Good morning all:

Weekly Thought from deep in the Northwoods

“I wondered,..”why is it that, that lake Trout keeps getting bigger,..? then it hit me,….”— Marcia – taking a break from knitting to do some leisurely trolling

OK kids, yes, I am talking to you, Kirstin, Jason, and Adrianne, it will probably be best if you skip directly over to the next section. Now that you’ve been forewarned, here we go. Never during Marcia’s friskiest moments have I heard her yelp, whoop, and holler as I did last evening (I even believe I heard a “yahoo”). I had just taken a shower, but that had nothing to do with it.

Rather, it was what occurred after she suggested we take the, just launched, pontoon out and while bobbering about the lake that she would do a little trolling. Minutes into this ‘adventure’ the Trout struck and pandemonium broke out. Gloves came on, the net was readied, the holding tank filled, engine was killed—and just as the fish was netted, the boat, with climatic timing, hit the shore.

It wasn’t much later that Marcia looked me in the eyes and said; “I am bushed, completely worn out.”

There was a time I would light up after such an event. Since I stopped that habit well over thirty-five years ago, I’ll just enjoy a fine cup of coffee this morning hour.

Lake Trout fishing details – Marcia’s first outing and first catch of the season was a 22 to 23 inch lake Trout and probably a bit over three pounds (our little scale broke). I had driven the boat across the cove where we settled into idle speed. No more than ten minutes later she hooked her catch on a 4” red and white Dare Devil lure (for those on the lake, it cost $1.50 at the Buckaroo discount store).

We actually did end up gliding onto the rocks with the engine’s prop touching bottom. Finally, with me rocking the bow corner of the boat and Marcia pushing the stern away from shore with a paddle, the boat’s propeller came clear. A quick start, reverse thrust, and we were on our way.

Tomorrow evening’s dinner will feature fish – very fresh fish.

Cast Iron – To bring this post back into more of a family orientation here is a tip. Our neighboring Indian maiden ‘discovered’ an old iron skillet while at the dump last Wednesday. It was in need of cleaning and had to be ‘cured’. Additionally she said that from having been used again and again over the same burner it had developed a “hot spot.” To get it ready for the curing process she said that it needed to be totally reheated. As luck would have it we were having a campfire that very evening. Take a very good look at the photo and you’ll see one red-hot little cast iron skillet (pan is in the center and the handle is pointing to the right).

Once cooled a thorough cleaning with an SOS pad followed by a coating of vegetable oil will prepare the pan. Into the oven at heat followed by a slow in-oven cooling and that little find will be better than new.

More preparations – Steadily we’re beginning to prepare for the place filling with little voices, giggles, and smiles.

Marcia took to my power grinder like a fish to water. In one afternoon our cabin’s two Tonka toy trucks had their beat up skins ground to shiny bare metal. Once that process was finished a fresh coat of Caterpillar Yellow paint had them sparkling like new.

One of our kayaks is an old 17’, two seat, folding Folbot that weighs 70 pounds. It’s oh so steady on the water and very fast once up to speed. However, it’s a pain to launch. Over the winter I built a little cart to help haul it around—by one person. It worked beautifully when I tested it this week. Thanks Tevita for making the dual-purpose axle for it; the other purpose being getting the heavy dock sections in place.

And now that the pontoon is back where she belongs in the water Marcia can proceed getting the Bunkie ready. All the accessories, seats, life preservers, and canopy are all winter stored in the place.

Animal Planet – This week we’re seeing American Goldfinches. Always fun to have these ‘wild canaries’ dart about between the pines. Two days ago a pair of Great Blue Herons glided past on their 6’ wingspans and landed a couple of hundred feet down the cove. Eventually, the activity around our place had them pick up and move deeper back into the cove. We all need our space don’t we?

The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are back from their winter in Mexico and have begun their mating ritual. They will do a “dive” display making the shape of a letter “U” with the top anywhere from 10 to 40 feet and a lot of twittering while bottoming out. Still not much activity at the feeder though.

Tucked into the rafters of our little front door overhang is the nest of an Eastern Phoebe. At first the poor mom would dart away to a nearby tree the second we so much as touched the door. Now, more often than not, she’ll stay put when we come and go.

If you like black flies and Mosquitoes come on up! Especially the mosquitoes, referred to as the Canadian Air Force, are being vicious these days. Head gear is a help as are screen doors—if you keep them closed. Another couple of weeks and things will settle down.

Closing – Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend—just don’t forget the purpose behind the holiday; and no, it’s not any carpet or automobile sale. Also, keep those who are hurting in the mid section of the country in your thoughts. Make it a great week everyone.

Cheers,
Dirk

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