After the competition we “chilled” at Mindy and Ian’s place.  We got subways along with Heather, and Micah even dropped in for awhile.  He was working, but was able to run down on his break.  Watched some film from Keegan’s last wrestling meet.  He looked real good, and took a third place.  Stayed till about 5:30 and headed home.

Since we only had a day and evening there, we didn’t have a whole lot of time to explore.  We enjoyed the Native American shops, huge cafeteria, sauna, and indoor pool.  My wife and daughter were even able to use the fitness room Sunday morning.  That was all good and well, but the major attraction for us was the Native American Cultural craft shop and museum.  We spent several hours going through the exhibit, which was first class all the way.  The various displays were museum quality, with many artifacts hundreds or even thousand of years old.  There were even small movie theaters explaining the Chippewa way of life.  I highly recommend spending a few bucks at the cultural center, and let someone else get “mugged” by the casino’s one armed bandits.  Every 15 minutes a tour bus will transport you ,or your group, to the center as part of your hotel package.  It was a great way to relax and learn a little history about the first Americans.

Mike

I had read about a guy that had crop damage permits for sale, and I bought the last one he had left.  This is a private elk herd, but the DNR still regulates the animals that are harvested.  It seems this particular farm was being over-run with elk and the corn fields were being trampled down, so ten permits were issued.  I did see several bulls on my hunt, but they were all small.  The one I shot was actually the biggest one in the group.  The bigger ones stayed in the swamp, or were shot by previous permit holders.

I made a quartering away shot as the elk was headed back to thick timber, at around 120 yards.  I was using my Dad’s old Remington Woodsmaster Model 742 with a Bushnell scope.  I made a perfect heart lung shot, and he only went about 50 yards and piled up.  The gut pile for this animal was well over 100 pounds, and I made quite a mess.  I was glad when that part was over.

My wife and I are going to feast on elk, potatoes, and corn this evening as I celebrate the rewards of the hunt.

Mike

Deer season is 2/3rds. over, and so far I have seen only one deer.  I passed on a 5-pointer, and am now kicking myself in the butt for doing that.  I may end up with an empty freezer.  so far Darryl, Derek, Grant, and Brandon are the only ones that have put meat in their freezers.  Uncle Mike may have to borrow some, just so he can remember what it taste like.

We cut our tree over the weekend, and have it up and decorated.  It’s the nicest tree we’ve cut in several years, and it was only $40 bucks.  I never had to trim any limbs off, as the shape is just about perfect.  It sure makes the season seem festive and homey.  I still have some work on the outdoor lights which I hope to finish today.

Tomorrow is the “big dig” day at brother Deans place.  We are supposed to be digging a trench for about 700 foot of city water line, going into his house.  He needs it hooked up so the health department will approve their application to be foster parents.

Hope the H1N1 virus is staying away from all your houses.  Maybe we’ve been keeping it busy enough that it doesn’t have time for you guys.  It is a butt kicker to say the least.  Hope you all have a Blessed Christmas, and remember “Jesus is the reason for the season!”

Blessings

Mike & Lorna

Uncle Pat lives just down the street, and he has 8 acres we can ride on.  Just enough woods, water, and field to make it a really cool evening.  The Polaris 4-wheeler got a work out, as at one time there were 6 people in the trailer and three more on the 4-wheeler.

We haven’t done home made donuts yet this year, but it’s coming up.  We usually do em in the garage and make about seven or eight dozen.  We do powdered sugar, cinnamon and sugar, and frosted.  We let the kids decorate the frosted ones which always goes over big.

Hope everyone is having a good and safe Fall so far.  Brandon and Darryl Ansel are the only two family members to take a deer so far, but Justin did get a nice black bear.

Blessings

Mike

Lake superior has got to be one of the cleanest, deepest, bluest, most grandiose lakes on earth.  I sure hope we (man) don’t screw this one up.  We visited places along the Pictured Rocks National Seashore that had emerald green/blue water.  It reminded me of the Tropics.  We saw deer, eagles, turkeys, mink. ducks, geese, moose, squirrels, porcupines, and caught all kind of fish.  We swam, hiked, saw the various water falls, ate, did bon-fires, shopped, took day trips, boat rides, and played board games.

The 9 days went by awful fast, but vacations have a way of doing that.  It’s a long drive to the U.P. but once your there it is oh so beautiful and relaxing.  Even the air has a clean and invigorating smell.  Can’t wait to get back up there for bear season.

Mike

I’m just now finding out about my mothers side of the family, and it’s quite impressive.  First of all my Uncle Mel Douglas,from Sault Ste. Marie Canada, was part of the D-Day invasion force from Canada.  He was a tank commander, and was one of the few that made it out alive during this assault.  He was part of the Canadian liberating force, that drove the Germans out of Europe.  His son Tom (my cousin) is a writer, editor, and author of several military novels, including one about his dads experiences during the war.  There are also at least three great uncles that distinguished themselves as pilots, with Senior Captain “Duke” Schiller being the most famous.  He was in charge of the Royal Air Force Ferry Command.  He died March 14th. 1943 when his Canso aircraft crashed of the coast of Bermuda killing uncle Duke and most of his crew.  In his all to short life he was a renowned bush pilot, flight instructor, and mercy flight pilot and hero.  Duke was credited for saving many lives with his daring rescues from gold prospectors to fellow pilots.  Uncle Duke also won many awards for “air racing.”  There are many more exploits and larger than life adventures about Uncle Duke, and you can find out more about him by doing a search on “Google.”  The New York Times reported his death as “Canada’s best and most colorful pilot,” when the news of his crash hit the papers.  Uncle Dukes full name is Clarence Alvin “Duke” Schiller.  He was married to my grandfathers sister Ada Greer.

Another Uncle Al Cheesman was an adventure also.  He was one of the original pilots to fly to the South Pole on an expedition.  I’m still digging up information on him, but I did find out he and Duke were both in the “bush pilots museum” in Sault Ste. Marie.  It is reported that Uncle Al knew Admiral Byrd, and I’m quite certain he did.

I’m still doing research on my moms side of the family, so stay tuned for more revelations on those brave and daring Canucks in the family tree.

The league she plays in (Carleton Mi.) has some really good ideas about the way the game is played.  Anyone who has watched kids play “T” ball knows that a 5 year old can get bored in a hurry.  Outfielders picking dandelions, chasing butterflies, kicking dirt, or talking to there friends, while the ball goes rolling past them into the outfield.

These kids play only 2 innings, where each team bats every player per inning, and keep no score.  The idea is to get them somewhat acclimated to the sport, and have fun at the same time.  Who knows, some of them may really take a liking to the game, and play it again sometime.  The kids like to “hi-five” one another after the game, and I have yet to hear a kid ask”Who won?”  The coaches have the parents take turns in bringing a snack, and of course this alone is incentive enough to keep them coming back for more “summer baseball fun!”

Mike

As this tragedy plays out, on local and national news, we are discovering that Neveah’s mother is chummy with a couple guys that happen to be convicted sex offenders.  How unbelievable asinine is that.  At this point in the investigation things are not looking good, and guess who the prime people of interest are?  In one T.V. interview Nevaeh’s aunt said she told Jenny ( the mother) that she better keep an eye on her pedophile friend.  He had been buying toys and candy for Nevaeh!  What parent, in their right mind would allow their 5 year old daughter to be anywhere near someone with a past history of preying on children?  My conclusion is that Jenny is not in her right mind, and needs some serious help!

This town has really pulled together hoping for a miracle for little Nevaeh.  The local police, state police, and F.B.I. are working around the clock searching for answers.  Many volunteers, from the community, are searching hills and dales, ditches and ponds, woods and buildings to try and find Nevaehs where abouts. That answer my be no further away than Jenny’s two so called “friends!”  They are being held as people of interest, and for the Buchanan family sake were all praying for a miracle.  There is still a glimmer of hope.

We need this day to remember the incredible valor, faith, and commitment these fallen comrades made on our behalf.  Scripture says “Greater love has no man than this, but to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

From the American revolution to the streets of Baghdad.  From the Argonne forest to the blood stained beaches of Normandy.  From the rice paddies of Viet-Nam to the mountain caves of Afghanistan.  Greater love has led the way!

Those “for whom the bell has told” has made it possible for our way of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to continue from generation to generation.  Let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice that was paid for our liberty.  We should be on guard never to take that freedom, and our way of life for granite.  It cost far to much for us to forget that “All gave some, but some gave all!”  God bless you veterans and your families.  May God shower your hearts with grace and mercy this day that we honor you and yours.

We are forever indebted

SP/5 Mike Ansel 16 Eng. Battillion