Good morning all:

Weekly Insight from deep within the north woods:

“Ma ol’ fren Maurice who lives at Camp 88 is near deaf, half blind, has a new knee and arthritis, lost all feeling in his chainsaw trigger hand, and most time can’t remember if he’s 82 or 92; he thanks God daily that he still has his driver’s license.”—from our north woods everyman we’ll call Claire

1921 and a new hamburger joint called White Castle sold its very first ‘slider’, a tiny, greasy, little, hamburger. What most people didn’t realize is that they sold an amazing coffee served in a diner style heavy ceramic mug. Now, 90-years later in the north woods, I am drinking my morning mug of White Castle coffee in a White Castle mug. And, should you be interested, no, I don’t especially enjoy their sliders (their onion chips though are another story).

The other evening the north woods and the lake made the perfect setting for a stunning view of the Harvest Moon. Several of us tried to capture the sight on camera—all failed. My effort is attached. What was an enormous, orange, globe is but a mere spot on camera. What gives?

Clap time – Tuesday several of us drove the half hour to Auld Kirk to listen to Jordan Kurtz and his acoustic Folk Rock band “Fisticuff” from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – three guys and one young lady, Emily, who played keyboards and horn.

At one point the young lady did a solo number and asked help from the band members by handclapping during the refrain. At the end came the best quote of any concert I’ve attended. Emily thanked the noisemakers with a hearty; “I like to thank the boys in the band for the clap.”

Neighbor Bulent and I immediately mumbled something about her just maaaybe wanting to rephrase her comment—of course this went right over her and her young band member’s heads. It must be a generational thing.

Dinah’s first real estate purchase – It was 4-year old Dinah’s last evening in the north woods. And a while after dinner she sidled up to me and asked; “Opa can we watch the sunset?” Certainly, that would be wonderful. Dinah took my hand and we started walking to Bob-the-Forester’s place since a sunset could be viewed perfectly from his dock.
Dinah (on the dock waiting for the sun to set); “Opa, why does this dock have these cables?”
Me; “when winter comes these big wheels get turned and the cables lift the dock out of the water.
Dinah; “I like this dock better than yours.” “When I get a cabin I want a dock like this.”
Me; “Dinah, are you telling me you’d like to buy this cabin?”
Dinah; “Yes. Is it empty?”
Me; “No it belongs to my friend Mr. Bob and he comes here every so often. Would you like me to get involved and ask him if he’s like to sell it?”
Dinah; “Yes. But, Opa, don’t use my real name, use a girly name such as Pony, or Ladybug, or Shanila, or Mary, or Kaitlan, or Cricket. Then, when he says yes, then use you can use my real name.”
Me; “Hmm, sorta like keeping a secret identity then.”
Dinah; “Yes. Then when I get the cabin I am moving all those rocks on that side of the dock so I can swim. Then, from that side all the way over to that side I am putting very pretty and colorful fake flowers. It will be beautiful!”

See how easy it is to sell and buy a place, all you need is a vision.

Animal Planet – This summer I noted that we were beset by bats. These insect devouring little beasts only require about a 3/8” opening and it becomes their daytime slumber setting. Our cabin has many 3/8” openings.

All week and each evening I would watch a specific side of the cabin and then watch if and where they’d tumble from as dusk set in. Then, by 10:00 PM I was on a ladder with flashlight, roofing screws, wrench, hammer, steel wool, and sealing foam. An hour or two later I would have that side completely sealed. Closing the place in this manner ensured that no bats would be sealed in.

The next evening it was on to another side and so on.

Last night I finished the project after seeing just a single bat emerge from one tiny space and closing it in short order.

The neat thing is that after two years of non-use the bat-house I hung nearby has finally become a bat-hotel. Pointing a heavy duty spotlight into the place yesterday afternoon had sets of beady little eyes staring back.

It’s the best of both worlds; a cabin free of the little critters and a property with the nighttime insect-sweeping service still in place.

Closing – Marcia returned from her trip to western Michigan loaded with a fresh supply of groceries. Canadian prices, for the most part, are ridiculous. Also, in these parts, it’s difficult to get certain items such as fresh Asparagus for grilling.

Wednesday morning we got word that our home was broken into. Two uniformed officers and three detectives swept the place and took a blood sample; apparently someone cut themselves when they broke a window getting in. The TV is gone and some minor odds and ends including my wedding band (kept at home for safekeeping). We’ll take a formal count when we get back.

Thanks Adrianne and Tevita for meeting with the police and securing the place. Thanks to Jeff and to Tony for calling 911.

Make it a great week everyone.

Cheers,
Dirk

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