Just a couple of lines to say we hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Most of us have been very blessed, and it is good to reflect on that once in awhile!  Our life has been good, and we have been enjoying the last few weeks.  I had the opportunity to go out for the Wisconsin deer hunt.   Some of us received a Fort McCoy hunting permit this year.  Fort McCoy has there own permit system above the state permitting process.  So we send that in early in the year, and Noel, Andrew, Lou, Pat, Denny and I all received permits.   And Lou, as an Army retiree was able to get us rooms on the fort for a GREAT price!   And that makes the early morning trip to our hunting area very convenient rather than having to drive in from town.  Since we get out there well before sunrise some extra minutes help.  We had a great time,even though none of us filled our tag!   It was the coldest hunting season opener in 23 years I heard,  below zero Sunday morning.   But there is something very relaxing about the woods!  And for me after the long weekend it was back to work for a couple of days, then the Thanksgiving weekend.  We made it down to Milwaukee first and spent some time with Mom.  Then Thanksgiving morning off to Holland Michigan.   Mary Jane and John drove over from Detroit, and Skip Claire and Denise came over from Wisconsin.  We rented a house that we had rented 5 years ago.  It is a very nice 5 bedroom house that works out well for us.  We had our Thanksgiving dinner there after Mary Jane and John made it back from the Packer game!   And there was foosball and air hockey.   And then a couple of days of sight seeing.  The group was good to me,  as I like micro brews and wanted to take advantage of some of Michigans offerings.  Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids is one of the best in the country, and while I have had their beers I had never been there.  It’s taproom was larger than I imagined, and very well done.  A fun place, and a large outside patio that with heaters was being used even this weekend!   And the beer selection was worth the trip.   Then we stopped in downtown Grand Rapids to see HopCat brew pub.   RateBeer rates it as the #1 brewpub in the country, at least that is what HopCat says!   I did not check, but with the large variety of tap beers and world renowned bottle beers besides their own brews,  I can see why it would garner that rating.   I had a Rodenbock on tap, we had some appetizers and took in the ambiance.   The State of Michigan beer scene is growing in leeps and bounds.   Leaving Grand Rapids to head to our weekend home I found 2 brewpubs in a small town of Hudsonville that are both fairly new.   We stopped at Pike 51 brewery, originally a winery the owners have added their love of beer.   I was very impressed by their large selection of unique brews.   I had the chance to talk to one of the owners and he even showed me 2 bourbon barrels in back that are aging their first sour beers.  They had a smoked pumpkin scotch ale, a belgian quad- 15 beers on tap.  In addition to their wines!  had a tasting flight, and we left with a case of wine!   Then to White Flame brewery near by.  Another impressive list of beers, we did a flight of all their beers, and we decided to order food their!  Interesting the food is made in a mobile truck parked at the door, but it was very good!   And on Saturday we did our usual tour of downtown Holland.  Which is interesting and fun,  we spent some money on small business Saturday!   And managed to stop at a new brewery, OUR,   and New Holland brewpub that is one of my favorites.   again some great beers (MJ had a 12.2% stout) and we decided appetizers were in order.  And when we got home for the evening Skip and Claire made us some chili.   We had lots of food and drink, and a great time.  We even got a sheepshead game in.    I had to shovel the driveway from overnight snows when we got there,  but then the weather was good.  Saturday was fairly warm, and the drive home was good with partly sunny to make it a good drive.   The long drive home is not the fun stuff, but the weekend was worth it.   Now getting back to a week of ‘catch up’ at work.  But we have a Florida trip coming up soon, and will look forward to that.    So good times to you,  God Bless.

White Flame flight

Founders

HopCat

I must be getting older, time seems to keep getting away from me!    Not that I live that interesting of a life, but I keep meaning to post something here just so you don’t forget about me!   Life does stay busy it seems.   And we keep looking forward to what is next.   We have had our house off the market for a little while now,  and made more progress getting rid of ‘stuff’.  From small stuff to boats and lifts, and a camper.   Had the help of friends to get the lift moved on to a trailer, from McFarland of all places.   But was glad to get that sold and moved, it would not have been the easiest to deal with should a house sale happen.   So just the Bayliner left and I will deal with that in Spring.   That is easy to move around and we can always keep it and drop it in the water from where ever.   We just signed with a new realtor and the house will be listed starting this week.   We did some paint and carpeting that was recommended and dropped the price.   We had it high priced, and it was worth a try, the new realtor thinks we will have a lot more interest now, so we will see.

Fall is here, the weather is getting colder and there was ice on the lake the other morning.   The fireplace has been burning for some weeks already!   Last week Chris and I participated in my homebrew clubs event for charity.  It turned out very successfully thanks to the people on the committee who did a lot of work.   There will be a lot of dollars donated to local food pantries, thanks in a little part to some of our ‘junk’ that went on auction!   But the thought of winter is not pleasant for me.  I do like the thought of warm weather.   So we have some plans for Florida in December.   But I also do enjoy the Wisconsin deer hunt, and that will be coming up shortly.  I’ll get my good clothes out, and it will be good to spend the weekend with good friends.   We will have a good hunting party together again this year, thanks to the Enders clan.   I am hoping for venison,  Chris is not!    And right after that we head to Michigan for Thanksgiving weekend.  Always enjoyable to spend time with Mary Jane and John in Southwest Michigan.  We have a house rented this year that will be home base for our travels.   After that comes Florida, and in the meantime planning for a Germany/Switzerland trip next July.   Date is flexible yet but starting to think ahead for that which is exciting.  This time I will get to meet Chris and Marie’s relatives and we will add some sight seeing before we get there.

So we hope you are ready for Winter, where ever you are.   May life be good to you!

lift lifting

Hi All,    It has been awhile since I did an update!    Life seems busy as usual, but life is good.   We are currently in Albuquerque visiting Marie.  Weather is beautiful, no clouds in the sky.  Cool mornings quickly warm up to the upper 70’s.  We have seen lot’s of old friends and kept Marie busy cleaning house!   We went through a few things that she was ready to sort and she was good about making decisions.  So a number of trips to Goodwill and neighbor Joe took me to the dump, and there is a lot more space!      And we have been busy eating and drinking as usual!  Diet next week!    The beer scene in the Albuquerque area is exciting.   We have been to Turtle Mountain, Marble, Bosque, Cazuella’s  brew pubs and had a few tastes of other beers.   In honor of Octoberfest most have had good hefeweizens.   We even went to an Octoberfest celebration, New Mexico needs a little work on being German, but they did have a couple of German style bands and 4 breweries, and brats!   And I have gotten a little walking in, the country side is very nice.  Marie is out far enough in Rio Rancho to have lots of rural areas to walk.  The desert, but the Sandia mountains are close by.   Even saw some hot air balloons, but this weekend is ballon fiesta so there will be 100’s of balloons when we leave, and we leave Tuesday.

September saw a fun wedding for the Enders. Congratulations to Andrew and Alison, the outdoor wedding turned out amazing, and of course fun was had by all.   And Chris and I remain busy on our own house cleaning.   The 5th wheel camper is sold, a utility trailer, the pontoon boat should be gone this week.  And truck is up for sale and Turn Key Auto thinks it should sell quickly once we get a couple of things taken care of. So still working on the Bayliner and the boat lift, and may have a line on someone for the boat lift if I can tell him how he can move it easily.   Otherwise we are getting to the point that those may need to wait until Spring.  And if the house would sell before then we will have to write in a disclaimer to leave them on the property awhile.

So we hope you all have had a wonderful summer and that your fall is full of sunny refreshing days!

Wedding party

Octoberfest

Sandia Mountains across the Albuquerque valley

Another weekend flew by.  This was one of those weekends we plan on all year, Irishfest in Milwaukee.  For many years we have loved the music and just the friendliness of the fest.   Relaxing and fun.  Chris and I headed down Friday night and spent some hours, then most of the day Saturday and part of Sunday.  Always made more special by running into old friends and meeting new ones.   Special thanks to the Enders for sharing their house this weekend, that was home base for us.  We heard some new bands, and enjoyed revisiting some we have heard in the past.  And certainly had more calories than we burned off walking the grounds (both food and liquid).  It was a perfect weekend,  sunny, warm, and yet we could cool off by the lake.  Milwaukee Summerfest grounds are a beautiful venue along the lake Michigan shore.   Sunday was special as we start it at Irish fest mass.   The amphitheater is full and an inspiring way to start the day.   We heard lots of ballads, bagpipes, and drinking songs.   And even ran into a number of Oshkosh friends.

Marie left Oshkosh last Wednesday and made it home safely on some good flights.   So she can settle back into life in Albuquerque.   Chris and I next trip will likely be to visit her and friends in New Mexico.   Now time for me to keep cleaning and start to think about what needs to be prepared for winter if we are still in this house.  Yes that time already, the next couple of months will go quickly!  So this will be a low key week, at least that is the plan!

Mike, Al, Chris, Noel, Captain Al

Relaxing at the lakefront

Listening to music

Oshkosh friend Shawn on stage with his daughter for thier first Irish fest dance

A cloudy , rainy Sunday.   Temperature around 70, so not bad.   We cut the grass this morning, just as the rain started.  We had an open house planned for today so we wanted the yard to look clean.   The weather has been dry, so the grass hardly needed cutting, but it looks better evened out!   We could use the rain, and the crops could, but too bad it is on Sunday.   We have had a good weekend.   We made a trip to Milwaukee on Friday night.  We had promised to get together at Kegel’s in Milwaukee for boneless duck and German beer, and it did not disappoint.  As good as I remembered.   And we had great company with Noel, JoAnn, Tiff, Steve, Andrew and Allison.  And we took the Enders hospitality and stayed at their house and then JoAnn made a great breakfast: like I had not just stuffed my self on duck and spoetzel a few hours earlier.

And then to eat again with Dick and Carol for lunch.   We are making Marie’s farewell tour.   So we had a great afternoon with D & C.    Then back home again.  And a little work to prepare for the open house.  And tonight invited by good friends, again for Marie’s farewell tour, until she is back again in Wisconsin next year!

And still cleaning.   Remember 8-tracks?   This was probably in my 1962 Ford Galaxy 500, 1969 Ford Torino, and 1972 Buick Century.  And probably in my brother’s Gremlin!  I had it in the boathouse and used to hook it up to an old battery when I was doing things down there.    If you need anything let us know!

8 track player!

Kegel’s since the 1920’s, Old for us Charles

We are having a great summer.    It seems like it took a long time to get here and now time is flying by.  I realize when I get up for work in the morning that the sunrise is getting later already!  The weather here in Wisconsin has now been unseasonably cool.   But comfortable.   We just returned from our yearly Door County trip last weekend.   It started out in the 90 degree temperature range and ended in the 50’s and 60’s!  That time went quickly.  I worked parts of both weeks and did not get time to talk with many of our friends.   But time enough to say HI and get some golfing in.   Chris and Marie spent the full 2 weeks and Mary Jane was there  for over a week.  Always a good time.  We came home last Saturday and on Sunday went down to Milwaukee to see Mom and we went to Germanfest for the first time.   We are usually in Door County until the following weekend, for the past 30 years!   This year we took a week earlier so Chris could be home to concentrate on her end of the month duties.  We spent some time at Germanfest with Skip and Claire and had a very enjoyable afternoon.

This week was back to work and lot’s of challenges.  And unfortunately news this week of a plant closing in our division.   450 people in Jefferson City MO will lose their jobs.  But being back home was a chance to catch up with some yard duties and of course time to catch up with good friends.  Friday night we made it to our favorite stopping place Oblio’s and had a great time, along with beer and ice cream,  and then out for a fish fry.   And this morning we went to the Oshkosh Farmers Market and stocked up with some fresh vegetables.   The market is full this time of year.   We brought home our first sweet corn of the summer and had it on the grill and shared with Noel and JoAnn.  So one more day of the weekend to enjoy!   We are also deciding to take the next step in our house clean up.   So if you know anyone that needs a pontoon boat and trailer, 16′ Bayliner, 2003 Ford Superduty or 26′ 5th wheel, or a utility trailer,  just let us know!  Oh and a boat lift!

Hi All!

Pontoon

5th wheel

Bayliner

Fun in Wisconsin!   We are doing our best to try and enjoy spring in Wisconsin.  Sister Marie has arrived, and we try to keep her busy.   Memorial Day weekend we made our usual trek to Hayward to visit Dick and Carol.  Since we met Dick and Carol through Marie we take her along, but she has to stay with D&C!    They have a very nice trailer they keep up there year round, and roomier than ours.  And the last couple of years we get to stay in the spot next to thiers, which is convenient.   Our first night up it got to 23 degrees F.   But luckily warmed up and we had some very nice days.  Dick and I hit the water for a lot of hours and we caught some beautiful crappies.  Many 13-14 inches.   So it was fun.  And we sat outside and hit many favorite bars and restaurants.   Each year we need to go back and visit them again!

Work continues to be hectic.  Both Chris and my work are going through some software updates.  My work is very major involving all systems, from payroll, to inventory to job tickets.   The plant was on shut down from Thursday, and today did not get back up to speed! So the next month will remain interesting.

Mary Jane came into Oshkosh this last weekend.  We told her she might not get another chance to see the house.   So we made it a relaxing time.   Taking MJ to all of our favorite spots and to show her around the city of Oshkosh she went to college in.   Some things have changed and Oshkosh is progressing.   And this weekend was the start of the season for the Farmers Market on Main Street.  We kept busy throughout.  And had lot’s of fun.

Now back to the work week.   We have had lot’s of rain, and this weeks projections are for more rain and colder than average temperatures.   I had the girls pick up some vegatable plants today and planted them tonight.   I worked the garden yesterday and it was too wet,   but I am not going to get a better chance so put them in now before the rain starts back up.  Our season is too short to wait longer.   I still have to get the speed boat in, and it won’t be this week!  So we will do the best we can.  I broke down and hired a landscaper to bring in some stone for around the house and some mulch and plants for the flower beds.  My back won’t let me push it too many nights.  And the yard is looking pretty good.   So we will try to spend our time enjoying.  Middle of the month the girls head to an Alaskan cruise (I was not invited).  By the time they get back we should be having summer!  And we can spends some time on the boat.  Take care!

Hayward relaxing

View from the camper to Stone Lake

Saturday Morning farmers market

Oblio’s to rest our feet

Hi friends, been awhile again since I did an update.  Guess I was depressed by our lack of a spring.   Of course last night was freezing and area’s of the state had temperatures in teens, but it is getting better.  We had some good days of weather and a little set back now.  But warmer as this week goes along.    Chris and I remain busy, nothing overly exciting but always something.   Work remains as busy for me,  no chance of catching up.   But a major computer system going in at the end of the month, that we are all trying to prepare for.  And a number of capitol expenditures underway that I am involved with, so at some point things should get better!   The house up for sale but very quiet so far, but everything pretty well cleaned up so that is no stress at this point.   Just trying to get the yard cleaned up as we get good days.   The dock and pontoon boat are in the water.  The runabout still to come.   Now I need some dry days to get the boat out of the boathouse,  I need to drive across the lawn and prefer the yard dry!

Chris and I did get to Madison for a Saturday night a couple of weeks back.  We had a wonderful time.  A number of friends tell us of the great restaurants to go to in that town, so I finally got to experience a few (and the great beer selection).   We stayed right near the State Capitol building and just walked the neighborhoods.   And the first time I was in the Capitol building.  It is quite impressive.   We will do this trip again!

And like I say we put the pontoon in the water, but no use yet.   And this was a cold and extremely windy weekend.  The boat took a beating from the Northwest winds.   I had to add some extra ropes to the boat,  I have not put new ropes on to tie it off in the water, and last years ropes were wearing through.    Sunday we spent some time with Mom for Mother’s day.  She is doing well.   Skip and Claire are vacationing in Florida, so niece Denise joined us with Mom.    This coming Saturday sister in law Marie flies into town.   And Memorial Day weekend we plan to travel to Hayward.  We are getting the trailer ready.  but last week when Dick wrote a note he said they still had 12-18 inches of ice on the lake, and had just had 18 inches of snow.   We may need to take shovels and tip ups for ice fishing this year.     So hope you all are well!  Happy Mothers day to the Mothers!

Denise, Mom, Chris

Pontoon and WIND

Capitol

Happy Tax day to all you procrastinators.     Hopefully everyone has something filed by now.    April 15 already, and still hoping for spring.  But finally we are seeing a few signs of better weather.   Saturday morning and Sunday morning Oshkosh woke up to more snow on the ground.  We have had lots of rain, sleet and snow lately.   And most of this week more rain is forecasted.  But luckily we had a little break yesterday.  Last night some thunderstorms blew through, but today got warmer and some peaks of the sun.  And amazingly a lot of ice has melted or floated away.   And that is a good sign.  I did some ice chopping around the boat lift on Sunday so the lift was free of the main ice.  So I was walking on it and it was solid and thick.  But when I got home tonight a lot of bay was water.   Ducks seagulls and pelicans were everywhere.    So I am hoping for a nice day tomorrow and more melting, without any wind.  I would hate to see ice floes blowing around in the bay.  But we will see what happens.  The rain later this week will melt the rest of the ice.   The lake is at a higher level than it has been in years, and the ground is saturated already.  So I don’t know where the rain will go!  But it will be messy.

Chris is enjoying warmer weather in Albuquerque with Marie.  They DO have spring!  I wish I was there, but timing did not work out for me.  I will hope Chris brings back the warmer weather!  I hope you all get to see Spring soon!   And we say a prayer for those in Boston and hope that we get answers and justice quickly.

Saturday Snow

sunset

birds enjoying the new water

ice is still here

We hope you all had a good Easter, end of the lenten season and celebration of the risen Lord.  Time has continued to fly by for us and we hope it starts to slow a little.  Time to enjoy the time as it flies by!  We have been back to Florida, and thoroughly enjoyed it.   It has been so good to enjoy the wonderful warm Florida weather, helps my outlook on life!   We had a chance to see our snow bird neighbors before they left Florida.  We had a wonderful week.  And we finished up our kitchen remodeling, that was this winters project.  And we are very happy with how it turned out.   Chris says she can reach all parts of the kitchen from one spot, but new cabinets and counter tops have given us much more storage space and useful area.  So I think next winter we try to relax and enjoy (and save some money).

I just heard that our Wisconsin March weather was the coldest in 53 years, and average temperature was 20 degrees last March.  So we are not in Spring here yet.  Although the warmer weather of last week did melt a fair amount of snow, and surprisingly daffodils are starting to pop up where we had ice a few days ago.  It was 21 degrees this morning, but is supposed to warm up a little later in the week.    So we still hope Spring will come, but Enders and Jeske’s stay in Florida and enjoy it!   They are still driving on the lake but probably the shoelines will start to break down, but plenty of ice out there yet.

We have spent a number of months cleaning house, trying to down size and decide why we have all this ‘stuff’.  We have done a lot, and finally got the house looking ‘a little’ empty.   The For Sale sign is up, so we will see what happens next.  Time to move to the next phase of life, which includes less maintenance and upkeep.   Who knows how long it will take but we have made it to this step.  And we look forward to whatever comes next.   Most of my friends have been afraid to stop over, worrying that I would make them take something home!   But we are done downsizing, for the moment!

Chris will get to Albuquerque for a week soon.  A chance to spend a little time with Marie.  I had hoped to get there this spring but the timing is not working out.  And Marie will be here mid-May, so I will see her soon.     So take care, enjoy life!

New kitchen