St. Patty's Day Up Norf

With the weekend off, Da-Bra-Less and I headed Norf to Gaylord for a little relaxation at Becky Sue Teel's, along with Steve and Stacey. We couldn't leave until Saturday morning, but it was a nice drive with very little traffic to negotiate on I-75. The cruise control was set on 85 mph and with Deb behind the wheel, maneuvered the Jeep effortlessly down the highway. It was St. Patrick's Day and we anticipated going out for the evening with the 'Fam' for some good ole Irish cooking, a shiiiiit load of drinks (Iced Tea for J.E) at the local Irish Pub in Gaylord. And after tearing up the town, some long over due partying back at the cabin.

Becky, Steve and Stacey had already started partying without us at a neighbor's across the street and were heading back to the cabin when we arrived. I managed to carry up all the suitcases Debbie brought for a one nighter, as she managed to bring in the pillows she brought. It was great seeing everyone, and it's been a couple of months since we've all gotten together. I was even more pleased when Becky asked me if I wanted to 'Pick some Clover'. And why not, it was a day for celebration. I was amazed with the weather as cold as it's been up Norf, that she was able to grow such a nice crop. Instead of heading to the Pub as we thought for dinner, Becky surprised everyone with some St. Patrick Day Enchiladas' and other assorted Irish goodies to go with the St. Patrick Day's theme.

March Madness was in the air and we ate, laughed, watched the games and ate some more. At halftime of the Spartan game, we gathered up the drinks and headed across the street to party with a neighbor and finish up watching my beloved Spartans lose. I was disappointed, but the Wings were on next and that took away my pain for a little while. After a couple more hours of laughter and stories of the younger days growing up at the cabin, we headed back across the street to the cabin for a bedtime snack of, you guessed it, Enchiladas.

I hated to get up this morning and head home, but it was worth the drive Norf to be with family and friends. We need to do this more often, the clock is ticking the batteries are running out of juice. I'm glad that I have had such a wonderful family to party with for 36 years. I couldn't ask for a better family to marry into. You guys are the best and I love you all.

It's Finally Finished and Up

"Deb", I said, as I was coming up from the basement into the 'Dungeon' carrying the project I described in a previous blog, "I'm ready to start hanging this and if you want to come down and 'SUPERVISE' my measuring, feel free." "Don't even think of starting without me." I heard her say as she hauled ass from the living room, "You' know you can't read a tape measure and you'll have it hung cockeyed and they're be holes all over the wall except where they're suppose to be. Don't you remember what happened when you put that dresser together?"

"You're so full of shiiiiiiiiit." I said softly. "What did you say, Jim?" She yelled back. "I said, you're right, I'll have to admit." I said, please with my quick comeback. "Hurry up, golf is on in twenty minutes. and I want to watch the final round, have something to eat and kick back. Then I'll finish up taking the Christmas lights down like you wanted. What are you going to do today?" Her response frighten me when I heard her say, "Probably just help you clean my car or just rest." Thinking fast on my feet, I said "Just rest and enjoy the day, Hon, I'll take care of EVERYTHING." After measuring a couple of times, the wall hanging went up nicely and looked good, or as I always say, good enough for who it's for. She filled it with plants, stood back and and said, "Nice job, I'll think of something else you can make me." How lucky can one guy be?

The day was beautiful and I was finally able to get outside and do some of the outside tasks I've been putting off because of the cold weather. Finally all the Christmas lights and decorations are off the house and put away and with Debbie off my back for a few hours, I managed to catch 40 winks in my recliner while she was busying herself upstairs working on a poster for her classroom. "What are you making Deb, a flag?", I asked rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. "It's a poster of The Cat In The Hat." she beamed, as she rolled up another piece of paper and glued it on cardboard. "Looks like a flag to me." I said and grabbed bag of chips and retreated to the 'Dungeon' for a golf update and a little more shut eye. Damn, I love the weekends.

Please Help

I don't usually do this, but I felt the need to share this with my fellow bloggers. Although Deb and I no longer have a dog, I know that some of my loyal readers own Chihuahuas and because of that, this story really hit home.

I know most of you are dog lovers and will help this poor woman. Our neighbor has lost her Chihuahua and is desperate to find him. She does a lot of traveling and always takes her dog Max with her. Yesterday, she was sitting on the couch watching TV and she called for Max, but he didn't heed her command as usual. She continually called out for her puppy and then noticed the back door was open. Max is 3 yrs old and an inside dog and she is frantic. She has been putting up signs everywhere around the Eaton Rapids and Charlotte area in hopes that someone would spot the little fellow. If you see this dog, please let me know and I will notify her immediately. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

"Jim, Build This For Me, TODAY!"

"Jim, I saw a cool wall hanging in a magazine and decided I want you to make it for me. It's a mirrored window flower box made out of wood, and I want to hang it on the family room wall?" I heard Deb say as I was kick'n back in my recliner, sipping my favorite beverage, munching on snacks and watching a little golf. "You know" I retorted, "I'd love to do that for you Sweetheart, but as you can see, I'm sitting here in a shiiiiiiiit load of pain. That's why you bought me a magnetic wrap around heated back brace isn't it, to sit here and relax? Haven't you noticed I've been hunched over like an 80 year old man, or do you think I've just looking for something I dropped for the past eight months? And besides, I don't have the wood necessary to build a project of that magnitude." "Sure you do." she said, "And besides, you've rested long enough."

"I went into the basement," she continued, "and up in the supports there was wood enough to build a shed. So, I took the liberty of taking some different sizes down and laying them on your tool bench. I believe you have enough material there to build what I want, and I've even drawn up a rough sketch for you to go by. It will give you something to do to take you mind off all the pain you claim you're having. By the way, I'm not feeling well, so I'm going upstairs to take a nap. I also took some paint out and want you to paint it the same color as you did on the lower family room wall. Oh yeah by the way, don't wake me and Good Luck."

I walked down to the basement and surer than hell, there's different types of wood lying on my tool bench along with a drawing that looked like chicken scratching that resembled a window. No measurements, just a drawing a 2 yr. old would do. There were some 2x4's, a couple of 1x6's, a small piece of plywood, and some oak molding I used for the upstairs bathroom four years ago. Apparently, she thought I would be able to put all these different size pieces into a box, say some magic words, and Waa La, wood for a window frame would miraculously appear. After studying her dimensionless 'sketch', I went into the garage, found some lumber I was going to use for something else, and 'The Project' was a go. First the frame, then the mirror and finally the flower box portion. My creation, or I should say hers, was taking shape and looking pretty close to her meaningless doodling.

Finally, after a few hours, her scribbling was starting to become a reality and wasn't looking bad, even if I have to say so myself. It's been a couple of years since I've done any woodworking and I was somewhat apprehensive about starting this project, but glad I did. I still have to do a couple of small details to finish up, but it will be completed by tomorrow. If I didn't need her help putting it up on the wall, I'd surprise her with it, but you know Deb. She'll be there as usual to supervise and I welcome it (sometimes). But, why should she care, she never goes into the family room anyway and lovingly calls it the Dungeon. So now you're probably asking yourselves, "What's the next 'Project' J.E. will be doing, now that he is back in the crafts game?" Well, a wrap around tree bench by the horseshoe pits for one, a deck and French doors off our upstairs bedroom, a flowerbox/fountain on the middle deck where the hot tub is scheduled to go. But as you and I both know, it will be WHATEVER THE HELL DEB TELLS ME. I'll be sure and add a pic of the completed project to my next post, when it's up on the wall of the Dungeon, filled and flowing with foilage.

Just to be on the safe side though when you come over, I wouldn't sit underneath it, JUST IN CASE.

Can't Seem To Get Away

One thing I want to do is get the hell away from Eaton Rapids, if only for the day. These afternoons are kicking my ass and even though I'm off this weekend, I thought a little trip down the Grand River, away from E.R. town would be just what the doctor ordered. With the kayak shoved through the sunroof of the Honda, I set sail, or I should say Kayak, on a chilly wintry day. I was looking forward to viewing all the wonderful sites along the banks of the seldom used Grand River and getting away from the only Eaton Rapids On Earth if only for a few hours.

Years ago, 'The Mighty Grand' as it was known to the local inhabitants, was the only means other than horseback, to get to the quaint little town of Eaton Rapids. Traveling back in time, you'd see Indians and settlers alike sitting along the banks of the Grand, smoking the 'peace pipe' and drinking 'Fire Water', something the locals still do today, minus the Indians of course, unless they're from Cleveland.

I paddled for what seemed like hours without seeing a living sole, with the exception of an occasional bird and the splash of a carp. As I maneuvered my yellow craft around boulders and fallen trees, enjoying the solidute of the day, something caught me eye. My first thought was deer, coming out of the woods to drink at the waters edge, but then I heard a sound I thought I recognized, a truck. Beaching my craft, I walked the snow covered banks to the plateau above hoping that I was wrong and then realizing I wasn't.

I never left town.