Chance: The Deer Trails

Far Side said "Let's go for a walk!"   We had to walk our deer trails last Friday.  Hunting season started on Saturday and although all of our land is posted with No Hunting signs ..we try to  stay out of the woods during Deer season.

Far Side likes to walk back in the woods, after the poison ivy is all frozen and has disappeared, and before the snow is too deep.

She talks to herself..brown, brown, everything is brown.  Pretty soon that changes to white..white..everything is white.
 

Deer sign!  I tell you every night they are back in here..and there is the proof.. and I will not roll in it..but it does kinda look like great little chocolate drops.

She rummaged around the old dump..

I followed the deer trails for a really long time..I lead and she follows.  I did run back to the yard a few times just to check on Far Guy..I have to keep track of them both ya know...if they would both stay in their yard it would be easier:)

Last Bloom

I believe that this is the last bloom of the year..Aster 'Purple Dome'  this one is a tad frosty.  Frost filled mornings are normal now, each morning frost covers everything.    Chance and I go out and check to see if anything is photo worthy.   Not all frost is equal.

The yard work is done, all the lawn furniture has been dried off and put away.  The lawn was mowed one last time, well it was more like mowing the non existent grass and mulching the plentiful leaves.  All the leaves that are going to fall have done so.   There are still a few tenacious leaves on the Northern Pin Oaks,  they will be with us all winter.  Sometimes they will fall during the winter and  dance around on the icy surface of the snow banks.  Skidding around reminding me of fall, and my inability to organize the entire forest.  The trees are for the most part..bare..grey..anorexic..they have done their duty..they have kept us shaded from the summer sun..although that wasn't a very difficult job for them this year:)

Corduroy Road

Last weekend when we were up on Sockeye Lake Road/Trail ..we came across this stretch of road.   Can you tell what is special about it?

It is part of an exposed old corduroy road,  years ago logs were placed across low swampy areas and covered with sand  to form a road.   It worked to make a passable road.  Neither Far Guy or I have seen an exposed corduroy road in a number of years.  The most famous of roads in our area is the "old corduroy road" ..but it was rebuilt by the DNR some time ago, and only exists in our minds.   It used to lead to a great hunting area, and crossing that section of old logs was always a bit of an adventure especially in wet years.

Today Deer Hunting Season begins in Minnesota.  I used to hunt, so did Far Guy, our girls attended firearms safety classes and accompanied their Father hunting several years.  I found that I am not a good hunter, I hate to kill anything, and I used to cry for the poor deer that Far Guy brought home to butcher.  We discovered that what we both liked about hunting was just getting out into the woods..and we can do that anytime since we moved into the woods.  I still like to hunt with my camera!  :)

 A Doe with her twin fawns November 06, 2009 ..last night just at dark at the end of our driveway.

Sockeye Lake Adventure

Last Saturday we were out and about..with no firm destination in mind.   It had snowed,  but the sun was shining.  So many days were so dark and dreary..now the sky is blue and filled with clouds.  The sunshine was so inviting!!

The clouds are all lined up on the prairie. Far Guy said that they are all Isobars.  Distinct lines of clouds all headed east.

We ended up on Sockeye Lake Road.  We met two vehicles..that was it, a wood cutter and a guy with a boat.

 We really need a trail map.   We just kept making lefts.. I joked with Far Guy..well at least we will only be lost for a week..hunting season starts next weekend!

We ran into a mud hole..should we turn around?  Far Guys says "No,  we can make it "   ..we have the car!  Luckily it is four wheel drive.

We spot an eagle..Far Guy says "Now wasn't that mud hole worth it? "    Aw..maybe  OK ..sure.  Chance was worried..ever since that day that he hid on the floor by my legs in the Big Hill Country..he is a little leery of Far Guys driving.  Chance wants to sit in my lap..he wants to help me take a photo of the Eagle.

Another mud hole..this is a big one..looks deep too.  I am thinking that this one will turn us around.  Far Guy says "No..lets go!"   Well next time I should pack an oar or stop and get a push stick..because I could feel the back end of the car float  .. I am not crazy..I have been in enough boats to know what floating feels like.  We were definitely afloat.

Now doesn't this look better..a very calm pot hole that is not in the middle of the road.   I am a very poor judge of distances..but I should have recognized the lay of the land about this time.  I used to hunt deer back in here with my brother and my Dad and many of my uncles and cousins a very long time ago.  There are lots of good memories back in this area.  Now there are a few more:)

Trapped and a Panhandler

Pop on over to West Side of Straight to see what Chance has been barking at during the evenings lately. We assumed it was just deer that had him agitated..and there are lots of deer moving around..but a neighbor Al got this in his live trap. Exciting happenings in the neighborhood!

The deer are really on the move, hunting season begins this weekend. My dad was out yesterday to check out the heater in his deer stand. I may join him some morning with my camera. I got this photo recently at the end of our driveway.

Speaking of Cameras...

I had something happen the other day..that has me bugged. We were in a large town about 90 miles away. We were getting off of the freeway..I saw a gentleman on the median with a sign.. I zoomed in on his sign..he apparently was offended with my photo taking..as we pulled along side of him he lowered his sign and scowled at me. If looks could have killed..I would be deader than a doornail. I have his full photo, I cropped this photo...he is well dressed..he did not look broke to me..but then again..IF he was.. why in the world would he be offended that I took his photo. Personally I think he was just making some pocket change..and he was captured on film red handed and was mad. HA! Far Guy of course took the stance that the guy was proud..too proud to have his photo taken. What do you all think..proud or just looking for pocket change?

This brings to mind an incident that happened last summer in a larger town in the northern part of the Red River Valley. We observed a switch out..where one pan handler handed off his sign to another..is this a sign of the times? They were really working that corner. Do you ever give these people money? I never do..maybe if they had a white cane and a dog, or perhaps if they were playing music with a monkey on a leash:)

Wistful Wednesday : Spike

I  believe this photo was taken in 1958.    My brother and I and our Collie "Spike".  Spike was full grown when we got him in the Fall of 1957.   I believe that we got him from someone that could no longer keep him.   My brother and I adored this dog, Spike was smart..he followed all the commands..sit, stay, come, lay down and shake.  I was in "Dog Heaven".  Honestly this dog was so smart it was like having your own personal Lassie.  

During the summer, my Dad worked for a Construction Company..the summer of 1958 we left the farm and lived in Atwater, Minnesota for the summer.   Spike went to live with Joe ( the guy with all the horses).  Fine and dandy we got our dog back in the Fall.. Yippee..it was good to be back on the farm.  The next summer we were in Stewart, Iowa.. and my parents gave Spike away.  Spike went to a good home..he became the best friend of a mentally handicapped child.   Well this is all well and good..but it did not make me feel any better.  I cried buckets over that dog.  I wanted my dog back.  I thought it was horribly unfair that he was given away without a second thought.  At one point I demanded that he be given back..because he was ours..he didn't belong to anyone else..I think I may have even stomped my foot once or twice.   It was then that I learned that life was just not fair.  My parents wouldn't even let us go and visit.. I looked at all the retarded kids I saw..and wondered silently " Is that the retard that has my dog?"     I guess I was a pretty selfish kid, the next summer we stayed  at home and my Mother started farming again.   This is the only photo that I know of..it was taken during Deer Hunting season.  


Spike  was the third collie that we had..the first being a collie cross that was white and named Frostie ( he is the ghost dog..he shows up in lots of photographs in the background) , the second one was a pup..I believe we got as a gift from my Maternal Grandparents..they loved dogs too..anyway I cannot remember that pups name..we got him in the winter..and that next spring he died of Tick Fever...after that I religiously picked ticks off of all our dogs..and everyone's else's dogs too.  I often think of Spike, I hope he lived a long and happy life.

I have loved dogs for as long as I can remember.  They have brought much happiness to my life..and some sadness too..sometimes I ask myself if the happiness is worth the sadness.. I guess it must be.  My parents could never understand my deep love for animals,  they knew I had it..they just never seemed to understand it.  It was always considered a flaw..I never considered it that way.. to this day I have shed more tears about animals,  especially dogs..than I have over people.   I really do like some dogs more than I like some people:)

Hatchet or a Magic Wand?: TN Update

Since Christmas Day of 2007, we have seen a number of Doctors..Neurologists. Our first one who we really liked..moved to Florida. We bumped along without one for about six months. Then we got a really cranky old guy who never returned my phone calls, Far Guy said "Fire his butt" ..then we went to the University of Minnesota..to find out if there was any type of Surgical procedure that would stop the extreme pain..nothing..anything they could do might make things worse. After a few months we were handed off back to our GP .. the one who admittedly knows nothing about TN. Nine months ago we got Doctor P..the reason I know it is nine months ago is that he sees his patients every three months and we have seen him three times.


He has changed a little from our first visit. Yesterday he talked about Teamwork and how we are all a team..and we have to all be on the same page! He also repeated that he is available by phone, just in case we hit a huge bump in the road. He told me several times, If my phone call was not returned the same day I left it..then I should call back again because he had obviously lost the message. I think he may read my blog..as most of you long time blog readers know I believe that teamwork and communication are both key to helping Far Guy manage his disorder. Perhaps I can put away the hatchet, well maybe I should just carry it in it's holder for awhile. Maybe I should exchange it for a magic wand.


Trigeminal Neuralgia is one of the most painful, frustrating disorders that I have ever run up against. That is just my view..I cannot even imagine it from Far Guy's view. Recently we visited with another couple, he has TN also..but Type I..he had surgery at Mayo..and is now pain free. They encouraged us to go there.


Well..I suppose we could seek more opinions. . BUT..over the course of the past 23 months..four different Neurologists have said .." I don't believe surgery is indicated" "Your MRI shows nothing that can be addressed surgically" "I would never send you to Surgery, it may make you worse.. (Anesthesia Dolorosa) " "Your type of TN is best treated with medications." So the dilemma..do we go to yet another Clinic..to find one Neurologist that says "Yes" ..and then have to decide if four are correct..or one??


I would like to wave my magic wand and have it all better. We are not going anyplace else. We are going to stick with Dr P ..I hope he doesn't move or croak.


The support group that we helped to form a year ago..is not active. Far Guy keeps track of a number of people, there are so many people that have it in this area. I did what I could..they are adults..I should not have to lead them by the hand.


We found out recently that some new research is being done. Some research involving mice..their myelin sheath that covers the Trigeminal Nerve is destroyed..after we read the article..We looked at each other and said "The poor little buggers, they can't even talk." " There is no escape for them either, stuck in a lab..how does a mouse commit suicide?" We laughed..but really it was not a laughing situation ..especially if you are one of those very unlucky mice.

Some people are still very insensitive.. they ask me in hushed tones "How is HE doing?" Ask him yourself! The mail ( not misspelled, that guy is on my shit list) person that rubbed Far Guys bald head the other day nearly got it with my hatchet/wand. Ladies for the hundredth time..do not hug my husband..I know he is handsome as all get out and you feel you must hug him..but don't.. your hair will touch his face..he will have pain for hours after your lovey dovy hug.


We got permission from the Doctor to lessen the dose of Neurontin..we will see how it goes. Far Guy is more forgetful, we hope some of the fog lifts.. and that the pain does not increase. It really sucks when you have to decide between fogginess and pain..it is all about finding a perfect combination of medications..we have not found it yet.


So I guess I am not quite ready to turn in my hatchet for a wand yet.. we are finally back to where we were back in August before Far Guy had a Wisdom Tooth magically appear..that had to be surgically removed. TN is a strange disorder..Dr P says it has a mind of it's own... and it varies from one individual to the next.
We just keep keeping on one day at a time:)

A Thousand Words: Fireman

I hope you remembered to change out those batteries in your smoke alarms.   If not..this guy might visit you.    He is a Daddy too in addition to being a Fireman..being a fireman is hot, filthy work..some times a little girl must just be content to just touch her Daddy's helmet.  Out here in the boonies, every time you do something stupid ..like starting your oven on fire ( I did that) someone must leave their home and time with their family to rescue you and your house.  Did I just hear someone say.. "But that is their job"   ..maybe in your area it is..out here they get paid $5.00 a call..or maybe it is up to $6.00  by now...which just helps cover expenses.   Fireman..you gotta love them..and  this one is one of the special ones..my nephew Josh:)

Halloween Report

The moon was almost full, the leaves had a ghostly snow glow..ghosts and goblins scurried throughout the neighborhood.. the dog howled..we ran out of candy..we had so many Trick or Treater we didn't know what to do.

Well not quite..the moon was almost full, there still is some snow on the ground..Chance loved all the Trick or Treaters..everyone one of them is his very best friend..he would like them all to stay forever and play ball 24/7.    FIVE children, that is it..and we are related to all of them..in fact all of them live within walking distance for small children, old people and a dog.  Chance was not the least bit scared of their costumes..throw the ball, throw the ball....sometimes a Border Collie can drive you almost nuts with a ball!  

We gave away bags of candy to a very scary skeleton and his sister Curious George.  The twins were Batman and a Red Devil and their sister we decided must have been a Hunter as she wore a little warm up suit that was camo..and warm!  One Mom said "What do you say?"  They said "Thank you?"  I said how about "Trick or Treat! "   Ya, ya..that's it!!

There seems to be a little bit of controversy going around about Halloween.  "The evil holiday."  I am not sorry I get a kick out of seeing kids all dressed up,  going door to door with their parents..hollering "Trick or Treat" at old people that hand out candy.  What holiday is geared more to children and fantasy than Halloween.  Imagination, kids think about their costumes, they talk about what they will be.  They are so excited that they can hardly eat their supper..they talk about other kids costumes..they talk about the candy they got.   It is all about interaction people..just think about how many people stayed home last night to give out candy..I bet some of those people were kids once too..that enjoyed a few Halloweens themselves.  I refuse to see it as an evil holiday..I look forward to it every year..I look forward to seeing the children in their costumes..perhaps it is all about the giving of the candy, you want to give it all away..because if you don't then you are stuck eating the left overs, and when you grow older you like to have company in the evening.   Evil..I think not..parents spending an evening with their children..how could that be evil:)

Back To July Revealed

October 30, 2009  Something is in the air? 

Good guessing, nope not a hot tub room, exercise room, potting shed, boudoir, studio or even a love shack. It is a Sauna! Our daughter and son in law no longer wanted it..so they moved it to our yard. It caused quite the excitement in the neighborhood. My brother Jody offered to do the dirt work and the septic system in exchange for some Saunas! It does not have running water.. we sauna the old way..carrying a bucket of cold water, and a bucket of hot water. It is an electric sauna, you have to turn it on about an hour before you want to go and sweat. You throw cold water on the rocks to create steam.. when you have had enough you soap up and throw water over your body..or run to the house totally naked and take a shower! Twenty minutes in the Sauna burns as many calories as an hour of exercising..who woulda thunk it.

Dressing Room.

Let's Go In!! 

Cedar Benches..and a bucket of water.  The brick on the rope is the counterweight that closes the door. 

The electric sauna stove..the rocks heat up and when you throw water on them they create hot steam. 


I do love taking a sauna, when I was little it was what we did every Saturday night for our bath. Sauna night was an occasion. My brother and I would go, our Mom and Dad would scrub up our hair and make sure we were rinsed off really well and dressed in our Jammie's and then we would trudge up the hill to Grandpas house. ( This Grandma ( my Fathers Mother) died when I was just three years old) While our parents were in the sauna, we helped our Grandpa set the table for coffee and we would play a game of checkers with him in the front room. We would never win those checker games either, but we had fun trying. When our parents came up to the house, we would have something that our Mother had baked..sometimes cookies, sometimes cake..sometimes fresh bread with butter.. and coffee in a saucer. I have been in many different saunas over the years, but that is the one that I think of when someone says "Sauna."


So Far Guy and I go to Sauna at least twice a week ..sometimes more. Chance waits patiently outside. Our sauna has two rooms, the dressing room and the sauna itself..it is pretty small..but it works great. We have steam wars..taking turns throwing water on the rocks. As with anything, you have to start out a little at a time. We need to look for an actual Sauna Thermometer..Far Guy has some wimpy thermometer in there.. I can't see anything in there anyway..it is way too warm to wear your glasses in the sauna. If someone wants to come to Sauna..bring your own cookies, and yes Far Guy and I will wear a towel to sauna when we have sauna company! :)

Happy Snowy Halloween From Chance!  Is this a trick?  Nope..we have snow:( 

Back to July

It is still raining this morning..Chance got all wet.  So I am going to transport you through pictures to a greener time..last July.  It is going to be a guessing game with the answer revealed tomorrow..so pay attention.   Relatives and close friends that know the answer are not allowed to guess. If you are a friend or relative that doesn't pay attention to anything that I say... then go ahead and guess.
What in the world were we preparing for?

Look at that green, yes I know some of the greens are weeds!  Seems like a good spot.  We used to have a small shady perennial greenhouse there.   July 21, 2009

July 22, 2009  My brother, Jody.  I was amazed at how much black dirt he had to remove..  

Still July 22, 2009.  Chance has been supervising the crew!  Ryan, Hunter ( my neices husband),  Jody and Josh (nephew).

All done, now if the dog and the deer stay out of it until it cures!

Delivery Day,  July 26, 2009  Miney (The dog) Jen ( daughter)  and Andy (son in law).  They put it on a trailer at their house and moved it to our house.  We should have charged admission..we had a whole crowd of people watching!

Easy does it!  Andy, Hunter and Jody.  Did you know that you have to have a building permit, even though you aren't technically building something..you are just moving something.

August 1, 2009.  When do you suppose we will get electricity hooked up?  Do you think it should be painted green?  How about a steel roof with an overhang?  It definately needs a bench.  Someplace to sit and relax.

October 13, 2009  Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea, it is cold and rainy..one last fall project that shouldn't have been started.  BUT..the overhang will keep the snow away from the door.

October 24, 2009   Finally the roof is done, and the front door has two coats of paint.  The posts and that front trim board are going to have to weather gracefully..it is too cold to prime and paint them.   Done,  it is done.  See the frost on the ground?

Do you need more hints?  Alrighty then...we use it several times a week..Chance does not use it at all.  He waits patiently outside for us to finish.  HA!  Guess away! :)  

Fall Whine

What a miserable month..rain and more rain..cloudy, dreary grey days..if it is not drizzling rain then the gale force winds move everything around so much you can't take any decent photographs. What is there to take photographs of anyway..frost..in the early mornings..check, brown leaves on the ground..check..brown leaves hanging in the trees ..check. I want my two or three weeks of Indian Summer and I want them NOW.

I was keeping track of rainy cold days..versus sun shine days..the sun is losing..it became so dismal I lost track. I got out my parka, and gloves. Every morning when you get up you have to turn the lights on..and they stay on most of the day.

We finished up most of the outdoor fall work.. I raked, I blew, I mulched leaves..the yard looked pretty good..then the wind blew and more leaves came down out of the trees. I knew it would happen.. I had hoped by mowing the yard really short that the leaves would keep on travelling into the woods. Years ago I used that technique to keep the leaves moving from a very manicured lawn in Moorhead. You would think it would work here too..but the woods has a never ending supply of leaves to drive me crazy with.

Far Guy and I washed windows, I use Glass Wax on the outside, so that the rain drops will shed off the windows. It is the pits to use, smelly..and you have to smear it on and then wait for it to dry and then buff like there is no tomorrow..or you will get streaks. Although streaks usually don't show up unless there is sunshine.

I finally got all the lawn furniture dried out and put away for the winter. Chances pool was emptied..he was sad. Far Guy got out his special old pontoon cover to sling over the top of his Ferris Wheel Seat near the front door..gosh I hate that cover..blue..bright blue. Like death knolls..each of these covering ups, and putting aways...I don't want to give up on Fall yet..it might stop raining..the sun may shine again someday..when it does come out, I am sure I will be blinded.

Oh ya and we get to Fall Back with the time change this Sunday..that means it gets dark at five o'clock in the afternoon. I am really looking forward to that with great anticipation.

Halloween, now that is something to look forward to..candy.. and little kids..we will get ten kids..and I will take their photographs...after that it will be November...one more month closer to spring:)

Wistful Wednesday : The Linnell School

The corner sits empty, the native grasses have taken over..it seems lonely. The tall posts are remnants of a back stop from years ago when we used it as a ball field. Before it was a ball field it was a school yard. I remember the sounds of children playing outside during recess and lunch. I lived just kitty-corner from the old school, I wanted to go to school there, I could walk all by myself. I was a big girl, and I had been there many times. Sometimes we would be invited over for a Christmas Party or a program, sometimes I tried to sneak over there by myself. ..school.. I just knew it was going to be a magical place and I was going to love it. Sadly they built a new school and I had to ride a bus. The old school just sat there. After it was closed..we were forbidden from going there..but on several occasions it was just too tempting. I remember how the building echoed inside because it was empty, and how the floor was littered with broken glass.. it was finally torn down.

This photo was dated 1942, I have seen this photo before, but do you see those trees over to the right of the photo..that is where I used to live. Holy Cats!! .. .Look at all the trees!  The school was built in 1911, and remodeled in 1927. It was closed in 1957.

Far Guys Mom ( Evelyn) age 8 and Far Guys Uncle (Willard) age 6 went to school there, they lived just across the road from the school. This photograph was taken in 1923, or 1924. I believe it to be a 1923 photograph of just the Primary Students..that year they had two teachers.. Mary M. Lymburner and Mrs. Smith. I have retouched this copy of the photo..it is still not in the greatest shape..I have marked it with two little red dots just for the purpose of identifying Far Guys Mother and Uncle. Hazel Graham age 6, Morris Stephens age 7, Harry Klarer age 7 and Earl McGrane age 7 could also be in this photo. People who I knew as adults..but are impossible for me to recognize as children. They all appear on the class list in 1923.

Far Guys Mom taught at this school in 1940 before she was married. I am not sure how many years she taught there. I do recall her telling us that her Dad would walk with her on winter mornings and help her start the fire in the stove. She is also listed as teaching there in 1949 she was married by then and she may have..that was the year she was pregnant with Far Guy, he was born in early 1950..so I suppose having a new baby put the cabosh on teaching. I wonder what she did with Far Guys sister Jan? Possibly she spent the day at her Grandma and Grandpas across the road:)

STOP, DROP and ROLL!!

The buses arrived, and the small children each with a white art project headband filed in and took their chairs.   It is that time of year again..Fire Safety for the Head Start Class.    Once their little squirming bodies are all safely ensconced in a chair, Far Guy asks them "What do you do if your clothing is on fire?"  They all holler back, "STOP, DROP and ROLL!!"   Far Guy tells them that they should, never, ever play with matches, and that matches should be brought to Mom or Dad right away. Jerry and Far Guy get out the Medical Bag, they show the kids some of the stuff inside..they are most taken with the Pulse/ Oxygen meter, everyone wants to have it stuck on their finger.  

Far Guy puts all the gear on for them.. no one is bawling this year..hallelujah! Far Guy dresses up the kids in his coat and his hat.  The kids line up and have their pictures taken.  For some this is a big step,  it helps to make it all seem less scary.  

The Chief arrives.. he gets all dressed up in his gear with the respirator.   To small children, just the sound is sometimes scary.  They all do great, we have one tiny little girl that is whimpering..so the Chief takes off his mask as she watches him.  

Chance and I are sitting in the far corner, Chance has a few visitors..we are just observers today, just in case we need to help herd kids.  

Day Light Savings time ends on November 1, 2009..so remember to Fall Back and catch up on that hour of sleep that you lost last spring.   This is also the reminder to put batteries on your grocery list.  Your batteries in your smoke detectors should be changed this Sunday.  Why?  Because I said so!!  Go through a mock fire drill at your house, meeting up at the designated safe spot outdoors and communicate with your children about Fire Safety. 


Never leave space heaters unattended, and if you are leaving your house turn off your clothes dryer.  Never throw in a load of clothing to dry..and then go to bed.    My Son in Law did this..luckily he was able to get Savannah ( she was just a baby)  out of the house and two of their dogs..poor Katie a Sheltie died and Caramel the kitty died from smoke inhalation.  Very little was saved from inside that house.. it had smoke alarms..and a faulty dryer.  Nothing quite brings it all into perspective until you see your Granddaughters high chair and car seat melted in place:(