Piles from shoveling sidewalk & patio.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Snow Photos
Snow in the amount we've had this winter is rare. As of today, this year ranks 3rd on the all time list for most snow in one winter in Peoria's recorded history. About 5 inches more first place! Go Team Go!
Monday, February 3, 2014
4th Annual Wild Game Dinner
The persistence of the alarm clock broke the deep sleep but only the excitement of the first ever opportunity to hunt turkeys in Nebraska could make me get up out of bed. It wasn't so very early actually. My watch said 6 AM. The sun itself couldn't be seen yet, but a faint light found it's way through the window and the beautiful red glow of the pre-dawn added to the anticipation in a mysterious sort of way.
Stepping outside into cool spring-time air I walked toward the car to gather my hunting supplies. I could not take my eyes of the gently rolling hills, dimly lit at the crest and shadowed on the sides visible from where I was. The view was magical. Illinois hunting ground was nothing like this. I'd never been on this property before and visions of what awaited in those hills had my full attention.
Don saw them first. Those black dots far to the southeast surely were turkeys. Really they were far enough away we couldn't be certain. Don quickly grabbed his binoculars to make positive identification. Turkeys they were! Big toms & numerous hens just down from the roost and grabbing some quick grub before heading off in various directions for the day. The birds were on the edge of a grove of trees. Trees tall and conspicuous in the otherwise open pastures and guarding the secrets of the house they had once surrounded. If you've never hunted, perhaps I could never explain the rush that accompanies what I've tried to describe.
Under usual hunting circumstances I wouldn't have seen any of this. Normally I would have been in the woods before first light. My vantage point would have been entirely different. However, Don & I had arrived at our destination about 5 AM after an all night, 11 hour drive from Central Illinois. We went into the house of our hosts to get what sleep we could. Stirred by that alarm we embarked on our 2 day, memorable hunt.
Because approaching a turkey under the cover a forest provides is challenge enough, there was no way we were going sneak within range of those birds in the open. We determined to scout out the lay-of-the-land, find a good hiding place and see if we could persuade them to come to us. Don did that successfully the first day and again the second day as he harvested two very nice birds.
My tactic was to find the exact trees the turkeys were roosting and be sitting on their doorstep when they came home in the evening. Sitting in the backyard of wild animals, watching their coming and going, interactions and learning their habits without them ever knowing you are there is amazing. Which is what I did for about 2 hours. Hens came by ones and twos from various directions. They milled around discussing their day and grabbing a few more snacks before bedtime while I watched. They were joined by young tom who strutted around like a young teenager whose main motive was to be noticed.
As the evening waned, I wondered where those nice big toms were. I knew they had roosted here the previous night. Could they have moved to another roosting spot? No sooner than my wondering if they would come, they did. Like two young fellows, full of spit & vinegar and arriving fashionably late to the
party. Oh, and they were noticed all right. All those hens noticed and so did the jake. He immediately removed himself from the area and chose to maintain his isolation the remainder of the evening. It was
another version of "The Boys are Back in Town."
Which brings me to the Fourth Annual Wild Game Dinner. Because those "boys" eventually ventured close to my hideout, one of them was on the menu for our dinner.
You see, Don says it like this. "You get to enjoy planning the hunt, enjoy the hunt itself, enjoy the meal it provides and re-live it all again."
Stepping outside into cool spring-time air I walked toward the car to gather my hunting supplies. I could not take my eyes of the gently rolling hills, dimly lit at the crest and shadowed on the sides visible from where I was. The view was magical. Illinois hunting ground was nothing like this. I'd never been on this property before and visions of what awaited in those hills had my full attention.
Don saw them first. Those black dots far to the southeast surely were turkeys. Really they were far enough away we couldn't be certain. Don quickly grabbed his binoculars to make positive identification. Turkeys they were! Big toms & numerous hens just down from the roost and grabbing some quick grub before heading off in various directions for the day. The birds were on the edge of a grove of trees. Trees tall and conspicuous in the otherwise open pastures and guarding the secrets of the house they had once surrounded. If you've never hunted, perhaps I could never explain the rush that accompanies what I've tried to describe.
Under usual hunting circumstances I wouldn't have seen any of this. Normally I would have been in the woods before first light. My vantage point would have been entirely different. However, Don & I had arrived at our destination about 5 AM after an all night, 11 hour drive from Central Illinois. We went into the house of our hosts to get what sleep we could. Stirred by that alarm we embarked on our 2 day, memorable hunt.
Because approaching a turkey under the cover a forest provides is challenge enough, there was no way we were going sneak within range of those birds in the open. We determined to scout out the lay-of-the-land, find a good hiding place and see if we could persuade them to come to us. Don did that successfully the first day and again the second day as he harvested two very nice birds.
My tactic was to find the exact trees the turkeys were roosting and be sitting on their doorstep when they came home in the evening. Sitting in the backyard of wild animals, watching their coming and going, interactions and learning their habits without them ever knowing you are there is amazing. Which is what I did for about 2 hours. Hens came by ones and twos from various directions. They milled around discussing their day and grabbing a few more snacks before bedtime while I watched. They were joined by young tom who strutted around like a young teenager whose main motive was to be noticed.
As the evening waned, I wondered where those nice big toms were. I knew they had roosted here the previous night. Could they have moved to another roosting spot? No sooner than my wondering if they would come, they did. Like two young fellows, full of spit & vinegar and arriving fashionably late to the
party. Oh, and they were noticed all right. All those hens noticed and so did the jake. He immediately removed himself from the area and chose to maintain his isolation the remainder of the evening. It was
another version of "The Boys are Back in Town."
Which brings me to the Fourth Annual Wild Game Dinner. Because those "boys" eventually ventured close to my hideout, one of them was on the menu for our dinner.
You see, Don says it like this. "You get to enjoy planning the hunt, enjoy the hunt itself, enjoy the meal it provides and re-live it all again."
On the menu:
Venison Spiedies
Bacon wrapped Grouse breast
Buffalo dip with Squirrel
Creme of Pheasant with wild rice
Bacon wrapped wild Turkey breast pieces with Hawaiian, Sesame Ginger, Greek & BBQ marinades
Wild Turkey with Dumplings (southern style)
Grouse is ready to serve.
Creme of Pheasant fit for a king!
Monkey bread
Marina ready to eat.
Carl & Norma wonder what is next.
Cadence
The kids determining which turkey flavor to try.
Turkey & dumplings and much more.
The wonderful & tolerant wives of two fellows who love to hunt.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
January is Igloo Time
January is igloo building time in Mrs. LiaBraaten's room. More than 200 plastic jugs, lots of hot glue and about 3 hours of construction on Thursday evening after school and the igloo is ready. Maybe you can imagine the excitement of 20 six year old kids when they arrive at school Friday morning.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Fair Weather Campers
The last couple winters were something like 2 months of additional fall and a month of "never knew spring to start this early." This year winter has been winter. Oh, we could use more snow but at least what we've gotten has generally stayed around for a while.
Last Friday, Jan. 24, the conditions needed for a good winter camping adventure were in place. Below freezing temperatures and snow on the ground are the main prerequisites. A few years back we did the "really, really cold camp-out". While those who participated like to talk about the -10 temperature, it seems we all have no qualms about "fair weather camping" these days. And those were the conditions of our camp-out this year. Temperatures were in the mid 20's and while a blustery wind was blowing, we were sheltered in the woods with high bluffs on two sides of our camp site. Good weather, good food, good company; it was an adventure!
Last Friday, Jan. 24, the conditions needed for a good winter camping adventure were in place. Below freezing temperatures and snow on the ground are the main prerequisites. A few years back we did the "really, really cold camp-out". While those who participated like to talk about the -10 temperature, it seems we all have no qualms about "fair weather camping" these days. And those were the conditions of our camp-out this year. Temperatures were in the mid 20's and while a blustery wind was blowing, we were sheltered in the woods with high bluffs on two sides of our camp site. Good weather, good food, good company; it was an adventure!
I have no photos from Friday night. But thanks to Bruce, I have these from Saturday AM to share.
First, from the fire looking South.
And looking North.
We found a downed tree and cut it up for firewood.
Next: pull out some coals and turn Bruce loose on breakfast.
We could often hear the wind howling in the trees above us but rarely did we feel the gusts. It was, however, slightly breezy. From all directions. The swirling breeze sent the smoke in all directions on the compass and try as we might, we couldn't stay out of it for long. It appears Bruce just got a face full.
Bacon is a wonderful invention.
New this year. Fried crescent rolls.
I take a turn cooking.
Myself, Kenrick, Rob, Andy & Don
A first. Rob goes for a tent - and didn't feel bad about it. :)
Don's comfortable digs.
And my abode for the night.
Kenrick hauls supplies back the the truck as we prepare to leave.
Rob, Kenrick, Don, Anthony, Andy and myself.
Bruce takes my spot.
Doug and Trevon had to leave early and missed the group photo.
For Rob's version: Click Here
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Hot & Cold
It wasn't Minnesota or North Dakota cold yesterday in central Illinois. But it was cold by our standards. Sunday had brought enough snow & Monday enough cold that the morning newspaper wasn't delivered, the mailed didn't come, and numerous business in Eureka closed all or part of the day; including the library, school, grocery store, etc. As a matter of fact, I didn't go to work either. So it was a good time to go shovel driveways for some friends & family.
The temperature when I started shoveling was about -12 with a nice breeze out of the north that produced a wind chill of about -35; so said the weatherman. I figured my t-shirt, flannel shirt, windbreaker & sock cap would be enough since my body produces a rather substantial amount of heat when I'm working.
Well I was wrong, it was more than enough. After a few minutes, sweat is running down my neck so I tossed the cap. Ahh. That was better. Let some of that heat escape. Except about 10 minutes later with the perspiration starting to dampen the t-shirt I figured it was time for the jacket to go. That worked pretty well. Somewhere about then Brenda looked outside. She opened the door far enough to ask me where my hat and coat were. You see, she finds 72 to be about the bottom limit of her comfort zone. She just doesn't understand! :)
The temperature when I started shoveling was about -12 with a nice breeze out of the north that produced a wind chill of about -35; so said the weatherman. I figured my t-shirt, flannel shirt, windbreaker & sock cap would be enough since my body produces a rather substantial amount of heat when I'm working.
Well I was wrong, it was more than enough. After a few minutes, sweat is running down my neck so I tossed the cap. Ahh. That was better. Let some of that heat escape. Except about 10 minutes later with the perspiration starting to dampen the t-shirt I figured it was time for the jacket to go. That worked pretty well. Somewhere about then Brenda looked outside. She opened the door far enough to ask me where my hat and coat were. You see, she finds 72 to be about the bottom limit of her comfort zone. She just doesn't understand! :)
Sunday, October 20, 2013
The Heat is ON
This summer I decided not to be a complainer about the heat. I've done
my share of moaning in the past about the hot summer days but have slowly come to the realization most people don't like to hear about the weather from a chronic complainer.
Also, Brenda is cold most of the time between September and April and I'm hot most of the time between March and November. So it's not like I've got a corner on the discomfort market... and she doesn't complain much. Perhaps another reason to keep quiet.
Then, if today is a day the Lord has made and I'm to rejoice and be glad, it hardly seems reasonable to continually gripe about the degrees and humidity that makes me perspire so.
But having said that, the weather has cooled a bit. This week has forecast highs of 50 and lows of 30. Oh, do I like this!
Yesterday morning, Brenda asked ever so politely, "Do you think it's about time to turn on the heat"? I told her that would be no problem; was it cool in the house or something? She thought it was. So I checked and it was 61 degrees. I guess that is cool enough to turn on the heat... I'd just not given it a thought. Good thing she watches out for us. I might just forget to turn it on until sometime in December!
Also, Brenda is cold most of the time between September and April and I'm hot most of the time between March and November. So it's not like I've got a corner on the discomfort market... and she doesn't complain much. Perhaps another reason to keep quiet.
Then, if today is a day the Lord has made and I'm to rejoice and be glad, it hardly seems reasonable to continually gripe about the degrees and humidity that makes me perspire so.
But having said that, the weather has cooled a bit. This week has forecast highs of 50 and lows of 30. Oh, do I like this!
Yesterday morning, Brenda asked ever so politely, "Do you think it's about time to turn on the heat"? I told her that would be no problem; was it cool in the house or something? She thought it was. So I checked and it was 61 degrees. I guess that is cool enough to turn on the heat... I'd just not given it a thought. Good thing she watches out for us. I might just forget to turn it on until sometime in December!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
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