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An American explorer, a deed, a ghost, a Mansion and me.

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:42 pm

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I'm not sure where I should post this, or even if I should post it here on a gardening web site. However it might be of interest to some. And, some one here might know something of this, and can help me out. I am somewhat of a history buff, and have been doing some of my own research of late, and Yesterday I turned up some things with a somewhat macabre historical twist.

It all starts out a few years ago, when Mimi and I were getting ready to remodel our lake home. During the clean out process prior to demolition, we came upon an old trunk in the attic. Going through the old trunk I found what turns out to be a copy of an "Indenture" of the historically questionably "Carver deed". Jonathan Carver was an English speaking explorer, among other things, and in 1776 just prier to the beginning of the American Revolutionary war, he set out to map and log his explorations and locate the North West passage. He traveled down the Fox river from Green Bay Wisconsin, the Wisconsin river to the Mississippi river, and up to what is now St. Paul, Minnesota. He was supposed to get re-supplied there, but the supplies never arrived. So he returned to Fort Michillimackinac by way of the south shore of lake Superior. There he found a new commander, that was not sympathetic to Carvers mission. Carver went on to England leaving his family behind in Connecticut. In England he attempted to sell his maps and logs of the expedition to raise money. There was little interest. Carver married again, although he still had a wife and children in Connecticut. He wrote a book with someone unknown, that helped make his tails interesting. He attempted to sell shares of land that he was supposedly owner of in Wisconsin. Unfortunately Carver died at 48, a poor miserable man. After his death, and for nearly one hundred years there after, Carvers heirs and those that held shares, attempted to gain position of what they felt was their land. Although many were aware of it, no one could locate the deed.

Skip ahead now to 1900, or so, in northern Wisconsin, a man built a fishing lodge and several small cabins on West Bay Lake. He operated the small business for about 15 years. In 1917, a wealthy Chicago businessman purchased the property and rebuilt it into a Mansion. "Summerwind" was it's name. Some time in the mid 30s the Mansion was abandoned suddenly. Stories of ghosts and hauntings started to spread. Another family purchased it in 1941, and soon there after suddenly left. More stories of ghosts. From then until now, 5 families have attempted to live there, and all 5 families suffered financial difficulties and Ghostly encounters and left suddenly. The stories go on and on, I could write pages if I included all of them. One man that lived there wrote a book about the Ghost entitled "The Carver effect". You see the ghost is supposed to be Jonathan Carver, looking for his lost deed. In 1988 Lightning hit the old place and it burned to the ground. Visitors today say that there is an unexplainable eerie drawing force when you come to visit the ruins. and some report visions of a woman in white on the grounds.

It turns out that the mansion, Summerwind, is only a couple miles from our house in Land O' Lakes, and is renowned as the most haunted house in Wisconsin. So there it is, We find an old "Indenture" of a questionable deed in our attic in Land O' Lakes that gets me interested in Wisconsin's history, and then interested in Carvers history, and then on to England where the deed is recorded in the records of the plantation office, White Hall London, under the rule of George the third King of England and then a twist, to a haunted house supposedly haunted by Carver, looking for his lost deed, and it turns out the haunted house is only a couple miles from my own house. What to make of all that. It starts in Land O' Lakes goes full circle and ends in Land O' Lakes. And it's all true, well the ghost part is open to debate I guess, but really??? How bizarre.

Tom


Last edited: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:01 pm

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Deputy Dog, My Friend

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:58 pm

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Deputy Dog is nearing 16 years old. He is a yellow lab, and we are his second family. He has been a loving, loyal and faithful companion to us for the last 8 plus years. Over the last year or so, or maybe longer, he has started to show his age. He has arthritis in his rear hips, and his front left leg, and only he knows where else. He has gotten progressively less stable on his feet. He has stopped going up stairs, although he will go down the four steps that connect 2 levels of our home. when it's time to go up, he wants to go out doors where he can walk around to the front door where he comes into the upper level.
He has lost most of his hearing, although he will sometimes respond to a whistle or loud noise. I can walk right up to him from behind, and he doesn't know I'm coming until he sees me. He used to love to roam around the woods, and sometimes he would be gone for hours. Now, he goes out for his needs, and comes right back in. Although, I can't blame him, lately, the weather has been very cold, and there is 2 feet of snow in the woods. He wants to be where we are, and will find a comfy place close by, and snooze. If he is aware of our going to another part of the house, he will follow. Sometimes he will snatch up an old toy, and bring it to me to play, but he walks to retrieve it when I toss it across the room. If we play tug of war, which was one of his favorite games, he would hang onto that rope toy like a vice. I never used to win, but now I can, he still likes to play, and now I let him win. Although I don't think it matters to him who wins, he just wants to play. I have been rubbing his arthritic hip and legs, and he loves it. He will lay down and assume the position whenever he thinks I might do it for him.
He still eats well, and controls his bodily functions. He seems to be happy, and always greets us with a happy face when we return from being gone. His internal clock is working fine, he doesn't let me forget a meal.
All that having been said, I come to the concern that I have. How to decide when it's time to help him end his time here properly. I know, there is likely no sure way to decide, I just want him to enjoy life as long as he can, with out suffering. I suspect that that is the key, when suffering out weighs the happiness. It would be nice if he could just say it's time, and I suspect in his own way, he will, I just need to be able to hear him. I can't let my own feelings and emotions block what I am hearing. See, the thing is, I too have arthritis, and it hurts, it hurts to stand up, and to walk, and to do a lot of the things that I enjoy doing, and I wince, and groan, and make ugly faces some times, and I'm sure not ready to cash it in, not even close. I guess that it's the same old question most pet owners face at some point. I just don't want to make a wrong choice and take him too soon. He sure deserves to get the most at this point in life that I can give to him, he has given me so much.





















Last edited: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:59 pm

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Some further thoughts about "Snow Days"

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:53 pm

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The posts about snow days got me thinking, which led to this, which is too long to post in a forum. When I went to school, back in the 40s and 50s, I don't remember "snow days". I remember snowy days, and going to school and dealing with the snow. If we complained, I my Mom would tell us how good we had it, having busses to ride to school, she had to walk to school, 2 miles, up hill, in all kinds of weather, and then walk home again, another 2 miles up the same hill, well you've heard the story. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying we shouldn't do the best that we can for our kids, but is all this protection doing them good? It seems that we are becoming overprotective. At this rate, we will be having "rain days" soon, and then "cloud days", who knows where it might end. I think by treating the kids this way, they learn bad habits. As adults, these kids will expect "Snow days" at work, and be afraid to venture out if there are clouds in the sky. We are creating a weaker society. Kids learn by doing, we can tell them how to be strong all we want, but if we treat them like kids that is how they will turn out. I can see the differences in the younger adults today, on a snowy day when I am out on the roads, many say it's too snowy to drive. Unless the snow is so deep that a vehicle simply can't get through, go and do it,do what needs to be done. If every one is careful, and keeps a good shovel in the car, you will get there just fine. What if the firemen had snow days, or policemen, or doctors, or the snow plow drivers???

By the way, it's snowing right now, and we are going to town for breakfast.

Tom


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There is no joy ----

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:38 pm

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To quote Ernest Lawrence Thayer, and alter it just a little, "Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout; But there is no joy in Packerland — the mighty Packers have struck out".
I think that I'll spend some time alone, crying in my beer, thinking about the wins this season, of which there were many, and when I come to the Giants game, I'll cry some more in that beer. So close, and yet soooo far. The hard thing to accept is the suddenness with which it all ended.
I sure should be happy with most all that happened this season, because at the beginning of the season, after last years record, I was hoping, at best for a 500 or better season, to indicate that the team was getting better. Then they started by winning more games than I had expected. They kept winning, with there only early loss to the Bears. By mid season, I was beginning to think about the playoffs, and really enjoying all the good games. Not to mention the pleasure watching as Bret Favre set so many records, and assured himself a place in the NFL hall of Fame. While I love sports, and the Packers in particular, I myself have never been very good at playing the game. So I live vicariously through Bret, as I have through other Packer greats over the Years. This has turned out to be a good year for that. As the season progressed, more wins spurred more confidence, and thoughts of possibly the Super Bowl. All that from a team that was trying to better a 500 record. I suppose that the more you get, the more you expect. So while I'm disappointed, I am pleased that the Packers finished as one of the 4 best teams in the NFL.
There was about 20 years there between the late 60s and the late 80s where the Packers had their ups and downs, mostly downs, and I kept my loyalty to them through thick and thin. I always managed to find something to enjoy. I enjoyed Lynn Dickey at Quarterback, John Brockington and Mc Arthur Lane at running back. Or James Lofton at wide receiver, Bart Starr as head coach, and many more that don't come to mind at this moment. So I should be really happy with the outcome this year. And really excited about the possibilities for next year. And, I am. But, next season seems so far away. However, there is the upcoming draft, 2 or 3 mini camps, Free agent signings, and in August training camp again.
Don't feel too sorry for me, I'm doing enough of that for now, and, besides I don't feel too sorry for those in Seattle or Indianapolis or Dallas or any other fan that thought his team should get to the super bowl, but didn't. The bottom line is, it's only a game, and the reality of every thing will come back into focus again, and I'll get a fresh beer and watch a Brewers game.
Tom


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12 inches later we awoke to the shvering reality.....

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:35 pm

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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, That's what we were all singing last night as we cozied in by the fire. 12 inches later, we awoke this morning and shivered into the reality of the cleanup. Fortunately the man and his plow arrived bright and early this morning and cleared the driveway. Thank god for him and the guy that invented that whole system, just the thought of having to shovel the whole thing gives me the willies. He did however, leave those high banks of hard packed, plowed snow at the end of the walks, and around the kids car, all of which we needed to shovel through by hand. But, if you get several pair of hands pushing on the shovels, a couple kids kicking snow back where it had just been shoveled away from, and a dog that forgets where the woods are, and will go just about anywhere there is un-shoveled snow, especially that very spot that I'm going to shovel next, out there with you, soon you will have worked up a good sweat, and the work turns into fun and is done in no time. (Boy that was a long sentence, My old English teacher would have wrapped my knuckles after that one) Sadly the snow is too dry to make a snow man, so we'll have to save that fun for another time. The kids are safely on their way home, and the house is eerily quiet, and I sit here looking out on the fresh snow, perfect for winter fun, but having arrived too late for them to go skiing or snow shoeing, and their skies and snowshoes are packed back into the car unused. One good thing, as I look up at the roof, and chimney, things are ready for Santa, and I've been a good boy, really, I have.
Tom
























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Horse Barns Stink

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:16 pm

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It was a cold day, but everyone wanted to see the horses, so we bundled up, piled into the car, and headed toward the barn. It's normally about a twenty minute drive from our house to the barn, but the roads were snow covered and good sense prevailed as it took about 1/2 hour to get there. During the drive both kids fell asleep, when we got there, Alex, the 3 year old woke up, and Connor the 4 month old remained asleep. Couldn't have asked for better results.
I maintain that the work / pleasure ratio of owning and riding horses is way out of whack, into the negative, and I'll tell you why. Mimi will be gone from home on a normal day of riding for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, and ride for 1/2 hour. The majority of that time is spent driving there and back, grooming the horse before and after the ride, cleaning tack, and cleaning the barn isle, and who knows what else. And that's when she is there alone, If her friend Judy is there at the same time, you can add an hour to the afore mentioned time. Of course that's from the eyes of a non rider, one that thinks that horse barns smell bad. Anyway on this day, Mimi and Jo Ann got the 2 horses ( Mimi's friend Judy let us use her horse Sidney) out of their stalls and started the ritual all riders seem to go through prier to riding. Little Alex was a combination of questions .... and great authority as he continued an oratory worthy of a presidential candidate. He reminded me of a character from the movie Jeremiah Johnson, with Robert Redford. A fellow mountain man that couldn't stop talking, even when he was alone. Soon they were riding in the indoor ring, maneuvering around the unorganized jump standards and rails that were there to be used in lessons. Alex and I were relegated to a far corner of the ring watching the steam from our breath as it wafted up and disappeared into the air, and the occasional passing of horse and rider as they worked their way around the riding area. I had 2 cameras, one of which was mine, and was told to get some good pictures of them having fun. After about 20 minutes of breath watching, horse watching, and some picture taking, and of course missing the time that Gwenny bucked, and missing the time Mimi went over the rail, and getting Jo Ann's back as she cantered past, they decided it was time for Alex to get a chance. And, could I please do a better job getting his picture. I handed him up to his mom who set him astride just in front of her in the saddle. I did get a few good shots of them together, and after several trips around, I could hear Alex explaining, as only a 3 year old can, why he should be allowed to do it himself. "Yes Mom", "I do know how to ride" he insisted, "I can do it myself". So the decision was made to put him up on Gwenny, the smaller older and more docile of the two horses. Jo Ann led him around a couple times. Again I was Johnny on the spot with the cameras and got a couple nice shots. All this time Conner slept in his car seat in the warm office, where I could keep an eye on him through a nearby window.
After the riding, the horses were again led into the isle, and put into cross ties, where the post ride ritual began. Alex's interest only lasted so long, and he became my responsibility to entertain. That's ok, because he was interested in looking at other horses. We went walking around outdoors and looking at the horses kept out there. Finally, with all the post ride chores completed, we headed to the local restaurant for something to eat. As we sat there at the table awaiting our food order, I began to think about the poor folks at the table next to us, were they wondering if we had come from a horse barn or what. I'm sure they were just being polite, biting their collective tongues, and left quickly. Or,... maybe it was just my imagination. Anyway, the squash soup with blue cheese was absolutely superb.

Tom


It's yucky cleaning a horses foot, right Mom


Horses have bad breath, right Mom

















That's Pablo, Dark horse next to the hay pile. Born this spring

It's been a tough day riding, Right Mom


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Now that's more like it !!

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:44 pm

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Now that's more like it. When it's just Mimi and me here at the house, things are kept pretty much neat and tidy. Mimi likes a house ready for a surprise guest to arrive at any moment, and find things in good order. And, that's all well and good. Our daughter Jo Ann, her husband Erich, and the two kids Alex and Connor, arrived yesterday, and so much for the neat and tidy. This morning while things were still quiet, I walked through the house and saw, the kitchen counters a clutter with a variety of things that aren't normally even in the house, much less left on the counter. The living room floor was strewn with toys and baby "stuff", the dining room table has a partially worked puzzle, awaiting the return of someone to find another pieces that fits. A whole bunch of unfamiliar shoes at the door, even some very little ones. Those strange jackets on the chair at the door. We sure aren't ready for that surprise guest to pop in, or.... on the other hand, may be we are. I can only say, that the house like this give me a warm feeling down inside, that a neat and tidy house can't come close to. Not to mention the little quick footsteps as three year old Alex comes charging into my office calling "hay Bapa, here you are". Some pictures of the "warm feeling from last night and this morning.

Tom



















Last edited: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:45 pm

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Our Country Lane

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:48 am

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Our Counter lane is just a quiet little road leading in to ours and our neighbors homes. Our country lane is much like all other country lanes, and at the same time it is completely unique. Our country lane is our connection to the world, and it is a quiet, beautiful, and peaceful place. It is a place where a young couple, very much in love, can walk slowly hand in hand, lost in dreams of their future together. Where an elderly couple, very much in love, walk slowly, hand in hand, lost in memories of their many years together. It is a place where one can take a restless dog for a quiet walk at 2:00 in the morning, or watch the pained expression of a jogger as he makes his way in the early morning sunlight. It is a place where I often hear the happy voices and laughter of children at play. It is a place where I can see the Eagles nest high in a White Pine. It's a place where friends can take a leisurely stroll together, and enjoy talk of nothing of any importance at all, or just walk quietly with no talk at all. It's a place where one can go for a bike ride just for the fun of it.
In the spring, I can smell the fresh scent of the woods coming out from under a winters snow cover, or watch the doe as she takes her prancing new fawn for it's first adventure into the woods.
In the summer our Lane becomes an active place, people coming and going, boats going into and out of the lake, ATV's, bicycle riders, go carts, walkers, runners, even a golf cart, making their way in and out and about. In the summer the old ant hill, as long as I am tall, and so high you could hide a canoe behind it, becomes active for at least one more season. In the summer I can hear and see many of the birds that make their homes in the woods along the lane.
On a fall evening, just after dark, I can hear the coyotes, somewhere out in the woods, yipping like a bunch of kids at play. In the fall, I can smell the new aromas of falling leaves and the forest getting ready for the coming winter. In the fall I can enjoy the day to day changes in the colors in the trees. In the fall I can watch the young Eagles stretching their wings as they soar above the forest and the lake.
In the winter, I can enjoy a brisk walk on a bitter cold day, so cold that it causes tears to run down your face, and freeze on your cheeks. The snow, falling quietly, gracefully to a fluffy bed on the ground. The amazing bright sunny morning after an overnight snow. The sound of the plow scraping the old lane, to clear our path to the world. I can see the foot prints of those before me with their dogs, walking and enjoying a wonderful winters morning. Seeing the breath of that same fawn I saw this spring, as he stops to listen for a moment, during his search for a winters meal. Our Country Lane is so much more than just an old road leading to ours and our neighbors homes.
Tom










Last edited: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:49 am

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The horses rule

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:59 pm

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We just returned Thursday, from 6 weeks in the city, celebrating the birth of our 2nd grandchild, and helping out, the now family of 4, however we could. Mimi loves her 4 horses very much, and for her to be gone from them for such a long time, requires the most important of events, and of course Connor's birth was just such an event. The day after we returned, the kids came up for a week's holiday at the end of Mom's maternity leave. I tell you all this because it all sort of leads toward all 6 of us going to the barn to spend some time with the horses, and introduce Connor to them, for the first time. This is my first visit to the barn since our return, but Mimi's second. Her riding horse, Gwen, has been used by a young girl, at a summer day camp sort of a thing. The youngsters are learning to ride and care for horses. Therefore Gwen has had activity during our absence, but was none the less, obviously glad to see Mimi's return. Gwen was turned out with several other horses, and very much to Mimi's pleasure, as we approached, Gwen spotted us, and she came trotting up to the gate. The baby, Pablo, has had some difficulties of late. He may have had a seizure, of unidentified origin. There is some concern there, and the Vet is doing some testing. The yearling, Payton, full brother to Pablo, is great, as is their mother, Dahlila. While there, I took some 40 pictures, here you will find some of them.



Gwen greeting us


Gwen again


Connor getting his first seat upon a horse.


This is the baby, Pablo


Pablo again


Payton, Pablo's full brother, Older.(Yearling)


Payton loves getting his ears rubbed.







Last edited: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:00 pm

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Fourth of Jully Boat Parade

Category: Getting my garden started | Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:40 pm

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Well the fourth has come and gone for another year. With the fourth falling in the middle of the week, we have almost had 2 fourths this year. Living here in a tourist area, we see those that come for the first week end, with the fourth at the end of their stay. And those that come for the second week end, with the fourth at the beginning of their stay. Then there are the more fortunate, that come for the whole week, and both weekends. The town is sure hopping, and the local stores and restaurants are doing stellar business. The lake's are full of boats, water skiers, swimmers, and fisherman, all having a wonderful time. The weather has been great. Our town, Land O' Lakes, is celebration it's 100th anniversary. Young from many viewpoints, but old from ours. The anniversary celebration has worked it's way into most of the events that occur during the year. The official Independence Day celebration started off with the fireworks on the evening of the 3rd, at the airfield. Then on the fourth there was the parade, down main street, followed by a picnic at the local park. Later in the day, our lake's boat parade. The boats are decorated, and the best get prizes. I'm sure many of the other lakes here do the same. Which brings me to my photos. Our neighbor, and very good friend, came to our dock to watch the parade, and come to find out, she was asked to be a judge. To help her, I took photos of all 13 boats, and loaded them into the computer for her to review. I thought there might be some interest here at the Stew too, so here they are.



The lead boat.


We are big on Loons here.


All that is required to enter the parade is to display an American Flag.




I took this picture seconds too soon, they all turned and mooned us.






















We had an unexpected visitor.

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