Fish Fish Fishin and Eat Eat Eatin

I cast a line for fish more this year than in quite some time and actually caught some keepers this summer.
This past Saturday after bro-in-law Joe C. set me up with a line, sinker, reel and rod I was good to go out to Jerry and Rene's annual end of summer fish camp north of Delton on some private land.
Jerry and Rene are partners in our golf league together and have extended this invitation for several years and I never made it. This year it did not interfere with the Wheatland fest so I went. It was way out in the boonies as they say and I found it without too problem getting there around 3. It is a guys who love to fish fantasy camp. With all sorts of food, fishing and fun. Many of these guys have known each other for a long time or are related. A few of the guys I have known for several years from golf league like Big E. and Tommy Cox and I know you have to be thick skinned and be able take a joke or two when hanging with them.
After chewing on some steak that Big E. cooked up for lunch, we hung around the campfire having some beers, listening to football, joking around til about 5:30 when we headed out for some big bass. I went out with Jerry and Rene and we didn't catch any big ones but we had fun trying and it was again a beautiful evening. I did manage to catch the biggest one in our boat but nothing near the 4-5 pounders others would bring in. When we got back it was bout dark and the fun escalated as Rene got the fryer heated up and Jerry got the batter going. In no time there was fried onion rings, mushrooms and tons of fish ready to chow. By the time I was ready to follow Brother Bob Cox out of camp and back home it was almost 11. I had another sweet summer experience that I am glad I finally got to share with these boys from Mattawan.

that was the Wheatland that was.......

I had said I wasn't going to go to the Wheatland Music Festival this year. Last year was a so-so experience and I was ready for a break after 8 years or so. That was until friend Susan asked if I would like to join her and Dana again on the Kids Stage to accompany her in her show. I had enjoyed some of the groups performing this year on previous occasions so I said yes, why not. After all the travel plans were worked out I was riding up early on Thursday with Michael, Susan, and their son Nathan as we pulled the Palamazoo trailer behind us. Performers can get in early which makes for getting prime camping spots. Mary would come up later on Friday bringing most of our stuff. I would take the tent for my first night solo sleeping. Thursday night before the festival is special and unique. You have this "place to ourselves" feeling like when you are in a huge house you don't often get to stay at. I took some before shots without any of the cars, tents and campers set up and later would take some after or during shots showing the difference. There is a special pot luck for Kids Hill performers like us Thursday night and there is jamming and some chow to consume. Last year it rained and was confined, this year it was great weather and the music was outside, and the kids got to explore the stuff on kids hill. Sister Suzanne, Lily and Little Kim got to come and participate. It was Suze's first time to get in on a Thursday, thanks to cousin Sharon's generosity of the parking pass. She got prime location in DeDannon and got to hang out in the Performers Area. WHoa!! Well, Thursday ended in the usual mellow prefest fun mode, I think I was hugging a shower bladder at the end of the night. Missed my woman((. Ask Mick and he will tell you all about it I am sure. Trick and Peggy joined us Friday as the spaces began filling up after the land rush of campers came pouring in through the gates. Mary was soon to follow. Coming down Pierce Road to the front gates is a special thing with the familiar sights and smells of festival and the farmlands all around. You get a twinge of excitement ever year as you head to the area you want to set up at. From here I will just say that the rest of the weekend was full of sweet weather, great music, jamming, dancing, many laughs, some special moments with family and friends, and our two shows with Susan and the Palamazoo crew went off successfully. Some of the performers that stuck out were Ruthie Foster, Deliah DeWylde and the Lost Boys, The Wilders, DeTamps Antan, The Radiators and many more that filled in the musical cornucopia that is Wheatland. Yes, this turned out to be one of the top 3 that I have attended in the last 8-9 years. I am glad I decided to go and thank Susan, Mary and friends for encouraging me to do so. See ya next year???

No Labor on Little Long

casting for something into the depths from afloat
the sun sinks slowly
into a sky that oozes a mesh of reds yellows blues and oranges
relections on glass for water three boats merge as one
to greet the moonrise on the other side
dual moons take us back to shore where darkness
waits for fire

Sister Was Home

Have to do some catching up here on summer activities as the season begins to wane. Daughter/Sister/Friend Ashley Kay was home for a quick visit and be an attendant in her longtime friend Corey's wedding the last weekend of August. Ashley had not been home since last Christmas so the reunion with her was important to family and friends. She was busy with pre-wedding activities but we did manage to eke out some quality time with her and her traveling companion, Jessica. Mary and I did attend the wedding and reception, which was a very nice affair in downtown Kalamazoo at the new Cityscape Event Center. Being the proud parents. of course we thought Ashley was the best looking bridesmaid, ( see photos) no slight to any of the others.
We left the reception a bit early to take part in the MOtortones last summer gig out at Bayview.
I got to jam on with them in the last set as the coolness and darkness overtook Gull Lake.
Ashley just missed the last song as her and Jess came out to BAyview after the wedding but we did get to hang out with them for a bit before we called it a long.
The two of them headed out the next morning for Ann Arbor and then Boston. As always when she leaves it was a bit emotional saying goodbye. It is a tough parental thing to let them go when you love them so and enjoy their company. Still thankful are we for the time spent together with sister Callie, Mom and I.

Hokey Open 2009

A herd of 80 or so goofers made it out to Mullenhurst Golf Course just north of the Kalamazoo county line on the morning of August 22nd. The Hokey Open went off that day without a hitch. Friday activities to draw the teams began around 6PM as those coming in from around the globe began to show up for this annual event. Not sure, but it is probably somewhere around the 16-18th year of this happening. Neale "Hop Sing" Mansberger was at the grill doin up some bratwurst and the picking of teams was under way. This year Dave " the Metalist" Lamons and Jimmy "Chitown"Claflin were a big help in getting the word out and bringing in the list of players to founding fathers, Marty "Bad Axe" Lacasse and Steve "Solo" Symons". As always Marv "Cookie" Cook and Barry "the Bear" Haas' help in picking teams and figuring out winners after was appreciated. After much of the usual high fiving, moaning and groaning about the pairings, eating and beer swilling the teams were up on the board. Complimentary CD's were also passed out to those in attendance for the Friday night draw. Some partying went on Friday evening and there are those who are still learning the hard way to go to bed and rest up or the early call to arms.
Saturday morning was quickly here and all that was left was the mad dash to find your partners, fill up your bloody mary cup, the big squeal of the Saturday morning horn and we were teeing off. The weather was a tad cool but no measurable rain came down and some sun did shine so we were pleased.
You know I couldn't tell you for sure who won but I know after the great lunch put on by Spanky's gang, and the perennial putting contest the guys went away content. The winners got their winnings and there were no losers. I do believe 57 was the winning score, some 14 under par. Some of these guys can play and others they love it just the same. Their once a year chance to hit the links. This has become an annual event in memorial of those other founding fathers of the Hokey Band and the Hokey Open; "Capt." Rob Hren and "Mickey" Billy CLaflin and "Uncle" Harry Maas. Bill and Rob's picture graced the CD this year and I am sure some thoughts and intoxicants were flowing their way at the site of their plaques on the 4th hole at Mullenhurst.
It is always talked about whether there be another next year and I do not believe "the players" will let it go away, at least not for quite a while.
It would not be right if I did not mention a couple other regular Hokey Happenings related to the Open. One is the return this year of 9 "Juan Juan" to the event. Shall I say I was lucky enough to be chosen to play and ride with him. He did not disappoint as he gave his usual colorful "feel" to the day. The other is my friend, "Jayman" Barr, who lives nearby me but we somehow only really hang out on this day. I pick him up at 6:55AM and drop him off after the after party is over late into the evening. It 's always blast as we do it up Hokey style. Til next year Jayman. Oh yeah, Dave Lamons guess who you're playing with next year;) see photo of flower watering.

North Again on US 31

Mary had worked painting walls and other things for KPS this summer and deserved a respite away from the toil and everyday worries of work and whatnot, ya'll know the whatnot, right? Well, being that I just returned from a pleasant northern getaway I knew she needed to go and I needed to wine and dine her, being the one of a year's retirement and all. So, I plotted out in my mind a bit of a retracing of a trip we took around 30 years ago that we took around Lake MIchigan in her Gremlin with my dog Frodo. Out first night was spent with all 3 of us sleeping in the Gremlin in an unpleasant wind and rainstorm in the parking lot of the Pentwater State Park. We returned there under much better circumstances, 75 degrees, blue sky, windy but improved sleeping accomodations 3 minutes up the road with a cottage kitchenette at the Pines Motel. We found Pentwater to be a quaint little place with good restaurants/bars, shops for Mary to drag me around to, and entertainment of the musical and people variety. We beached it with a bunch of folks, I got in some good body surfing (when I could hang on to my loose suit) and swimming, and just hanging out. We'd go back to our little abode and shower and head back to the town for dinner and whatever. After dinner at the Gull Landing Resaurant, we came upon a jam which we found to be called Tuesday night Pickers in the Park, where folks of all ages came to jam and sing. The crowd just sat and laid around and listened as the sun went down over the harbor. We caught the last bit of the sunset drinking White Russians and Bailey's on the outdoor second floor of the Brown Bear pub. We retreated to our little cabin where this being a Tuesday night there were several vacancies and a quiet northern lakeshore night. Wednesday, we had breakfast back at the Gull Landing, got to the beach early before any campers had started yet stumbling down to the beach. Waves were much calmer this day and we did the pier walk and had lunch at the beachstand. After we had enough sun we headed back to the cabin and saw that we had new neighbors, from Ohio, bless their heart and their Buckeye flag;(. We got ready for dinner and this night ate at the "famous" Antler Inn after a pre-dinner cocktail at the Village Cafe and Pub. Our waitress here was Stephanie, an aspiring musician from Kentucky, although not your typical southern gal, very sweet and we of course talked about writing original songs and music. After walking around and having a synchronistic moment running into Connie and Narda from Kalamazoo and their cottage posse up from Grand Haven at a jewelry store we sought out the jazz band that was advertised to be playing back the Gull Landing. We weaseled our way into some seats as the dinner crowd had the outdoor deck packed. We had another sweet young waitress here who attended WMU and of course we had much to talk about, that Bell's Oberon sure can start conversations. We listened to the band who were some white guys playing some mellow dinner jazz. We headed out and this night we were going to get some ice cream like everyone else seemed to be doing. There were as many ice cream places as bars which isn't all bad. This place was very dog friendly as well as visitor friendly, which was common on our little trip. They had plenty of well marked, accessible restrooms as well as poop scoopin bags handy in the parks, now how good is that? The night was upon us and we did have a long day so we had hoped we had given our Ohio State friends time to "party" while we were away. So after our ice cream walking and more window shopping we headed back. There they were husband, wife and their 2 kids, mom and pop drinking beer with the manager of the motel asking us if we we wanted to "party" or were going to crash (wink-wink). Well we closed our windows, turned on the air and the tv and faded away. We could only hear the door keep slamming of their room. the AC did a good job. That is til 2:30 in the morning when we woke to some guy yelling and swearing at someone, we think the neighbor, and saying he hated him. Then coming back and apologizing, getting in his truck and taking off. The Great, White, Weird NOrth invaded by Buckeyes. When we got up and packed up the next morning they were tucked in their room with only the beer cans laying around out front to show for their evening's fun. We were leaving Pentwater behind to those who had come for their "homecoming" celebration which was starting on Thursday. The No Vacancy sign was now up. We had our enjoyment and were on way to Manistee/Arcadia area before we jagged over off 31 to family in Mancelona/East Jordan.
>We continued following our path from 30 years previous on US31 going into Manistee for a quick walk through the downtown and their Riverwalk which is quite impressive that goes all the down to the lake. We got back on the road, actually taking a little detour to M-22 so I could surprise Mary with lunch and a great view at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course. The guys and I had golfed there and had a couple of great sunset dinners there in years past.
I knew it would be a great day for it as it was crystal clear. The food had always been superb there and it did not disappoint. Really a dramatic point there the northwest shore of Lake Michigan. After lunch we headed up through Frankfort and drove past the Lake Michigan site where I proposed to her back in 1982 near Hesh Fisk's dome cabin.

From there on past The Cherry Bowl Drive -In, Interlochen and around Traverse City back on 131 to our destination, Mancelona, and Sister Suzanne's and Lilly's place. As usual we were welcomed warmly and River the dog was literally bouncing on and off of us with wild exuberance. The next morning Sue had a Farmer's Market in Bellaire so she spent the evening preparing and packing her truck. She was taking a fresh load of veggies from her friends co-op garden plus her usual jewelry and Mrs. Morrison's pepper jelly. She would do well and sold out of all the beans and much of everything else. Mary and I had Lilly and took her over to Grandma and Grandpa Linc's as my mom was waiting patiently for our visit. We were to meet Sue after market at the Bellaire Bar but not before a visit to Brownwood Acres near Torch Lake. Lily had to see the animals there and we had to buy some of their famous wares. Grandpa Linc bought lunch at the Bellaire Bar for us and we were headed back to rest up as Saturday was another market morning in Boyne City. Before we did that Mom and Sue made us dinner at the East Jordan abode Friday night and we had some good laughs as usual. Back at Sue's she again prepared for market the next day. Friday night it rained hard up north and brought on a moist, warm Saturday. Sue was gone again by 7 and we slept in til 9. We made it to market by 11 or so and Sue had again done quite well with sales. Mom was her pepper jelly sales help. Mary and I bought some squash and apricots and Sue gave us some leftover lettuce and squash. Of course we were hungry after all the work of packing up the truck and had to eat so we hit a little deli in Boyne City that hit the spot. It was there that another moment of synchronicity hit as Lily met a daschund named Lilly from Detroit that she was petting and holding. So the heat was upon us and we had promised Lily a dip in a lake, well hey there is a little public beach in Boyne City on Lake Charlevoix we discovered just around the corner from the deli and the SOBO gallery we checked out that Sue had some of her jewelry at where two gentlemen were picking on guitar, fiddle and mandolin. In a matter of minutes were on the beach again where Lilly, Grandma, Aunt TeeTee Mary and Suze were swimming. Grandpa Linc hung out in the car keeping up on the latest breaking Sports news. Soon it was time for Mary and I to end our little vacation and head back south for home and the what is and whatnot.We all said our goodbye's and gave thanks for all that we are lucky to have, especially one another. Much of this trip brought back memories of past trips to the north of Michigan, the call of the wild and it's great lakes. Some nostalgia trippin of many times with our own girls when they were young up in these parts. Some memories recall just Mary and I many years ago in a little car with little money and a dog named Frodo. Some that we shared with Mom, Suze, Uncle Jerry and Janni, golfing, shopping, driving these same curvy, twisty roads as Lilly would say, looking for fresh produce to cook up. Much has changed-family members passed, grown up, moved on or just not part of this trip but the countryside, the woods, the lakes and rivers have not changed so much. They remain the constant of Michigan lore. They are the lure that brings us back searching for the wood smoke of a summer evening, the musky farm smells, the quality of the crisp night air, the dramatic visualsof the dunes, the shooting stars of August in an incredible night sky of wonderment. This nature will remain for more memories to be made by those who follow and more connections to be thankful for if we appreciate it for what it gives us, if we take care of it as we should. I enjoyed the this time with you Mary, in Michigan again.

Traps, trips are better and the Fab5 reunion

We bring in August and it is nearing a year since I began this blogging experiment. I appreciate those of you willing to read and especially those who make comments. It keeps me doing it.

It could be the 10th annual(or so) Guys Golf Getaway that I will tell you about first. A bunch of name droppin in this edition.This year the fabtastic 4 (MikeyD, Jazzman,Peetah, and myself headed north again for golf and a stay at the Catbird Nest, the home away from home for friends, Keith and Cath. Located somewhere near Grayling where a renowned Michigan river runs through. We headed up on Thursday and stopped near St. Johns to golf at The Emerald, the "The Gem of Mid-Michigan". I will say they had the best greens I have played on in quite some time-public or private course. Things started off well-no greenies were won the first day and a quick round of animal golf left Jazz and Mike paying out. It was a very busy evening at The Emerald, as they had several leagues but play moved along as well as could be expected. Folks were friendly all around. A lovely start and we're off to Grayling with a scheduled, brief stop at Mt. Pleasant and the famed Soaring Eagle Casino. No big winners this day but we did experience the fine dining of the Water Lily where Peter would find they lack in knowledge of his preferred drink B n B, what it is and how to serve it. This is a repeated theme in our bar experience with Peter. We were off to our final destination by 8. We were in no great hurry as our host was not arriving til after 9:30 to greet us. A store stop for some provisions and a last call for final directions and we were there around 10. Keith had arrived and was opening up the place for the Fabtastic 4, now the Fab5. Even though we were all tired the first night adrenaline kicked in and we played cards and drank for a of couple hours, til we couldn't do either no more. A full moon out over the deck and a cool night over the deck fed the euphoria. We did have to get up, do breakfast in town and make it to the golf course for round 2. I lost at cards.
Round 2 was to be at the Black Forest near Gaylord, about 30-40 minutes north east. The most difficult and expensive course we would play. The day was beautiful, the pro-shop vibe wanting but we headed out up into the mountain of the Black Forest. The course was tree lined, you could hardly see the hole next to you, and we basically had the course to ourselves. We started off playing like we were hungover and tired. Imagine that. Mikey D. took the 8 carry over greenie away from Peter's grasp for a major win. We each had to pay him $8. We left there and headed to Benethem's just outside Gaylord to meet Keith for dinner. Excellent dinner with many selections and decent wine. We made it back with daylight to spare and a night of more cards. Keith had put together a music mix of some of our old faves from college and high school days. I lost at cards again.
Day 3 began with early morning rain, something we had not experienced much in our years of doing this. The Catbird nest at the river took on a different quality in the rain and it was quiet and misty. A good day for fishing as Keith would report later. We had an earlier tee off time over at Grandview, near Kalkaska. When we called they said they would possibly have all the groups tee off at the same time when the rain let up.
It was a half our drive over so we said let's go, get some bfast on the way and do the adventure, after it is why we do this. We found the sign for the course and took the long drive down the country road to get there. It was still raining pretty good and there was a low fog. Our experience with the staff at this unassuming course was great. It was pretty much a matriarchal run establishment and they not only made us bloody mary's but cooked us a made to order breakfast, while we waited with the other dudes hangin around for a couple of outings.
By 11:30 the rain was letting up as the radar had showed and they sent us all out. It rained lightly off and on for several holes but we got it in and we had a great Grandview round. Today was my day to win the greenies a 4x carry over, yeah! There were many interesting aspects to this day that I don't have the time to write about but one little tidbit is I found $10 on a tee and was a Good Samaritan and turned it over to the guys in front of us when they asked if we had found $10. Pay it forward is what we said.
We headed back to the CB nest where Dr. K was cooking us up a steak dinner of fabtastic proportions. He does it without any it little help from us, his choosing. After the great meal, there was much daylight so Mikey D. and Keith went for some evening fly fishing, while Peter, Jazz and I had cigars and after dinner libations down by the river. Upon darkness we headed up to the house for the poker jam. I lost again for the third straight night. The others all had won at least 1 night if not 2 or 3. Keith wanted me to mention Peter's ability to win at cards while not in the room but outside on the deck smoking. Strange but true.
We all were quite spent after 3 days and nights of this leisurely lifestyle-it was exhausting;) We awoke to Sunday becoming quite warm and we cleaned up, packed up and headed for home. Many thanks to the fifth in the party for his hospitality, hard hitting wit and friendship. Memories were made there at the place on the river and on the road again.