Good morning all:

“What exactly do people mean when they talk; “out of the box thinking”? I prefer; “in the woods thinking” since I never know what’s behind the next tree and have to be ready for anything.” ~ from our north woods everyman we’ll call Claire

The burn restrictions have been lifted. This morning, I woke up to the pounding of water on the roof which caused that instant feeling of “turn over and go back to sleep.” I didn’t. Now, the rain is easing and I can begin to hear the coffee pot perking. It should be a good day.

Last evening the six of us went out for dinner. We discovered a small restaurant which only serves European fare and then only dinner on Fridays and Saturdays; by reservation. The place does not advertise and has people find it through word of mouth. Yesterday was the first seating of the season and we were the first customers of 2012.

The owner does this as much as a hobby as anything else. She and her husband live here six months a year and then return to their native Bavaria in Germany for the remainder. Germany requires licensing for restaurant operators, cooks, waiters, etc., and she is an instructor in these subjects—hence this little restaurant is a passion and a bit of a “proving ground” where she is the cook, server, and host. What a great time and what a great meal—wienerschnitsel in the north woods.

Electronics and hiccups – My laptop is having some serious hiccups. I’ve run diagnostics and checked whether I should ‘defrag’ the drive—everything checks. But, having the thing crash intermittently is not fun. Currently I am keying this post onto a file on my thumb drive as an instant back-up. Bottom line, I am in a place with no phone and now with a ‘sometimes’ computer. If I don’t watch it Marcia will stop talking and then what’s left?

Desperation is the mother of invention; so here is the solution:

Time is piling on – I tried to shave a few days ago and discovered that the old disposable was worthless. I opened a new pack and the fool thing just slid over my stubble. The next day I tried again – same results. Soon I was heard saying to Marcia something about her buying ‘women’s’ razors which were useless on guys. Actually I said it a bit stronger than that. You can imagine how sheepish I felt when I finally realized that these things have a small, clear plastic, protective sleeve.

Thirty six cabins on the lake. Thirty six cabins filled with guffawing laughter. Yes, I heard you guys, don’t think I didn’t!

Biathlon – Yesterday I felt the time was right to practice a bit in the kayak as a way to get ready for Paddlefest in a couple of weeks. Off I went to the nearby island and back—two miles of open water.

Returning it was still calm and cool and so the decision was made to start on my regular 3-mile walk. However, first the kayak had to be pulled and wiped down (we were expecting a storm in the afternoon). Then it was the drying of the feet, socks and shoes on. The new Day-Glo man-bra had to be positioned. Then, mega important, the proper tunes selected on the ipod. My poke-em-stick was retrieved and the canister of bear spray clipped on. I was ready.

I realized that had this really been a biathlon I would have received the “slowest in transition” award—and I really did earn it.

Animal Planet – This is year two that a little Easter Phoebe has nested in the rafters of the little roof over the cabin’s kitchen door. Last week we heard much peeping and knew that we had a nursery over that door. Last Saturday morning we heard some loud commotion. When Marcia walked around there were four tiny birds laying dead or dying on the ground underneath the nest. We think that it was a red squirrel looking for eggs which knocked these little guys out their nest. Nature does not play favorites.

Marcia’s little garden had chives – planted last year these came up again. One difference is that she’s allowed them to flower. Turns out that this little spot has become the favorite dining spot for the stunning and large Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterflies found around here; as many a seven are seen sitting on these blossoms at a time. On the moth side I discovered a wonderful example of a Polyphemus moth. Both have amazing 5 to 6 inch wingspans. The Polyphemus is even more interesting in that it does not feed as an adult—it would seem that excess weight is not an issue for these guys.

We have several Yellow Bellied Sapsucker woodpeckers visit the two hemlock trees in our yard. Wonderfully marked I’ve been at the ready to take a picture or two. I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting. Nothing. Then, begin doing something else, and there they are again. Think they do it on purpose?

Mid week, while walking, I happened on a large Porcupine, noticing it while I was six or seven feet away. As I eased down to one knee and slowly took my camera out of my pocket I was ready for the PERFECT portrait photo op. Porcupines are slow, appear to have little fear and somewhat inquisitive, and so was this one. I pushed the ‘on’ button and the lens came alive.

It was at exactly the same time that we heard the heavy rumblings of a fully loaded logging truck come barreling over a nearby hill. Ms. Porcupine looked at me, looked in the direction of the approaching truck and then back at me. She had seen enough and with that she waddled away. My picture shows her cute little prickly rear end wiggling away into the undergrowth.

Make it a great week everyone. By the way, what’s with these LA Kings? All season they’ve been outshot, outplayed, outhustled, and yet, ever since they became the 8th seed on the road towards hockey’s Stanley Cup they’ve become the winningest team in the NHL. Go Kings.

Cheers,

Dirk