END OF THE SEASON

There it was! The usual invitation inserted between the logs at our cabin door inviting us to an END OF THE SEASON gathering, always a delightful way to exchange pleasantries and renew old friendships. This is a necessary event, since so many neighbors are too busy during the summer season, as to eliminate almost any opportunity to socialize. End of the season you gasp, I hardly knew it started.

Time to pull the boats which were hardly used. Think about a coat of stain on the deck, upon which we hardly reposed.

But, come to think about it, the times we did get out on the boat or the deck did fulfill the wants and desires for which they were designed. Soft summer breezes wafting over the lake and through the pines. Sparkling riffles on the blue, cool water. The flicker of busy hummingbirds, chickadees and nuthatches visiting the feeders. Only brief glimpses of scenes that serve to fill a lifetime of need. They serve their purpose indeed.

So, it probably is proper to celebrate the END OF THE SEASON and prepare for the start of the next to come. Fall is a truly marvelous and beautiful event, opening for all the color nature provides with the turning of the leaves and the pleasantries of visiting the woods and all of its mysteries.

I had better think, again, about sharpening the chainsaws and replenishing the woodpile. Soon it will be time to light the fire. Another season approaches before we know it.

WE LOST A GOOD BUDDY IN ART KOCH

We Lost a Good Buddy in ART KOCH.

He could “tote that barge and lift that bale” with the best of them in his rendition of “Ole Man River”. He would pawn his treasured coat to provide warmth and comfort to MIMI, or any other in need, as readily as Colline had in LaBoehme, and he could express the desires and echo the needs and concerns of his people, just as Tevye did in “Fiddler”. He was all of those, and he was also a good old buddy of mine and many others. He was Art Koch and his recent passing will leave many of us without a long time dear friend. Many years of memories and thoughts will be perpetuating reminders of unforgettable times.

Wow!! What A Father's Day

Wow!! What a great FATHER’S DAY. Started with a quick trip to Wild Rose with son, Kevin, and checked off a big item on the “TO DO LIST”, launching the Pontoon boat. Another thing off the mind. On the trip back to Brown Deer, we enjoyed a half hour Skype call from son, Mike (still in Dublin), followed by a cell call from daughter, Denise, in Raleigh, NC. Both delightful ways to past drive time and exchange pleasantries. We then met daughter Doreen and Dolores for a bit of “old sod” refreshment at O’Bradys, followed up by a visit at home by Erika and Aurora, while we watched the finish of the US Open at that torturous pit of a golf course called Chambers Bay. A long phone call to brother Warren crowned off a very delightful Father’s day. Thanks to all who shared it with us.

Congratulations Dr. Michael Erdmann

Why was I not surprised at the recent announcement that Dr. Michael Erdmann was awarded the prestigious 2014 John D. Chase Award for Executive Excellence by the Veterans Health Administration? I was not surprised, because, in his long career of service at the Milwaukee Zablocki VA Center, Mike has been often recognized for his tireless and effective leadership exhibited in contributing to the superior services provided at our Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

Affability, focus and concern are all traits which contribute to great achievements, and these are just a few of the traits which Mike seems to carry around in his back pocket. Congratulations Dr. Michael Erdmann.

"CLEANING THE BASEMENT" or "FINDING HIDDEN TREASURES"

How do I open this one? Shall I entitle it “CLEANING THE BASEMENT” or “FINDING HIDDEN TREASURES”. Sounds like an oxymoron to me, but I think I will stick to my guns (no reflection on our President, honest) and hold to the double title. If that sounds like a slipped in commercial (see “I THINK SOMETHING IS TICKLING MY TOES” and “WHY CAN'T WE DANCE TOO?”) at www.geeastory.com. I hope it is effective, but it was not intentional.

I recently realized that, if sometime in the future, someone was asked to analyze the content of our basement (I prefer recreation room or bar), it could be a formidable task. Of course, they could rely upon the services of a certain brother-in-law, who is extremely efficient and would probably contract a super-vacall, insert same down into lower level, and throw the switch. Problem solved, except, the process could have absorbed a lost long mystery item that has been buried in the archives since 1989 and would like to find a home. In explanation, let's turn back the clock some 25 years for a review.

During a 1989 fishing trip out of Milwaukee harbor, we netted a black cap, which was floating leisurely in the big lake. This was nothing unusual, except it had medals from the 1988 Birkebeiner, the 1988 Calgary Olympics, and bore the label , BLACK MALLARD RESORT, LAKE SISSABAGAMA, STONE LAKE, WIS. We attended several subsequent meetings of the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen and announced the recovery of this cap—to no avail.

Rather than leave this old orphan out there without a parent, I thought it would be worth one last try. Anybody recognizing the responsible parent may email nozdive@sbcglobal.net and we would be happy to un-net the cap and return it to its rightful owner. It would also contribute to decluttering of the rec room.

This, of course, will not conclude the other necessary efforts in the “bar”, but it will help.

MARI CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

MARI, LARI, CARI, THE BIG BLACK OAK TREE, GRANDPA AND THE REST OF THE GANG
ALL WISH YOU A VERY MARI CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR FROM THE FOREST

ONE CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY TOOLS

Any thoughts or suggestions to the contrary should be totally discarded. Two recent episodes, neither of which bore any similarity to the other, created stalwart support for the premise.

In one scenario, it was suggested that I replace some thirty year old fittings on a trash pump with more efficient quick disconnect fittings. The challenge of determining proper sizes of necessary fittings, while being confronted with the cast iron, galvanized and PVC plastic materials involved, was eventually overcome, after much weeping and gnashing of teeth.

After a rather long excursion to acquire necessary fittings (did you know they come in male and female), I returned to the scene of the crime to establish my battle plan. I soon realized that, although the older designers may not have yet envisioned the more convenient “quick release” type fittings, they certainly had perfected “permanence” in their design.

The eventual installation of the marvelous quick release fittings was accomplished in good time, but the removal of the old fittings from the reinforced lines and cast iron pump required frequent trips to the old workshop and the application of tools I had forgotten existed. The removal of those old connections required all of my meager ingenuity, short of dynamite, and I was contemplating mixing a batch, when an old drill and a hacksaw blade did the trick.

Those “old” fittings may not have been the most convenient, but they sure did an effective job. And it took several trips back to the old workshop to return the tools.