The storm of the century came and went without much a fuss.
Santa Clause came to town and delivered for all the good girls and boys .
Plans went through for most and were postponed,cancelled, re-worked or otherwise fit in.
Our family saw the dreaded double postponement due to the weather delivering not only a punch here but there so travel became treacherous and common sense said we can do this later.
This provided a re opportunity to spend time with just my bride and girls.
Christmas eve saw plenty of snow and my neighbors were of great help in getting my long driveway cleared. They were rewarded justly with home made sugo fresh from the cooling tray to jars which merrily made their way down the drive way.
After warming up and eating a bit we constructed a Ginger Bread House that my daughters agree is quite ugly but tasty.
Gnocchi, Polenta, Sugo, Bologonese served with the meat that cooked along with the sauce was not only tasty but disappeared quite quickly but still left room for dessert. A family game and a classic Christmas movie as well as Mid Night Mass rounded the day off and everyone retired full and tired.
Christmas day found us opening gifts over coffee and cocoa and lounging until we attacked the driveway which took the better part of five hours creating huge appetites which needed taking care of.
Chicken,Beef,Pork, Potato's,veggies and dessert followed by movie night and reading in my favorite chair rounded off a most unusual be memorable Christmas.So much fun we had as we repeated our efforts on the 26Th until the girls looked restless and we cut them loose but to my surprise they worked together learning their new I Pods.
So, thank you mother nature and hope to see my family for New Years.

Home: Part 2

Dinner can be just as tasking as morning coffee but a bit more private as it is usually just Mom, Dad and myself. Conversation can be all encompassing but mostly revolves around what the girls are up to and dad and I discussing a recipe or a ball game. It is not a written rule nor does mom always expect one to be on their rigid schedule but it will be assumed that dinner will be served at four thirty and tardiness is not well accepted and one will hear about ones willingness to be tardy.
As I found out today relying on intelligence Brother Mike relayed to me indicating Mom and dad were expecting me much later. I chose to stay awhile longer at Happy Hour enjoying another twenty ounce jug of tea and talking with Black and the unexpected arrival of Roger whom I have not seen in some while.
At fifty four has some of the most perfect hair I have seen. In fact him and his friend Ron are known as the hair brothers.For it is a well established observation that during the hunting season that we can make a push for deer that would make General Patton proud of our physical ability and never give up attitude. Upon completion we may have made a push of up to one plus miles through young aspen and pine growth along slopes and river bottoms and as us mere mortals are disrobing wet clothing for dry Roger and Ron do the head sweep with their fingers acting as combs and their hair is perfect and there is no sweat.
Roger and I catch up on matters and wish each other Happy Holiday Greetings, glancing at the clock I figure i would make it home on time for dinner. arriving home a mere ten minutes behind schedule to mom already cleaning up the kitchen.
Sitting down all is quite and mom lets me know that I am late and she will need to warm up dinner and I will need to wait a bit longer. Knowing one has already blown the ground rules one must sit and wait but it will be worth it.
The portions have shrunk considerably from the days of every recipe in the house was for twenty people.But Rigatoni with red sauce and homemade meat balls along with salad and in my case juice is great when it is made from the heart.
From the dinner table dad exits and retires to the chair in front of the television and is intent on catching the news. At this point the hearing aide is off or adjusted too low and the television thunders with noise. I do not recall Kiss AC/DC Van Halen or the Who concerts i attended ever being this loud and to add to the decibel level is that the commercials are automatically louder by design.
My usual plan is to hang in the kitchen with mom and read the Papers to catch up on anything I may have missed and asked mom if anyone I know has been arrested as this is here favorite part of the paper although she will not admit it and will comment on how the world is falling apart. it is probably a good thing that they do not have a computer as she would lose all hope in man kind.
Dishes done Mom will retire to the couch and catch the weather and they both settle in to watch Wheel of Fortune as Vanna still turns letters and looks amazingly well as I realize she has been on Television for 25 plus years causing a sigh as I realize than that I too am that much older. A quick channel change to get the lottery numbers which has become dads twice weekly routine.
Carefully concealed in a vinyl bi-fold document holder lays the lucky numbers in which remain the same and have never been changed. He presents the card to the cashier at the local pump and munch on Wednesday and Friday while picking up milk because it is the best price in town. I have never seen the numbers but have been responsible for picking up tickets when dad has been under the weather or not in the mood to make the journey down town. His numbers have never been called but he has had some small monetary awards for putting together three numbers and roles that back into tickets for the next drawing.
Game shows and lottery complete and no professional sports of interest on the television Bed time comes early allowing Mom to catch up on some of her favorite programing. I retire to my bedroom as the day proved to be long and physically i was tired and ready to read and sleep.
From the room I hear soft music coming from the television and realize mom is watching figure skating, Her favorite.You can see it in her eyes as she is in complete unison with the dancer on the ice. I believe that as a young lady growing up in France that she probably dreamed of dancing on the ice as any young girl dreams of being a ballerina or a singer. Some days it is hard to imagine that our parents were once much younger and had dreams of being many things or going many places and one must ask if they they have accomplished what they once dreamed of doing.....

Home: Part 1

Waking up in a fog has become a normal part of my everyday.
Waking up stiff and sore has also become a regular part of my days.
But in return I have slept better than any other time that I can remember.
So after being homeward bound since October I felt the urge to leave the security of the nest, spread my wings and fly.
My travel took me North to Duluth with 2 mandatory rest stops which were needed.
Sitting is not necessarily the problem as is the motion and constant and rhythmic slap of the tire on the cracks and expansion joints of the highways and by-ways of Minnesota.The motion causes stiffness and stiffness causes discomfort and the two combined crate stirring and the body must stop for at that point I am no longer in control of what is ordinary in the world. My body on the other hand is really good at communicating it's feelings to how I am treating it.
Duluth went fine and was stop number three and I was back on the road at lunch time.
Hunger set in which happens quite quickly these days and in my rush and excitement of impending travel I forgot to pack my lunch. Fast food was not an option as it was banished from my life in May and has probably been a good choice since.
Healthy snack at a gas station would have to do and my thoughts immediately went to the biker who now teaches other bikers how to eat healthy meals at service stations!
Not a bad idea since I spend quite a bit of time traveling.You could possibly eat really healthy if you tried but the odds are not in your favor of low calorie healthy food that will fill your hunger needs.
An Apple, A Banana and a Pop Tart were my choice, Not bad and if were not for the fact that the Pop Tart s were sitting on the counter near the cash register I would have been home free. Better yet it could have been a Pop tart without Frosting or sprinkles. Yes Sprinkles, the delectable and festive looking clusters of color embedded into the vanilla frosting which snap when bitten into.
Well any how it would do as I knew that Mom would have something really good on the menu for dinner and she would make a little extra cause she had company coming.Although it be her son it was company and special treatment is a must. A Sunday dinner mid week.
The snow of and fog of the early morning had been replaced with the warmth of the mid afternoon winter sun. It was 14 degrees which was 28 degrees warmer than the day before.Funny how 14 degrees can feel so warm but 28 degrees is 28 degrees.
A quick stop in Virginia and onward to Chisholm with my final stop before home would be Tom and Jerry's. The unofficial Welcome Wagon of the Range town.
The corner of the bar was the usual suspects that gather twice a day for comrade and fellowship of other men,sharing news and views of the morning paper or the happenings that took place in between visits.All retired, All busy in their own right But all enjoying the fruits of their 30-40 years of labor.
No bank executives, Real estate Moguls, Land Barron's. mostly Miners and Trades Men who worked for one of the many mines around the area.arriving for the afternoon meeting there was beer in hand versus coffee from the morning,although coffee is usually available.The coffee its self is some of the best in which has passed these lips and I have had coffee in a thousand different places over the years of traveling and a cup of Tommy's brew is worth the trip.Big City types would pay a premium price for this coffee that requires patron to throw a buck in for a bottomless cup and the stuff in the decaf pot is the same as the non decaf.
The conversations vary and are ever changing and cover the entire spectrum of topics,social issues,local gossip and of course politics. Today's conversation revolved around Ice conditions and early fish reports and a few stories from the
summer past.
Normally after such a trip I would be kicking back and knocking down a few beers and planning my relaxation techniques for the next few days but today a Ice Tea would suffice versus Lemon aide.The banter of comments and jokes makes its round as I am warned against drinking and driving all loaded up on sugar drinks.
The endowment makes anyone who left this town after graduation and returns at home and many of classmates and acquaintances have ended up coming home and working for Tom and Jerry while they re-group or take care of Mom and Dad, recover from marriage or lost job or business. A safety net as I have never experienced but is also comforting to know as in these unsteady times, at times wonder if that could be me behind the bar.
Finishing my Green tea I decide I have been over educated for the time being and need to venture the few block to Mom and Dads House and plan the errands which will need to be run the next day.It is also the time to smell the aroma of something fresh and home made being cooked just for me. Naturally hunger sets in immediately and unabated as every room within the house has the aromatic smell of Pot Roast, Potato's and Bread.
Settling in as a guest in mom and Dads domain requires a staging process that needs to followed to the smallest detail as the heat within the house is treated as if it were a nuclear reactor and if any heat is lost,wasted or otherwise set free it is cause for alarm and a near melt down as warnings are voiced from both parties to hurry up so it stays war. The towels rolled up for the base of the doors to keep heat from escaping must be replaced immediately and without reservation or else they may come and inspect to ensure its precise placement.
The Bags get placed on the front stoop and than one enters through the back door since the center of activity is the kitchen. One must announce the entrance and exchange greetings and than immediately announce the plan to bring the bags in to the compound. Homeland Security could take some valuable lessons from our parents
rules of the house.
Enter the front porch which is unheated closing the door behind you and moving the rolled towel towards the TV so it will not interfere with the baggage process. Open the front doors and move bags from the front stoop into the porch area making sure no snow enters the area which could contaminate the sterile environment which during the winter months resembles a museum as ever thing has been prepped,covered and put in its winter place.
Now, Shoes need to be removed and the entry door must be cracked not opened widely thus creating a vacuum which sucks the cold air into the living room and sending it rushing into the kitchen. Bags and personal items are than stacked at the base of the stairs and arranged in a fashion as to make the next step of dispatch as smooth
and error free as possible.
Shoes are now picked up and carried through the house and walked through the kitchen where another door needs to be opened to the UN-heated and or insulated back porch which also serves as a fine food cooler and wine cellar.Shoes can be placed in the visitors shoe section which is designated by the small area rug which is placed on the all season carpet next to the home shoe area which is a nice series of wooden shelves and a plastic tray sitting on a small area rug sitting on the all season carpet.
Upon re-entry the door need to be checked to make sure it is closed securely and and no cold air is allowed to enter.it helps if mom sees you have done this and allows her to relax somewhat.
Back through the kitchen and to the base of the stairs where the bags await their journey to the rooms. If their is numbers of bags an assembly line is made and the bags are sent up the stairs to the landing and than placed in the appropriate room were they will await the proper placement as to not impede movement or require attention from mom if she so happens to make it up stairs.
While moving baggage one also checks the floor for sounds and squeaking to see if any new booby traps have been set to catch movement from below if one chooses to stay out late or the kids decide to stay up and play rather than go to bed three hours earlier than they normally do.
The rooms have not changed much in the thirty years in which I have been gone. The bed Spreads are the same, the pictures, the books, pillows ,sheets. all the same as the day I left for college. The beds are made tightly and one must use care as to not disrupt thee tension setting as you will never be able to re-set the covers as tight as they were when you arrived causing them to be washed as required whether used or not.Bags go on the floor being careful not to move the area rugs as they are carefully measured after each visit and compared to the prints stored in the banks of moms memory. If there is anything moved or not replaced it will be used against you and family around the coffee table. This is where all your inequities as a son or daughter get revealed in your absence in the form of critique or periodic review as I refer to the process. Sometimes the pressure of this event causes individuals to fold and leave the room regrouping in the living room which will be noted and cataloged.
One must be strong and take their seat and participate knowing that you are under tight scrutiny from the boss. John Gotti would have crumbled under the pressure and one should have tough shoulders as you must let things roll off them after they hit you.As most of us have found with our family is as they get older they open up and not always in a good manner. They speak their mind which is very commendable but yet at times uncomfortable.

December 7th 1941

A day that will live in infamy.

December 8th 1980

Room 224

Fleming Hall

University of Wisconsin Stout

Classes Cancelled

Bitter cold morning.

And finally to our friend "Bonzo"

whom we are reminded of every time we travel home for the holiday or weekend

The cross on the side of the road will never let you forget him.

But will remind you of how quickly it can change.

God Bless

First Snow

The Fire Pit

First snow of the season

Followed of course by Cold.

The Pines

Reflection, Every year I pick one of the pines to string lights on.

This year it was the runt of the litter.

four feet tall and 15 years old.

Only need one light turned on in the whole house.

Bad picture but this is the fish and hunt tree down

in the man cave.

Worked until noon than lost interest so I retired to the kitchen and baked most of the afternoon away.

Cookies

Desert

Dinner

Thanks to my neighbor for clearing the drive way.

You have to like Gary's philosophy on his rods.

He intends them to be different,

Nothing light and fluffy about these and nice,

Combo's come with a 4 ball bearing reel with a one way clutch. Grease used is a special low temp freeze proof good to -60 below.

Gary is still one of the most genuine gentlemen in the buisness.

You will find Gary and his Wife Beverly promoting their rods just as much as they are out on the lake fishing.

Musky Recipe's

To protect myself these recipes have remained unchanged.

Fishermen, and Musky fishermen in particular, are a storied and sorted bunch.

In a world measured by

"How many did you catch?"

Does not matter the species. Crappie,Walleye,Sauger, Saugeye, Sun Fish, Blue Gile, Pike,

Perch, Whitefish, Salmon, Trout, Catfish, Bullhead, Suckers, Alligator Gar, Gators of course and so forth.

"Any big ones?"

"Twenty nine inch,How much she weigh??"

"Two pound crappies measuring 10 inches hey"

"Buckey full of sunnies."

"Aah Just some hammer handle pike. Good for pickling you know."

"That calls for a Grain Belt!!!"

"Got me a forty two inch Musky today."

"What did you do with it?"

"Filleted her out of course."

"Steaked the or did you get the Y bone out?"

"Filleted it like a crappie and than boned it."

At one time or another while traveling I have received recipes or talked to guys about every fish species and recipes to cook them with.

But never. Never in as many years have I heard anyone talk of eating a Musky.

This is very dangerous to bring up and just may find me in the Musky witness protection program.

Why?

This is a fish that guys will fish 12, 14, 16 hours a day and if they receive a follow it is a successful trip.

Now if you see or visually spot a fish of trophy size it is worth at leasts a day of drinks bought for you by fellow Musky Hunters.
If you should see two or three it could be worth a week and one of a dozen offers to shoot a video on the storied Lake X.

Never divulge the Lake.

Musky guys are good at this .

Unless at a show where I suspect when one fella leans in towards another and whispers in his ear while his eyes glanced in all directions making sure no one is within ear shot.

I will assume he is not asking him for a date.

But I maybe wrong.

The above two recipes I found while digging through a treasure trove of recipes given to me.

Taken from some cook book and left for all to see.

So please do not call and punish me as I am only reporting what was being given to me at the time.

"Keepa Da Line A Wet"

Ice Fishing Show

The first week of December usually brings the first big cool snap of the season and the area lakes begin their solid transformation with the Northern Lakes already well on their way to making Ice for the upcoming winter and all the activities that go along with Being Minnesotan.Launching frozen turkeys across the ice at bowling pins is one of my favorites but I have considered tossing the Bocce Balls don my frozen driveway on occasion.

This week is also marked by the Ice Fishing Show.

This is a totally unique consumer venue with as loyal a following as you will find.

Like Rock Star Freaky as my daughters would translate this mass of bodies.

I dare say that Metallica,Aerosmith,Eagles and many other bands would be impressed with the throngs of people that travel from a five state area and Canada to wind their way through the aisle crowded with families and guys wearing enough flannel and carhartt's that would bring a tear to even Larry The Cable Guy.

Their is no empty hands as theses same fellas carry around $8.00 Beers and $5.00 Hot Dogs and plastic bags with Manufactures Logos on them all filled with catalogs and a signed calendar from the famous Bikini Clad Ice Fishing Gals,worth the price of admission right their boys.

Working for Factories means Shows and plenty of them.

Most Reps despise the consumer show circuit and would rather suck on a gun barrel,as the saying goes, than hang around dealing with the same sales pitches we hear every year from consumers who may have had one too many barley pops.

"What do you got that's free?"

Therefore bags and catalogs.

Foe myself I still enjoy talking with people and working with my dealers at these shows.

Most people do not realize that we are at these shows to support the dealers that buy product from our factories and we actually do not sell, we inform and send them to Thorne Bros, Reed's, Joe's, Marine General,

The Bobber Shop and if you cannot find it at the show we can tell you where to look for it.

With the Nils Master, Gary Roaches Ice Pro Rods and Triple Fish Ice Line we are happy to say we got pretty good coverage with or dealers and every year it grows.A lot of new faces many familiar faces coming back and we especially like those who come back to tell us there Big Fish Stories.

Of course we also deal with customers who have not had good experiences or want to know warranty information which is by far the biggest request we get. Guys being guys they throw stuff away.

With lines winding out the doors and down Kellogg ave or blvd today was record breaking busy and found people buying which is better. Our industry has held its own and people will spend money on past times in which they are impassioned to.

So, Here what I felt worthy of looking at this year.

Fishing Suits, Kinda like rain gear for Ice and Cold continue to be very popular,

Expensive but popular especially if you spend a lot of time on the Ice.

These will run from 250.00 and up for a jacket and Bibs.

The Artic Armor Suit will also keep afloat if you are unfortunate enough to go through the ice.

Gloves and Boots are always a must see.

with warmth being measured in Thinsulate values these days one must apply the value to what conditions they are facing when they step outside.

For me. 1500 grams of insulation are required for my feet and gloves that allow me to be functional without removing them a must.

My favorite was the Add Heat Vest which works like the ole battery pack sock warmers but more techie.

Wool!!! its making a come back.

Another must for people who fish in the elements is a wind proof jacket. A Must Have and you will use it for the open water season to.

I prefer wool over any of the new light weight sweat wicking stink tank garments which although comfortable and perform as claimed smell awful and need to be cared for more often than wool.

I have a friend whom purchased wool base layers for this reason.

Filson is a recognized name ( The Mackinaw Pant)

and Browning Highland wool series was nice. also

Fish shacks,shanties,huts or whatever you want to call them.

Many styles, Shapes sizes and prices on portables.

The trend is insulated and base camp shelters for those highly mobile ice anglers.

There is a good better and best scale win regards to these purchases from companies such as.

Otter, Frabill, Clam and Shappel.

Their are custom builders such as Canvas works and for the guy that wants everything the Ice Palace which I saw models on display from 14-19 thousand dollar's.

The other trend is to accessorise your sled and house with lights,cup holders tackle bags, real comfy seats and rod holders.

Ice Augers:

Nothing new but electrics continue to be the buzz.

Jiffy and Strike Master have new motor companies as well as Nils Master

Strike Master

Jiffy

Ice Gator( whom I could not find at the show)

and of course yours truly Nils Master.

A very steady stream of people to look at the Nils which made me quite happy and saw 10 units move from the floor to the door on Friday evening alone.

Everyone ran very competitive show specials and for the most part ran in range from 350-499depending on model and engine size.

Tackle.

Plenty of new tackle from everyone and lots being sold.

Lindy, Northland, Rapala and Hali.

And plenty of tackle storage systems in every shape size and form.

Electronics for the most part remained unchanged with Hummingbird, Lowrance,Vexilar, Marcum and Garmin being represented.

Map chips and GPS units for the angler on the move are the trend.

Find the spot immediately.

Your fathers secrete reef is no longer a secrete with Mapping systems from Navionics and Lake Masters.

My dad would be amazed at how this has changed.

Well Practice safe fishing.

and have a good season once it finally gets here.

Therapist

Squirrel Chaser

The Guard

Call it what you want it is therapy,

Coco makes sure I am o.k. each and every morning.

Wakes me up by tugging on the bed covers and will grab my slippers.

They will ring the bell on either the front or back door which is my indication they need to go out.

It is winter so Coco cannot let herself out .

Yep, slides the screen door open and leaves. cannot shut it but open it yes.

We walk 2-3 times a day.

1st walk is my get the kinks out 2.5 mile saunter.

Followed by a 1.6 mile walk after lunch

and .75 mile walk at sunset.
Coco always leads and protects me from the vermin squirrels.

For the most part she does a good job ,but more often than not she is over fixated on the trees and the critter is staring at her from the ground.

Mandy stays at my side nudging me every now and than to let me know my flanks are covered.

At the stop sign the sit and wait for the leash.

Coco again must lead and can she pull.

Dog Sled material.

Mandy assumes her position on my right or left side.

Both dogs were rescued and have good ability to smell out game as they jumped many a pheasant for me to watch fly across the fields and occasional fox and the ever bewildering cat who shows no fear of either dog.

Once home they assume their guarding of the castle.

One at the front window and one at the back.

Warning barks coming for anyone within sight of the yard.

Mail

UPS

Neighbor

Preachers

17 year old daughter breaking curfew.

But these gals are nothing as I am also entrusted to care for
1 exotic Rabbit named Buster

1 Gecko

2 Fiddler Crabs.

Today I found myself having a conversation with Buster the rabbit and had to caution myself against getting carried away with these often one way conversations.

Buster is a fussy fella who lets me know when I have missed the daily ration of fresh vegetables and makes it known by trashing the cage if it is not what he was expecting.

Buster also has a habit of chasing the dogs and will often hop with them nipping at their paws.

quite humorous.

Fiddler Crabs if left on their own are quite quick to disappear and can take days to find as was found out but make quite the racket with their pincher's when given the chance.

So my days are quite entertaining and i consider them my employees.

Staff meetings over coffee every morning to plan the days business.

Well tomorrow will be a busy morning than off to the Ice Fishing Show.

New Product

First pictures.

Developed by my fishing buddies in Stayner Ontario.

If you are into Crossbows this is worth a look.

Has the look and feel of a rifle,but shoots arrows not lead.

The 225 Bone Splitter weighs in at 7.3 pounds

370 FPS (Arrow Speed)

2x7 scope

4 arrows included.

I am not a crossbow expert but if you are a handicapped hunter in either Minnesota or Wisconsin this will put one down.

( Crossbows maybe used by handicapped individuals whom fill out the appropriate paper work in either state.)

Web site is not yet complete.

Available in Canada.

The purist would say this is not archery.

I disagree but that's my opinion.

After the Hunt

Venison Steak or Chops
Teriyaki Marinade
Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Baby Red Potato's
French Cut Green Beans
Butter 6 tablespoons
2-3 cloves of Garlic cloves
Salt
Garlic Powder
Pepper
Wine ( The House Blend preferred)

Rub steak or chops down generously with a mixture of Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder and let stand .( Tablespoon of each in a bowl)
Hint: Make sure all the silvery skin is removed from the venison before cooking. This is the tough outer coating that can turn a good meal bad. I use only my best cuts and Cut the steaks the day I am making them.)
Pre-heat oven to 375.

Clean and chunk 8-10 baby reds and set aside.

Drain 2 cans of french cut green beans,

Mix marinade according to package or you can make your own by mixing some olive oil with
teriyaki. Place the steak or chops in the bag with the marinade and cover the meat by tumbling the bag in your hands. place bag in a bowl and place in refrigerator.
This step can be done the day before which is better yet!!
In a separate bag place one packet of Lipton onion soup mix.( You can add either a 1/2 of another packet if you like more zip.

Place potato's in bag and blend together using the same method as with the meat making sure to cover the potato's evenly. Spread evenly on a cooking sheet that is lightly sprayed with oil.
You may also place tin foil on the cookies sheet and spray that which will make clean up easier.
In a large skillet over medium heat melt the butter.
Add the 2 cans of beans and mix to cover.
Salt and Pepper to taste. ( More Pepper for more zing)
Add 2-3 cloves of garlic finely chopped and mix in.
Taste
Add more salt and peeper if needed.
simmer stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes.
turn heat down slightly and cover.

Place potato's in the oven for 35-45 minutes.

Using a grill or broiler to cook the venison.
Sear the surface of the venison and cook slow and low or indirect until done.
Venison needs to be watched as it will cook through quickly. 3-4 minutes per side on smaller cuts and 5-6 on larger cuts. Indirect heat will add more cooking time but will be worth it.
You want the cut to be somewhat soft to the touch but firm.
If all else fails the cooks is always allowed to drink wine and sample before dinner is served.

This is a simple and easy dinner to prepare.

For best results with any game. Take care of your harvest in the field and it will show on the table.

Recipe Day

Well I waited 3 days before my first major test.
My favorite,although my mother makes this better.
I could of ate it all myself but the girls decided that I would see no more than my small test plate with 2 pieces of dago bread and butter.
Hey, that's why you cook for others to enjoy.

Sausage and Green pepper.
1 can of Tomato Paste 8 0z
1 can of crushed tomato 12-16 oz
2 cloves garlic. chopped
2 onions, chopped
2 Red Peppers, chopped.
( Although you may use yellow or green or a combination of all)
4 tablespoons of butter.
4 tablespoons of Olive Oil.
1 glass of Paisano Red Wine
(Most recipes call for a dry red or dry white to counterbalance the sweetness of the peppers)
1 pound or 5-6 sausage links
( I prefer the Jubilee Brand Garlic sausage or Fraboni as my top choices and ones I stock up on when in Chisholm. If you have a specialty market near you check it out or you may find generic Italian sausage at most major grocers)
Of course no Vitali recipe is without a jug of Paisano or Vine Rose nicely blended into the now famous House Blend.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add Olive Oil and heat.
Add the Sausage links whole and brown on all sides making sure they brown a bit.
Remove from pan and set aside.
Add Butter. Cover bottom of pan.
Add onions allowing to cook down a bit.
( I prefer to add ingredients one at a time)
Add peppers allowing to cook down a bit.
For this i prefer sweet so Red or Yellow.
Add garlic on top.
( this will keep it from burning as most mortal stove tops the heat seems to be difficult to control especially on electrics.Mom could run a welder the way she can operate a gas stove with the precision of a surgeon.)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Add paste blending to in to the mixture.
Add crushed tomato's blending in.
Salt and Pepper to taste
Place sausage links being careful to nest in the bed of peppers.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until sausage is cooked through.
Remove sausage lower heat.
Cut sausage into 1/4 inch pieces and stir back into the mixture.
Remove from Heat and Serve. serves 4-6 depending on the appetite.

Notes:
Add Asiago or Romano for more flavor.
A Good loaf of Dago bread ( preferably without holes in,which is harder to find)
I like to have my pepper and sausage mixture spread over bread to make a sandwich.
Some variations I have found say Hoagie buns or hard rolls.
This is very good over Noodles.

A worthy battle awaits

The Big Ten Football season is one associated with odd but real trophies to be displayed by the winning team in some finely crafted mahogany cabinet located in a main administration building for everyone that visits the campus to view. A must view for any young stud being recruited in an effort to maintain the highly coveted trophy which was duly fought for on the fields just a few months before.

In fact one of those games is being played this weekend when the Hawkeye of Iowa will play the mighty Gopher for Floyd the close to life size pig or piglet which has not left Iowa in quite sometime, now leaving the Gophers with a very empty but big Mahogany Display Cabinet that could be bought for pennies on the dollar( You must move it though). In fact I may be wrong but I believe the Paul Bunyan Axe is in Wisconsin and the Brown Jug remains in Michigan. Oops , We did win the all important Jackalope last weekend.

Well September and again in October brought a little talked about battle which took place in the confines The Glenwood Estates , nestled amongst the pine,corn and of course my favorite neighborhood vineyard.The battle to take place was huge and required many months of preparation and training not only of the physical nature but mentally also. No wimps allowed in this all out battle to obtain the highly esteemed battle for the Yellow Jug.

A Mind set must be attained to take on a worthy adversary.One must remain strong, Mentally focus, persevere.Face the opponent squarely and muster courage from within and with a primal scream from deep within let it loose. Feel the blood drain from your head,charge onto the field and acknowledge the hometown crowd who have come to see you slay the visitor and leave the field the victor.

O.K., All the BS aside it was nothing like that. In fact when I picked up the jug that contained the powder that I would have to add flavoring to( The first time lemonade the second Gatorade)Yes you heard me correctly twice,not once but twice.

Let me digress a bit and explain.The first two surgeries were gorilla in nature and done so to clean up a rather messy and life threatening situation. The second procedure or the "Lee Majors" surgery ( Six Million Dollar Man) was to rebuild. Make him stronger,faster all that stuff.

Because of the procedures done the final outcome relied upon a colonostomy in which I was in need of due to my ascending climb to 50 years.I was truly OK with it when the good doctor explained it. Than I had to go pick up the needed supplies and read the eight page procedure manual as to what one can expect.On paper it still did not look to bad.

Time passed and three days prior the event the pre- game diet came into play as I prepped my body for the battle that laid ahead. Enjoying my last meal before cleansing began my ever busy mind decided to prep the dining room of the house and lay out in front of me all that needed to be done on Game day.

I walked from the dining room into the empty stadium (bathroom if you have not figured it out yet) to make sure all was set for the big day a whimsical smile flashed across my face and I was ready. Lights out lets sleep.

Game day was here and i was ready. Ten glasses of water were prepped in a pitcher to be placed in the fridge. and the array of pills were laid in order as to when I was to take them.The first three at 10 than three more at 11, 4 glasses of water and 3 more at three.

In the meantime The jug needed to be filled and liquid added to absorb the powder on the bottom.Man the jug looked big today.Much bigger than yesterday.Turning away I figured I drank at least that much beer at some point,but who keeps track.

Shake it up and place it in the fridge for 4 hours.I immersed myself into yet another Grisham novel to pass the time and awaited the confrontation with a smile.Game time came quick and when I opened the fridge to grab the Jug a lump grew in the back of my throat.It was not only looking bigger but it had some weight behind it also.O.K. four liters was looking like an ocean and I was mentally doing the math of and eight ounce glass every ten minutes slammed not sipped.Nothing prepared me for this.What was one to do. Think!! My mind numbed but not dead from the pill cocktails earlier i grabbed a baseball hat and turned on the television to the Food Net work. Really there was nothing on ESPN and the baseball game was three hours away.

The plan was simple, pretend i was in a bar and drinking beer with my buds and i would surely get through the 4 liters without a problem. Due to the nature of my situation this was a stand up operation as the system was separated and re-routed. I was smart enough to place some BassMasters and In0Fish Magazines along with the television clickers where I could easily access them and starred at the figure in the mirror pretending it was another bar patron bellying up for another Happy Hour cocktail.

The Jug dogged me from the start delivering blow after blow of the worst tasting mixed drink I had ever experienced with the close exception of Cactus Juice. With each glass and sparing the details the concoction started taking its toll and the body starting giving in the juices well delivered game plan and not allowing me an inch of room to fight back.In essence it was doing its jog an I was doing mine.

At one thirty A.M. the battle was complete.Could not tell you who won the baseball game.Could not remember what I watched on Food Network and missed Anthony Bourdain.The jug had won.The battle was over. There would be no yellow jug placed upon the laminated mahogany display case within my office. No celebration although the jug celebrated all night it left it's opponent drained and ready for bed,if I could even go to bed.It would be two more hours of waiting with my head hung low waiting to get hit again but by this time the Yellow Jug was aware there was no more fight to be had and the battle was over.Tomorrow the sun would rise and the good surgeon would have her way and put together the once mighty warrior who will no doubt one day meet up with the Yellow jug once again for another battle.

It should be disclosed that some embellishing took place in this story or else you would not have read this. I went through this twice in twenty days and can honestly say it is a draining experience that left me thinking I will never drink lemonade flavored Gatorade or lemonade flavored Crystal Light again.

The Stick

This Minnesota buck was taken with the Stick.

The Stick was not discovered but evolved.

Its Ring core design gives it strength and it tapered design help give the Stick Strength,

Durability and a naturally impaling aero dynamic design allowing it to be thrown, chucked or held at a forty five degree angle.

Made from the finest buck thorn East Central Minnesota can provide it comes in Three

deadly versions.

The Small Game Stick

The Deer Stick

The Big Game Stick

The Stick's is the brain child of Jeff "The Spaghetti Man" Vitali

"One of the finest hunting tools produced to hunt all species"

This will revolutionize the hunting sports.

The neutral buoyancy internal balancing system give the Stick a feather light feel.

with an effective range of 50 feet the stick is the only toll needed in closed quarter combat situations where one wrong move means certain death.

With the help of Bob Laubadoo and Pete Spendoichi the Stick will be available in North America in January of 2010.

Current testing, other than The Stick Buck of Chisago County" is being conducted by pro-staffer Francis Buck Weeds in Estonia.

The beginning of November found me pining for the North woods and bugging my circle of friends as to how the hunt was going.

Recovery from yet another surgery had me wondering why I scheduled it this way,then I recalled the pep talk I gave myself about getting this all done in the calendar year.

So while waiting for all the reconnect stuff to work and figuring out what good pain versus bad pain was I was doing my best to follow the Good Surgeon's orders to walk as much as my weary body would allow.

My day consists of three walks 2 of which are 1.4 miles each and a third a simulated deer hunt within the confines of the yard amongst the 20-30 foot pines with the STICK and the dogs.

Saturday and Sunday were gorgeous days by anyone standards.

Some shooting but not much.

I should explain I was unable to hunt due to concern of what the kick of the high powered rifle would do to my fragile innards.

Same went for Sunday which found me watching NASCAR and the Vikings for the first time in what could only be described as life time during the hunting season.

Just doesn't Happen.

Monday came and went

and then Tuesday came upon the camp.

The first two walks were uneventful and business as usual.

The third walk, The simulated hunt.

Three laps around the yard, approximately 3/4 of a mile.

As we walked amongst the trees Coco went on point.

immediately I came to a stop and raised the stick,slowly and ever so careful not to scare whatever prey may be lurking amongst the pines.

As I rounded the corner I was impressed with Coco ability to stay on point, With my stick poised for battle with whatever lurked I saw the beast great antlers, My heart raced as I released some gas. This is supposed to happen and my walks are for this sole purpose.

With a smile and thoughts of the gang up North

A deer had been presented to me by the deer gods from the North.

Eight points mind you.

Without a shot fired and the STICK firmly held in my hand I let my self imagine that i just won a battle against a worthy opponent

who succumbed to his injuries,

( Gut Shot and than hit by a vehicle, sssshhhhh)

A scene from 300.

No lets make it the Deer Hunter.

Better yet Escanaba in the Moonlight.

Mandy and Coco began sniffing and the only thing keeping them from rolling in the waste was the direct realization that I was there.

Gingerly I walked to the camp(house) and retrieved the Samsung Digimax 4010 5.1mm Focal Lens to take a picture of my now legendary buck.

They would talk for years as to how the deer was felled by a mere mortal with a stick.

Hoping your season goes well

and may there be plenty of good stories to share.

Bone Collectors

Not the best picture but my mind has been in the woods since Friday.
Talk about motivating.
I started 3 a day walks with my final walk of the day through the pine trees in the yard to at least give me the feel of being" UP North".
Last report is
Stebb 2
Black 3
Hoopy 0
FJWEEDZ 0
Merle 1
TNovack 1
I really appreciate the group of hunters I have been blessed to hunt with.
Yea there is big deer talk but for the most part it is all about killing goats.
The picture above has some impressive antlers and ones worthy of Pope and Young but we have no braggers or egos.And they certainly won't be on the show circuit displaying their deer.
I have often wondered why we don't slap the guy on the ass and give a big buddy hug to someone who kills a big Doe!
TV of course has sucked the life and fun out of hunting as well as fishing by giving the impression that you need to be a professional and you need to use this bow or this gun.You need cameras and scent blockers and special soap.
Uncle Alex and Rudy would grab some pine boughs or cedar and throw it in his pockets.
Have a snit of Brandy and would gladly kill a buck or a doe if it meant some meat on the table.
Not that I am against Trophy Hunters but there needs to be a attitude change with some .
My dads 32 Winchester special still kills em.
Enough of that.
I wish the best to my buddy's up at camp and wish I could be there.

Vets Day Tribute

(This letter details the events of the day that John Ryder went missing)
Johns plane lost contact with dispatchers North of Pleiku Airbase along with observer Barry Hilbrich on June 9th 1970

While recovering from the first two surgeries this summer the Wall That Heals Vietnam
War Memorial came to Chisago City.

I spent a few hours starring at the wall knowing its meaning but amazed by it's scope. it was enormous even for a scaled down version.

There was a trailer parked at the entrance,a museum that contained letters and personal belongings of soldiers that did not make out of Vietnam. Then I saw Chisholm Minnesota and was drawn in to a letter and picture of John L Ryder which brought out some emotions from within usually reserved for those of close family.

( Below is the announcement that moved John Ryder from MIA to KIA. The government of Vietnam refusing the family request to search for his remains until the United States rebuilt Vietnam.)

I did not know or ever heard of John Ryder while growing up and I was particularly in tune to the events of the day. Walter Cronkite and Dennis Anderson bringing us the body counts and the latest news regarding our boys.

Well my eyes were not the only ones cast upon Mr. Ryder as my seventeen year old daughter also took notice when her class toured the Memorial.

She had seen me there but did not say anything and unbeknown to me sent a request to have John Ryders name lifted from the wall and sent to me.Along with a letter from Mr. Allen McCade from Adamstown Maryland whom played hooky from work on his birthday to lift the name from the wall so he could send it to us.

John's name as it appears on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Panel number10W-129

I had no idea of what I was going to do with this information and started thinking of How I never heard of him or heard anyone in Chisholm talk of him. It was not for a lack of having known anyone that was there because we all knew of someone or somebody that served in all the wars. All we had to do was look at our parents. The Greatest Generation.

The Back of the card indicates how to track loved ones names upon the wall by date they went missing or died.

A Picture of John next to His Plane.

Graduated from the Academy in 1968.
So My hats off to John Ryder. Yes I know that there are thousands of young men serving their country right now as I put these words down but this is for them to.

And to John and his spirit, you will not be forgotten I will assure you because this will not end here on a blog that know one follows but a few friends and family.I will make sure you are remembered back home.

Thanks for all you gave.

Lock Stock and Barrel

Lock, Stock and Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry

NEW VIDEO EDUCATES PUBLIC ABOUT INDUSTRY . . . "For more than 200 years a unique industry in America has made products that have been part of our country's great tradition of freedom, self-reliance and enjoyment of the outdoors." So begins a new video produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation called "Lock, Stock and Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry" and that is now available as a DVD free of charge or to view online at www.nssf.org. Designed to educate anyone who wants to know more about the history, operation and regulation of the firearms industry, the video is particularly helpful to those who hold misconceptions about the industry. "It's important that an industry that produces a product -- firearms -- that is at times a contentious subject in modern society should be understood and appreciated for the many positive contributions it has made for centuries," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "I believe that people who watch this video, perhaps at the local Rotary Club meeting or library, whether they own firearms or not, will come away with a new-found appreciation of our great industry." Potential audiences for the video are the general public, elected officials, teachers and students, local service groups and the media. Members of NSSF are encouraged to show the video to their employees and in their communities to promote a better understanding of the firearms industry. "Lock, Stock and Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry" is approximately 15 minutes long. Individual or multiple copies of the DVD are available at www.nssf.org/industryvideo. Watch the video.

Longing for Jack Pine Road

Truly one of the more difficult weekends I have had to endure while adjusting to my New intestinal tract.

The thought of meandering through the woods,sitting in a stand and using every last minute of day light and darkness to in pursuit of some very tasty venison was constantly on my mind.

I passed my time walking circles in the yard and wandering down the road. 7 walks in two days.

The good Doctor would be impressed.

The DNR looked like they were busy with tracking down lazy ass hunters who would just assume bait the deer rather than hunt them.

Unfortunately the weekend was not without tragedy either as two hunters were injured and killed(self inflicted on the later)

Numerous Texting revealed some success out in the woods.

The Jack Pine Gang had 3 Nice bucks hanging this morning.

Hoopy saw deer yesterday but was unable to get any shots off.

Buck was sitting in a stand near Staples only seeing does.

And Stebb and the boys were not reachable but knowing their reputation the hunt was not doubt ably good.
Locally, Merle shot and killed yesterday, a nice buck with scrawny antlers.

But I am mostly about the meat.

Part of me feels guilty for not even buying a license regardless if I use it or not.

This next week I will step up the recovery a bit more.

Happy birthday to Blacky

Friday found me gazing out my back door pondering the realty that there would be no Goat 09 for the ailing but recovering Spaghettiman.

Making several calls to Breeze, Stebb,Blacky, Merle and anyone who would answer.

As I expected excitement was running rampant and in fact blood had already been drawn by Terry out in the Park Rapids area squeezing one last archery hunt in before the rifle season.

A Nice eight point buck was his reward
Meanwhile Breeze was patiently waiting for some phone calls so he could travel north to make a bid on some land he wants to purchase.

If it looks anything like his last parcel it will be the new home of Mila Cabina.

Breeze was also going to inspect a leak which Stebb was having at his dental office.

At this point Stebb is not sleeping an has bowel problems which started on Monday in excitement of the impending GOAT opener.

Blacky had made several trips to stock food for the impending crowd about to descend upon the

Jack Pine Camp.

Indubitably some of the best meals known to man will be served up in camps over the 14 days along with beer wine booze and of course the comrade of grown men who seem to transform into teenagers this time of year.

Shouts of "We Got Bone". "We Got Bone".and ARRGGGGGGG!!

as the tag count rises.

This morning I symbolically was awaken at 5 A.M. and layered my clothing so I could make the trip to my stand (the Computer)

It brought back memories of the many opening day when with gun slung over the shoulder and a pack full off necessities to ward off hunger and cold make the journey to the stand for what would be a long day of sitting.

Today I will relish the memories and wish my crew the best as i will call them next week and get the story.

Stories are always better at camp but for 2009 this will have to work.

The Good Doctor.

May her Hand be steady.

No partying

One glass of wine allowed the night before
Plenty of sleep.

Mr. Netter is one of the best anatomy illustrators.

Thanks to Pouch for helping me understand my upcoming Journey.

Recipe for Surgery

Looks like a Jim Jones thing.

I have pills named for my surgeon but honestly do not think I will need one.

Here is to a long day.

Looking forward to tomorrow.