Soo..this past weekend Kevin, Melissa, Austin, Avery and Anna Claire Place drove all the way over from Osman, Illinois to our home in Delaware, Ohio. The girls went out Friday night to some stupid movie about vampires and werewolves and KP and I hung out with the kiddos. Saturday started with a quick breakfast because Avery wanted to show me some of her fishing skillz. So Avery, AC, KP and I went out to the Gossing Pond to try our luck. Unfortunately, the fish were not cooperating and KP got the only bluegill that showed any interest. I'm pretty sure he foul-hooked it. He was also able to do something I've never seen before. Let me remind you that I've taken LOTS of children, including some handicapped kids, out to the pond to teach them to fish and learn about conservation. They sometimes beat the water to a lather with all the casting and "practice casts" it amazes me that we actually catch a lot of fish there. But KP showed them all up. Somehow,he managed to hang his line up in the very top of the willow tree that sits right on the water. Now, to be fair, I have caught a lower limb before trying to flip a Jitterbug under the branches to the waiting bass there. And I've taken the lines of many over zealous casts out of the lower branches as well. But KP gets the props for catching the top of the only tree right on the water.
After our little fishing expedition, we gathered up our party goods and headed down to Woodland for the OSU vs Michigan game party. Obviously our family didn't really care about the game, but the Places got to meet some of our good friends and hang out at one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy life. Later that evening, we took them to the Columbus Zoo to see the awesome display of Christmas Season lights they call "WildLights". The Zoo had more than 3,000,000 lights on display with other decorations and some of the animals were even enjoying all the hustle and bustle of the zoo goers. I think the kids really enjoyed the displays but it was pretty crowded and they were getting hungry, After a quick dinner at "Noodles" we went home for some hot chocolate and a Christmas movie. Yes, we watched a Christmas movie before Thanksgiving, twice!
We sent the Places off Sunday morning with a breakfast of scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, and my homemade pancakes with wild blueberries from Canada in them. It was quite good. We thouroughly enjoyed their visit and wished more of the family would take the opportunity to come see us sometimes. We love seeing everyone and the drive is the same distance whether we make it...or they do.
WE look forward to seeing everyone at Christmas and we hope that all our friends and family have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, especially if you're traveling. We all have so much to be thankful for and as for me, well, I'm thankful for all of you! That's the view from my stand!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Welcome New Followers!
Just wanted to say hello and thanks for reading to two new followers. Adam {BigNate} and Cindy Green Butler. Thanks for the kind words "Nate". Cindy is a HS classmate and always a classy person. Welcome again. There are fish in the pond named for each of you. Adams fish is purple and Cindys is Teahouse Blue...whatever color that is. LOL! To feed the fish, just move your mouse over the pond and click. It will leave "fish food" and they WILL come and get it.
If you're not signed up as a regular reader of this blog....why not?? Hope everyone has a swell weekend. Look for another post next week. Thanks!
"The Artful Dodger"
If you're not signed up as a regular reader of this blog....why not?? Hope everyone has a swell weekend. Look for another post next week. Thanks!
"The Artful Dodger"
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Some Anniversaries Suck
We are reminded, especially this time of year, that there a lot of reasons for us to be thankful. And I really try to be. There are also a lot of dates where we find ourselves celebrating anniversaries; such as weddings, birthdays, first dates, cancer recovery, addiction recovery, etc. Those are all great things to celebrate and remember. Especially your wedding date if you are married. {Just a helpful reminder guys}
Tomorrow is the 1 year mark {Im not calling it anniversary} of the day my brother Mike died. It's been a very tough year for many of us. Mike was not only my brother but also one of my very best friends. Almost a year later and the questions still invade my sleep. The "whys" "what ifs" "wish I would haves", all these things that are unanswered hang in my mind like a bad dream. But unfortunately, it's not a bad dream. As I had written earlier in another post, it does get easier with time but the hurt will never go away.
Earlier this week Abby was doing a journalism project where you had to interview someone about a place they have visited. Abby decided to interview me about our trips to northern Ontario where we go each summer for great fishing trips. On a last minute cancellation a few years back, I took Abby up with "the guys" when she was 14 so she knows how special this place is to me. One of the questions she asked was, "what is one of your favorite memories from this trip?" The instant I thought about it, well, I couldn't even talk for a few minutes. I was overwhelmed. Once I regained composure, I told her about the trip I took her Uncle Mike with me. Every since my first trip up there in 1998, I had tried to convince him to go. Finally, in 2005, we were able to make it happen. We were looking forward to this trip the entire year. {Like we do every year!} We had to schedule this trip earlier in July because it was the only time some of the guys could go. As luck would have it, the mayfly hatch came late that year and we found ourselves in the middle of it. If you're not familiar with walleye fishing, a mayfly hatch means the walleye have plenty to eat so they are probably not going to be interested in your bait. Well, fishing was tough but we still managed to catch enough fish for some shore lunches and bring fish home. But my favorite part of this trip was on the very first day Mike and I went out fishing. This was his first time fishing for walleye or pike. We headed out around South Island and we were casting and slow retrieving for walleye. It wasn't long before BAM, he had one on. I knew that whatever it was, it was BIG! As he fought this Canadian monster, we laughed and laughed. It took line out and he would get some back. It reminded us of another fishing adventure we had at Clinton Lake, "play it out, play it out!" I'll tell this story another time.
What seemed like a long time, but in reality was probably only a few minutes, he finally got it to the boat. We thought we had won as I was preparing to net this thing. My first thought was, I don't think our nets big enough. But when that huge pike finally got to the surface beside the boat, he had other things in mind. With the flick of his head and swish of his tail, the line snapped and like a ghost, he was gone. Back to the black depths of the lake. We were a little disappointed not getting it in the boat but man, was that cool. We sat down and lit up a smoke and talked about that fish for 10 minutes, not even fishing. Just talking. Yep, one of my favorite memories.
I guess it's memories like that that helps keep us sane when life happens. I miss Mike, a lot. I miss the talks we used to have; I miss riding along with him in his truck on an errand to help someone out; I miss watching games with him; I miss spending time outdoors with him; I miss sharing books with him; I miss the family time with him; I miss his smile and his laugh. I'm okay with remembering these things, I have to. No, I need too. But please don't ask me to call this an "anniversary" because I just can't celebrate a loss like this. Maybe someday, but not now, not yet. That's the view from my stand.
Tomorrow is the 1 year mark {Im not calling it anniversary} of the day my brother Mike died. It's been a very tough year for many of us. Mike was not only my brother but also one of my very best friends. Almost a year later and the questions still invade my sleep. The "whys" "what ifs" "wish I would haves", all these things that are unanswered hang in my mind like a bad dream. But unfortunately, it's not a bad dream. As I had written earlier in another post, it does get easier with time but the hurt will never go away.
Earlier this week Abby was doing a journalism project where you had to interview someone about a place they have visited. Abby decided to interview me about our trips to northern Ontario where we go each summer for great fishing trips. On a last minute cancellation a few years back, I took Abby up with "the guys" when she was 14 so she knows how special this place is to me. One of the questions she asked was, "what is one of your favorite memories from this trip?" The instant I thought about it, well, I couldn't even talk for a few minutes. I was overwhelmed. Once I regained composure, I told her about the trip I took her Uncle Mike with me. Every since my first trip up there in 1998, I had tried to convince him to go. Finally, in 2005, we were able to make it happen. We were looking forward to this trip the entire year. {Like we do every year!} We had to schedule this trip earlier in July because it was the only time some of the guys could go. As luck would have it, the mayfly hatch came late that year and we found ourselves in the middle of it. If you're not familiar with walleye fishing, a mayfly hatch means the walleye have plenty to eat so they are probably not going to be interested in your bait. Well, fishing was tough but we still managed to catch enough fish for some shore lunches and bring fish home. But my favorite part of this trip was on the very first day Mike and I went out fishing. This was his first time fishing for walleye or pike. We headed out around South Island and we were casting and slow retrieving for walleye. It wasn't long before BAM, he had one on. I knew that whatever it was, it was BIG! As he fought this Canadian monster, we laughed and laughed. It took line out and he would get some back. It reminded us of another fishing adventure we had at Clinton Lake, "play it out, play it out!" I'll tell this story another time.
What seemed like a long time, but in reality was probably only a few minutes, he finally got it to the boat. We thought we had won as I was preparing to net this thing. My first thought was, I don't think our nets big enough. But when that huge pike finally got to the surface beside the boat, he had other things in mind. With the flick of his head and swish of his tail, the line snapped and like a ghost, he was gone. Back to the black depths of the lake. We were a little disappointed not getting it in the boat but man, was that cool. We sat down and lit up a smoke and talked about that fish for 10 minutes, not even fishing. Just talking. Yep, one of my favorite memories.
I guess it's memories like that that helps keep us sane when life happens. I miss Mike, a lot. I miss the talks we used to have; I miss riding along with him in his truck on an errand to help someone out; I miss watching games with him; I miss spending time outdoors with him; I miss sharing books with him; I miss the family time with him; I miss his smile and his laugh. I'm okay with remembering these things, I have to. No, I need too. But please don't ask me to call this an "anniversary" because I just can't celebrate a loss like this. Maybe someday, but not now, not yet. That's the view from my stand.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Deer Hunting Season..... With A Chevy!
The picture you see on my blog page is actually taken from my favorite deer stand. On Wednesday November 11th, I was up early on my way to that very stand. Why, you might ask? Well, as many of you know I'm both an avid reader and rabid outdoors man. I love to be outside! Two of the monthly publications I receive said this about the hunting season in the Midwest. "Your best chances of taking a deer this season will be on Nov. 11th. They believed that the date is when the deer are really moving into the rut. The "rut" is best described as the time when bucks throw all caution into the wind and get out of their comfort zones and chase the does with reckless abandon. Much like most males get when they leave the "nest" of their parents home after HS graduation.
Well, one such buck met his fate that early morning on the 11th. I had left home heading to my stand only to find another hunter had moved into my general hunting area. Not wanting to miss my chance at a deer this perfect morning, I got back on the road heading to another hunting spot. No sooner than I was back on the road, this vehicle in front of me decided to drive 20 mph out on an open country road. Didn't this moron realize it's THE perfect day to be hunting and he was impeding my success. So, being the patient driver that I am, I stomped on my accelerator shooting me quickly past the oaf who was daydreaming behind the wheel. I had no more gotten by that vehicle and back into the correct lane and...BAM!! Out of nowhere came this 8 pt. buck running north to south. He proceeded to bounce across the front of my truck bumper, the grill, and then tearing off most the trim and the headlight on the passenger side. What an impact!
It's hard to believe with all the time I've spent in the country, and in the outdoors from the time I was a teen, this is the very first deer that I have hit with a vehicle. Needless to say, the deer did not walk away from such a wreck. Unfortunately, neither did my truck. It's currently at the repair shop and it's hard telling when it will be fixed. The good thing in all of this is this, I DID walk away from the wreck. I've been sore the last couple of days, but considering stories from other deer/vehicle collisions, I was pretty lucky. I also have been reminded something that I've known a long time, but apparently I needed this reminder. When traveling in the dark through the country in the fall, erpecially during the rut, slow down and be cautious. Sounds simple enough, but like a buck in rut, I threw all caution into the wind and the results were costly. I'm very thankful that I'm here to share this lesson with you. Please be safe and aware of your surroundings when driving through the rural areas where you live. You are loved and you matter to your family. Nothing, even hunting on the PERFECT day, is worth more than that! That's the view from my stand!
Well, one such buck met his fate that early morning on the 11th. I had left home heading to my stand only to find another hunter had moved into my general hunting area. Not wanting to miss my chance at a deer this perfect morning, I got back on the road heading to another hunting spot. No sooner than I was back on the road, this vehicle in front of me decided to drive 20 mph out on an open country road. Didn't this moron realize it's THE perfect day to be hunting and he was impeding my success. So, being the patient driver that I am, I stomped on my accelerator shooting me quickly past the oaf who was daydreaming behind the wheel. I had no more gotten by that vehicle and back into the correct lane and...BAM!! Out of nowhere came this 8 pt. buck running north to south. He proceeded to bounce across the front of my truck bumper, the grill, and then tearing off most the trim and the headlight on the passenger side. What an impact!
It's hard to believe with all the time I've spent in the country, and in the outdoors from the time I was a teen, this is the very first deer that I have hit with a vehicle. Needless to say, the deer did not walk away from such a wreck. Unfortunately, neither did my truck. It's currently at the repair shop and it's hard telling when it will be fixed. The good thing in all of this is this, I DID walk away from the wreck. I've been sore the last couple of days, but considering stories from other deer/vehicle collisions, I was pretty lucky. I also have been reminded something that I've known a long time, but apparently I needed this reminder. When traveling in the dark through the country in the fall, erpecially during the rut, slow down and be cautious. Sounds simple enough, but like a buck in rut, I threw all caution into the wind and the results were costly. I'm very thankful that I'm here to share this lesson with you. Please be safe and aware of your surroundings when driving through the rural areas where you live. You are loved and you matter to your family. Nothing, even hunting on the PERFECT day, is worth more than that! That's the view from my stand!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Taking It All In
It's been an incredible couple of days if I do say so myself. I'm talking quality time with those I love and of course this beautiful fall weather. Thanks again to Ed & Toni for sharing the house on Lake Erie with us this past weekend. It was refreshing to "get away" from everything and just relax with no agenda. {outside of eating and fishing} It's a great reminder, for those of us who sometimes take things for granted, just how blessed we are by those around us.
The lake was a little windy, but beautiful. I caught myself a couple of times, my mind wandering while just staring out at the water or looking at the horizon. Some things that were going through my mind; Lake Erie is HUGE, this is a special place, I'm with special people, wonder what the kids are doing? how many slimey fish can I put in Ed's tackle bag? man I really miss my brother Mike, what am I going to do that will make a difference? holy crap there's a lot going on in my head and that was just a start.
As I'm taking in the sights, smells and sounds of all that's around me I realize just how incredibly lucky I am. The love of family and friends is so overwhelmingly taken for granted at times. What have I done to deserve such love? Wow..that's a tough one. But it's one that if we were honest, we have all struggled with that question at one time or another. There have been times when I've not felt worthy of such love.
When I read the last couple of sentences that I typed I can't help of being reminded of a verse from 1 John. "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!" Think for a minute how precious your children, or even any children you know, are to you. Imagine that same kind of love being lavishly placed on you. Again, I think sometimes the love God has for us, as his children, is also taken for granted. I know that I have been guilty of this from time to time. Even with a pretty good understanding of that kind of love, there will always be questions, doubts, fears, etc. just because of our human nature. It's how we approach or deal with these kind of things that continues to chisel away at our character and makes us who we are. We are always going to have questions about life and some of them will not get answered this side of heaven. But in my case, it seems that a lot of these questions are taking a lot of my attention lately. I'm not sure if there's a reason for all of this, but for now, I'm going to keep on keeping on; loving like I was created to do, and accepting the love from others as they were created to do. I'll be here taking it all in, and hopefully some questions will be answered soon. That's the view from my stand!
The lake was a little windy, but beautiful. I caught myself a couple of times, my mind wandering while just staring out at the water or looking at the horizon. Some things that were going through my mind; Lake Erie is HUGE, this is a special place, I'm with special people, wonder what the kids are doing? how many slimey fish can I put in Ed's tackle bag? man I really miss my brother Mike, what am I going to do that will make a difference? holy crap there's a lot going on in my head and that was just a start.
As I'm taking in the sights, smells and sounds of all that's around me I realize just how incredibly lucky I am. The love of family and friends is so overwhelmingly taken for granted at times. What have I done to deserve such love? Wow..that's a tough one. But it's one that if we were honest, we have all struggled with that question at one time or another. There have been times when I've not felt worthy of such love.
When I read the last couple of sentences that I typed I can't help of being reminded of a verse from 1 John. "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!" Think for a minute how precious your children, or even any children you know, are to you. Imagine that same kind of love being lavishly placed on you. Again, I think sometimes the love God has for us, as his children, is also taken for granted. I know that I have been guilty of this from time to time. Even with a pretty good understanding of that kind of love, there will always be questions, doubts, fears, etc. just because of our human nature. It's how we approach or deal with these kind of things that continues to chisel away at our character and makes us who we are. We are always going to have questions about life and some of them will not get answered this side of heaven. But in my case, it seems that a lot of these questions are taking a lot of my attention lately. I'm not sure if there's a reason for all of this, but for now, I'm going to keep on keeping on; loving like I was created to do, and accepting the love from others as they were created to do. I'll be here taking it all in, and hopefully some questions will be answered soon. That's the view from my stand!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Election Buzz
I guess I can say for sure that I wasn't surprised by the election results on Tuesday. Although, I was a bit disappointed. I worked hard on canvassing neighborhoods, talking to people at downtown events, and doing a pretty good job at answering questions at the Candidate Nights. It was a learning experience in the local political arena as well. I had a number of yard signs stolen and an advertisement that was supposed to go in a local publication that prints 56,000 copies, somehow got "misplaced". It was amazing because the 2 incumbents who also "advertised" got there ads in. Oh well, the people voted, sort of. The election turn out, like the Candidate Nights turnout, was also disappointing. People get to complacent and forget that it's their right to voice their opinion by voting. I guess life is just to busy to take the time to exercise that right. If life is to busy to vote, are your priorities in the right order? {rhetorical}
It looks like the next time that I may possibly run for city council is, at the earliest, 2 years. If I decide to run again. In the meantime, I plan on continuing to voice my opinions and letting people know that Delaware can and should run better as a city. I hope that someday I get the opportunity to serve before it's to late.
Winter is trying to sneak into the picture in Ohio and I've only been out deer hunting twice. So, after this weekend of relaxing up in a cabin at Lake Erie with my lovely wife and dear friends, I will get after my deer for this year.
A big thanks again for the support of my family and friends. Failing doesn't hurt as bad when you're still surrounded by people that love you. I'm pretty lucky that way. That's the view from my stand!
It looks like the next time that I may possibly run for city council is, at the earliest, 2 years. If I decide to run again. In the meantime, I plan on continuing to voice my opinions and letting people know that Delaware can and should run better as a city. I hope that someday I get the opportunity to serve before it's to late.
Winter is trying to sneak into the picture in Ohio and I've only been out deer hunting twice. So, after this weekend of relaxing up in a cabin at Lake Erie with my lovely wife and dear friends, I will get after my deer for this year.
A big thanks again for the support of my family and friends. Failing doesn't hurt as bad when you're still surrounded by people that love you. I'm pretty lucky that way. That's the view from my stand!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Family Therapy
Two weekends in a row we've gotten to be with some of our family in Illinois and I am thankful for that. Yes, our family is big. Yes, our family is quite crazy. And YES, our family is also quite amazing. Getting to share life together is what makes us who we are. I love the times we get to laugh together. Laughter is indeed..good medicine. As you know, I was hoping for some sort of peace or understanding to come from our visit this last weekend. I'm still not sure if I received that, but what I did receive is this...it will all be okay. We need to understand that we have very little control over the events or story that plays out in our life. Sure, we can make decisions, good and bad, and there will be consequences. But none of us are promised tomorrow. We can make plans for a summer trip, but that doesn't mean we'll all be here to enjoy it. Life is funny this way and we forget just how precious it really is.
I feel the very same way about my family and close friends. As much as I never want to lose any of them, it's totally out of my control. I've been blessed first of all with great parents; then some great siblings and their spouses, great wife and kids, and great neices and nephews. Not to mention so many super friends who have touched our lives in one way or another. But for me, there's nothing like some good ole family therapy. I'm not talking about lining everyone up on the couch with a counselor telling us what we're doing right and wrong. I'm talking about the kind of therapy that happens over a cup of coffee, out around the fire pit, or on the back patio enjoying a good cigar. Spending time with my family is healthy for me, physically and mentally. We spend a lot of time laughing about the craziest things; sweet potatoes, Pujols, "brothers get cancer too", aluminum can stashes. I've come to the conclusion that I not only want these Family Therapy sessions, I need them. I need them for a number of reasons, some selfish I suppose, but again, I'm okay with that. These times with my family bring me much joy. Although we've had our share of crying moments, I really prefer to laugh. Even laughing at myself and some of the really goofy things that come into my mind. But for me, the mental health that comes from being with those that I love dearly and laughing at whatever, is a huge boost. Especially this past year. So, if you're in need of some serious therapy, if life has you down and you need a lift, get together with some of your favorite family or friends. Let your guard down and share your heart with them. Love, laugh and live like there is no tomorrow, because the reality is, there's no guarantee! That's the view from my stand!
I feel the very same way about my family and close friends. As much as I never want to lose any of them, it's totally out of my control. I've been blessed first of all with great parents; then some great siblings and their spouses, great wife and kids, and great neices and nephews. Not to mention so many super friends who have touched our lives in one way or another. But for me, there's nothing like some good ole family therapy. I'm not talking about lining everyone up on the couch with a counselor telling us what we're doing right and wrong. I'm talking about the kind of therapy that happens over a cup of coffee, out around the fire pit, or on the back patio enjoying a good cigar. Spending time with my family is healthy for me, physically and mentally. We spend a lot of time laughing about the craziest things; sweet potatoes, Pujols, "brothers get cancer too", aluminum can stashes. I've come to the conclusion that I not only want these Family Therapy sessions, I need them. I need them for a number of reasons, some selfish I suppose, but again, I'm okay with that. These times with my family bring me much joy. Although we've had our share of crying moments, I really prefer to laugh. Even laughing at myself and some of the really goofy things that come into my mind. But for me, the mental health that comes from being with those that I love dearly and laughing at whatever, is a huge boost. Especially this past year. So, if you're in need of some serious therapy, if life has you down and you need a lift, get together with some of your favorite family or friends. Let your guard down and share your heart with them. Love, laugh and live like there is no tomorrow, because the reality is, there's no guarantee! That's the view from my stand!
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