Good morning all:

“Tell those pale faced, soft-handed, somber funeral directors that when me time comes to jus stick me in a large green plastic bag and then use a twisty-tie.” ~ From our north woods everyman, Claire

I think that Claire had just been shown one of those amazing little green “preserve your bananas” plastic bags. Amazed, he recognized a new ‘preservative” use for them. Actually, I can vouch that they do work!

So, let me explain. I realize that possibly some of you might start to read and then get sidetracked, scan over the last few bits, or just plain give up halfway through reading these Ramblings. So, here is what I did, I cut-‘n-pasted this piece from the very end of this posting – now it’s first: Next week’s post will be done under some duress—however, I’ll try to get the job done (just maybe at an odd time). This coming week we’ll be ‘mucho’ busy packing and securing the cabin for the season. Then on Saturday morning I’ll be taking part in the Thessalon to Wharncliffe Classic Car Fall Color Tour with The Duck (our little Citröen Deux Chevaux). Sunday morning we’ll lock the door at Northern Comfort for the last time this year and begin our twelve hour trek home.

So, after stewing about how best to get that message out, this was my solution, now it’s time to savor my first mug of morning coffee.

Color, color, and more color – This is the first time where we’ve stayed north long enough to witness the fall color change—and some change it is. Spectacular! It truly is magical. Mixed in with the evergreen pines and hemlock are the scarlet reds and oranges of the maples. Sitting alongside is bright yellow and golden glow from the birches, aspen, and tamaracks. And to tie it all together is a scattering of browns, burgundies, and some yet unchanged bright greens.

Marcia and I really are witnessing something very special.

The Ark – With the stunning color there is apparently another gift the region bestows—rain; rain showers in the morning, rain in the afternoon, and more rains during the night; day in and day out. The little rain gauge B-o-L David gave me as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago overflowed (5”).

A side bonus seemed to have been wind. Tuesday was my planned day to pull the pontoon ashore and pack it in. winds in the neighborhood of 26mph, plus two inches of rain, caused me to pass over that idea.

Wednesday there were enough breaks and out it came. Shortly I had it maneuvered to the front of the circular drive behind Northern Comfort. Next came a totally new challenge. Try unfolding and placing a brand new, heavy duty, 19-foot by 29 foot 4 inches tarpaulin.

On the first try Marcia discovered it was hanging sideways. Much crawling underneath the ‘rafters’ I had built, back 20’ to the boat’s rear, where, pizza-crust twirler style, I finally managed to place the thing properly. There she sits; totally cocooned in, ready for anything father winter throws about. Our very own Ark. However, should the rain thing get totally out of control; “Here kitty, here Vinnie and bring a buddy, want to go sailing?”

Animal Planet – Mid week, between rain showers, I ran an errand to the island about a mile away and used the little Sea Nymph. As I started for home, in preparation for the next bout of rain the winds had begun to pick up a bit. The little Nymph did perfect and rolled beautifully through the waves. However, approaching our cabin the bow made it so that I never saw a pair of Loons paddling dead ahead.

It was a final lurch which allowed for me to spot the birds. To prevent them getting more distraught I immediately cut the engine, and indeed one stayed put. Now, quietly floating by at a distance of under 30 feet it struck me just how large these creatures are. I had always perceived them as a good sized Duck—this one was the size of an adult Canadian goose. Its red eyes were staring right at me. What a sight!

Marcia has several large bunches of Live Forever (Sedum) around the cabin and her veggie garden. In preparation for winter these clusters of flowers have filled with busy honey bees. Three or four bees on each plant’s dozen or so flowering clusters seem to be the norm. Nature at work always amazes me.

Fini – Make it a great week everyone. And a very Happy 42nd Anniversary Marcia ~ who woulda thunk huh? Love you! And yes, you continue to steal my half of the blanket!

Marcia just finished another one of her many summertime knitting projects—a poncho. Since we’re not going anywhere on our Anniversary I suggested she wear it throughout the day. It looks lovely.
Cheers,
Dirk

From the Archives

Saturday, September 11, 2004
Some days the morning coffee just sharpens the senses and causes thinking to just snap into focus, I believe this to be one of those days.

What is with the weather? Kirstin & Vince have hurricanes toy with them week in and week out, now Ivan the terrible is making a beeline for them. Then, completely around the other side of the world sits our brand new Peace Corps volunteer Adrianne who gets seven inches of rain on her swearing-in day. And here we are enjoying one spectacular late summer day after another, and this Saturday is no different.

This evening Marcia and I will celebrate the warm-up to Zinzinnati’s German heritage by heading for MainStrasse across the river. Then next weekend our side of the river will be holding our massive Oktoberfest street party—complete with the ever present “Chicken Dance”. Bring on the brats and mets!
Even so, we did get a chance to put the top down and take the little “Duck” for a toodling around the neighborhood. Neighbors waved and smiled and Marcia just “crowed” away with them anytime we stopped. Me, I sat calmly practicing a very nasal French laugh, much like what I had seen former French President Charles De Gaulle manage as he put his enormous honker to the task.

Twelve years ago, this weekend, I rode my last DALMAC 400 mile bicycle ride from Lansing Michigan into the Upper Peninsula. This week would have been Omi’s 93rd birthday. Now, in 2004, Marcia and I are skipping the big fireworks event on the Riverfront and instead are going to a dinner party. Time does march doesn’t it?