So, this week flew by and here it is, another Saturday morning. ‘Perking’ sounds are escaping from the kitchen and whiffs of coffee beginning to fill the air. I trust that your week was a good one, mine was just fine.

Twenty or so miles away is the small (tiny) burg of Iron Bridge (population 400). Neighbor Bob-the-Forester heads there (when desperate) to have his old Polaris ATV looked at. Driving into town we passed the ‘repair’ shop. The guy who manages it just walks around with a screw driver and a vice grip in his pocket – seemingly the only tools required to fix almost anything.

Last weekend we went there for their annual Agricultural Days. Inside their, pretty large, arena was a mish mash of almost everything. From a silent auction, school kids art displays, a group looking for foster parents, to someone getting ready to run for Mayor. They did have a chili cook-off and therefore lunch was pretty good.

Out front where the Amish were selling veggies was the end point of the parade. You’ve just got to love these small town events, they are so sincere.

Now that another ‘silly’ season is only a couple of months away I am taken aback by the number of crazy political nonsense spewed forth. Especially the ‘free’ this and the ‘free’ that, and the number of people that buy into it all. Hence this quotation from nearly ninety years ago:

”You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from someone else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.” ~ Dr. Adrian Rodgers (1931)

By the way, how is Venezuela doing these days?

Many, many thanks – as I climbed another hurdle. First to Marin who dutifully pointed out; “Opa, did you see that your propeller is laying under the motor?” And so began another adventure.

In fact, yes, a cotter pin had let go and thus the propeller to my vintage (1957) Johnson motor slipped off its shaft. My Sea Nymph sat useless. Luckily the prop lay in shallow water by the dock and I had a replacement propeller nut and cotter pins. However, somewhere on the bottom of the lake lay one necessary small piece to the whole puzzle; the ‘shearpin’.

This week Marcia and I made our final sojourn into Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan to gather food stuff that are at a premium in the North Woods. The town is also home to a marine shop called R&R Marine – hero number two. It’s one of those old timey places filled with shelves and many, many, cubbies. An ancient parts directory gave the number and a small envelope retrieved from a bin on the top shelf delivered me a new shearpin and one to spare.

YouTube came to the rescue with an accurate overview and within 45 minutes the Sea Nymph with me at the tiller did a careful slow run near shore. When that all worked Marcia spotted me out a ways with the boat happily planing over the water. Hooray!

Paul’s little cabin – Nine years ago, on the highest point of the mountain on the east side of the lake Paul built a tiny one room cabin. It’s more of a lookout with a hint of ‘man-cave’ possibilities. The building of the place became a bit of a community effort. This week I dug up some photos taken at that time and spotted myself doing things now only possible in my memory. Did I mention that to get to it it’s about a half hour run on an ATV through bone-jarring woods and rocks on an unkempt trail?

  

Thursday six of use took a ride to enjoy the views and see how the place was faring. The photo will tell the story.

Finis – Sunday would have celebrated Vince’s Birthday. The sharp pain of loss has dissipated somewhat but the ache remains; forgetting his special presence is not possible. Please remember Kirstin, Derek, and Kellen this weekend which will be especially difficult for them; your love, prayers, and thoughts would be appreciated.

Happy Rosh Hashanah to Cathy; l’shanah tovah.

Our shy little Vili attended a party. He must have been having a great time, enough to let his dancing spirit shine.

It was 48 here this morning it’ll be 71 later today, and the sun will be shining. It’ll be a perfect day today which six of us finish off with dinner at the OutPost Lodge. Make it a great week everyone.

Now I best put some seed for the Finches and Chickadees in the feeder.

Cheers.
Dirk

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