August 6, 2011 through August 10, 2011

August 6, 2011
My day started with coffee, which tastes so much better here, amidst the sounds and smells of nature!


Carlo arrived around 12:15. He fixed the tractor, got the lawn mower started and changed the water filter. I grilled ribs and potatoes and we enjoyed an otherwise restful day.
*****
August 7, 2011
A very relaxing morning was enjoyed with the rain and my coffee. Once Carlo was up, he ran to the store, then we cooked breakfast. We cut the grass, Carlo fixed the power washer (of course he did...think McGuyver) and then we got ready for Steve and Kathy's visit and BBQ. They stayed until about 9:00 pm and we were exhausted from spending so much of our day outside. By 10:00, Carlo was the one napping on the 6" too short of a couch!
*****
August 8, 2011
We got started pretty early and we accomplished all our chores. As I got all the rest of the stones power washed, Carlo cut down a couple of trees.
We visited with Betty and went to Pizza Hut for dinner.
*****
August 9, 2011
Carlo needed to leave today and I stained more of the back deck. At noon I was out of stain and not quite finished. I'll need to get more stain but it will have to wait until we are ready to stain the floor.
I got everything ready for tiling the kitchen only to find out I am short four 2"x2" tiles. So off I went to Menard's and then ran a few other errands while I was out. I was finished with my project by 6:00 pm.

Grouting will take place tomorrow.
I tried to relax in the evening but between my sore legs and spotting "something" run across the back deck - for the second night in a row - it was not going to happen.
*****
August 10, 2011
It was only 54 degrees as I sat on the porch, wearing my warm jacket and drinking my hot coffee.

After breakfast I got to work with touching up the paint in the bathroom, grouting the tile in the kitchen and packing the car with all the paints and supplies I am finally finished with. I did a lot of cleaning and some organizing as well as freezing some food since I need to come back in two weeks for the installation of the holding tank - can we say finally?! I sealed the tiles, watched my soaps and prepped for my morning departure!

August 5, 2011

I woke to 63 degree air - feels like 60 degrees - another jacket morning on the veranda! I also woke to the noisiest turkeys I have ever heard. It sounded as though they were trying out for a chorus and were failing miserably! The front yard was the feeding ground for what appeared to be two families of turkeys that must have opted out of the singing with the crowd that was in the back!
I thought I was gonna die laughing (well I didn't laugh at first) when two birds collided mid-flight. It was as loud as when they used to crash into the patio door. They fell to the ground, dazed I'm sure - and then both eventually got up to carry on with their crazy flying maneuvers. Bet they'll be a bit more careful the next time they take that turn!
I spent several hours trying to get the power washer to work and to refill the sprayer pump. I moved the balance of the stones and waited for Steve to come and see why the power washer wasn't working. I called him when Carlo's efforts of directing me via the phone had all failed. Steve couldn't help either...I think we need a new washer. I finished up what I could with the hose.
After a shower and late visit with Betty, I went to K-Mart and then to Wendy's for dinner. Tomorrow will be a better day after Carlo gets here!

August 4, 2011

I was up by 5:00 am after a rough night of bad dreams. I didn't even know where I was when I woke up and then it took several moments to figure it out - phew! Glad that's over with!
I've got a big-big day planned - fingers crossed that I can get it all done!
1. Reset the front porch lights and cover the switch to keep people from turning the switch off
2. Pull out the yard cart
3. Move the stones to the back
4. Wash them
5. Stack them
6. Cover them
The miles these stones have made is remarkable. They were casted. Warehoused. Purchased. Delivered to the U.P. Stored in the lean-to. Put int he Tahoe. Driven to O'Wich. Put on the front porch. A season later, they were put under the front porch. They were immersed in three floods; two really bad floods. Removed from under the porch. Carted to the back. Washed. Dried. Moved to the landing. And soon to be mortared to the wall behind the fire stove, hopefully to never move again. The end.
7. Wash the bathroom tiles
8. Seal the bathroom tiles.
9. Watch my soaps
10. Take photos
11. BBQ
12. Nap

the day was horrible. Not one thing went according to plan. Well, maybe a few!
1. accomplished
2. accomplished
3. move two loads
4. washed most of the two loads
5. stacked most of the two loads
6. nope
7. done
8. done
9. missed them and lunch
10. nope
11. managed to cook dinner
12. believe it or not...nope

I ran out of cleaner. I couldn't get the container open to refill it after finding more cleaning solution. I couldn't get the power washer to run after messing with it for over an hour. Got totally drenched from the splashing of using the hose and flooded the section of the yard I was working in. As I said...it was a horrible day!

August 3, 2011

By 10:00 am I had unpacked, cleaned the entire cabin - inside and out - cleaned up from the last of the construction, removed the dead mouse from the front porch (all three parts of it) and was trying to cool off. The humidity is rising and it's suppose to be very warm today. I've already put in a full day since getting up at 2:30 am.
I decided to get the grocery shopping chore out of the way - while at Wal-Mart there was an Amish family shopping - I tried to be discreet in snapping their photo. The hat the kid had gave them away.



There are so many pretty dragon flies fluttering about. They seem a little camera shit, but I was able to get one to pose. The hummingbirds were back to their full feeder and there were even a few squirrels romping about. The butterflies are huge and so pretty but move too fast for me to capture their beauty. My shrubs have really grown and I cannot wait to frame them in with a border and a small gate! I really enjoy being here - quiet and peaceful and oh, so relaxing.
After my soaps I went to K-Mart in search of a tray.

I found one along with $75 worth of other unneeded crap and another Amish family! Since we were in the check out lane, my camera would have been a bit too obvious so I rushed to the car and pulled up to the door - well near the door, took out my camera and waited for them to walk out. The door opened and closed three times within ten minutes and of the people that walked out - none of them were the people that were behind me. Now that was weird. They disappeared!
I hit the post office and DQ and was back by 5:30. I watched TV, diagnosed the unresponsive front deck lights and finally got to bed around 11:30 pm - after having had a two hour recliner nap!

July 29, 2011 through July 31, 2011

Announcer: "Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen and children of all ages to the new documentaseries of 'Man vs. Machinery & Other Chores in the Wilderness' here on FX-A&E-Dishnetwork. Tonight's episode finds Man dealing with machinery in the mercury risen temperatures of 110 degrees. Since this is a documentaseries, we have sent our roving reporter, Ani Mal to question how Man handles the challenges he faces during his weekend in the wilderness. Before our story begins, we have a few words from our sponsors..."
LEATHERMAN: Don't leave home without it; you may find yourself between a rock and a hard place.
COKE ZERO: Quest your thirst or else you'll dehydrate.
RUBBERMAID: Lifting you to places you otherwise cannot reach.
HUNTER DOUGLAS: Cooling you with the flip of a switch.
Announcer: "Welcome back to ''Man vs. Machinery & Other Chores in the Wilderness''. Here's our roving reporter Ani Mal."
Ani Mal: "I can hardly believe the heat here in the wilderness. It's got to be a scorching 110 degrees. This is weather one can easily find themselves dehydrating in. As I look down toward the river, I see Man moving along at a rather rapid rate of speed, appearing to be upon a red....a red....oh, it's a red tractor....similar to the one Naked Mowing Man drives, but that was last weeks episode. Let's try and catch up to Man and see exactly what is going on."
Ani Mal has determined that Man is now driving toward him with clunking noises following. He is waving down Man in an attempt to begin this interview.
Ani Mal: "Hello Man, can I ask you a few questions?"
Man: "Eh."
Ani Mal: "What is it you were doing down by the raging rapids of the river as I arrived? And why have you moved away from the river?"
Man: "I was busy cutting the acreage of grass and was making a big dent in the job when the mower struck a tree root and the blade broke."
Ani Mal: "Oh no, that is a major set back for you isn't it? What are you going to do? "
Man: "Well, I must interact with another person at the repair shop to order the part."
Ani Mal: "Tell me Man, how is it you have such vast knowledge of machinery?"
Man: "Well, when I was merely a wee lad, I used to build things, blow them up and then rebuild them. I also can envision the workings of cams and coils and think inside the engine, which is outside the box. But the engine originally was inside that box. I enjoyed tinkering with machines, especially in the wilderness, where my McGuyver skills can be used in epic proportions."
Ani Mal: "Since your repair project is on hold, what machine or chore can we suspect you'll encounter next while here in the wilderness?"
Man: "I am going to hang a ceiling fan in the screened porch."
Ani Mal: "Can you share the details of this?"
Man: "I am going to break some rules and use the Rubbermaid Step Stool while I am here alone to reach the junction box. I am not going to turn the circuit breaker off, because I am not afraid of a little jolt. I may even use my Leatherman to cut the wires."
Ani Mal: "Wow! Impressive! You're such a McGuyver!"
Man: "Stand back and watch how I do all this in 12 and a half minutes."
Ani Mal: "Double wow!!! 12 and a half minutes from start to finish!"
Man: "Now, without having slept, I shall move on to my next project. Staining the lower portion of the deck."
Ani Mal: "Did you decide to place a time limit on this?"
Man: "31 minutes and 40 seconds...after all, I have to find a brush."
Ani Mal: "We have to take a last minute station break before wrapping up this edition of ''Man vs. Machinery & Other Chores in the Wilderness'.' We'll be right back."
LEATHERMAN: Don't leave home without it; you may find yourself between a rock and a hard place.
COKE ZERO: Quest your thirst or else you'll dehydrate.
RUBBERMAID: Lifting you to places you otherwise cannot reach.
HUNTER DOUGLAS: Cooling you with the flip of a switch.
Announcer: "Welcome back to ''Man vs. Machinery & Other Chores in the Wilderness''. Once again, here's our roving reporter Ani Mal."
Ani Mal: "As this interview ends, I'd like to thank Man for this incredible view of how he deals with machinery and other chores in the wilderness. It has been an enlightening experience to view grass cutting, tractor breakage, hanging of an awesome ceiling fan in the screened in back porch, and the staining of the back deck. It appears to have been an eventful time here in the wilderness. I would like to thank you for having us."
Man; "Eh."
Announcer: "Join us again next week when our interview will be with a local man who accumulates broken down things entitled; 'Man Gathers Mowers.' Thanks for joining us today on FX-A&E-Dishnetwork and stay tuned for a new episode of 'It's Hoarding, Not Antiquing' right after the commercial break."

July 25, 2011 through July 28, 2011

July 25, 2011

Laurie came along for this visit. By the time she arrived and we got the car loaded, we decided to leave so we could arrive at LaTolteca for lunch. We got there around 11:30 and had a fantastic lunch of appetizers and Raspberry Margaritas.


We stopped for groceries and at the farm stand before getting unpacked and settled in.
We enjoyed dinner when the rib grill clock chimed and then chatted the evening away.
*****
July 26, 2011
We're off to see Paul Bunyan in the wonderful land of...yep, the Dells! Had a delicious breakfast served up by some Croatian girl who sucked even more after telling us it was only her second day. So following any good laid out recovery program, I offered her some advice; "One customer at a time, especially when they need ketchup." She looked confused...we laughed - at her!
Then we went to Menard's to pick up the ceiling fan that had finally arrived from a 6 week back order. I spell fan...F-I-A-S-C-O. Over an hour to find it. This Menard's obviously elected to not join in on technology in order to catalog the whereabouts of their crap - or in this case, my crap!
From there it was back to the Dells for Starbucks. The girl who took our order was very nice which totally leveled out the crappy service that started our morning! She did make one mistake by asking how our morning was going...I pulled a Lee! She looked confused...we laughed, she laughed - most likely at us!
We made it back to O'Wich for GH. I visited with Betty at 3:00 and our dinner was grilled chicken. Got to say (bragging like crazy) that I can cook!
We spent the evening with Gene and Shannon and the season finale of their family jewels - only to be ball jammed by his proposal and her reply as the cliffhanger. I knew it...tune it next season - Good night!
*****
July 27, 2011
"Holy fudge!" (I used a different word at the time) as the crack of lightning overhead scared me as I was in mid-air of getting up to use the bathroom. After that I couldn't resist enjoying the porch with coffee as the skies opened up and the storms came crashing down! It was awesome!
We ate breakfast outside and the air was a cool 61 degrees. We remained lounging in our jammies and then found time at 2:00 to watch GH.
The only work I was able to accomplish was the touch up painting of the lat and long decor on the porch as it continued to rain. Laurie enjoyed holding the can of paint - I think the fumes got to her!

*****
July 28, 2011
We left by 6:00 am so we could still have some daytime hours to ourselves. We both have to work later on. We did have a nice relaxing visit, in spite of all the rain!

July 10, 2011 through July 12, 2011

July 10, 2011
Well, I made it! The first 45 minutes were rough after leaving right from work, but by 7:00 am, I was feeling a lot better. By 11:00 I was not only unpacked, I had stopped for gas, groceries and lunch. I even saw the area legend as I drove down the road - Naked Mowing Man! I waived back...it was awkward!
I have several goals for this trip and the first is to try not to sleep too much so I can enjoy three full days here. This goal may be broken sooner than not since it's pitch black due to the storms that are rolling in. There is lightening and many claps of thunder...then an encore...'Thank you, thank you very much!' It's so hot and humid out and looks like a steam room when you look outside. It's pouring down rain - looks like the staining project just dropped down to the bottom of the To-Do list!
At 6:00 pm any hopes of getting anything done have not only crashed, but burned - temps are 87 degrees, feels like 95 degrees. It is very hard for me to breathe outside and; as though this may come as no surprise, I napped for 6 hours - I'm now thinking of skipping dinner and going to bed!
*****
July 11, 2011
Well, I'm alive! I was up during the night for many reasons, the most spectacular started about 3:55 am. Although I was in bed, the light show I viewed through the blinds was better than the 4th of July including all the loud booms - which during the night were that of thunder! It sounded as though the angels were bowling on every lane and each of them were hitting all strikes! The cracks of the lightning and the roaring thunder sounded directly overhead and the cabin shook during a couple of those booms. It was more than spectacular...it was actually a bit scary. I figured I would just hang on and hope the worse case scenario was that I would end up on the yellow brick road! At 4:30 am the lightning was still illuminating the sky and outlining the trees as the thunder moved off into the distance. I was up at 7:30 am and the thunder was still being heard, faintly, and the rain was still coming down. The rain falling through the trees was soothing - like an O'Wich water feature! Best I can tell is it doesn't look like the storm caused any damage to the property other than some leaves on the deck.
I tiled the bathroom where the walls were bumped back which took a little longer than I thought it would have. I am glad it is finally done.

Grilled streak was not only on my menu but it was fantastic. I didn't do much the rest of the evening and went to bed early.
*****
July 12, 2011
Well, I sure slept a lot! I woke up at 4:30 am and started grouting the bathroom tile. By 9:30 I had sprayed outside for mosquitoes, straightened up the place and finished the grouting - including the clean up. I don't recall this being so laborious when I did the bathroom originally. I have decided to tackle the kitchen tile project another time.
After running errands and lunch, I visited with Betty for about an hour. I hung up the latitude and longitude numbers over the patio door and cannot finish until I get some paint.

Who gives silver nails with black numbers???
The humidity was horrible and I was glad to get inside.