A GREAT DAY IN THE BUSH

It was a great day in the bush - unfortunately for us (fortunately for the deer) we didn't get anything. We did see fresh deer poop but no deer. On our first push I lost sight of Joy and kind of went on my own for a ways. I did not panic because it was first thing in the morning and I had a loaded gun. I stood where I was for about 20 minutes and listened. I couldn't hear anything so I finally used my radio and asked someone to whistle so I could find them. Turns out I wasn't that far away from anyone. So I just pretended I meant to be that long. I knew that someone would find me eventually if I was REALLY lost.

We finally finished at about 1pm and then had a few bevereges at Joy and Arnold's. I had a soaker so I was starting to get a bit cold. I got the soaker stepping into a stream that didn't appear to be that deep but was. It could have been worse - I could have fallen into it.

Tomorrow is the final day. I have a couple of venison loins that I will cook into something called Beer and Deer - a recipe that I taped from Canada In The Rough - and it is exactly what it says - beer and deer with dumplings on top. It will be our final meal together. Then the guys go home

and we get back to "normal" which means "work".

See Ya By

ps - the crew from left to right: Barry, Joy, Roger, Ed, Rejean and Arnold - I was taking the picture but I was also in my blaze orange outfit - it is a fashion color up here.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Today Rejean and I met the McDougal Fuel truck to lead them to Joanne and Mitch's place for the installation of their new propane tank. It is in but it took all day long. They got it installed with no problem - level right away - but there was a leak that took them a while to find - it turned out to be in the brand new regulator - thank goodness they had an extra one and it was put in place and everything was working correctly.

I passed the time by tending the fire, collecting the lotions left in the sauna, reading a couple of Reader's Digests I found in the outhouse, raking some leaves etc. It was a beautiful day and we found out later that no deer were taken by our group. Some hunters along the hiking trail took a large fawn (probably the one that has been hanging around our place with it's mother) and a wolf apparently approached them and came within 15 feet of them. No wonder there are no deer around - the wolves are scaring them away.

Tomorrow there are about 8 of us doing a big push on Axe Lake - I'll be pushing because I don't want to find out I can't pull the trigger when I am staring a big buck or doe right in the eye. I'll let someone else do the deed. Time is a'runnin out. I'll take my camera and try and get some action photos. Wish me luck.

See Ya By

DELIVERY DAY

I worked at the hall today - for the better part of the day I picked the meat off of a ton of chicken pieces and 2 turkeys for the meat pies. Then I chopped up celery, onions and carrots for the pies as well. I put all the bones and pieces of skin and unusable meat pieces in a pot and added water and simmered it for the gravy. And, if I do say so myself, it was delicious. There were 4 of us - Phyllis, Cheryle, Vickie (pictured above in the trunk of Phyllis' car with all the pies they delivered today) and myself. We are professionals. And that is just a small part of the pies and perogies we have made and delivered.

I have managed to interest the ladies in doing a 1/2 marathon with me next year in Massey. We will call ourselves "The Flour Girls" How appropriate. I will keep you posted on our training.

The guys didn't get any deer today. Time is running out. The plan now is that on Friday we will gather everyone together and do a big push. Keep your fingers crossed.

Roger donated 2 meat pies for dinner tonite. We had a hamburger and a pork pie (from the Hall) and they were delicious. They are now sitting around the kitchen table and discussing all sorts of stuff and I am blogging. Gee, I am glad I am home....

See Ya By

ps - sorry for the duplicate picture - haven't a clue how I did that

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY!!!!!!

Today is Stacey's birthday and I know the card I mailed on Monday isn't going to make it there in time so....

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday dear Stacey

Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuu

Don't adjust your computer - that is my real voice.

Luv Ya

Janet

FRIENDS IN PARADISE

We got back just in time - hurricane Ida was right on our doorstep - we had fabulous weather but the forecast for this week was rain and wind and from the looks of the weather report today, they are in for some cloudy, rainy weather. We only had 3 hours of cloudy conditions. We did what we do best - eat, drink, walk and lay out in the sun - one day for 7 hours. It was heavenly. I know it is not good for our skin but I figure what is going to kill me is already in my system so I might as well enjoy it We do use sun protection tho. We do a lot of walking - in the morning we walk at least 5 miles return for breakfast and then again for dinner. We walk, at the very least, 10 miles a day. But it is not hard to take the scenery. It is the journey, not the destination.

The food was delicious!!! We hit some new spots - the Blue Parrot - I know why they call it the "Blue" Parrot - because of all those blue haired people hanging out there - there were Jimmy Buffet and a Frank Sinatra impersonators as entertainment - not such a good combination in y opinion. All the little old ladies were swooning. I shouldn't talk - my hair is grey but I certainly wasn't swooning. I did, however, swoon over the blackened grouper sandwich - the BEST I have ever tasted. We also went back to a couple of old favourites like the Cuban Restaurant - 2 for 1 Mojitos and a Cuban sandwich - Yum Yum - I guess the secret is in the "press". It blends all the juices together.

I didn't go out with the guys this morning - I have to unpack, do laundry, clean up the place a bit. It is not bad considering there were 3 guys left alone all last week. I made dinner for them last night and I was a queen. They just flattered me so I would cook dinner for them every night. I have a spiral glazed ham I picked up at Pino's in the Sault in mind for dinner.

Rejean left me my gun with some slugs just in case I see some deer down in the clearing out back - he has noticed some activity down there so all I have to do is quietly open the window and take my shot - BUT I still don't know if I can do it - it is going to come down to the last second if I can do it. Hopefully I won't have to make that choice today.

I feel good today - it is nice to be with friends - see people you haven't seen in a little while. I still have a smile on my face and I know that it will last a long time. Thank you.

We booked our rooms for next year at the Bon Aire. My sisters Susan and Joanne will be coming with us. I am already planning for the next time...

See Ya By

FOR SATCH

I don't have a picture of her but Satch was my little grandfurbaby. She was a little black long haired cat belonging to Stacey and Andrew - and I do mean belonging to them. She would not tolerate anyone else even looking at her. We have been hissed at, swatted at, bit at, growled at etc. But it was all a big show. Deep in her little heart she was a sweet heart. Every once in a while she would come and lie down in your lap and she stayed there until either Stacey or Andrew came to get her off or you would take the chance of getting one of her little dirty looks if you wanted to move. When we would eat popcorn she would come over and evil eye you into giving her one and then she would gently take the piece of popcorn out of your hands and then growl at you with the piece of popcorn in her mouth. And she would come back for more.
She was so dainty the way she walked - Stacey would call her the little run way model cat. She would place each foot in front of the other and walk away. I once left my bedroom door open and she got in and I had to call Andrew to come and get her out because I couldn't make her move.
We never figured out why she was like that but after a while it was just her way. You learned to avoid walking close to her and to be careful not to pat her even tho I wanted to.
She was old - I think about 18 or 19 and time finally caught up to her. In the end it was the right thing to do. She had a great life with Stacey and Andrew and the rest of our family. She will be missed.

IN MY MIND I WAS A KENYAN

3:02:20 - ok, not quite 2:45 but I did have to go to the bathroom and that took about 5 minutes off my time and I hugged and posed for pictures for Joanne coming out of the tunnel so you add up those lost minutes and I was under 3 hours - but that is my time - I am consistently consistent with my 1/2 marathon times.

I will post some picture later when I get back from town with Joanne - we are shopping for paint for our - oops, I mean her place. We took 12 hours to get home yesterday - shopped our way back and spent $320 and the custom person just said "have a good day"!!! There is a God.

See Ya By