Sunrise at Walleye World

Clouds every other day, then always a beautiful day when we have to leave. FYI mother dear,  this is what a sunrise looks like.

Happy Birthday Oliver

Happy Birthday Number Two to Oliver!

Go Fly a Kite

TH's sanding machine was sooo noisy it forced me to teleconference with RLA outside of the Sugar Shack. After fighting the fierce south wind on my return to the SS, I quickly ran into the closet and fetched RLA's never used before red biplane kite. (like the wind was going to cease if I didn't rush) TH assembled it in no time and found plenty of wind for flying. He claims that was most fun that he's had in a year, without tools that is.

Poor Higgins must have thought there was an enormous red attack air monster. She has found protection under the desk and is sleeping safely at my feet. Anyone recall how she clings to Bapa and stays on his lap during the fireworks?

If the winds weren't so strong the little canoe dog would have convinced TH to take her out for their first voyage of the season. But darn, that red monster appeared. Maybe tomorrow Higgins.

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The Pussy Willows are also early. Meow.....

Happy Birthday Mr. Kyle!

Vote for your favorite picture!
It's a toss up for me between the ones on the left and right.
But I've always liked the guys I've known in the middle.

What a Difference a Week Makes

Also, what a difference a year makes. 

The canoe picture below, below shows the last ice age 2011 was at the end of April.

 March 25, 2012 - No Ice.

Ice Covered Lake March 19, 2012
Notice all of the new beach front; the lake is way down.

April 25, 2011

May 8, 2010

We got off to a rather late start this evening, but have finally arrived.

It is so cold in here tonight the flies are quiet. Last Sunday night we had all of the windows open and could barely cool the Sugar Shack down to a comfortable temperature. I'm not even kidding. Even had to wear summer PJs.

Then, the darn flies buzzed around all night disturbing my slumber. Does anyone recall the annual fly infestation up on the hill in the Nomad? Probably not, but I do, and they were like so many dead flies on the floor they were like thick black crunchy carpeting. We vacuum live flies off of the windows several times a day and as soon as one flock is removed from a window, more appear out of nowhere. This happens every Spring. Eventually they do move out.

Tonight it is already 28F outside and maybe around 54F inside. No heat allowed you know! I have my warm flannel PJs on and will be fine under the down comforter. Not as bad as the no heat night a few years ago when I had to wear one of Betsy's hand knit stocking caps. No cause for alarm, there is not a heating system failure, rather my self imposed J.R. Howes, Jr. Hard Times Preparedness Training Camp. To stay with the program, maybe it will be beans and rice tomorrow. I do prefer my black beans in one of Becky's delicious and healthful salads. I miss those salads. And Becky too of course.

Shockingly, somehow the ice disappeared off the lake since last Wednesday. I so enjoy watching it break up and float around the lake iceberg fashion. Sometimes I do have to push thoughts of the movie Titanic out of my mind. When it's windy the chunks of ice crash up against the shore and form huge piles of beautiful ice crystals. Sorry to have missed this year's show by just a few days. Last year we timed it perfectly and it was spectacular.

Well, no doubt Higgins will be lucky canoe dog tomorrow. Last week she kept going over to the canoe asking Dave for a ride. Alright Dad, I know, stupid dog.... but she is lucky! There is a picture posted above from 2011 of Higgins and Dave (yes Mother, with his life jacket on) in the canoe. They paddled in the channels between the icebergs on the lake the next day. That date was actually April 26 and then the ice did not disappear all together for a few more days after that.

Off to sleep now and maybe will wake up to snow in the morning. Oh joy......

No Guts

That's right folks, it disappeared along with about five or six feet of water all around the lake. Lots of new beach at Lake Betty. So, now it looks like there will be Walleye crowding, a situation that calls for the Bobber, a proven Walleye thinner outer. There are photos to prove this, somewhere.

On the good news side of things, looks like the Eagers have moved on. Not a sign of them anywhere. If memory serves, some may have made it to Beaver Heaven. Thanks TH!

Hopefully there is not a for rent, immediate occupancy sign on their lodge.

We Beat Spring

Spring is but a few days away. Summer and the 3 of us have arrived. Our trip was to assess possible winter damage and start sun tans. The forecast for Monday is an unbelievable 79 degrees.
Yay!
Here we are in Northern Minnesota trying to cool off the Sugar Shack to a comfortable sleeping temperature. Poor Uncle Sam and Aunt Marion sit in sixty degree weather in Palm Springs. Who'd a thunk?