints you made yesterday while walking around your backyard!! With two of the best behaved big dogs being hustled in the door to keep from spooking the visitor we were able to grab the binoculars and take a few minutes to enjoy the creature before he disappeared deeper into the back yard!

This does confirm our suspcisions that something other than rabbits and partridge live on our property. We have also seen some paw prints that make this fellows three by four finger tracks look rather small.
Unfortunately, my camera would not zoom in enough ... but the likeness displayed represents quite well the image of our visitor in broad daylight.

Red wolves are intermediate in size between gray wolves and coyotes. Typical red wolves weigh 45 to 65 pounds (20.4 to 29.5 kg). Total length ranges from about 4.4 to 5.4 feet (1.3 to 1.6 m) (Paradiso and Nowak 1972).

Well that's all for now.... this was our nature lesson for today!!

Hope we can capture some of these moments for Sam, Ben and the rest of the family!!

2007-01-08T14:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our home... with a little snow, at least for a day or two it began to look like Christmas... even though the days were just too good to be true!

Heidi was home from Honduras and Matt & Naomi were coming from Gurnee, Il. There was a new addition to meet this year.... Phoebe! She made here way into our home and hearts with little effort and soon was the centre of attention for many hours through the holidays!

She traveled well and ended both the journey up and back in the same position... pictured here on the right!! Phoebe fits nicely into the bend in your arm! While she rode most of the way in here crate... a little reprieve at the end of the journey gave her a little

Of course it would not be right to have Heidi home without putting her to work!! The only problem is that she likes running the backhoe as much as I do!! That meant I had to be the supervisor and stand around and tell her where to dig (not to worry ... no cable or pipelines down at the pond!).

Even Sam got to "make a rock" ... translation... he was able to move a big rock! Dressed ready to work too!

Our neighbours were able to join us for New Year's Eve ... the night may have been quiet by many standards... but most enjoyable ! Nick and Jen with Connor on the ladder... and Mark & Susan. When you are not jammed in like sardines in a can .... neighbours become more important and certainly play a more significant role in rural life.

Family also joined us ... Marlise and Dan decided to come north for a few days of R&R.... although Dan and I walked extensively through the bush... looking for rabbits.... we did not get any .... but we did have a good time!

With very little opportunity to enjoy our own skating rink .... we did manage to make use of the pond for one skating party!! The ice was good... smooth and thick enough to be comfortable!

Of course a little firewood and more clean-up is always a potential activity!! Next year ... more of the crew will be recruited for this portion of the effort! This year I think we were all in shock that we could still get the trailer and four-wheeler into the bush.... let alone cut, split and haul it out!!

And we could not forget Baby Ben.... the boy is just a growing concern!! He takes his meals very seriously and packs away a good lunch before spreading the rest of it through his hair and over the floor!

Grandpa George brought Eddy down for a couple days to meet Phoebe ... I am amazed that this little 8 week old kitten can hiss .... hunch up her back and generally put the run on an eight year old dog!! By the end of the few days they did manage to touch noses and acknowledge each other without any growls or hisses!!

With visits from family and visits to friends.... the days went by very quickly and here we are into the New Year 2007! Wow! Where has the time gone? I think Phoebe has the best spot in the house.... she watches the movement and yet stays well sheltered in her new little bed ... curtesy Grandpa George!

2006-12-18T08:43:00.000-05:00

Well, once again there is a pet in the Smith household... just yesterday a little kitten ... (yet to be named) peeked out from the cage, then tentatively stepped out into her new environment. Well at least for a week then it will be off to a new home for a couple weeks!

Alert and playful... cautious but curious... with little paws and little everything right now.... it plays hard and then
stops for a nap and a little snuggle!

Seems to be quite content and not missing its siblings just yet ... 1 of 4 kittens - looks like Grandma has a new neck piece for the cold winters in the north!!

I'm sure there will be more news and pics to follow... but this is a start for now!
With little meowsv that are more like squeeks ..... I'm sure Sam will know that this little tiger really will say Rooaaar!! ,,,, when she gets bigger!

2006-12-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

While most days feel dreary when having to leave Bruce Mines.... some days actually are!!! Yesterday was one of those days. The rain started during the night and continued through the day! With the pond at its liquid capacity....the ice I had great concerns about for skating .... all but disappeared under a new layer of water. The snow, which adds a fresh appearance... was disappearing quickly! As you can see in the next pictures... some taken on Taylor Street ... the winter is fading fast. The lake in front of David and Mary-Ann's place is mostly open water. Lots of ice chunks... but nothing to float on!

So for today it is back to the grind and hope that things soon freeze up and form a good skating surface for the Christmas vacation.
Fortunately the only water issues up north was a plugged eves trough .... and with a ladder, a stick, and a wet hand ... I managed to minimize my cold shower and remove the plug before it froze in place!

2006-11-28T23:33:00.000-05:00

Cleaning up is one of those things that brings mixed blessings. You may find treasures, dust, mildew, memories and knowledge. Well last week while spending a few days at Bruce Mines I began going through some of Mom's collection of stuff. The pictures below are family shots... mostly before I was around.... I hope you enjoy seeing my aunts, uncles and grandparents as much as I have.
The following shots... in no special order... include all my Aunt Jean's(eanne) and Uncle Bob's (3 sets), Uncle Ross & Aunt Marge, Uncle Ronald, Mom & Dad and of course both sets of grandparents along with Uncle Ernie and Aunt Luella.

George, Ross, Jean and Arthur

George and Ruth on the steps of the house in Toronto (one of the houses)

George, Ross & Bobby

Ross & Marge

Bob & Jeanne

Another Bob & Jean

Mom & Dad

Family shot ...

mmm... serious look Aunt Marge!

Olive, Ronald & Jean

A budding hockey player ....

Such a smile ... it is great!

Arthur, Ruth, Luella, Ernest

Reuben, Ronald & Ethel

Many of those featured in this post are no longer with us... but they are remembered and those memories mold our character cause us to think about the legacy we will leave for future generations. Men and women of character ... many of them characters in their own right... and from the smiles captured here comes the realization that Uncle Al was right when he used to say, "Just remember, young fellow... you are as I am ... and you will be as I am!"

2006-11-19T19:39:00.000-05:00

So if you start down memory lane.... how far do you have to go before you turn around and come back....

You will note a cabin in the background in this shot... seems like it is sitting right on the walkway from the lake to the camp!! Hmmm could it be something was and now isn't?

Seems to me Sam and Ben should have a full set of drums at their disposal!! I think even Poppa might enjoy tapping away on them!! We are not sure yet... but we think (well Grandma Smith thinks) that they should be located in Gurnee... Il... Hmmm long way to go to tap out a rhythm

Some things just never change... like the view from the bluff over looking the camp... that is my Grandpa there .... looking quite young!

...and what good kid would be around a motor and not have his hands on the tiller...!Gotto start young on this stuff!!

Hope you enjoyed the past.... the future is approaching at warp speed!

2006-11-19T19:06:00.000-05:00

So on with the Who Is It Theme.... can you identify the eyes....

I'll be back with more shots from the past ... but first I have to deal with an automated reboot event that has been playing havoc with me for several days now.... a critical patch to be installed!! Just that I am not on my home sever and it won't happen!

2006-11-13T23:21:00.000-05:00

Flashbacks are often thought of in a negative context... in this case however, the flashbacks are those generated when old pictures are revisited and they spark memories from the past ... good or bad! The opening picture was a poster I used to have on my wall... you can look into it and fall into the depths... especially when the blacklight used to create a glow in the room!
I expect that most of the next few pictures have generated more of a "flashback" for me...but that's okay...I'll find more to generate flashback for the rest of you over the next few days!!

Perhaps I could just insert this picture for the "profile"!!

Now for those of you who are younger... this is before car seats were such a hit. Father's arms were the primary restraint ... and do you remember sitting on the fold down seat in the middle of the rear seat... it was really an arm rest ... but it worked well and gave me a little better view out the windows!

A boy and his dog were two things that just were not meant to be separated! The trail should be familiar for some... it is at the bottom of the hill before the lake.

With the chainsaw in background we had to take a little time for some affection... then we could help with the wood cutting ... well at least piling it then!

Of course there was always time for a little fun in the water...of course the highlight that you cannot see here was a little can of powder that was kept in the pouch on the side of the rescue boat...when sprinkled in the lake the reddish powder turned a bright green and was intended as a signal for help.

At one time the woodshed was new... seems like the elements have aged the structure somewhat now...but it did look good then!

And last but certainly not least ... the family portrait in front of the cabin... shortly after it had been moved up the hill.
Heidi please note the hammock trees in the background... the clothes line and Naomi... where did those guys put the deck? I knew something was missing?

2006-11-08T12:30:00.000-05:00

The picture is one I found the other day while browsing the web... looking out at Lake Ontario today one could imagine the shape of a tug coming into the harbour. With a dull and drizzly day I just thought a picture of the tugs would be soothing... The truth is that I just love the lines of a classic tug boat and these are classics.

2006-11-05T19:33:00.000-05:00

What's in a phone call. One never knows when that little gadget of Graham Bell's rings what the outcome might be. At times the news is starting, other times disappointing, sometimes sad, and at other time glad!
Well when our phone rang this afternoon.... and Matt was talking about his drive to Trader Joe's... one could only imagine the real reason for his call... we did and we were right... he was really rather excited to announce the fact that he and Naomi are expecting No. 3.
So, now just when I was thinking .... hey I was able to manage these two little fellows... for the day ... they are going to add another!

Guess I better retire and get my workshop in good shape...'cuz there will need to be a place to hold summer school for the Buehrle team!

2006-11-03T00:02:00.000-05:00

So when the snow began flying here in Detroit today... and I was on my way to see Detective Palmer.... I started having flashbacks... to the summertime...

I am glad we have pictures to remind us of things past... 'cuz it now seems like such a long time ago that these photos were taken! Yes, Heidi was in Canada for a while this summer... at least we had some pictures... Naomi, Matt and the boys were in Canada for a short time...

And what would it take to keep that smile goin' .... probably a little cedar smoke with a few chunks of salmon on them!!

After a good meal ...

...well a beautiful sunset just caps the night!

With more memories than time or space I will have to say g'nite!

2006-10-30T20:58:00.000-05:00

So ... after writing a great story and trying to post all these pictures... I lost it! For the second time... here are the pictures from a great couple weekends spent with my daughter, her husband and our grandchildren. With many pictures to choose from and oh so many thoughts and comments to share... I need to get these posted and may come back to fill in any blanks!!

Ben is just a delightful little guy to be with. Not only does he go for a nap willingly... he wakes up happy and ready to go!

and go we did... Poppa provided a little babysitting service Saturday while Matt prepared a sermon and Naomi looked after folks at work. Part of the day was spent at the Fun Fair at church... lots to do and see... even a little lamb riding the fire engine! (note... Sam says it is not a fire truck... it is a fire engine!)

Sam was not so sure about riding the horses or ponies until Mom showed up and trotted along side... then we had a couple of turns... with smiles!

A tour of the ambulance...

...followed by more animals...

and then ... the next day a trip to the playground.

Just watch out for the "new... safe slides .... no steel in sight ... but what a shock if you reach out to catch the slider!!! KaBoooom! Ouch!!

So one little soldier just likes to sit at the bottom of the slide... I know there must be something of interest in those soft chips!

A short ride on the motorcycle could be exhausting... unless you are a relaxed rider like Sam!

Ben and Poppa found a comfortable swing ... big enough for Poppa... and Ben!

So... what happens with cool fresh air.... and a gentle swinging motion...

That's right ... a power nap!

Of course Poppa enjoyed this as much as Ben! And as usual... he woke up in time to head off shopping to Trader Joe's for food!

With a little work... Sam tried a new hair colour and length...

A little frog ... quiet ... but bright eyed and full of fun...

a lamb, and a Daddy with hair.... Hmmmm... shiny is not so bad!!!

Riding the ponies was just plain fun once you got used to it!

Of course life as a little lamb is not all fun... especially a two year old lamb! So many things to learn and to share with a little brother!

But Mom and Dad are there to help... and things seem to be going well for both the little frog and our little lamb!

2006-10-30T19:29:00.000-05:00

So with Halloween coming up the Church Matt & Naomi attend had a Fall Fun Fair for the kids. Of course costumes were in order for the boys... the lamb and the frog were great little companions for the day... of course most of the pictures were of the lamb... since the frog was riding on Poppa's back!
What would any day at the petting zoo be if the lamb did not feed the sheep? With some initial reluctance ... Sam did offer the food to the sheep and the goats. He was a little shy about the animals... at least on Saturday. When we arrived back in the parking lot on Sunday.... he was ready to feed and ride the horses again... Did I say ride the horses... or ponies as the case might be? I did indeed. With Mom trotting beside Sam was willing to stay in the saddle for a short walk around the turnstyle! He even went back for a second trip! As long as he didn't have to ride the big horse!!
And what happens when the fire department arrives at a fun fair? Well you get to see all the equipment and of course you might even get to sit on a bumper!

So once Mom finished her day at work... she arrived at the Fun Fair to walk the lot with Sam. Both appeared to have a good time at the event!

2006-10-26T00:26:00.000-05:00

So it does not seem to matter when you arrive in Chicago... traffic is ahead of you!!

Now with two boys to watch you really don't have much time to sit quietly in a corner. While Ben is not walking, yet, he is a happy little guy that just loves to walk with you when you hold his hands. There is seldom a time when a smile does not come to his face... even when his big brother is trying to guard his turf a little!!

Seldom do they both stop at the same time.... but it is fun to have them both right there babling away with such sincerity!

Ben the smilin' baby... he just knows how to win your heart with a grin... either a subtle little one or and out and out giggle!!

2006-10-18T21:24:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about a creature feature...in other words some pics from north that showcase a few of the creatures that exist up there. Some need no introduction...others may require explanation!!

A fight to the death......looks like it was a hollow battle!

From butterflys to squirrels the life cycle does not stop... or offer a free pass.
One summer brought thousands of little green bugs... they were everywhere! At first they seemed harmless but eventually they would bite..

2006-10-18T17:12:00.000-05:00

So being in a hotel room for days at a time... seems to work okay for bloging. I should be carving or probably working... But I am struggling to concentrate on cost analysis when I have pictures like these at my finger tips.

The other morning I looked out at the pond and it was like glass. I thought I should go and take pictures....

and then I opened the door... closed the door and threw another log in the stove!!

The next day, however, when I saw the pond glassy once again... I thought I cannot miss this two days in a row... so I grabbed a sweat shirt and went for a walk!

Right side up... or upside down? Which will it be!

You may be surprised with this one!

2006-10-17T20:55:00.000-05:00

With a slight fog hanging over the pond in the early morning it creates an erie view that one just nevers gets tired of seeing.

Up at the house, a table made of cedar logs has the grain highlighted by the frost. Beauty is all around us and it demonstrates what has become known as intelligent design. It used to be called God's Creation...

In the midst of the scenery... always must come the man-made patterns. While they are neat... they just don't match that of the Creator.

Not only a maple leaf but grass and frost. Each morning bringing a new scene to the ground. We can only view in amazement as take a closer look around us. Take away the city lights and the houses right next door and you have a retreat center that will make you think about something more than just yourself.

2006-10-16T21:40:00.000-05:00

With a visit north this time of year the warm days, colourful leaves and the smell of autumn in the air make the region a great place for relaxin'

The colours from last fall, as shown in these pictures were much more brilliant than this year. The leaves still had a bit of colour but not the brilliance of the previous year.

The temperature was great for the weekend and then the cold front hit the north. It took a couple days to wind up and then the snow began to fall... and fall... and fall!

In the middle of the night a quick shot from the back door reveals snow flurries that just kept coming down through the night.

The poplar trees are very flexible when they are young...as evidence in the three trees that are actually bent over the drainage ditch and resting on the ground under the weight of the wet snow.

Just a winter wonderland appeared overnight...

With leaves still on the trees the snow load was just too much for many of them. The power went out about 2am and was not restored until about 3pm that afternoon. Good thing for wood stoves!!

2006-10-15T20:40:00.000-05:00

After a long night of driving... Actually not as long as expected... a tractor arrived in Bruce Mines Ont.

So with some sleep under our belt the next challenge was to unload this machine and then try it out!

With a little practice the unit becomes less intimidating... but it does still amaze me how operators can smooth the ground and make the bucket go right where they want it to.

Then of course everyone wants to try it out. The fun part is knowing that they are going through the same coordination challenges I am!! Woops.... which way is it supposed to go!

With the Thanksgiving weekend in full swing we had Mary-Ann & David staying in the country with us. It was fun having them here and the weekend flew past. With moonlit nights and chiminea fires to warm the evening the days and nights of the weekend went by all too quickly.

There was time however for Myles the cat to settle in....

With plenty of food to munch on... Stewart and Angie Clark joined us for dinner. Stewart works with David and was enjoying the north on Taylor street for the Weekend. It was a fun having them join us for the day. And Stewart got to try the back-hoe also!! But I don't have his picture!

With a full belly... a rest was a must!!

2006-10-03T11:39:00.000-05:00

Question: What happens when you try to load a 4,500 lb machine onto a trailer that has two axles, strong planks but little support in the frame?

Answer: the planks bend and the operator becomes both concerned and discouraged!!

Second Question: What does your neighbour do?

A good neighbour brings you his consolation and sits while you review the weaknesses in the equipment!

The last question is "What do you do about it?"

Answer: Buy a new trailer, spend the money and move on!!!

Well the answer is not always that easy.... but in this case the new trailer is much nicer and is not in danger of collapse! You cannot imagine the stress level that develops when these things go wrong!

2006-09-29T10:03:00.000-05:00

It would appear that I have been occupied since the last post. The reality of it is that I have not had the incentive to try and maintain another site. The hustle of work and watching other blogs has taken precendence.
Maybe the time has come to try this activity one more time. No promises of continued blog notes ... but there may be more to update as the next weeks and months unfold.

The learning curve on posting and publishing pictures etc is one that has just not been high on the priority list. Let's hope it is intuitive or this may be another flash in the cyber pan!

The inclusion of the newest piece of equipment for the homestead signals the approach of a new era. As the potential for retirement from GM gets closer... the reality of what that might mean becomes fuzzy and clear .... in each passing hour!

2005-12-04T17:50:00.000-05:00

The latent tendancy to write profound statements may find an outlet in the world of bloggin. Of course who monitors this and for what purpose is the content reviewed?
Many thoughts and perhaps even more questions about the security and the willingness to open ones heart to the world.... so many things to think about and so little time to ponder them!