The Cleaning Of The Boat!

Saturday, I spent the lion's portion of the day cleaning Dave's boat.   There is a rumor floating around that he may want to sell it to a motivated fisherman who will get more use out of it than he currently is.   Truth be told, he has had it for nearly three years now and he has never taken it out fishing!  I simply takes up space in the garage that could be used for the Truck....   So.   What are you going to do? 

So while Dave decides the Boats fate,  I took the liberty to clean it up for a proper display.... IF the event ever presents itself.  A moment where Opportunity meets Preparation.   

I used to love cleaning out our boat in preparation for the summer fishing months.   I even spent a Spring putting in a floor. ( With a LOT of help from Dad.)  There is something very satisfying taking a messy boat that smells like last year's fish guts and cleaning it to the point it looks and smells like a new car!  (Well,  at least it no longer smells like dead fish.) 

The Boat had been being used as a "catch all" for things.   And it was outside for an entire year where some small animal got inside and set up shop.  I should have snapped a "before" pic of the boat before I even began...  for Dramatic effect.  But in actuality,  I simply removed the clutter,  gave it a good vacuuming, and  made sure things were where they should be.   

I even separated and organized the fishing material and boat material.   I'm not sure if the boat flares are safe or functional,   so I set those aside.  I also tossed a lot of redundant tools. If there were tools that were meant for the boat,  they are staying inside.   Everything else,  got tossed!

Now you might be wondering why the boat is never used?   Well,  Dave has a number of people who offer him trips out of the lake all the time!
  The only thing he needs to bring is himself, a cooler, and a beverage or snack!   The Charter brings everything else!  ( Including the boat!)   So,  why own a car if everything is within walking distance?   And people are giving you rides for everything that is farther away! 

Overall,  I was happy I could help.   And Dave was impressed with the transformation.   I had a Student who said she liked organizing and cleaning things in the kitchen.   This often made her late for my class, because she would get "stuck" cleaning everyone else's "mess" and the teacher would not let her go until she had things picked up.   ( She was the responsible one,   everyone else bailed when the bell rang....) Anyway,   I often gave Bobbi a Pass because I know the feeling of being stuck with cleanup when everyone runs away at the buzzer.  

And also,  I didn't mind it too much.   ( Well, at least in my old age.   I'm sure I complained plenty when I was younger.) 

Other than that,   Yesterday, I attended a number of Graduation Parties with Dave.  That was fun!  And there was even free food! ( And Beer!) I brought Dave as my Wingman because some of these students were not in my class!   It is kind of awkward for me to be at a party where I only know one or two people..  And those people are NOT the man of the hour!

But eventually, I found a few people to talk with and it made the afternoon fly by.  A nice way to spend a Sunday.  

And finally,  Today I did a little work on the Dragon head and had some time to go Fishing.   The small pond was recently stocked with fish, according to the locals.   Bass, Crappie, and possibly bluegills.  I caught a Golden Shiner.  I don't recall catching any of these last year, but then again, I doubt the DNR planted golden shiners in a small pond for kids to catch. And they were awfully large for  a forage fish. Perhaps there are a few bass that would be large enough for these guys.   But there are already plenty of smaller bluegills and sunfish for the Bass to eat.  Either way.  it was a fun way to kill a little time outdoors.   

The Dragon head is finally nearing its painting phase.  I will be happy to finally get the initial base coat on it.   I t seems to be taking on a life of its own.   And I am leaving it fairly plain instead of adding all kinds of scales and horns to it.  ( just more of a bother to paint in the end...)  It is huge and heavy enough without adding any more frills. 

And finally,  I'm continuing the Job Search.   I'll see if I can find at least one job that is closer and pays as well as Zebra.  I may end up going back there after all. (Which would not be that bad... I was just hoping for a bit of an upgrade in the pay department.)  We shall see how things work out.   Because, I still believe God has a plan for me. I just pray he makes it honest for me, since I can be pretty dense sometimes.  And every second counts.

A Fine Day For Fishing...

 Another first for me here in Kenosha!  A Lake Michigan Charter Experience!   With success!   

Although I have been out on charter boats before... In Alaska.   And I have been fishing on Lake Michigan....  From a small 14 foot boat only about 400 yards off shore...  I have never been fishing several miles off shore  in 200+ ft of water! 

Nor have I ever been fishing with Down-Riggers or Dipsey-Divers, or Plainer Boards!  That is a lot of tackle for simply trolling for open water fish!  But that is what has to be done if you want to locate and present your baits to the fish.  It was quite the change from the Lake Michigan fishing I was used to. 

I have seen all of that tackle before in the various sport shops back in the day.  And I was even familiar with how they were used.   But I have never had the opportunity to use them until today.  

Thankfully,  Lake Michigan was nice and calm.   Even the weather held for us,  since it was predicted to be rainy this morning.   There was a slight breeze.   And it was slightly chilly in the beginning...  But as the sun dipped through the clouds,  it was enough to keep the unbearable chill away and lighten up the mood.  

Our first hour was unproductive.   The other Charter Boats were out far and deep.   We Managed to mark a few fish here and there, but finally,  we managed to catch one.  Mark ( Our Captain, And one of the bus drivers at Shoreland High school.)  Did most of the netting and hook removal.   Dave and I took turns catching the fish as they triggered the Down-Riggers and Out-Riggers.    At one point, we had three fish on at the same time!   Talk about a brief moment of Chaos! 

But we managed to catch everything that hit today.   Landing a total of ten fish in the time frame we had.   We might have been able to catch our limit, but Dave had to head out to make sure Yuan got to the Airport on time.  (And deal with that Chicago Traffic!)  In the end, it was a fun day of fishing on Lake Michigan.   Perhaps we can do it again  in the future. 

After cleaning the fish and getting back home,  I went out once again for a brief mushroom hunt.   I found a couple in the "secret spot".   Along with a few other gems of nature:  

Another  Mourning Cloak butterfly!   

This time, I had a better shot of him, as he was attempting to get warmed up in the sun.   If Only I could get closer to capture those colors better....

And finally,   Another Robbin's nest.   

I'm not sure if this is the same nesting couple that I was keeping tabs of earlier this Spring,  but this time,  the mother was slightly more aggressive.  Also,  the nest was higher in the tree and better hid from view.   I had to reach up and take a blind picture to see if there were any eggs inside. 

There were!   And hopefully they will hatch and remain secure enough to fully fledged . I will see if I can keep  posting updates. 

And that was my Friday.   Not a bad day at all.   We caught fish,  Said goodbye to Yuan, and found some Mushrooms!  I even had the opportunity to work on my Dragon Head for a bit.   Nothing too fancy, but a key part of the construction.   I will post pictures of that later. ( perhaps tomorrow, When I have time.)    As for now,   time to relax a bit and see what is happening online.   A little bit of news and a little bit of Job research will pass the time  Not to mention posting this little entry for the blog.   Each one of these little posts manage to eat up several hours!   But it is all worth it in the end, as I catalog my life and have a record of these moments that I can relive and share with others.  

Because every second counts.   

The Last Day Of School And A Walk In The Park.

 Today was the last day at Shoreland for the School year.  Yuan will be heading back to China tomorrow afternoon.   I'm kind of glad I was not there today.   From the sound of it,  the last day was all tests and the last HOUR was Physical Science!   I can only imagine what kind of Zoo the classroom would have been like.  

But while the Shoreland Teachers were staying on top of that craziness,  I was out walking in the forest, looking for Mushrooms and anything else I could find that might be blog worthy.   Even in the rain,  there is a sense of peace you can find no where else.   

Although the mushrooms have taken a break with all of the raining that has been going on,  I did manage to find something of interest.  A Scarlet Tanager! 

I have only seen one other one in my life.   In Michigan!   And it was so brief and sudden and STRIKING!  That we would head to that location for weeks afterwards trying to catch another glimpse of one. 

  I never happened. 

But today,   while deep in the forest of Parkside,  I saw this one.   And I managed to get about a dozen pics of him.   The only problem was that my Zoom was not enough for a fully detailed pic.  Just like those times back in Iowa when I would attempt to capture the Indigo Bunting.  (Another striking bird!)  At least there were several places where we could count on a sighting of the Bunting.  I don't know anything about the habitat of the Scarlet Tanager.

In addition to the bird,  I had several deer sightings.   In the rain, it is surprising just how calm the deer are.   I was impressed that they let me get that close to them.   

Deer are not that surprising in the Midwest.  (Unless they have antlers...) And I certainly have been able to get my share of closeups in the past.   But I always enjoy talking to them and having a visit when I'm on a nature walk.  And I'm sure with all of the foot traffic and dog walkers out there, the deer have learned o keep calm and out of sight in plain sight!  Most people will simply pass on by. 

Tomorrow, I have been invited onto the Big lake for a fishing trip with Dave's friend.  (Who has a big boat.)  It will be an early rise tomorrow, with a chilly bit of rain predicted.   Hopefully,  this last little cold snap before summer will keep the fish in the shallows and hungry!   We shall wish for some luck.

And then there is the "Goodbye" to Yuan.   It seems rather uneventful that he should just pack up and leave for China so suddenly.   Then again,   we can't take him out for "Old Fashions" like we did with Kyle.   I did take him out to Culver's yesterday for a butter burger and some Frozen Custard.  ( He loves Ice cream!)  

Then again,  perhaps he does not like large parties and saying long goodbyes.   (Who really does? Anyway.)  So tomorrow will be a big day for Dave.  And early Morning Fishing trip and then a drive to Chicago to drop off Yuan.  And Driving to Chicago is so much fun on a Friday....

At the very least, I will volunteer to clean any fish we happen to catch.   (That IS an optimistic take on it....  We will have to actually catch something for me to be able to be useful.)  As for now, the best I can do is get a good night's sleep and prep for tomorrow.   Hopefully I will be able to get some sleep instead of thinking about all of the excitement of being back on the big lake.  That means an early bed time...  Because when it comes to sleep, every second counts. 

A Mushroom Weekend!

 Finally!  A few edible mushrooms that I can blog about.   Can I just admit I have given up on Morels?   Because,  I simply can not find any around here. ( and I hear it has been a great year for them this year...)  No mater!  I have Aspen Oyster Mushrooms! 

Or spring Oyster mushrooms.   They grow on Aspen trees and there are several nice stands near the Park side Campus.  I was able to harvest two to three lbs so far..  with More on the way!  Finally!    Successful Mushroom hunts are always so rewarding. 

We cooked a few of them up in the deep fryer and they were awesome.   With this latest batch, I suggested to Dave that we cook the old ones up so we have room for the new ones.   He whipped up an Egg Bake and mixed all the mushrooms we had in the recipe   

I also found a couple Dryad Saddles that were just starting.   That being said, we ended up having to cut off the majority of them, because they were simply too hard by the time we were able to cook them up.   I guess I could have dehydrated them and ground them up into a powder, but that seemed like a lot of work, and there was no incentive when we have THREE lbs of Oysters in the fridge already.  

Other than that, I spend a couple hours today inoculating  more of the dead trees in the aspen patch.   Might as well prepare for next year as best I can.   I don't know how successful I will be, but I figure any help spreading the Mycillium around is helpful.   And already,  I believe that this year's harves has proven better than previous years.   Could the efforts I put in last year finally be paying off?   Hopefully...

I know I did this back in Iowa and the next year the golden Oysters were EVERYWHERE!  Too bad you can't do that with every mushroom you find.   (Like Chanterelles..)   Who knows?   Maybe you can, but I simply have not figured out the secret.   

OR the process is more complicated than drilling a few holes in some dead trees and filling them with cut off pieces of mushroom.   Either way, I will have to wait until next year to see how many of them took. 

IT is cold in Kenosha today.   I was not outside for very long, but it was long enough to numb my hands.  I probably should have wore gloves and my winter coat!  But I still managed to get outside for a little bit and enjoy a bit of sunshine. ( Mostly overcast all day though...)  45 degrees  was the max!  

Tomorrow is a new day!  And I think Yuan has only a half day tomorrow.   Not sure what I will be able to accomplish before I have to go back to Shoreland to get him.   But we will cross that bridge when we get there.     In the mean time,  I will plan on  working out,  playing around with one of my hobbies and checking out the job situation again.   Unless something more important comes up.   Then,  I will have to make every second count.