Birthday Weekend!

 This last weekend was my birthday.   And although I was going to try to blog about the ongoing "cat Pole" that I have ( or haven't) been working on,   I decided I would try to blog about the weekend and the activities I enjoyed in Michigan. 

That is correct!  I traveled to Michigan to visit my brother and our close childhood friend, Eddie Arnold.   The plan was to check out the additions they have been working on  and to try to do a little mushroom hunting and possibly some fishing.  

I figured the Mushroom hunting was going to be easy.   The place is smack dab in the woods, so just going out for a walk around the property would allow us to check things out.    I arrived Thursday Night and walked around the property just before the dark hit.   I noticed that Bug Spray woul dbe required, as all of the mosquitoes were out in force after the rains.  

I did managed to find a few inedible ones, but nothing worth harvesting.    This was my first "red Bolete" and they are so pretty!  Too bad they are not recommended for food.  ( toxic tummy ache.) 

Eric and I went out the next day and looked around at some of the local trails.   We located a nice variety of species, including a few Cinnamon Chanterelles.   Milk caps,  Russulas,  and even  a handful of Lobsters!

I was a little disappointed that after three days of rain, we only found a few Chanterelles and no huge cluster like in Iowa or Wisconsin.  

But the real event that made it worth the trip was the discovery of a Chicken of the Woods!   

And entire tree was covered.   I literally walked right past it not seeing the chickens on the other side.   It was not until I turned around that I was blessed with the spectacle. 

That one find filled up our basket and a box we brought!  And it  pretty much ended out hunting for the day.   We now had more mushrooms that we had room for, so finding any more would have just been a waste.   

So....  We loaded up the truck, mushrooms, and fishing tackle and headed to Eds!  

I should mention that one of the reasons we brought the fishing gear was because Eric recently made an impulse purchase of a Pontoon boat.   It was an opportunity, to be sure!  But there were a number of variables that needed to be addressed before taking it out with any serious intent.  

First:   The boat itself is HUGE!    But it fits my brother well and provides a stable platform for three old fat dudes in the middle of a small lake.  (I doubt I would feel very confident on Lake Michigan with 4 foot swells!)  

Second,  It came with a trailer!   A nice touch that many pontoon boats lack.  We can not take it to any lake with a public access site.    Most pontoons are sold to people who live on a lake so no trailer is required.  

The problem was that we spent the better part of Saturday trying to get the motor started!   It woul dturn over by not start.   After nearly three hours of trouble shooting,  we discovered that there is a hidden "kill Switch" that my brother must have tripped while out on the lake last.  These are the reasons we have to take things out and use them to find out the mysteries... before you get into trouble! 

Speaking of trouble. It is always an adventure going out with Eric.  I could tell you stores from Alaska that would fill this blog post....  But rather, I will Share the event that happened this weekend.  Small things, but still funny stories that fill out the Character that is my brother.  

So on our way to Eds,  Eric is going up their driveway with the boat.   It is a rather wide driveway,  but rather than pulling the boat all the way to their house.( Ed lives with his father... Uncle Bill) ANd turning it around there,   Eric decides he would rather back the truck, trailer and boat all the way up the driveway so we are set for tomorrow morning!   All he has to do is avoid hitting their Mailbox.  

Guess what happened? 

The mailbox in question is bold and obvious... Away from the treeline or any shrubbery that would hide it.   You see,  the snowplow takes it out every year.   And if the Arnolds put the box away from the road, the mail man will not deliver the mail.   So... IT is there.   About 10 feet away from anything else  so the mailman can use it.   And it usually lasts until the snow flies....  When the snowplow comes along to claim it.  

But this time,   Eric was the Grim Reaper!   

At least the post was intact.   Just the box itself will require some attention to get bent back into shape so it closes.  

It was just one of those moments where "Anyone Else" doing the "Normal Thing" would have avoided the catastrophe.   But Eric... in an effort to avoid the catastrophe,  makes it a self fulfilling prophesy. 

After figuring out the motor issue,   we finally were able to get out on the lake.   We stopped by the Bait store for gas and Ice. (for Beer!)  And I was told several times that "Eddie has plenty of Lures..." so there was no need for bait.  I was not concerned, because I was set up for bluegill and have flies and gulper grubs.  I had my ultra-light set up and was really not set up for anything larger than panfish.  

Which means...  I was the ONLY one who caught anything!   

It was a nice birthday gift,  watching those two throwing off their arms with their huge Pike baits and 20 lbs test coils of line.  I probably caught about 20 fish.   4 of which we could have kept.   I caught perch, Crappie, Bluegill and Pumpkin Seeds.  Eric managed to catch one small percha fter I showed him my set up and tied it up for him.   Eddie  got skunked. 

All I could hear was "We should have bought some bait!"  Over and over again.   But honestly,  with their shark sized hooks and rope-like line, I'm sure all they would have done was feed the little guys that would nibble the bait off before ever getting close to being caught.  I'm very proud of myself for not rubbing it in,  but there was a secret satisfaction in knowing I could still read the lake and catch something while everyone else struggled....

I brought about 5 lbs of Bluegill Fillets from my freezer just in case we did not get anything.... and it was a good thing too.   The fun thing about the Arnold's place is that they have a huge Deck with a grill  griddle,  and fryer all outside.   No need to stink up the house!   And with 4 guys who love eating fish, I was confident that I could use up the last of the bluegill and start up refilling the freezer once more.  

It was great!   Eating the finished fish fresh out of the fryer!   (Say that five times fast!)  It has been a while since I have enjoyed fish "caveman Style"  but I always think that is the best way.   (Dave and I did that with Walleye one time.)   You have dipping sauce available, but no one used it.   No one had to!   We also tossed in some slivered Chicken of the woods with the fish and everyone agreed that were awesome!  It was a great way to finish the birthday day.    No cake required!  Just fish,  Friends,  and lots of Beer!  

I came home yesterday and found Chicago to be pleasantly easy to traverse on a Sunday evening.   The Cat welcomed me with her angry yowling after my being gone for several day,  ( Christina fed her, so she was not hungry...) Overall,  It was a good time.   

I spent the remainder of today doing laundry and working on the Cat pole.   I wanted to show you "work in Progress" photos, but honestly,   they look like disasters!   It is not turning out the way I had envisioned it!  For sure....) So I will end this post with just these pics and hopefully I will now begin the addition of the Foliage.   With a little luck, it will start to look like a tree.  

I work this next weekend,  But the plan is that I repeat this little experience again,  only this time In Canada with Dave.   He has invited me up and said the weekend of the 22nd there is a fishing tournament or something.   I think I have the days off and should be able to swing another travel trip  the weekend after next.    Hopefully the fishing will be a little better this time.   Removing the "untested  Boat" on the Busy and "unknown lake" with "unknown fish" should be helpfull.  We shall find out.  

Hopefully, I will take more pics this time.   All of the fish pics are on Eddies Phone, and he has not sent them to me.... Not that those fish were worth bragging about.   (Outside the context of the situation.) But it is always nice to have proof to back up your tale.  

In the mean time,  I will hopefully work on refilling the freezer with more bluegills and; work on the Cat Tree.   And try to make as much time as I have in the morning count.  

The "Cat Tree" Project.

 One of the things I noticed in the new house... is that there is nothing for the cat to climb up on.   Specifically"  No cat tree!   

This is Unacceptable!  

So to fix this design problem for my furry little little friend,  I decided to make her a cat pole.  

But not just any cat pole!  This one is going to be Epic! 

Mostly because I need something to be blog worthy.   I have found that I have very little time to write for the blog these days.   And I only make time when things are truly inspiring for me.  In other words:  I need the motivation to write.   And lately... My life has been kind of boring. 

Boring in a good way, I assure you.   Things happen....  Just most of them are not "blog Worthy."  (Specific details on what makes something "Blog Worthy" are not fully defined.)  

With my old Muse missing, I have to find other things that grab me and inspire me to make a story. (With Pictures! Pictures are Necessary. )  And so I have decided that mixing  the "artistic" side along with the "cat" side  to start a new story seems plausible.  

It's not much to look at currently.   As with all  "work in progress" projects go.   But hopefully there will be lots of  before and after pics to look back upon and recount the memories.   And all of the hardships I have to overcome along the way.  

Much like the fish... or all of those carvings that took weeks to do.  But back then, I had plenty of time.  ( and a cat to help out!)  These days, I have about an hour and a half each day where I can focus on the project....   

And the occasional Weekend.    It happens that this Saturday, I have been given  off since Elsa and Tino both want the extra time and volunteered to work for me.   AND  since I have worked the last two weekends, I figured I would give up my Saturday for them.  (I could use the break!)  In a world where everyone is trying to avoid working on Saturdays,   I have a team that actually WANTS to work them.  How cool is that!

So with my new found time,  I will hopefully be dedicating  a bit of it to the Tree Project,    I have already been forced to trouble shoot a number of things and purchase a bunch of power tools from Menhards.  ( Oh the Pain and suffering of Buying Tools!)  I figure this will be good practice for when I have to work on something Real....   I will have the tools readily available and a bit of practice using them. 

In the mean time, I will try to post progress reports along the way.  And hopefully, it will be close to the  form I have in mind.   

And the Cat will like it.  

In other news,  The Taste Of Kenosha is in full swing.   I dropped in for a visit to check things out.  There are lots of things to try.  I got some kettle corn and soba noodles.   The Noodles were apparently "Award Winning" but I think I have tasted better.  I'm sure the atmosphere has a lot to do with it.  

I did not stay long.   Crowds tend to drain me, so I made a loop,  listened to a couple of songs and then headed back home.   I thought I would have gotten further on the Cat Tree, but at least I made a break through and now can chip away at it with confidence.  Tomorrow is Sunday, and I have lots of things to do after church.   If I'm lucky,  I will have a little time to dedicate to the tree again.  We shall see ....

In the mean time,  Time to make every second count. 

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer....

 It has been a hot week this week!  I think yesterday was the first time it has been below 100 degrees!  It certainly felt like we were "baking" here in Kenosha.  (I really should get that Central Air Conditioning fixed!)   Be today is mildly cooler..  And I think we have all acclimated a little  by now to tolerate the harsh temps. 

But then there is this thing:    The Smoke! 

At first I thought it was a hazy fog from the high humidity.   But there was an odd smell in the air.   I thought it smeller like old cardboard in a dusty attic...  Some one at work described it as "The smell of a Sauna".   But everyone agrees it is not a good smell. 

Apparently,  there is a huge forest fire up by the boundary waters in Minnesota and Canada.  And we are getting the fall out smoke from those trees.   The fire must be huge to produce smoke that carries this far. It has been bugging the people with asthma and pollen allergies. And it has been shielding the sun as if it was a cloud. ( hence, the drop in temps, I'm sure.)   But it has also produced one of the most spectacular sunsets I have yet seen here in Kenosha!  

I wish I had my camera handy, because I have not seen a "fire Sunset" like that in a while.  I think this was Tuesday.  (the last couple days I have either missed the sunset or it was too cloudy.)  It was one of those sunsets that make you stand up and notice...

In the mean time,  I have been working had the opportunity to do some Chalk Art yesterday.   It is predicted to rain this afternoon, so I know the drawing will not last long... But it is a reason to get out of the house and have something to do that is not shopping or errands.  

I also like that there is a finished achievement that I can post on the blog at the end of the suffering.   ( Yes,  chalking in the summer heat is a form of suffering...) Will anyone see it?   Maybe.   Hopefully!   But at least I have something to pot for the blog.  

So that is all.   Happy Friday!   And I will now prepare for another Day at Haribo.   It has been a relaxing week this week at Haribo.   It could be because the heat effects the gummy production  from the 2nd floor....  It could also be that we have had a couple people from third shift coming in early to help us. (An additional Material Handler makes the day SO much easier!)  Whatever the reason,  I will take it!   A frantic day in High Heat and "Low Quality", Smoke-Filled  air is not a fun way to enjoy work.  So any way to alleviate the suffering is a welcome gift. 

In the mean time,  We will try to make every second count. 

A Fast Week!

 Ah how time flies!   This week has flown by so quickly.. And I can barely remember the things I did had I not taken a few pic along the way.    

So let us begin. 

Chalk work.   A couple of days I went out and actually made a few drawings.   I can't remember if it rained mid week, but it must have because one of my drawings disappeared after only a day.   But Chalk was never meant to last very long anyway.  

And then there were the critics.  

Now I don't really care what they think after I finish and have my picture for the blog.   But I did challenge them to a duel...

Not with guns or knives... but chalk. 

I doubt the chuckle heads that vandalized my last drawing will take me up on it with any seriousness.   But there is always the possibility someone with kids will accept the challenge and draw something with those kids.   That is my hope.   Much like the days of Iowa, when kids would randomly appear and help me with a larger project.   I have to admit, it was kind of fun for me.   And hopefully for them as well.  

I had the opportunity to go out and hunt mushrooms today.   After working yesterday,  This was my only day off and I thought I would take it as a day to relax.   But Christina asked me to help her move a couple items to her apartment.  And since she hurt herself arm-wrestling at some Tough Guy bar...  she was in no shape to move any table on her own.   

But... In typical Christina fashion,   those plans fell through as the place where she was supposed to pick up the furniture cancelled at the last second.   

But I did not get the memo... (in time)  So.. I decided to go hunting in Parkside and see what I could find.  
Turns out,  the Chanterelles are just beginning!   I harvested a little over a dozen tonight.   And I imagine they will continue to pop out over the next few weeks.   I found only one Russula....  And no Boletes.  

And I also discovered that I have competition!  The first signs I found were several perfectly cut stems in a place near one of the trails.   I imagine those mushrooms that are near trails are easy to find,  so I went out a little deeper into the forest to find the ones I did.   Luckily, I know several areas so I can always fall back on some if the season does not produce abundantly.  

After the hunting,  Christina texted and wanted to make up for the confusion.   We went to JW's for a beer and a burger.  I have not seen her in a while since we are both constantly working and she is always busy... But it was fun to catch up on things. 

We also  got to meet Natalie, who was our server, waitress, bartender tonight.   She runs half-marathons And has been recovering from a hip injury.   We had lots to talk about.... Christina shared her entire life story.   Good times!

And now I'm preparing for tomorrow.   There are a number of things I have to work on before heading to work, but I shall see if I can achieve them before I have to head out.   And with it getting late, I had better get this posted so I can make my remaining moments of this day  count.