The Lewis Lakeshore Lodge on Cotton Lake

What happens when you get rain in January followed by a major snow storm and blizzard?

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All the trees are covered with a layer of ice.

These firs had loads of icy boughs with snow on top.

More ice and snow covered fir trees.

It was just beautiful in the front and backyards.

Along the highway, ice covered maples.

Finally, our little Cotton Lake Retreat with this years snow collection through January 29th. Most of it came in three storms the last was the 3rd weekend in January 2010.

Pictures from the Snowstorm on Cotton Lake in last week of September.

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This picture is from the deck of the house, notice the lake is still frozen and some places still have docks and boats in the water.

Snow under the front lawn blue spruce piled up by the wind. This is so strange to see snow like this in late September. It caught a lot of people unprepared and brought a lot of people back to the lake suddenly to close up and get their boats and lifts out of the water while they wore parkas and stocking caps. It was not a nice day with temps well below freezing.

Notice the Boat on the lift under a cover. They had a little less snow here, but what you cant see is 4-5 feet of thin ice along the shore. This beach was busy with people arriving to take out their summer water recreational craft.

West of Detroit Lakes, you can see the drifts of snow caused by the strong winds. Again, so unusual to see in September. But if you went just another 10 miles you saw no snow at all. This was limited to Eastern Becker county and surrounding area.

MORE BATHROOM REMODEL PICS

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Fat Guy, Cutest Little Girl in World!

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Bathroom Remodel Pictures..for family who are curious!

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The tub is not new, bu the faucets and spout are, plus the surroud tile is new both above and around as well as on the sides and steps.

The shower stall is not quite done...waiting for the doors and we should have taken a picture showing the faucets and spray heads.

Vanity and new lighting, and all new countertop

Another shot of the vanity and all new countertop with tile floor somewhat visible that replaced the previous carpet

Birding at the Lewis Lakeshore lodge

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Picture of a adult finch feeding a young one.

A picture of a juvenile baltimore oriole, probably a female.

Picture of a Downy Woodpecker feeding on suet.

Photos of the Lewis Lakeshore Lodge Marina, July 2009

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Picture from our boat of the dock looking north along the shore of Cotton Lake.

Picture from the landing looking out onto our dock (note: the boat is tied at the end of the dock and not in its mooring under the lift. We have a Hurricane Deck Boat that is 20 feet in length with a I/O.

An addition last year to our lakeshore was the Cape Hatteras style lighthouse which actually turns on at dark and sends a beacon out over the water until about midnite.

Picture of our main lift and dock from the landing above our shore.

Pictures from Duluth in July!

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This a picture of the Wednesday Night Regular Sailboat Regatta outside the Duluth Entry into Lake Superior. Taken at Canal Park.

Lake going Tug about to entry the Duluth Canal and go under the liftbridge into the Twin Ports harbor.

Another shot of the Tug with its huge barge in tow.

Close up of some of the sailboats in the Wednesday nite regatta.

Tell Tension and Worry to Take a Hike!

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Walking is one of the best cures for a frazzled mind. Experts agree that physical activity can reduce worry, tension, and fatigue by releasing pent-up pressure. In fact, when faced with a stressful situation, your body releases hormones that prepare you for "flight or fight." In other words, your body tries to physically release your inner burdens.

In primitive times, this instinct provided strength and speed for a fast getaway from danger. In today's world, it's different — but your body doesn't know it. Since you can't get out of the car and run screaming and yelling down the street, you take a stiff neck or headache home with you instead.

You may feel stressed because you have too much going on and not enough time. When you feel that way, it's easy to push exercise aside. So how do you motivate yourself to break a sweat after you've already sweated out a hard day?

Any time you can give to being active is worth it. You don't have to block off an hour to reap the benefits. Frequent, short bursts of walking can have positive effects on your physical and mental health.

When you feel stress coming on, ward off its effects by taking a break. Walk around the block, step outside and tour your backyard, or just stand up and do some stretches. It may not seem like much, but it will add up by the end of the day. Walking fuels your energy and loosens tense muscles as a defense against future stress.

Just Forget About It

The best way to exercise for stress relief is to forget that you're exercising. Enjoy your active time and feel the tension slip away. The simple act of walking is a proven tool that's easy to fit into your day. Try these ideas for walking your way to a healthier, more relaxed lifestyle.

Focus on your surroundings: Walk in a location where the scenery draws you in. Rest your eyes on the beauty of a desert landscape or grassy hillside. Listen to water sounds as you stroll by the sea, creek, or lake. Marvel at the structures of an urban setting.

Engage your senses: Breathe calmly and deeply. Concentrate on your movement through the world around you. Pay attention to the sounds, sights, and smells that come from your environment. Give yourself up to the freedom of your walk and open your mind to inspiration. You might gain perspective about your troubles or find a solution to your problems.

Bring a partner: Taking a walk with a friend, spouse, or child makes the time pass quickly. Also, it gives you a chance to catch up with each other. What better way to improve your health?

This might surprise you: if you find time to walk, you'll find time for other things you enjoy. Walking increases energy and motivates you to do more. A brisk walk pumps up your metabolism, clears your head, and triggers the release of mood-enhancing hormones known as endorphins, which cause you to want more. And more walking means a healthier lifestyle — a huge stress relief to you and those who love you.

Numerous Benefits of Walking!

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The Numerous Benefits of Walking

If a daily fitness walk could be put in a pill, it would be one of the most popular prescriptions in the world. It has so many health benefits. Walking can reduce the risk of many diseases — from heart attack and stroke to hip fracture and glaucoma. These may sound like claims on a bottle of snake oil, but they're backed by major research. Walking requires no prescription, the risk of side effects is very low, and the benefits are numerous:

Managing your weight. Combined with healthy eating, physical activity is key to any plan for long-lasting weight control. Keeping your weight within healthy limits can lower your risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis.

Controlling your blood pressure. Physical activity strengthens the heart so it can pump more blood with less effort and with less pressure on the arteries. Staying fit is just as effective as some medications in keeping down blood pressure levels.

Decreasing your risk of heart attack. Exercise such as brisk walking for three hours a week — or just half an hour a day — is associated with a 30% to 40% lower risk of heart disease in women. (Based on the 20-year Nurses' Health Study of 72,000 female nurses.)

Boosting "good" cholesterol – the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Physical activity helps reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) in the blood, which can cause plaque buildup along the artery walls — a major cause of heart attacks.

Lowering your risk of stroke. Regular, moderate exercise equivalent to brisk walking for an hour a day, five days a week, can cut the risk of stroke in half, according to a Harvard study of more than 11,000 men.
Reducing your risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes. The Nurses' Health Study also links regular activity to risk reductions for both these diseases. In another study, people at high risk of diabetes cut their risk in half by combining consistent exercise like walking with lower fat intake and a 5% to 7% weight loss.

Avoiding your need for gallstone surgery. Regular walking or other physical activity lowers the risk of needing gallstone surgery by 20% to 31%, found a Harvard study of more than 60,000 women ages 40 to 65.
Protecting against hip fracture. Consistent activity diminishes the risk of hip fracture, concludes a study of more than 30,000 men and women ages 20 to 93.

The list goes on and on. Many other studies indicate a daily brisk walk also can help:

Prevent depression, colon cancer, constipation, osteoporosis, and impotence
Lengthen lifespan
Lower stress levels
Relieve arthritis and back pain
Strengthen muscles, bones, and joints
Improve sleep
Elevate overall mood and sense of well-being.

Keep it Steady

A steady routine is the most important factor in getting the most out of your exercise program. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week is recommended.

Use these tips to keep you on track:

During your walks, you should be able to maintain a conversation. If you're breathing too lightly, increase your pace. If you can't catch your breath, slow it down.

Walk around the local area after lunch or dedicate 15 minutes to walking up and down stairs. Climbing is an excellent way to strengthen your heart.

At night, trade a half hour of TV for a brisk stroll around the block. Take a friend with you for company or get the whole family involved.

The Best Medicine

Any amount of walking is good, but for the best health results, set a brisk pace and walk for 30 minutes at least 5 times a week. Be sure to check with your doctor on the level of exercise that's best for you.

Take a Walk and Add Years to Your Life!

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The word is out: walking can slow the aging process and keep you feeling great! So you want to be healthy, energetic, and vibrant? Look at all the ways walking can enhance your life:

Heart Health. The cardiovascular system naturally weakens with the years. Walking strengthens your heart and gets it pumping. A study at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania showed that people, who exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week, actually slowed the general decline in heart health.

Weight Management. Everyone's metabolism tends to slow over time. This can lead to weight gain. Walking burns calories and fights unwanted pounds. A healthy weight limits your chances of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Strong muscles and bones. As we age, our muscles and bones tend to weaken. We're more apt to get things like osteoporosis or arthritis. But if you keep moving and stay active, you can be mobile and flexible.
Positive Mind. Regular walks are an escape from mental stress. They give you time to process your thoughts and release negativity. This creates an optimistic outlook which keeps you from feeling depressed or anxious. A positive attitude also can improve your immune system.

Keep Walking

Make a commitment to walk every day—even if it's only for 10 or 15 minutes. In fact, if you're a beginner, it's best to start small. Walk for short distances and times, then gradually work your way up. Try these tips to invigorate your walks:

Grab a Friend. For companionship and extra motivation, ask your spouse, friend, child, grandchild, or neighbor to join you.
Take time to smell the roses. For a more inviting experience, select scenic paths, routes, or trails.

Walk when you like to walk. If you're a morning person, get up a half hour early and take a walk. If you're more energetic later in the day, work in some steps in the afternoon or after dinner.

Smart Moves: Walking Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs

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Warming Up:

The higher intensity of exercise you intend to do, the more you benefit from warming up. But even a relaxing stroll is likely to feel better after two to four minutes of gentle, dynamic warm-up moves.

Try the following simple moves to target muscles involved in walking. All are done standing up. If needed, rest one hand on something for balance. The movements are slow, controlled, and comfortable. If you spend 30 seconds or so on each, the whole routine takes under three minutes.

Ankle circles. Stand on one foot and lift the other off the ground. Slowly flex that ankle through its full range of motion, making large circles with the toes, but only by moving the ankle joint, not the lower leg. Do 6 to 8 in each direction, then switch feet and repeat.

Leg swings. Stand on one leg, and swing the other loosely from the hip, front to back. It should be a relaxed, unforced motion like the swinging of a pendulum, and your foot should swing no higher than a foot or so off the ground. Do 15 to 20 swings on each leg.

Pelvic loops. Put your hands on your hips with your knees slightly bent and feet shoulder width apart. Keep your body upright. Make 10 slow, continuous circles with your hips, pushing them gently forward, to the left, back, and to the right. Then reverse directions and repeat.

Arm circles. Hold both arms straight out to the sides, making yourself a letter "T." Make 10 to 12 slow backward circles with your hands, starting small and finishing with large circles, using your entire arm. Shake your arms out, then repeat with 10 to 12 forward circles again, starting small and getting larger.

Up, side, back, down. This is ideal if you have shin soreness while walking. Stand with feet hip width apart and roll your feet through four positions, holding each for a count of two:

Up. Stand on your toes, heels as high as possible.
Side. Roll to the outside edges of your feet, with the inside edges pulled up.
Back. Stand on your heels, with your toes held as high as possible.
Down. Rest, with both feet flat on the floor.

Cooling Down:

A Three-Minute Stretch Routine:

It's best to work on flexibility after your walk, when muscles are the most warm and pliable.

Do these stretches slowly – never to the point of discomfort. Hold each stretch for six to eight slow, deep breaths. Imagine releasing muscle tension with each exhale. Begin each stretch standing up, and feel free to rest one hand on something for balance if necessary.

Calf and hip stretch. Take a giant step forward with your left foot. Bend your left knee (but don't push it beyond your foot); keep your right heel on the ground and your right leg straight behind you. Keep your abdominal muscles gently contracted so there's no excess arch in your back. You should feel the stretch in both your right calf and hip. Hold for several deep breaths. Then switch legs and repeat.

Back and hamstring stretch. Stand with your feet together and your knees slightly bent. Lean forward from the waist and let your arms and head hang loosely toward the ground. Don't necessarily try to touch your toes – just let your body hang under its own weight and ease into the stretch with each deep exhale. Slowly stand up (to avoid light-headedness) and repeat.

Shin and thigh stretch. Grasp your right toes with your right hand, and gently pull your foot up behind you, keeping your right knee pointed toward the ground. Your heel doesn't have to reach your buttocks – just pull to the point of feeling a gentle stretch in the front of the thigh, hip, and shin. Hold for several deep breaths. Then switch legs and repeat.

Bonus: Simple Tips to Walking Faster

To boost your walking to a speed that's sure to build fitness and burn calories, you don't have to be a racewalker. Just try these four simple tips to pick it up to a healthy pace:

Stand tall. No slouch in the shoulders, forward lean from the waist, or excess sway in your back. Keep your eyes on the horizon.

Focus on quicker, not longer steps. Concentrate on taking faster steps, not longer – your stride will lengthen naturally as you step up speed.

Bend your arms. Hold your elbows at a right angle so your arms can swing more quickly. Your hands should trace an arc from alongside the waist on the back swing, to chest height (no higher) in the front.

Push off from your toes. Consciously push off from your toes and generate as much boost as possible at the end of each step. Feel like you're showing someone behind you the bottom of your shoe on every stride.

Adapted from: The Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness by Mark Fenton (Lyons Press, 2001).

How Walking Buffs Your Brain!

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You lace up your walking shoes, stretch, and set out on a brisk walk…all with the goal of being fit and healthy. What you might not know is that your walk benefits your mind just as much as your body. Recent research finds that physical activity is good for mental skills, too.

Simple forms of steady exercise, such as walking, give you the best mental boost. Walking improves your ability to make decisions, solve problems, and focus. Even small doses of walking, like a 15-minute trek, can increase your brain power.

These benefits are not just short term. The mental perks continue long after your body has cooled down from a walk.

Perk Up by Walking:

When life gets you down, walking can ease some of the burdens and relieve sadness or anxiety.

Here's why:

Aerobic activity releases hormones like adrenaline in your body. These hormones are key players in your nervous system and in boosting your mood.

Endorphins also release in your body during activity. They help relieve pain and create a sense of well-being.

Try to find time for brain breaks each day by walking. Remember, you can break your treks up into several short walks.

Expand Your Outlook:

Many people use walking as a time to pray, meditate, or just think. Alone time spent walking can help you gain perspective and balance. Walking lets you:

Reduce stress
Clear your mind
Tap into your creative side
Think of new ideas
Solve problems

If you walk with a friend or family member, you also can enrich your mind by talking about issues of interest. Intelligent banter sharpens your wit; this, in turn, increases your mental skill. It's enjoyable to plan what topics the day's walk will explore.

Walking beefs up your mind in many ways. Here are more benefits:
Exercise helps you sleep better. Restful nights are essential for clear thought processes.

As you continue to walk, you'll deepen your self-motivation and personal will. This can help you muster the mental drive you need each day.

The point is this:

Any time you can dedicate to walking is time your brain and mind need for clarity and strength. When you feel overwhelmed, find the time to walk. You'll get quick relief from your mental load and long-term enhancement to your mental health.

Forget Counting Sheep. Walk Your Way to Better Sleep!

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Are you tired of being tired? Would you rather be dreaming than watching late-night TV?

Millions of Americans suffer from poor sleep. Being active throughout the day helps you relax more at night. If you give your body the rest it needs, you'll be rewarded with many health benefits, including:

Clearer thoughts
More energy
Positive mindset
Healthy weight maintenance
Muscle strength
Stress relief
Better decision-making ability
Stronger immune system

A good night's sleep is important to your overall well-being - and being active can improve your sleep cycle. When you sleep well, you'll wake feeling more rested and alert. Daily walks relieve insomnia and other sleep disorders by:

Loosening tight muscles
Reducing stress
Promoting longer, deeper sleep periods known as slow wave—the phase of sleep that helps restore the body
Lessening symptoms of depression and anxiety

Sleep Like a Log

How well and how long you sleep affect how you feel. Science has proven that good, sound sleep is necessary for health.

University of Chicago researchers found that lack of sleep reduces the amount of human growth hormone. This hormone is responsible for the body's fat-to-muscle ratio. Restful sleep creates a balance of the hormone and leads to better health.

When you haven't slept well, your body craves energy. So glucose is released in the bloodstream. This slows your metabolism and can cause weight gain. On the other hand, good sleep helps you maintain a healthy metabolism.

Without enough sleep, you feel sluggish and tired—you don't want to exercise. The result is a negative cycle that leads to many problems.
Right balance of sleep and exercise creates a positive cycle for your body. It works both ways: activity helps satisfy your body's need for sleep, and a better sleep pattern motivates you to keep moving.

Walk to Sleep

Take the first step toward healthier sleep and exercise by walking. These ideas will help:

Ease yourself into a walking program. Move at the pace that's right for you. Walk as far and as long as is comfortable, working up to longer, brisker walks. The steady introduction of activity gives your body time to get used to it. This reduces the chance for sore muscles - a common excuse to give up too quickly.

Take a short stroll before and after dinner. This helps soothe your nerves while burning calories. The use of energy combined with the stress release relaxes your body and mind, helping you sleep better and longer.
Companionship helps you stay motivated. Partner with a friend or family member, or even take the dog for a walk.

Cool down after walking. Once you're used to walking, keep this in mind: the ideal walk is brisk enough to make you break a sweat, but not so fast that you run out of breath. Make the last bit of your walk slower. This brings your heartbeat down to its resting rate, which prepares your body for a decent night's sleep.

Walking has a long-term impact on your sleep as well as giving short-term relief. On restless nights, instead of turning on the TV, get up and pace around the house. Take in deep breaths as you move. Shake out your arms and legs. Stretch out your neck. When you climb back into bed, you'll feel more prepared for a healthy trip into dreamland.

Downsize Me: Walk to Burn Fat!

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Energy In, Energy Out

When it comes to body weight, remember this: 1 pound = 3500 calories. For every pound you want to lose, you must burn 3500 calories worth of energy. The only way to do that is to move more.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It uses up oxygen, causing your body to burn stored fat. For example, you'll expend about 100 calories by walking a mile. That might not seem like a lot at first, but just think about it.

Most people average just under 3 miles through the course of their day. If you add an enjoyable morning jaunt or a brisk evening walk you could easily move 4 miles a day. If you walk 4 miles 4 times a week, you can burn 1600 calories! That's half a pound of fat gone. Add more steps to your day while making sure not to eat more calories than you use, and your body can't help but trim down.

Walking also strengthens muscles, which tones and shapes your body. The increased muscle mass boosts your metabolism. This means you burn calories long after you stop moving. And you don't have to get all of your walking in at once. If you don't have time for long walks, find pockets of time throughout your day for short jaunts.

Maximize Your Walk

Any form of walking burns calories and improves muscle definition. But to get the most from your walk, concentrate on these main points:
Choose distance over speed. It's better to walk at a steady pace than walk too quickly and have to quit early. As your fitness level improves, you can speed up gradually.

Go for the hills. To help build your muscles, alternate inclines. Try walking up stairs, bleachers, or hills.

Warm up slowly. Walk the first few minutes at an easy pace to get your body prepared. If your start is too brisk, you risk burning only the immediate sugar supply in your body rather than the stored fat you want to lose.

Physical activity doesn't have to be hard to produce results; it just has to be steady. Walking lets you work your muscles and burn off stored fat. It's simple, enjoyable, and a good weapon in the battle against bulge.

Walk Your Way to Better Health

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Walk Your Way to Better Health

Walking is the most popular physical activity in the U.S., and it's no wonder why. It's easy, it's cheap, it's gentle on the body, and it's good for people of all ages and almost any fitness level.

Whether you're strolling through a mall, hiking through a park, or walking your dog around the neighborhood, walking lifts your spirits, clears your mind, and improves your health. It also strengthens your bones and muscles, lowers your risk for some diseases, improves sleep, and helps you maintain or lose weight – all without fancy equipment, scheduled classes, or a high price tag.

Yet many of us pass up opportunities each and every day to walk. We drive to nearby places or use escalators, moving walkways, riding lawnmowers, and other modern conveniences that have engineered walking out of our lives.

Getting Motivated

In this high-tech age, we often need motivation to get moving. For Nancy Toto, that motivation was coping with a serious illness. When Toto got breast cancer 10 years ago at the age of 51, she was determined not to take it "lying down." So she started walking and never stopped.

"After coming home from getting radiation, I'd go walk the campground for more than three miles," says Toto, who lives in a rural area near Belmont, Ohio. "I felt I just had to do something."

Since then, Toto joined a community walking program, setting and reaching a goal of walking 1,000 miles her first year. In 2002, she joined her husband on a five-month trip during which he biked more than 11,500 miles around the perimeter of the U.S. While he biked, she walked – in campgrounds, hotels, laundromats, parking lots – wherever she could.

The Totos also participate in charity walks and they belong to walkers' and roadrunners' clubs. "The main thing is to keep moving," says Toto, "no matter what. Through the aches and pains – just keep moving."

Just Start Walking

A brisk walk for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week improves your overall health.If you're pressed for time, try two 15-minute walks or three 10-minute walks. Even walking to the bus or train stop counts. The more you walk, the better you'll feel.

Another way to gauge your efforts is in steps. Research shows most people take about 2,000 to 4,000 steps a day. Aim for 10,000 steps a day to really improve your health. It's not as hard as it might sound. A step counter, or pedometer, is an inexpensive gadget that you clip on your waistband to count your steps.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, dog, or hoof it alone. Just start walking!

Get Ready, Get Set, GO!!

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Putting Together a Plan

You can work with a personal trainer or fitness instructor to develop a plan. You also can design your own. You're more apt to stick with your plan if you pick activities you will enjoy. Also think out whether you would prefer going to a gym, joining a community exercise class, or doing exercises at home.

Identifying which areas of fitness you need to work on most can help you design the best plan to meet your needs. For example, you might have great endurance but need to build strength.

The Four Fitness Building Blocks:

Endurance - activities that boost your heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time
Strength - activities that build muscle and make bones stronger
Flexibility - activities that involve stretching and increase your range of motion
Balance - activities that help you maintain posture and balance to keep you from falling

Activities for the Four Building Blocks:

Endurance (aerobics):

Hiking
Stair Climbing
Swimming
Dancing
Cycling
Brisk Walking
Martial Arts
Sports such as volleyball, basketball, and tennis
Goal: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week.
Strength training
Calisthenics or weight machines that work both the upper and lower body
Martial Arts
Pilates
Rowing, cycling, and hiking
An activity like rowing will improve upper-body strength, while cycling and hiking will strengthen leg muscles. Combining upper- and lower-body activities in your daily routine will also provide an overall strengthening workout.
Goal: To build strength through resistance exercises (weights, resistance bands), do one to two sets of 10 to 15 repetitions for each muscle group, two to three times a week. Try to do an activity like cycling three to five times a week.

Flexibility:

Yoga
Ballet
Pilates
Martial Arts
Calisthenics

To avoid injuries it's important to include stretching in all workouts. For instance, stretch for several minutes before and after you walk, jog, dance, or lift weights. If you are stretching before working out make sure your muscles are warmed up. Try marching in place or brisk walking pumping your arms.
Goal: Perform a static (no bouncing) stretch routine each day, working each muscle group two or three times for 20 to 30 seconds each time.

Balance:

Yoga
Martial arts, especially Tai Chi
Weight machines and other exercises that strengthen leg and back muscles
Posture exercises, such as walking with a book on your head or walking heel to toe along a straight line.
Goal: Work your balance exercises into your regular strength-training, stretching, and endurance routines.
Did you notice that some activities, such as martial arts, offer all four building blocks?

Set Specific Goals:

Once you have identified your interests and areas of fitness that will benefit you most, set specific goals. For example: "On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I will do a brisk, 10-minute walk in the morning before my shower, at lunch time and after dinner."

Along with your goals, make a list of all the reasons to be physically active-- things like decreasing stress or depression, building stronger bones or greater strength and flexibility to help maintain independence. Keep this list in a visible place as a daily reminder of the long-term rewards.

Measuring Your Success:

Chart your progress using information from the National Institutes of Health site. Don't be discouraged if you don't get instant results. Getting fit takes time. Just stick with it and you'll see your endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance improve.

Reward Yourself:

Once you've reached your goal, treat yourself to something that reminds you what a good job you've done and encourages you to continue. Make it something that feeds your spirit, but is not necessarily food or an expensive purchase.

Getting Motivated!

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Change Can Do You Good

Change takes patience and persistence. In fact, researchers have discovered that, like life, change is a process that happens in stages. Experts agree that making major behavior changes, such as quitting smoking or drinking, losing weight, trading the couch for the treadmill, all take time. Knowing and understanding the stages for changing and adopting healthier habits can help you improve your success in reaching your goals and sticking with your positive behaviors.

Using physical activity as an example of changing your behavior from being sedentary to an active, healthier lifestyle, let's walk (no pun intended) through the stages of change that will transform you from couch potato to someone who is healthier, looks good, feels good, and has lots more energy. Once you understand the stages, learn tips for success, and how you can master to make that change, a part of your new, healthier way of life.

Stages of Change:

Stage One — Precontemplation: In this stage, physical activity isn't even on your radar screen. Your couch is your favorite place to be. You're not active and you don't think about it.

Stage Two — Contemplation: You start to think being active would be better than staying inert. Perhaps the health club commercial finally struck a chord. You want to feel better, have more energy, and stop gaining weight. You also think that doing something to make that happen – say within the next six months – is within the realm of possibility. Maybe you remember the dance class you took years ago and how good it made you feel.

Stage Three — Preparation: You make plans to get active next month. You move closer to taking action. Maybe you make a list of goals or pencil in time on your calendar for physical activity.

Stage Four — Action: This is where the rubber hits the road. You actually begin to make changes. You bike, jog, walk, swim, or are otherwise physically active, but you have been at it for fewer than six months.

Stage Five — Maintenance: At this stage, you've stayed physically active for at least six months. You're riding high. You've learned to reward yourself for sticking with the program – buying yourself new clothes, treating yourself to a massage. You remind yourself how good you look and feel, and how you want to stay that way.

Tips for Success:

It does not matter what stage you are in now, everyone will have moments when they do not want to continue with the program that they started. Just make sure that these little set backs do not totally throw you off course.

Master Maintenance:

So, you have started your exercise program. Maybe you have stopped seeing results. Maybe you are starting to lose motivation. Maintaining your healthy behavior for the rest of your life is your goal – and your challenge. It's not always easy.

Here are some ways to keep the change when you're tempted not to:
Cut yourself some slack. The old couch was calling you back and you gave in. But don't give up. Setbacks happen. Falling off track doesn't mean throwing in the towel. Remind yourself that change takes time. Then lace up your sneakers, and get back on track.

Have a plan. Identify your roadblocks and find ways around them. For instance, your fitness routine easily could run off track during the holidays, business travel, and vacations. Look for hotels with a health club, or pack a jump rope in your suitcase. Include a walking or biking tour of scenic or historic places in your vacation plans.

Review your goals. If you start to feel it's just not worth it, think about why you decided to change in the first place. Maybe you wanted to lose weight and being active helped you do it. Perhaps you've lowered your blood pressure or are beginning to control your diabetes. Reminding yourself of the goals you've realized and the ones you're still striving for will help you push ahead.

Mobilize your support system. Call on friends, family members, or coworkers who have been your cheerleaders. They can encourage you to stick with it. Maybe you've formed or joined a support group. Don't hesitate to connect with others who are working on the same change.
Have confidence. Believe in yourself and don't question your ability to change. If you fail once, try again. Try something else. And learn from your mistakes. With patience and determination, you can change your life.

Pictures from The Crystal Lake Family Gathering on Xmas Day!

2008-12-27T16:12:00.003-06:00

Celebrating the Christmas Day Birthday for Cousin Brody.

Brody, Mom and Dad during a Xmas Present/Birthday Present Opening Event.

Birthday Cake for Brody's 1st Birthday prior to destruction by fingers.

Grandpa Hoss and Aunt Patricia enjoying their clan.

Christmas morning scenes after the snowfall overnite!

2008-12-27T16:03:00.001-06:00

More Pics from Xmas Eve!

2008-12-27T15:56:00.003-06:00

The Little Charmer in action! Work it Brody!

Lisa attending Philosophy 101 with Dr. Dark!!!!!

A rare moment of pure pleasure catching my sis in law sipping from the bottle.

( a very rare moment, like non-existent).

Pictures from the Christmas Eve Party at Lewis Home in Fargo

2008-12-27T15:44:00.006-06:00

Brody teaching Dad how to use the new interactive toy he got from xmas. Good luck Brody getting this away from Dad.

Donna checking just to be sure she is 100% for the picture in her queen of the zebra plains outfit.

2008-12-20T10:55:00.004-06:00

Cape Cod Coast Guard crew of USCGC Sanibel honored for exceptional service (`12/18/2008)

Rear Adm. Dale Gabel (center left) thanks the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel for their hard work from June 2007 to July 2008 after presenting them with a meritorious unit commendation award. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen)

The commander of the First Coast Guard District awarded the crew of the Woods Hole-based Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel with a meritorious unit commendation today for exceptional service from June 2007 to July 2008.

"I thank you for all of the hard work you do and for all of the care that you put into doing your job," said Rear Adm. Dale Gabel. "Congratulations." Lt. j.g. Michael Jarbeau, the Sanibel's executive officer, accepted the award on behalf of the cutter crew.

"It feels to great to be recognized for our hard work," said Petty Officer 1st Class Karel Mullen, the operations petty officer on the Sanibel. "It's important for the crew to see that people notice the work we do and that we take time away from our families to get the job done."

During the summer of 2007, the crew of the Sanibel took the cutter to Bayou La Batre, Ala., where they oversaw $275,000 in contracted maintenance work, and ensured that it was completed on schedule.

Afterward, the crew took the ship to New York and acted as the patrol commander to the United Nations General Assembly during President Bush's address to the group, maintaining constant security for him and 120 heads of state.

Then in February 2008, the Sanibel crew quickly repaired their own broken machinery so that they could help a disabled fishing vessel that was 95 miles away. They towed the 46-foot ship for more than four and a half hours through 12-foot seas and 45-knot winds to bring the three fishermen and their boat, valued at $245,000, to safety.

Additionally, they boarded more than 70 vessels at sea to check for required safety gear and to make sure they were abiding by fishing regulations.

They ended the voyage of two ships for operating under unsafe conditions and found two vessels with significant fisheries violations.

"The year flew by," Mullen said. "We've had great experiences, and we've done diverse missions. We don't get too bored, and we don't get too stagnant, so we stay motivated."

"It's important for people to know that their service is valued by the Coast Guard," Gabel said. "We (the district staff) wanted the crew to know that they're doing great work, and we appreciate that."

Inspite of todays blizzard, love the winterland ..sometimes!!!!

2008-12-14T12:34:00.002-06:00

Free Comments and Graphics

Thanksgiving Holiday Pictures

2008-12-14T11:50:00.002-06:00

We had a few visitors for Thanksgiving to our abode, welcome to Curt, Betty, Jeff, Kristi, Aidyn, Nolan, Trishy, Norman, Janice and Horace. We had lots of good food and along with our own little clan of Craig, Brett, and Donna we had a full house.

Fall Shots from October 4, on the turn to the Lodge

2008-10-04T16:33:00.003-05:00

Fall and End of Summer!

2008-10-04T10:51:00.002-05:00

I hate this time of the year and at the same time i love the colors and weather. It means closing down the boating season, pulling in the docks, closing the boathouse, hauling the boats off to storage and ending the warm weather.

But Fall holds its own pleasure at the Lodge...nice cool mornings and days...falling leaves.....and the wonderful colors of the Sugar Maples that abound in that part of the lake shore. Reds, Greens, Yellows and brilliant orange colors.....the next blog will hopefully have them at their peak.

Family Gathering end of JULY at Uncle Curt and Aunt Betty's Forest Home

2008-10-04T10:43:00.004-05:00

The whole gang together, including Curt who figured out the timer on his camera and ran to be included in the picture at the last minute. Who is that fat guy standing behind Hoss?

The traditional picture of the brothers and sisters, albeit with one missing, where and why did we forget to invite IKE?

Colorado Music Festival Final Concert, June 2008

2008-10-04T10:33:00.001-05:00

These are the few shots of the final concert and closing activity of the Colorado College Music Festival, June 2008, that Brett attended in Colorado Springs, CO.

More USAF Cadet Chapel Pictures

2008-10-04T10:29:00.000-05:00

U.S. Air force Academy Visit, July 2008

2008-10-04T10:23:00.001-05:00

These are picture of our viist to the U.S. Air Force Academy that we did during our visit in late June and early July in Colorado Springs, CO. Some of these shots are inside the Cadet Chapel.

More Pictures from Our Colorado Summer Trip

2008-10-04T10:19:00.004-05:00

These are pictures from our visit to Garden of the Gods while in Colorado Springs in late June, early July.

Colorado Music Festival at Colorado College

2008-07-11T10:05:00.006-05:00

This is a picture from the day at Garden of the Gods just outside Colorado Springs!
Banner featuring the CC Arts Festival summer celebration.
Mr. B's home for one month at Colorado College, a dorm room all to himself with three beds, all of which got used, not of which were ever made up.

Mr. B attended the Colorado College music festival from June 9 until July 1st in Colorado Springs. Here are pictures of some the the scenes at the CCMF. This is a picture of their school of music and arts.

The Lewis Rocky Mountain Trip

2008-07-11T07:15:00.003-05:00

Well we all had a great visit to the Rockies in late June, early July. Here are some pics of the trip.

More Pics from the nite of the tornado just 3 miles south of us.

2008-06-15T13:23:00.002-05:00

Well, you saw the previous post of the picture of the funnel coming down out of the clouds near Rochert, MN on Thursday nite, June 12th. Here are some more pictures after the storm sort of passed by, without fortunately causing any noticeable damage. Some are of a double rainbow that formed over the lake, plus the eerie clouds with the "yellow glow" that I will never forget from my experience with the Fargo Tornado in 1957. I remember the color of the sky and air that nite, this was just like it on Thursday.

Wow, what a terrifying nite here at Cotton Lake

2008-06-13T16:31:00.004-05:00

Here is the picture of the tornado only three miles away over Rochert, Mn last nite as it came out of the clouds. Fortunately, it did not touch down. This picture was taken with a cell phone.

Wow, what a neat way to spend a Wednesday Evening in Duluth!

2008-05-14T21:01:00.004-05:00

I had the great opportunity this evening in Duluth to see the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds Aerobatic Aerial Flying Team. They were cool. Thousands were on the lakewalk tonite, and of course just outside my hotel at 5:15PM when the jets fly over on their first run. It was hard to get pictures with my small camera, but you can at least get an idea of the color and excitement.

Promenade in Paris continues....

2008-05-10T09:24:00.002-05:00

Donna made me remove this piece of artwork.

Here are some pictures from around the Louvre.

Ice Out on Cotton Lake!

2008-05-08T18:48:00.003-05:00

This year, 2008 the ice has finally given up the ghost and left the lake. It started on Tuesday afternoon/evening of May 6th.

It seemed this year that it just did not want to leave, but the lake is clear, crisp, cold and wet - the Suckers are also beginning to spawn.

Paris Promenade 3

2008-05-08T18:24:00.002-05:00

Here are more pictures from our trip to Paris, see if you can guess which sites these are?

Congratulations to KJ!

2008-05-08T13:41:00.001-05:00

Great work Kristi, you were right on all three.

More Paris Promenade!

2008-05-07T22:16:00.002-05:00

Here are three more pictures from our trip to Paris we had on April 27 to May 3. If you recognize any of the three places, leave us a comment. There will be a prize for the person who first gets all three correct.

More Paris Promenade!

2008-05-07T22:03:00.004-05:00

The following are more pictures of our Paris trip, April 27 to May 3. These pictures are from some key spots around Paris, many might recognize from having seen them live or in pictures.

If you know what any one or all three of these are, leave a comment - the first one correct on all three gets a prize.

Donna and Craig Celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary in Paris- A Bit Early!

2008-05-05T12:58:00.004-05:00

April 27th to May 3rd, Donna and Craig flew to Paris for a week courtesy of Roche Diagnostics. We had a lot of fun inspite of the fact it rained almost all day on Monday and Tuesday, about 1/2 the day on Wednesday before clearing up and leaving us 2 1/2 gorgeous days to finish the trip. We did the Open Tour bussses, ride on the Seine, manuevered the Metro, and trusted a taxi driver a few times. Our sites visited included the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumphe, Palais Garner de la Opera, Notre Dame, Haussman Department Store, Place de Concord, walked on the Champs Elysee, visited the Madelaine Church, tried to visit the La Chapelle but the lines were too long for Craig, toured Versaille on day and the famous Pere Lachaisse Cemetary where famous artists. writers, and musicians and politicians are buried.

We saw the graves of Alfred Chopin (the Italian Composer) and Jim Morrison (musician), along with the bizarre tomb of Oscar Wilde. We will post several pictures of the next few days to bring you all up to date and give a small taste of the time spent in Paris. You'll have to come over to see the rest of the pictures. We have over 600 pictures from the trip. Today's pictures posted are from the tour of the Palace of Versaille. Unfortunately, it was a very cloudy and rainy, greyish day.

Let it Be, Hillary!

2008-04-17T15:54:00.003-05:00

this is just too, too, too funny to resist. I loved it.

Click to see the blogspot and then click on Hillary's New Campaign Song:

http://www.hillarythebitch.com/index.php?ind=news&op=news_show_single&ide=76

Craig gets his first Nationally Published Website

2008-04-01T20:27:00.002-06:00

Well, I finally achieved my dream for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Twin Ports Flotilla 8-4. Since last June I have been working and learning how to write compliant websites using HTML code.

As of 3/31/2008, the Twin Ports Flotilla 8-4, Duluth Superior now has a published webiste on the USCG Auxiliary National Server linkable through its Auxiliary Unit Directory & Finder Quick Link in the 9th District section.

Visit the site, I am very proud of it for my first attempt at HTML code. www.a0910804.uscgaux.info

A Great Place to eat on any day but Sunday!

2008-03-15T09:32:00.003-06:00

This is Quinn's which is a really neat place to have a refreshing beverage and meal just off the Embarcadero in Oakland. It is a short walk from Coast Guard Island and a friend of mine from Arizona, (DOUG) and I ate lunch there on March 5th. It was great. We were told not to eat there on Sunday's. Unfortunately, the training class had their outing to this place on "SUNDAY". The same cook is not there on Sunday and the food is not nearly as good then.

Trip to California Is Over!

2008-03-15T09:14:00.005-06:00

(Pictures above are photos of Coast Guard Island, an Anchor Monument on the Island, the Hotel just off the Island that were were billeted at, and two cutters at the Island - one of which left while we were there.)

Well, my trip to Alameda, California started on March 5 and ended on March 10. I went to the USCG Integrated Support Command in Alameda, California for a training program. Unfortunately, most of the people in my training class became ill with Influenza Type A while there.

I had gotten over a previous battle with the influenza from February 25 to about the 1st of March, so I seem to have gotten a less virulent form, but none the less infective. I worked on and off this week as I felt able to and did as much from the office as possible to avoid contact with people.

Here are some pictures from Alameda.

More Pics from our Litchfield, MN trip!

2008-03-01T13:03:00.004-06:00

Ok, This is Nolan showing us how to do the "Hokey Pokey" - and doing it for the whole congregation on Sunday at the altar. What a daring kid!!!

Nolan being actually "still as a mouse for once second" and a great looking bunch of people and Aidyn with a Brodie growing out of her head.

Granpa getting quality time with his own grandson, but sharing him with Nolan and Aidyn too.

I like this trio a lot!!!!!

Our Nephews Baptism the weekend of the 24th of Feb, plus a lot of other nephews and neices and grandnephews and grandneices, etc.etc.

2008-03-01T12:58:00.004-06:00

A great shot of the family with Brodie at the Baptism.

Proud parents and proud Auntie!

I'm just tooo cute, aren't I!!!!!

This is a strang sort of picture, don't you think?

More Pics from Florida!

2008-03-01T12:43:00.003-06:00

Steph and Stacey having a major planning meeting!

Dan giving me the Peace Sign or Nixon's "V" for victory sign. Jon did not want to be left out so he showed his severely arthritic right hand. I feel so sorrrrry for him!!!

Megan looking to see if the drinks are coming, and Steph just being Steph!!!!

Nick and Melanie posing nicely for the picture.

A Few Pics with Some of My Favorite People I Work With!

2008-03-01T12:38:00.008-06:00

Jon very happy just to be able to sit next to me, and me looking like I am having a "gastrointestinal distrubance" or am afraid of pictures.

Stacey showing us her rings and beautiful smile, along with me showing how remarkably good I can look even when i am next to someone space time continuum's more beautiful than me. God, her teeth are white - I should try some bleach on mine.

Steph trying to direct the group in a bar song, whle Melanie looks very sternly and the "big guy" is looking off to the bar to see if the drinks will come soon so Steph will stop making us sing these Bar Songs.

Nick telling an interesting joke to Palma and apparently it was funny cuz she is starting to laugh in this picture or is she grimacing?

Sunny Florida, Feb 18-22.

A Snapshot of our Trip to Come in Late April.

2008-02-23T13:34:00.003-06:00

http://www.intercontinentalvideo.com/?showID=24227

InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel is a magnificent and historic hotel originally built in 1862. The hotel re-opened in April 2003 after an 18-month, multi-million Euro restoration program. A location to be envied - right in the heart of Paris, this landmark property, overlooks the Place de L'Opera, the world famous Opera House; the ideal location for shopping, sightseeing and business. A new dedicated Club Floor with 83 rooms offers lavishly designed rooms with exclusive access to the private Club Lounge where guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, snacks and drinks all day and evening cocktails. Overlooking the rooftop of the Garnier Opera House, this lounge becomes the perfect place for those guests wanting a bit of extra 'peace and quiet' and exclusive luxury. The Hotel's Le Café de la Paix is the most famous restaurant in Paris - breathtaking surroundings, lovingly restored - where hotel guests can not only enjoy a superb menu of food and wine but also mix with the rich and famous.

What a Great Time In Florida!

2008-02-22T20:00:00.004-06:00

Well, This is the Champions Gate Omni Florida Resort Hotel and Golf Club. It was the site of our 2008 National Sales Meeting for the company I have worked for now coming up on my 23rd year in May of this year. I returned to the Diabetes Care Division of Roche this last January 2007 and have just finished my first year back in this division after a brief 2 1/2 year stint in the Point of Care Diagnostics Division of Roche as a National Account Manager. The move for me has been a life changing event. I returned to doing something I really missed and have discovered I love to do. I work with a great team of people from Jon and Dan, to Barb and Palma, to Steph and Stacey, and Megan and Nick and our newest kid on the block, Melanie. We are also blessed to have two great Channel Managers in our MPLS area, Rashelle and Matt who really make work for me fun and everyday worthwhile. We also fortunate to have a great boss/leader as a regional manager, Pat who is fellow UND alumnus. Go Sioux!!!

The meeting was highlighted by the annual awards banquet and our MPLS region sort of cleaned up on awards. Rashelle, Palma, Pat and I all received the President's Award for our sales groups, which includes the Professional, Key, Channel, and Regional Business Manager categories. Plus 7 of the MPLS triad team are going on the Diamond Travel Award Trip to Paris the last week in April. Gotta get busy on those Passports tomorrow. It was the best meeting for me in 23 years. Now, the challenge is to repeat it next year, which we are going to do.

Now I am fat because I thought I was dieting????

2008-02-11T18:47:00.000-06:00

Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Weight Gain
Posted: 2008-02-11 11:07:34
(Feb. 11) - If you're watching your weight, those no-calorie sweeteners could be doing more harm than good.A Purdue University study found that artificial sweeteners might actually foster weight gain by confusing the body in a way that makes it harder to burn calories.

In the study, one group of rats were fed yogurt sweetened with glucose, a simple sugar with the same calories as table sugar. Another group received yogurt with saccharin. The saccharin group went on to consume more calories, gain more weight and put on more body fat. Other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K could have similar effects, the study said.

The findings come on the heels of a separate study that linked diet soda consumption to an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome -- a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and high blood pressure.

When humans prepare to eat, their metabolism revs up and body temperature rises. The Purdue study found that the rats used to the saccharin had a smaller rise in body temperature after eating a sweet, high-calorie meal because their bodies were expecting fewer calories.

Study authors Susan Swithers and Terry Davidson said they think this response both led to overeating and made it harder to burn off sweet-tasting calories. The research might explain why other studies about the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight have largely been inconclusive, Swithers said. It might also explain in part why obesity has risen in parallel with use of such sweeteners.

People can still count calories to regulate intake and body weight, Swithers said, although she acknowledged that it requires more conscious effort than consuming inherently low-calorie foods.The findings were published the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

My Band, Album and Album Cover

2008-02-04T20:17:00.001-06:00

I know this post doesn't make much sense unless your first visist Aidyn and Nolan's Blogspot and see their mom's post, then it still doesn't make any sense, but you understand why I did it.

My Bands Name is: The Falcon School for Girls

Album: Deep Need to Complain! (that is almost scarry when you think about the chances of me getting that for an album name)

My Album Cover:

Is it cold enough for you yet?

2008-02-01T17:05:00.000-06:00

Well, I traveled on business to Duluth this week, leaving what was actually a pretty nice day at the lake that morning at about 19 deg above zero, no wind.

I arrived to freezing rain and wind blowing 20 to 30 miles per hour.

Next day got better through, they closed all the schools at 9 pm the nite before (never heard of that before, at least not when I was in school, they always waited until an hour before school was to start), and no travel was allowed in the City of Duluth. The temperature (air temp = -29 deg F, and the windchill was -50 deg F.

-50 deg F - that is too damn cold.

So lets talk about this global warming thing ....

Lewis Lakeshore Lodge Goes Hi-Tech for Emergencies!

2008-01-26T21:30:00.000-06:00

Well, after enough worry and uncertainty about power outages which were far more frequent than I cared for at the "Lodge". We are now hi-tech with new 12 kw standby generator having been installed by Alcor Electric of Rochert, MN.

The new generator supplies enough power to supply all essential needs and lighting in the house when we experience power outages for any reason. In addition, it is hooked to a power transfer switch which allows the generator to sense the power outage and automatically turn on without any action required by the residents (i.e. homeowner).

We have experienced too many outages while other parts of our lake don't seem to have any and had heard from the electrical contractors that Wild Rice Electric's system on the west side of the lake was very fragile and hadn't been updated in years. A wind or ice storm could take out the system for many hours or worse yet a day or two. Well, at January temperatures, that would be catastrophic. So now we can power our own house, running off the same propane we normally use to heat the home.

Now I have some neighbors asking about the generator.

CGC Sanibel Saves Cape Cod Scallop Boat Crew today, 1.25/2008.

2008-01-26T18:55:00.000-06:00

Charlotte Jean II lost steering in 40-knot wind and 15-20 foot seas today.

The Coast Guard reports that it aided a scallop boat crew today when their boat lost steering ability in frigid waters about 15 miles south of Nantucket.

Faced with 10-15 foot seas, 40-knot gusts and and icing conditions, the crew aboard the Charlotte Jean II radioed Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at about 4 a.m., when their gear failed.

The sector dispatched the Woods Hole stationed Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel (on right), which arrived at about 8:45 a.m., and took the New Bedford-based boat in tow.

The Sanibel is scheduled to pass the tow to another fishing boat near New Bedford at about 5 p.m.

This cutter that saved the crew is of course under the command of our nephew. Bravo Zulu Sanibel!!!!

We had an unexpected and very sad little visitor to the Lodge last nite!

2008-01-25T20:57:00.000-06:00

It started about 2 am this morning. I heard this faint Meow. I thought is there a cat in the house, so I got up. I listened and realized it was coming from just outside the back door. There on the step was a small black and white kitten who was very cold and probably very hungry.

I tried to coax the kitten into the laundry room, but it ran away as soon as I opened the door and hid under the car in the driveway. It was about -15 degrees outside. I finally gave up and went to bed after about 15 minutes. I continued to hear the meowing on and off all nite. Each time I got up and the kitten would run away.

This morning the meowing continued into the daytime. The kitten moved from the back door to under our front deck which is not accessible to people in winter. Finally when I left to go to work, I didn't hear or see the kitten anymore. I hope it found someplace warm.

I called the Humane Society of the Lakes only to find that they don't pick up cats and they had no room in the shelter anyway.

I guess nature and life can be cruel, but I hope the kitten found shelter somewhere. I suspect it was from the farm down the road or some "sick" person dropped it off on the road and it escaped to the relative security of our back steps.

It makes me sad to think it might not survive, but at least the weather will be better now for a couple of days. Hope if finds some food.

It's just time for a post!

2008-01-18T13:21:00.000-06:00

Well, I didn't say it was gonna be an informational post! It's just a post (Oh, and with a few cattle).

January Symphony Concert will remember Double Bass section musician, David Zielinski

2008-01-11T08:33:00.001-06:00

A wonderful Double Bassist and mentor for our son, David Zielinksi died December 13th and will be remembered at the FM Symphony concert on January 19th.

Our son, Brett, used to play with the FM Symphony Bass section along with David Zielinksi, and is so honored to have been called over his seminar break (while visiting family and friends in Fargo) and asked to come and be a part of the Bass Section for this very special concert.

My apologies for being somewhat slow at posts in late Dec and early Jan.

2008-01-11T08:24:00.000-06:00

It has been a wonderful time off and I just didn't get into posting much, but below this post you will find a wonderful set of posts on my time off at Christmas, a few scenes from Cotton Lake, and a fantastic set of pictures of a motor vessel crossing Lake Superior in a 2006 winte storm.

Remember the Edmund Fitzgerald, well here is another ship braving the same sort of stuff!

2008-01-11T08:18:00.000-06:00

Lake Superior Crossing by the MV Selfridge Selkirk in storm season of 2006. These are amazing shots from the cam on the pilot house. Now you can understand why Lake Superior is an inland sea that claims ships lives all the time. The lake could hold all the water of the other Great Lakes plus three more lake Eries.

Some more scenes from Cotton Lake this morning in the fog.

2008-01-11T08:15:00.001-06:00

The Flag of the United States of America silhouetted by the rising sun over Cotton Lake.

A foggy day last week with the sun trying to peak through the clouds and trees., the week of January 4th.

MoRe cHrIsTmAs PiCtUrEs!

2008-01-11T08:08:00.000-06:00

This is a shot of the now famous "Donna and Nolan Sleeping Contest"!

Grandma and Grandpa just enjoying having some of the family at their home for Christmas. Happy Holidays are always delivered at their home.

Jeff winding down, and enjoying a great time with family. What a great guy!!!!!!

Christmas Time at Crystal Lake!

2008-01-11T07:37:00.000-06:00

Above: Princess very happy with her new doll set, Donna (another Princess, very happy to have gotten a gift she did not expect), and another shot of "the princess", - Oh! Look at those eyes, she has the gift!"

We had a wonderful holiday celebration at Crystal Lake with Totty, Hoss, Kristi & the Kids. We missed Lisa and Cody, but they had a wonderful gift for all of us that they were working on for Christmas Day delivery. See Lisa and Cody's Blog for those pictures.

Above: A new "rock star" is born and watch out George Hamilton and Ringo Starr, you may be replaced as we have a new musical talent in our family.

Above: Uncle Curt is mystified by his new technological marvel, and Aunt Betty is thinking: "On my goodness, he has another toy to play with for hours this next week!"

Some Things Just are Too Great to be left alone!

2007-12-18T15:55:00.000-06:00

The link below is one of my favorite families of "ELF's" and not bad dancers. You gotta see them perform. After you click on the link below, make sure you go over to the right hand side and take part in the NEW Poll on who is the wiggliest and best dancer?

Make sure you click on this link:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1538843770

Golden Gophers trounce NDSU Bison Men in Basketball! (Sorry, have to be fair to both sides!)

2007-12-04T14:32:00.000-06:00

Led by Al Nolen’s career-high 15 points and five steals, the Golden Gopher men’s basketball team routed a non-conference opponent for the second time in three nights as they defeated North Dakota State 88-56 in front of season-high 12,454 fans Monday evening at Williams Arena.Six Gophers scored in double figures, and senior Dan Coleman helped lead the way with 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds.Minnesota combined to score 41 bench points and also set season highs with 14 steals and seven blocked shots. The 88 points was also Minnesota’s highest tally in nearly two years. Tubby Smith’s Gophers picked up their third 30-plus point victory of the season.Minnesota shot a season-high 52.9 percent from the field as a team and also connected on a season-best 36 field goals, including nine three-pointers. The victory improves the Gophers’ record to 5-1 while the Bison drop to 4-4.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle that featured multiple lead changes until eight minutes remained in the opening stanza. Excellent defensive pressure from the Gophers led to a 13-0 Minnesota run partway through the half that included all nine of Coleman’s first-half points. Coleman led all players with six first half rebounds, four of which came on the offensive end. The Bison, which entered the game averaging 88 points per game, were held scoreless for over seven minutes at one point in the first half.
Offensive rebounds were the story of the first half for Minnesota – the Gophers’ out-rebounded NDSU 11-2 on the offensive side of the ball during the first 20 minutes of play. Minnesota also outscored 22-6 in the paint during the first half.
Coach Smith’s up-tempo style kept the Bison from mounting a second-half comeback, as the Gophers held a commanding 44-27 lead coming out of the locker room. Minnesota quickly snuffed out an early NDSU run to start the second frame by forcing nine Bison turnovers in the period and winning the rebounding battle an impressive 44-33 throughout the contest.
Nolen, a freshman point guard out of Minneapolis Henry High School, played arguably his best game of his young career, making five of seven shots from the field including three of his four three-point attempts. Lawrence Westbrook also continued his early season run of impressive play, making five of seven from the field for 11 points.
The Gophers are now 23-2 all-time against the Bison and have won the last six meetings between the two schools. Minnesota has allowed only one opponent to break the 60-point plateau this season.

Stuck at the Lake!

2007-12-04T11:59:00.001-06:00

Well, I am convinced now, Jack Frost can stop it anytime. We have enough snow. I mean 8 inches here at the lake on Saturday, now we are getting another 6+ as I speak. They should have closed schools this morning. Instead they started them two hours late, and now they are sending the kids home after only being there for one hour.

I have cancelled my travel plans for the day. Was going to try to go into Detroit Lakes, but the highways (all of them are secondary roads out here) are too slippery. So I am sitting here catching up on book work and cleaning up my office.

Hope someone else is enjoying this snow.

A Cold Day at the Duluth Entry!

2007-11-29T18:19:00.001-06:00

These shots are from a cold day in Duluth in October, yes it really is October and there are people in the water. Yes, they are crazy!!!! The winds were blowing at 25-30 miles an hour with gusts to 35. Notice the ships angle leaviing the entry.

More Pics from a Fun Thanksgiving at Hoss and Totty's.

2007-11-29T18:10:00.000-06:00

A few final pictures of my some more of my favorite people in the world. Having a good time on Thanksgiving 2007. Oh, and to make KJ happy a final picture of a fat guy in a funny hat.

Humh? Capt? or Tennille?

2007-11-27T22:29:00.000-06:00

So Jeff? Is she the Captain or is she the Tennile half of the Duo? lol.

More T-Day Pics!

2007-11-27T22:20:00.001-06:00

Donna enjoying a glass of wine and Brett intent in a game with the family!

Thanksgiving Highlights 2007

2007-11-27T21:39:00.000-06:00

We all had a great time at Crystal lake with family and friends for Thanksgiving. Lots of really good turkey, dressing, salads, desserts, pies, etc, etc. etc. Some people are really great cooks. In fact I got to watch the football game undisturbed, pretty much. (Right Cody?)

My Favorite Time of Year is Thanksgiving!

2007-11-20T09:47:00.000-06:00

Actually, I love this holiday more than Xmas. It doesn't have as much of the commercialized hype and you don't buy and give gifts galore for family and friends, many of which they probably take back to the store within a week for something they really wanted. Thanksgiving has all the family things a holiday should have. I thought I would list some:

1. Seeing your family together, not for what they are going to get, but for what they are going to share!

2. Watching your spouse or sister-in-law create her annual magic in the kitchen, with the result being a wonderful feast shared by all! (Greater than any gift you could put in a package).

3. Watching the not so graciously aging uncle fall asleep in the chair after eating while people try to put various things in his nose or ears without waking him up.

4. Seeing some really cute kids (grandkids, nieces/nephews, and others) who will eventually grow up to realize the special value of this holiday, and recall the "old" days.

5. Telling stories, some true, some not, but all fun to tell and hear.

6. Living life to its best, and seeing family at their best, no expectations, no gifts, just each other.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Great Night Out with Friends to hear some Great Music!

2007-11-19T08:33:00.000-06:00

Donna and Craig along with friends Joe and Michelle attended the FM Symphony Masterworks II Concert held and the Festival Concert Hall, North Dakota State University. We had a great time and finished our night off with dinner at our favorite eating place in town, Doolittles.

Solo Violinist Dr. Benjamin Sung performed the Violin Concerto No. 2 by Prokofiev and the concert included:

Zoltán Kodaly:
Variations on a Hungarian Folksong, The Peacock
Variations on a Hungarian Folksong

Sergei Prokofiev:
Violin Concerto No. 2

Beethoven:
Symphony No. 7

Bison Defeat Cal Poly in last minute play!

2007-11-10T21:55:00.000-06:00

***

Visit gobison.com for the newest information, but here is our lastest blog highlight on the North Dakota State University Bison Football Team:

Donna's beloved NDSU Bison won another close one tonight out at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, CA. The Bison were behind 14 to 6 at halftime, but the final score was 31(Bison) to 28 (CalPoly) with more news to be added as the stories come out tomorrow morning.

Big Day in Bismarck this last weekend!

2007-11-06T20:08:00.000-06:00

Donna along with her sisters Pat and Janice, and brothers Curt and Norman traveled to Bismarck along with brother and sisters in law, Betty and Hoss to celebrate Aunt Sis' 90th Birthday. Aunt Sis looks good in these pictures and the rest of the youngun's don't look too bad either. Congratulations to Aunt Sis (Eleanor) on her 90th Birthday. You will note a very special person added his congratulations during their dinner at Minerva's in Bismark. (The Governor of the Great State of North Dakota - John Hoeven). Also, Colleen getting a little behind in her work.

More of the Bison vs Gopher Game

2007-11-01T07:48:00.000-06:00

Make sure you look at the post just before this one, there have been pics added to that one also. Sorry for taking so long to get the pics in there. I had to be fair to family members and have at least one pic of the Gophers entering the field. I also put in a picture of some guy out on the street who seemed really happy even though he was wearing a Gophers Sweatshirt. Maybe it was the beers?

One Side Happy, One Side Not!

2007-10-23T22:21:00.000-05:00

This last weekend, Oct 20th, we traveled to Minneapolis for the 2nd meeting between our son's beloved UM Gophers and his mother's beloved if not adored NDSU Bison Football team. Of course, the hype was going on for weeks before the game and the teams went in with U of M only slightly favored. Most people thought that was a bad bet. Four quarters later the bet would have been a big loser since the score was 27 Bison, 21 Gophers. It was one of the worst losses though in stats for the Gophers this year. NDSU moved the ball almost 600 yards on the field during the game and Tyler Roehl, Bison running back rushed for approx 265 yards himself. He is the USA TODAY Football Player of the Week. So, saddness for the Maroon and Gold and Glory for the "Little Guys in Green and Gold from Fargo!" Sorry, Brett, better luck next year.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S232257.shtml?cat=1

http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_293154320.html

A Wonderful End to a Twin Cities Weekend !

2007-10-11T23:04:00.000-05:00

Our visit October 5-7th and our stay at the downtown Hilton was wonderful. The accomodations were fantastic. Donna and I enjoyed several excellent quality Mojito's in the lounge (Kristi's are still the best though), and a few appetizers. We took in the U of M Symphony Orchestra concert at Ted Mann concert hall that Friday night. The next day, Donna and Brett took care of their business, while I worked at the Children with Diabetes Conference. That night, we joined our nieces and nephews; Jeff and Lisa along with their spouses Kristi and Cody respectively. The kids were there too, Aidyn and Nolan. What a great time at Majors Restaurant. I have added some pictures to highlight the dinner and fun.

Goodbye to A Faithful Friend of our Neighbors!

2007-10-11T19:20:00.001-05:00

It was a sad day yesterday when REX, who suffered for the last few years with arthritis due to his advanced age had to leave us as our neighbor. I will miss his welcoming "bark" he made to me when he saw me walk out into our yard. He was a good neighbor and friend to Rick and Gail for many years. This picture was not of Rex, but reminded me so much of him.

We will remember Rex for the rest of our lives. As with most pets, and especially Black Labs, Rex will be our friend forever.

University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra Concert-Oct 5th

2007-10-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

We are so excited to be going to Minneapolis this weekend for the first season concert of the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. They have a brand new conductor and Artistic Director of Orchestral Studies, and our son, Brett will again be playing in the Bass Section. This year instead of being a freshman in music performance and the 9th out of 10 chairs, he is a sophomore and has moved up to the 4th Chair. He must have done well on his audition for chair position. He, of course, doesn't give a hoot about what chair he is in, but it gives Dad something to be proud of.

Friday, October 5, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
TED MANN CONCERT HALL
University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra

Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Claude Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Afternoon of a Faun)

Richard Wagner Waldweben (Forest Murmurs), from Siegfriedarr. arr. Zumpe

Richard Wagner Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, from Götterdämmerung, arr. Humperdinck

Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 1
I. Andante, ma non troppo Allegro energico
II. Andante (ma non troppo lento:
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale (Quasi una Fantasia): Andante

Ensemble Concert

Mark Russel Smith, Conductor, Artistic Director of Orchestral Studies

Mark Russell Smith, who has been hailed by critics and audiences alike, serves as the Artistic Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Minnesota and Director of New Music Projects at the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. As the Artistic Director of Orchestral Studies at the University, Smith serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra, mentor graduate-level conducting students, as well as teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in orchestral studies. In his role as Director of New Music Projects for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Smith conducts six weeks each season, with a particular focus on contemporary music. As Music Director of the Richmond Symphony since the late 1990s, Mark Russell Smith has been praised for his innovative programming and has won critical acclaim for the orchestra’s renewed vigor, depth of sound and expression. His consummate musicianship and enthusiastic commitment to the art of music-making have endeared him to audiences and musicians alike.

As a guest conductor, Smith enjoys a burgeoning international reputation that has already brought him engagements and re-engagements with prestigious American orchestras, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony, the Houston Symphony and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Other recent appearances include the Hartford Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica de Xalapa, the Phoenix Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, the Eugene Symphony, the Curtis Opera Theatre, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Berkshire Choral Festival, the Eastern Music Festival, the Tulsa Philharmonic, Orchestra London (Ontario) and the European Center for Opera and Vocal Art in Ghent, Belgium.

Smith is a graduate in cello performance of the Juilliard School, where he studied with Claus Adam, and of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied conducting with Max Rudolf and Otto-Werner Mueller. His previous conducting appointments include Assistant Conductor of the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Singers; Associate Conductor of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra; Music Director of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Springfield (MA) Symphony.
Smith resides in Richmond and Minneapolis, where his wife, Ellen Dinwiddie Smith, is a horn player with the Minnesota Orchestra. They have two sons, Alexander and Noah.

Symphony Orchestra

Violin I
Natalia Moiseeva, Dahl Fellow
Zachary Saathoff
Jennifer Berg
Hyewon Kim, Berneking Fellow
Erik Rohde, Dahl Scholar
Anna Clearman, Dahl Scholar
Lindsey Bordner, Dahl Scholar
Yin-na Wang
Latannia Ellerbe, Davis Fellow
Hsuan-Wen Lin
Conor O’Brien, Dahl Fellow
Hannah Murray
Kai-Li Cheng, Dahl Fellow
Aja Majkrzak
Jonathan Magness, Berneking Fellow

Violin II
Sam Rudy
Alison Fahy, Dahl Fellow
Rolf Haas
Rachel Osterhouse
Jessica Wilson
Andy Firski
Julia Che
Katarina Vaughn
Mike Carlson, Honors GrothScholar
Ian Snyder
Abigail Buske
Jamianne Wilcox, Dahl Scholar
Joelle Felix
Meredith Vaughan

Viola
Justin Knoepfel, Berneking Fellow
Clare Harmon
Kirsti Petraborg, Berneking Fellow
Jonas Benson, Honors GrothScholar
Zachary Armstrong
Tim Brock
Erica Burton
Tom Alane, Dahl Scholar
Valerie Little, Dahl Fellow
Jacob Tews
Suzanne Ludwig
Quinn O’Reilly, Sorenson Scholar
Autumn DesLauries

Cello
Nick Donatelle
Gregory Nelson, Mann Fellow
Ramiro Alvarez, Graduate School Fellow
Jennifer Heflin
Joshua Rohde, Dahl Scholar
Veronica Staupe
Joseph Trucano

Bass
Michael Van ryn, American Legion Scholar
Kevin Margo
Matthew Miller
Brett Lewis
Blake Bonde, Batzli Scholar
Miles Sibley
Bailey Webster
Nathaniel Kling

End of Summer Update from the Lodge!

2007-09-22T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well, the season for boating is over. The boats are out of the lake. The lifts are up on the shore. The leaves are turning their orange, red, yellow, and scarlet colors and falling onto the ground. I know for sure now it is fall. We had a terrible hail storm the other nite. The hail was the size of golf balls.

This is my least favorite time of the year since I have to say good-bye to summer, but after I while you start to really enjoy the fall indian summer days. It is also so pretty with the leaf color changes and the cool breezes, which makes it much more enjoyeable. I am editing this post tonite to add some pictures of the fall colors at the Lewis Lodge.

Soon, we will be shoveling snow again. Enuf for now.

Happy Birthday to Craig, 56?????

2007-09-09T21:34:00.000-05:00

The Lewis Lakeshore Lodge had one of its tenants add on one more year this last Friday, Sept 7th. Thanks to Jack, Becky, Donna and Tom for the fun night out at Olive Garden in Fargo. Thanks to Rick & Gail, Janice & Hoss, and Cody & Lisa for the nice cards and greetings. It is really fun for him to be 56 because he told people all week he was turning 57 until we reminded him. Now he feels young for some reason??? It is amazing what old age will do to your mind!!!

OK, so it is another birdwatching update, but hey, its my hobby!

2007-09-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

Yes, today we had another new bird that I have seen before, but never on Cotton Lake at our birdfeeding station. It was a Belted Kingfisher. I actually spotted him sitting on top of the roof to our boatlift. He dove into the water several times to catch minnows and each time returned to the roof of the boat lift so I could get a good viewing of him. So, the season may be winding down for summer, but it certainly has been a great week for seeing some new species here on Cotton Lake.

A New Visitor to Lewis Lakeshore Lodge this morning!

2007-09-03T10:35:00.001-05:00

Actually, we first saw this little visitor yesterday. I thought it was a baby White Breasted Nuthatch. The fact was that it was a smaller nuthatch I have never seen in this area before, and we are only on the very far western border of their eastern North America range. The little visitor was a Red-Breasted Nuthatch. Really only about half the size of the White-Breasted Nuthatches we have so many of around here.

Of course, Craig was excited since this is his new hobby studying birds as he works toward his goal of becoming an amateur ornithologist.

News from August at the Lewis Lakeshore Lodge!

2007-09-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

Well, August is officially consigned to the record books. September is here. School has started and Donna is back teaching high school, Brett is back to the Uof M for school, and I am still at the Lewis Lakeshore Lodge. My hope is to get some pictures of the sugar maple trees in the next few days which have just begun changing to their orange and red colors this week. Unfortuntely, this really does hallmark the end of summer and fall is truly here.

The lake is down about 8-10 inches it looks like and this weekend will be the time to get the boat off the lake and taken to town for storage for the season. That is always a sad time since the summer went the fastest this year that I can remember. The goldfinches are busily eating every day now at the feeders and surprisingly the squirrels seem to be laying off bothering my bird feeders. I guess "fall" changes everybodies behavior.

This morning is beautiful with the sun rising over Shelby Island and its yellow glow coming across Cotton Lake.

I am taking vacation this week and have not really finalized what I plan to do. I may spend a few days in Fargo, ND and then might just take a quick trip to Iowa to see my aunt. Have not decided yet. Then too, I might just enjoy the remaining late summer days on Cotton Lake before we start losing all our leaves and move into the winter months.

Today we are going to have special guests and very good friends visit us at the Lewis Lakeshore Lodge. Jack and Becky are coming to the lake for the day. I am looking forward to updating on what they have been doing and going out to eat at a good restaurant. Socializing and Food are sooooo important.

So long from the Lewis Lakeshore Lodge.

Revisiting the 35W Bridge Tragedy - Closer to Home than you would think!

2007-08-17T21:38:00.000-05:00

Here is another picture of the I35W bridge collapse looking south from the north side of the river bank. In the upper left corner are some tan brick apartments with light colored stone balconies. This is where our son, Brett lives. Now that is what I call, bringing the reality close to home!

We also encourage you to visit: http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/U_grad_composes_tribute_song.html

It is Phil Thompson's musical tribute to the victims and families impacted by the Bridge Calamity. He is a recent Uof M graduate.

Congratulations to Cody and Lisa!

2007-08-11T10:09:00.001-05:00

The Lewis Lodge Clan sends their "Congratulations" to Cody and Lisa on the occasion of their nuptials celebrated today at Crystal Lake. We wish you a happy and blissful life together as husband and wife.

Craig, Donna, and Brett

An Update on the USCGC Sanibel, WPB-1312

2007-08-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

These pictures were captured by a New York area photographer and show Alan's ship as it sailed into New York Harbor sometime between June 22nd and June 27th according to the date on the photographs. It must be fun to have your own 110 foot yacht (not 27 foot) that can steam into just about anyplace it wants and just about no one is going to say anything to you, such as; "Hey, you can't go in there!"

Brett Moves into his new Apartment in MpLS in preparation for start of Soph year at U of M.

2007-08-05T15:56:00.000-05:00

Brett, Mom and Dad traveled to Minneapolis yesterday, (Sat, Aug 4) to move some of Brett's furniture and possessions into his new apartment in preparation for the coming new school term. He is going to be rooming with a friend from Fargo, Alex Christianson. You can see a picture of the complex known as Seven Corner Apartments. He is the last building on the south bank of the Mississippi River before the I35W bridge crossed over the river to the other side. Of course, the the whole country, if not the world knows about the tragic collapse of this bridge and loss of life that accompanied this tragedy only having happened last Wednesday evening, August 1, 2007. Brett will be living next to this site for the next year and likely see much of the continuing rescue operations from his vantage point just above the disaster area. I have included some a pic of the US Coast Guard which responded to the disaster and was visible on the water near some of the bridge wreckage and debris on Saturday.

Gardening on a small scale at Lewis Lodge - another new activity!

2007-07-15T15:25:00.000-05:00

We started over the July 4th weekend building a new flower garden in the front yard around some boulders. The outcome is this small flower garden with water effects and zero scaping features to add some color and flowers to the front area of the house. It has worked well in attracting birds to the yard and gives Craig something to water when he is bored. We also have these amazing giant mushrooms that have literally "popped up" in our front yard.

Brett Lewis and Ross at Cotton Lake for visit and fishing! July 14th and 15th.

2007-07-15T15:20:00.000-05:00

Our son Brett visited the Lewis Lodge this week along with a friend of his from college, Ross. Ross is from just outside Milwaukee, WI. They had a good time watching movies and fishing, plus we all went out to eat on Saturday nite over in Dorset at Campanero's Restuarant.

New Activity at the Lewis Lodge - "for the birds!"

2007-07-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

Yes, we gone to the birds. Well, sort of anyway! We purchased bird feeders this last week at the Backyard Station in Frazee (a local backyard birdwatchers/birdfeeders specialty store) and we are using crushed sunflower seeds as well as nijer seed to feed everything from purple finches, black capped chickadees, a few sparrows, as well as humminbirds and an occassional downey woodpecker. Of course, we are also battling with two Eastern Gray Squirrels who also think the birdfeeders for for them. They are almost more amusing to watch that the birds, except that they eat in one feeding as much as the birds would eat in 2-3 days. We are working at ways to outflank the squirrels. Will keep you all posted on our success.

More 4th of July Celebrating on Cotton Lake - Boat Parade 2007

2007-07-04T12:30:00.000-05:00

Here are some shots from the boat parade this morning on Cotton Lake.

Happy Birthday USA from the Lewis Lodge on Cotton Lake!

2007-07-04T07:39:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful morning with the sun rising over the lake and Pelican Island. The rays shining through the flying U.S. Flag reminded me how special this day really is in our history. Our message today is to remember the soldiers, marines, sailors (including Coast Guardsmen) and airmen who have given much to help us have the freedom and great country that we celebrate today. Hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth and Independence Day Celebration!

Happy Birthday USA!

A Fun Time with Family in Cape Cod

2007-07-02T19:36:00.000-05:00

Donna and I had the pleasure of joining her brother and sister-in-law in Providence, RI on June 21 for a four day adventure that included some great seafood restaurants and the main reason for the trip - the "Change of Command" ceremonies for the USCGC Sanibel at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at Woods Hole, MA. Curt and Betty's son, Alan B. McCabe relieved the "captain" of the Sanibel on June 22, 2007 and became the new commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel.

Thanks for Alan for inviting Uncle Craig to attend so we could join your parents for a really fun time in New England.

TAke a look at the pictures of our trip!

Semper Paratus, Alan!

A Rainy Week in Tropical Northern Minnesota!

2007-06-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

Fargo, ND is flooding again this week, the waters of my home here on beautiful Cotton Lake are filling up with all the rain the last few weeks. It seems like the downpours just won't quit, but I can't complain too much since the lake was down about one foot this spring. It appears we have regained all of that and a bit more in the last 14-20 days. If it doesn't stop soon, we will have to pull the boat lifts and boats in closer to shore in order to not have them float away on us.

It is great to see the beautiful green foliage up here in the north country. I visited one of my many favorite spots in Northern Minnesota this week, Lake of the Woods. This region includes both Warroad and Baudette, MN on the northern border with one of Minnesota's largest bodies of water. Lake of the Woods spreads out over major portions of northern Minnesota from Angle Inlet on the western border to Baudette on the east. Even larger portions of this fantastic walleye pike fishery extend into our good neighbor the the north, Canada. If you have desire to fish for walleye, this is one of the greatest places to do it. It is a big body of water though, so come prepared.

Baudette is my favorite place to overnite. A business visit to the area always includes a dinner at my favorite restaurant, Rosalies, in Baudette. If you go up there, try out Rosalies, you won't be disappointed. I am leaving a picture of one of Baudette's favorite attractions along with this post today. Willey the Walleye.