And a Happy Saturday morning from the North Woods. At this end it’s back to a bit of normalcy after a couple of weeks of, totally overboard, chaos. Hence, no post last week and no early warning to you my faithful followers – I was going to park a post and just couldn’t get to it.

Now listen carefully as I, collectively with almost 30-million Canadians, sigh; “sorry, so sorry” (in a nation where Socialism runs throughout, almost everything is done collectively).

”I am easily satisfied with the very best” ~ Winston Churchill

So, as dawn is breaking, with a mug of freshly brewed coffee in hand, I am staring at what Mr. Montpetit (one of the few remaining Canadian individualists) has achieved. As with Churchill, I am easily satisfied with the best.

Floored – Mother’s Day came and Mother’s Day went. Marcia was recognized through several telephone conversations and finally called it a day. It was only subsequent to that event that I caught up with Mr. Montpetit and struck a deal to initiate converting the interior of Northern Comfort into a Knotty Pine cabin (something Marcia had always wanted).

What I hadn’t counted on were three things. First, I had to the ‘let the cat out of the bag’ and let Marcia know what was coming. Next, that I was informed (by Marcia) that nothing would happen unless a Knotty Pine floor would be part of the transformation. And, lastly, just how much work and serious mess it would be to drag down four walls covered with drywall.

Mr. Montpetit is a craftsman, which includes being a perfectionist. He doesn’t just, ‘measure twice cut once’; he measures three times. He was the Master and I was the ‘whelp’ (a step below apprentice). Aside from carrying, holding, shifting, and learning a bunch, I had a blast; a great time for me, in part because Montpetit has a trunk load of tales from his long life in the North Woods.

Marcia now has a stunning new floor and walls to match. Bring on the Tung Oil.

Animal Planet – Our little Tree Swallows are in their frenetic phase – constantly flying in and out of their little house. Probably the eggs have hatched; we’re just not certain and haven’t heard anything yet.

The Canadian Geese have had their young and very stately glide by, mom up front, hatchlings next, and dad in the rear.

Just yesterday I was taking a break and spotted a Mink popping up out of the water by our tree-line. Immediately beyond that area is a submerged abandoned dock crib and it’s always teeming with little Rock Bass. Soon I saw the Mink scurrying along the water’s edge with fish in mouth. Din-Din served.

The Hummingbirds begin and end their day at our feeder. The rest of the time they seem to fend on their own.

Last year we had no Tiger-Tail Butterflies (in previous years they were teeming in our yard). This year they’re back as are the Dragonflies.

For whatever reason, our Loons have become a bit more vocal and their wails and yodeling now occurs even in the wee morning hours (think four AM).

Then it was our sight of the season. Montpetit was at the chop saw in the yard when he signaled me to come quickly and quietly. In our drive was a yearling Moose (600 to 700 pound); first near and around the truck, then in and around the cabin. It looked healthy enough, but was so docile that it either had been kicked out by mom Moose or was harboring some disease such as brain-worm (the bane of all Moose since it is fatal). Aside from managing some good photos it also killed an hour of our workday – which we didn’t mind.

Finis – The time has come. Tuesday I head back to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to pick up Kirstin, Vince, Derek, and Kellen at the little Chippewa County airport. This will mark the start of two weeks of family at Northern Comfort (next Saturday the Pastoor-Rafales and the Ongoleas will arrive). Marcia and I will take on the roles of Camp Something – insert ‘organizer’, director’, cleaner’, hugger’, or whatever you want. All I know is that we’re totally excited.

But first there has to be another of the many summertime Fish Fry events. This one, tomorrow evening, at the nearby Wharncliffe Community Hall.

Happy Father’s Day all you dads – stay involved cause those kids grow up fast.

Make it a great week everyone.

Cheers.

Dirk