I Kidnapped Chris

Very little went the way I expected it to today, but it was all great!

I'd just gotten started on my morning work routine when hiker Chris contacted me. His plans had changed too, and he needed to get to Cadillac. So, I went to get him off the trail.

But then, I decided to kidnap him and bring him back to my house.

I worked him so hard that when I took him back to Cadillac we needed the hanidicap spot!

I'm just kidding. Sort of. Actually, I did ask him if he'd help me with some heavy work. Here was the result.

It doesn't look like much except a bare spot, right? That's good. There was still an awful lot of earth to move where the snowplow had scraped up rolls of dirt on the grass. I really wasn't thinking I could get that all cleaned up alone before the grass got too long, but the two of us together got everything smoothed down enough that I'll be able to run the mower without scalping all that dirt.

Meanwhile, I was trying to get Chris a ride from Cadillac to Kalkaska tomorrow. Due to all the flooding he's going to have to skip a whole section of trail. Glen, from our Spirit of the Woods Chapter, is on the Trail Angel list, and he doesn't live too far from Cadillac. So he agreed to do that.

Then, Glen reminded me that we'd been talking for quite a while about about him giving me a tour of the little museum in Tustin where he lives. So after I dropped Chris off at the motel, I went to the musuem. You'll see a lot more of that another day because it was very nice.

But then Glen and Diana invited me to their house for dinner. I said yes.

Glen is the President of their historical society. He's also now our chapter Vice-President. And his hobby is carving birds and fans from a single piece of wood. I had no idea you could make really large ones! I saw quite a few he's made over the years, and one his father made (you'll see that another day). But here is one of his large ones. (His grandfather also made them, and Glen's teaching his grandchildren!)

Also, since I was driving up north, I scooted around and got the plastic recycling collected to drop off on the way.

I'm happy, full of good food, and beat!

See Loren, Loda, Hardcore Hiker

One More Lag Day

 We'll do one more day of the blog lagging behind real life. Tomorrow will be back to current events. Almost certainly flowers tomorrow. They are looking very nice.

Yesterday began by getting up much too early. Our township does a "cleanup day" where you can bring anything (we try to get rid of big stuff that won't recycle this way). But it's always the same day as one of our NCT Chapter hikes. I had some stuff on the trailer, but I really wanted to take more. I was too tired on Friday after getting home from backpacking. But I made myself get up early and collect some additional things. It should have been more, but I just didn't have time or energy. We need to do a better job ahead of time to make an appropriate collection.

Anyway... I got rid of a small trailer load. If I leave home early enough, I can get there in time to be first or second in line and then I'm home in time to make the hike.

Then it was off to Bowman Trailhead where we had 33 people show up for the hike! And 4 dogs and a ferret.

There's nothing particularly special about this little wetland except that I like it. It's there every spring. It's connected to no larger body of water. But these ephemeral pools do big duty as nurseries for frogs and friends.

Most people walked as far as the turnpike through another wet area that our chapter built last year. (A few went farther before turning around and a few didn't go that far). It's looking good. Pete and crew did good work, and that section is no longer awful to walk through in spring. I think there must be a clay lens under the surface that collects water. You can see how it puddles beside the turnpike.

There were a few wildflowers blooming. I saw hepatica and spring beauty. The best were some nice patches of trailing arbutus. It doesn't always show off the flowers this nicely.

I put my nose to the grindstone today and managed to accomplish a bit on quite a number of projects. I got the tent waterproofed and most of the camping gear packed up. I need to get more silicone to spray my little tarp. I have no idea when it was last waterproofed.

Miles hiked in 2025: 165.7. Hike 100 Challenge: 72.5 miles.

NCT- Bowman Trailhead (Lake Co. MI) south 2.75 miles and back for a total of 5.5 miles

See Ready to Roll

Mailbox Semi-Success

 Today, my motivation exceeded my energy. I did the things I wanted to do and a bit more. But I rested a lot in between. Trying to not overdo so that I don't mess up this good trend. My eye hurts less every day.

The big accomplishment was to semi-fix the mailbox problem. The old post is broken at ground level. I hauled it upright, packed snow around it tightly, and mounted the new box.

Then I went to the PO where they released my mail from jail. That project was definitely all the physical activity I needed for a while.

I have to say that things have changed from the era I remember where mailmen would go out of their way to deliver letters addressed to pets, or with mistakes in addresses when the PO knew who the letter was meant for. They knew I was ill, but wouldn't give me my mail or bring it to the house even every few days even though the driveway is well cleared. I had to have a legal recepticle in order to receive it. So much for living in the same place for 54 years. I doubt the old box is going to be found until spring.

When more snow melts and it won't hold up the post any more, I'll wire it to the metal post. But I should have more energy by then.

So what did I get? Two packages(good)- several bills and some junk.

I am really hoping I can tolerate some extra screen time tomorrow because I may have the energy.

See Lincoln River in Winter

Alternate-ing Universe

 In an alternate universe, I would be motivated and disciplined all the time. However, in this universe I woke up with no interest whatsoever in doing things I should do.

OK, I called Marie to grumble (she's very patient with me, and was already up and out to the store- she's a morning person). Then I gave myself a talking-to, and deployed my alternating tasks strategy.

I have to work on something for 15 minutes which seems to be the limit of my tolerance for some tasks, then I get a little treat... like reading a chapter or putting a set number of pieces in a puzzle. I don't even have to finish anything; I just have to put in the time working on necessary jobs.

Managed in total to do a significant amount of clean-up in the kitchen, mended two pairs of pajamas that were beyond wearing as is (even around the house), edited, got back into a much overdue project, started writing my LDN column. And I went shopping. I think I redeemed the day.

And I finished this puzzle which I got for free. It is missing two pieces, but the price was right! It's called "La-La Land." It was a lot of fun, and a little harder than it looks because there are a lot of yellow flowers but not all in one place, a lot of pink flowers that are not all in one place, a lot of blue flowers blah blah, etc. But there wasn't any section that was a total "dog" and had to be done by shape or subtle shading.

See No Surprise Yet

I'm Out!

 My big accomplishment for the day is that I got the driveway clear enough to get out and in. I may be getting a little old for that much shoveling, but I got 'er done. Not much contrast, but I hope you can see the open lane.

There is a Scout song. "God had created a new day. Silver,

and green,

and gold. (this morning's sunrise)

Live that the sunset may find us worthy His gifts to hold."

Don't worry... this song isn't saying that we become acceptable to God because of what we can do. It's not in opposition to GRACE.

However, it's almost a direct quote from several places in the New Testament, like Colossians 1:10- "live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." We do have a responsibility, once we've accepted God's grace to "walk worthy."

In other news: I edited, I formatted, as mentioned... I shoveled. Then I was tired. Snowblower should be picked up tomorrow for repair.

See Driveway 2014

Last Time this Year?

 Remember that I picked up the mower on Friday? Gone Saturday, too wet yesterday. Nice weather today! My goal was to try to get everything mowed once before snow comes.

I got everything around the house.

And most of what we would like to keep mowed down by the road. At any rate, I did everything I could without cutting and chopping out more autumn olive.

I know this looks like a lot of space, and many people ask why I don't let it go to native plants. So I will state again, for those who may not have seen my answer, it goes to autumn olive, spotted knapweed, and sweet pea. There is plenty of native milkweed in the field next door, and I encourage it to grow there. I wage constant war on the autumn olive. We feel like this is minimum space to mow to keep the deer, mice, woodchucks, mosquitoes, etc somewhat away from the house, and hold those invasive plants in check.

I rarely mow it ALL in one day, but today was the good weather window, so...

This was only the second mowing of the whole season. Constant lawnmower troubles (not my laxity this year), and I have a hard time paying for repairs. I may have to get a sturdier mower.

I also managed to dry laundry outside. Yeah, I know the lines are sagging. Not much point in tightening them until spring, at this point.

Also got in some time editing.

See Climbing the Stupidity Ladder

Table Fix

 This "rustic" drop-leaf work table broke a while back and dumped a load of stuff. What broke was one of the braces that swing out to hold up a leaf.

I managed to ignore the whole mess until last week when I needed to get something out that was stored under the table. Big mess.

This is not a valuable table at all. I don't know how old it is, or where he got it, but it was my Dad's "garden table." He did sll kinds of sorting and potting and whatever on it. It spent a lot of summers outside on the kitchen porch. That brace probably had some dry rot going on. The leaves are warped, and it has been fixed multiple times in very ugly ways that made it functional. I continued the tradition!

It did take me a couple of days to get something to replace the pin that held the bracket. But once I got myself in gear, it was an easy fix.

As an example of how it had been previously fixed, the hinges must have pulled off at some point, and they have been inset and bolted right through the top. I suspect Dad did that.

Still, it's very functional. It's a good size, and it was Dad's. So hey.

Well, you know what a table that is clear is good for, right? Yup, I had a puzzle I'd never yet done. Actually, I have a couple of them, but this seemed a reasonable number of pieces and it would fit on the center part of the table.

I did do a reasonable amount of work before starting this, so I'm not going to apologize for the goofing off!

Chocolate is good for the soul... to eat or to puzzle with.

Tomorrow, I am giving my trail program for the Garden Club.

See Changing the Season

He'll Be Home Tomorrow!

 I thought I had a couple more weeks before Om showed up at home again. Nope. He let me know he'll be home tomorrow.

He's the one who cares a whole lot more than I do about a clean house. In fact, my threshold for cleaning seems to be only when I can no longer find things. That takes quite a while. Anyway, I wanted to demonstrate that the house hasn't completely reverted to chaos while he's been away.

OK, it took most of the day today, but you don't understand. Cleaning things up in ONE day used to be beyond possible. My friend Betty always said that she liked to keep her house only a half-hour away from being presentable for company. Haha! I was usually about a half-month away from that condition. But she did teach me a lot about getting organized.

Anyway, I can't find my favorite fall tablecloth (why isn't it where it belongs? Seriously, I'm usually good at getting things back in their homes when they have a home). So I visited our new Hobby Lobby for the first time. I checked out what kinds of things they are stocking here (it's not the huge stores of the big cities). I'm delighted to find that they have a decent fabric and sewing section, and a good selection of yarn. Art and craft supplies, as well as the usual decorative stuff. Well, they had a huge sale on decor, so I did buy a plastic tablecloth for $1.19, and a candle.

Then I got out my favorite fall/harvest/Thanksgiving collection that I bought long ago. Voila!

The dining room is pretty clean. That especially will make Om happy. He really struggled with the mess during the years I was working on the trailer. I have a few things to sort in the living room and vacuum, but the kitchen is done and I have just a few things out of place in the basement (which is really his space).

The only walking that happened today was around stores and the house. But I did get the much-needed groceries. I mean, when you are out of ice cream, lettuce, and bread, it's time to shop!

See Thanksgiving Decor

The Vermin Inspire a Personal Record

 Never in my life (I'm pretty sure) have I deep-cleaned a room twice in one year. However, the mice led me to a complete room cleaning and re-do in February, and the whatever-they-are have caused the cleaning to happen again, just 7 months later. Here is my sports equipment. (Well, OK, not the toaster.)

I took the suggestions of a couple of people and added a spacer between the two layers of mattress and box spring in the car to better distribute the heat. Today there were about 6 hours over 120 degrees inside. I'm hoping those little buggers (literally) baked to death.

I cleaned the whole room, and sprayed with a product made to fight bedbugs (I still don't think that's what I have, but this also kills ticks, fleas, and mites- basically arachnids), and it's stronger than most products. It's only been in the last few years you could buy a home product strong enough to kill bedbugs.

Then I put it all back together again.

If it is some kind of small spider, spiders really don't like peppermint. So there are now cotton balls with peppermint oil in the corners of the room, and it smells like a candy shop. I hope it doesn't drive me out as well as the spiders. Strong odors bother me too.

This was a total shotgun approach, so if there are no more bugs, I won't know what kind they were. But I wasn't going to try one thing, then another, and keep tearing the room apart between each attempt to identify them.

One piece of good news is that I could get the spray and the oil in Scottville, so I didn't have to drive anywhere. I couldn't! To get the bed parts in the car I had to move the seats as far forward as they will go. That made it tight for even shorty me to drive. Thus, another 3-mile walk.

Tomorrow afternoon I'll be selling books at the Scottville Fall Festival.

Miles walked in 2024: 431.7

See The Project - Done See There are No Bugs on Me

Work Day

 I think we have succeeded in tiring ourselves out.

In the morning, we went out and cleaned up my trail section. We trimmed stuff that was encroaching into the trail and I touched up blazes. Things should be good for a couple of months. There were four downed trees we could not get, but I've reported them to the sawyer folks.

No photos. I was just too slopped up with paint to mess with the camera more than necessary to take pics of the trees.

But in the afternoon, at long last, we finished the pantry project. I had just never gotten back to the final two shelves. Of course, I did clean up the entire living room and dining room before Steve came, but still, it's really nice to be able to say that the pantry is finished!

My buddies have to leave in the morning. We've had such a great time! One final picture of us from the Celebration. You should be able to tell, since the Mackinac Bridge is in the background. Oh, the things in our ears are for the walking tour we were on.

It's been great! I have a few more goodies of things I've learned that I'll post over the next few days.

Miles hiked so far in 2024: 375.8. North Country Trail miles in 2024: 127.6

North Country Trail, Michigan, Freesoil TH to Koenig Rd, 3.0 miles

See One More Pantry Section

$0,000 Pyramid Game

 Remember the game show, $X,000 Pyramid? (It started at $10K, but went up to $100K before it died.) I liked it. Contestants had to name things that fit in a category and their partner had to guess the category. For example, the one player might say, "lasso, boots, spurs, horse." If the partner said "Things a cowboy would use," then they won that round and went on.

So here are your clues. You get $0,000 for winning.

First is: How to Hike the North Country Trail: not quite a Guide. These will be available starting at the Celebration, Aug 21. Cost $25.

Second Clue: NCT 8-state sampler patches. These will be available starting at the Celebration, Aug 21. You must have hiked some piece of trail in each of the eight NCT states. Honor system. Suggested minimum- one mile, but not a firm requirement. Cost $2 each.

Third Clue: Marie stained the wall beside her deck the same color as the deck and sent me a picture. Looks great!

Fourth Clue: my trip.

OK, that's all the clues I have. Sorry.

The category? Things that are finished! OK, I'm lying. The book still has some typos and technically will never be finished due to updates, but I wanted to be sure I had books for the Celebration, so there will an immediate update in about a month.

I mostly rested, but Cathy and I went for a short walk on the NCT because I needed to get a location of a particular place that needs work.

Miles hiked so far in 2024: 354.2. NCT miles hiked 109.3.

North Country Trail, Lake Co, MI. Timber Creek north 1.5 miles and back

See Sneak Peek

Niece Susanne, at Long Last

 Just a little farther east, and I am finally re-meeting my other half-niece Susanne. You may remember I saw her sister Jojo in January. The link below has the photo from the last time we saw each other and an explanation. It was either 1962 or 1963. We are 9 years apart in age, so at the time, she was almost a non-entity to me, I'm sorry to say. But we have hit it off as well as Jojo and I did. It almost makes me believe in that "blood is thicker..." thing.

Her dog is Toula. You know I'm a dog magnet.

We went and had dinner with her son and his father. Her daughter and grandchildren were going to come but the little girl got sick, so that didn't work. I may get to meet them tomorrow. Susanne made a delicious spaghetti sauce with meatballs and turkey sausage, and a mixed berry cobbler that was really spectacular.

It's so good to learn more about this portion of my extended family. Even though they are half-relatives, I think they are the closest blood relatives I have. We do have enough shared history, knowing different pieces of the family story, that it's like connecting dots.

Meanwhile, this morning, Marie and I put the final trim board on her deck. If you squint, I think you can just see it against the far wall at the base. It really made that side look finished.

We sure aren't looking younger, but our friendship stays strong. We feel like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that just fit together.

Tomorrow, even more family coming up!

See Neice Jojo

Almost Done Times Three

  We awoke to a wet deck from rain in the night. The reflections gave me a picture in my polka dots and stripes category. From my left brain: notice how nicely the stain is repelling water.

After the rain dried, we put the second coat of stain on the floor.

But I can only say it's ALMOST done, because we decided it needs one more trim piece along the other wall edge. Back to the hardware store! Of course it needed a custom fit on one end, but that went pretty well. That piece is drying in the garage and we'll install it in the morning.

One other thing that's almost done is this pair of pants I brought for the deck job. It doesn't owe me anything. I'm pretty sure these pants were first used on the NCT hike that I finished in 2010. They continued as hiking pants, then were downgraded to work pants (see NCT blue on them?), and finally just plain painting pants. I think they are staying here in a trash can. There is also a hole in the butt.

Sadly, the other thing that's almost done is my time with Marie. I will leave tomorrow. The nice part is that we'll see each other again in just a few weeks since she's coming to the NCT Celebration.

This was supposed to be a rest day, and it mostly was. Just a couple of hours on the deck and fixing dinner.

See I Think We'll Make It See Polka Dots and Stripes