Calomaar's Blog at GardenStew.com

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

Calomaar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:42:13 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:42 pm (GMT 0)

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

Deputy Dog, My Friend

Calomaar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:58:09 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:58 pm (GMT 0)

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.

Some further thoughts about "Snow Days"

Calomaar — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:53:35 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:53 pm (GMT 0)

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

There is no joy ----

Calomaar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:38:07 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:38 pm (GMT 0)

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

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

Calomaar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:35:56 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:35 pm (GMT 0)

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

Horse Barns Stink

Calomaar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:16:47 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:16 pm (GMT 0)

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

Now that's more like it !!

Calomaar — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:44:44 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:44 pm (GMT 0)

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

Our Country Lane

Calomaar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:48:58 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:48 am (GMT 0)

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

The horses rule

Calomaar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:59:31 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:59 pm (GMT 0)

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.

Fourth of Jully Boat Parade

Calomaar — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 19:40:53 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:40 pm (GMT 0)

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.

Update on the new horses.

Calomaar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:01:41 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:01 pm (GMT 0)

Mimi wanted to go to the barn yesterday, and said that she would buy breakfast at a small restaurant that we both enjoy, if I accompanied her. I haven't been there for a while, and wanted to get some pictures of of the new colt (Pablo) so I went along. There are 5 newborns, ranging in age from 3 months to 2 weeks and one still yet unborne. There is also a new born Lama.

Patrick, the first to be born, has lost his mom, due to a severe case of intestinal colic, which, in horses, can be fatal. Patrick was not weaned, and needed mothers milk to survive. Mimi,s Mare, (Dahlila) who had just delivered Pablo, has taken over the task, and while at first wasn't sure about the whole thing, has now become a fitting step mom. And, the two half brothers have become good buddies, they romp and play together.

The barn owners have acquired a Lama and have it in with the yearling's. Lamas become protective of the horses that they are living with, and unlike horses will face attacking predators head on and often can fight off a wolf or coyotes. Anyway, the Lama turned out to be a female, and a pregnant one at that. So along with the foal's there is a young Lama.

All are doing well, except that already noted, and following are some pictures of the youngsters, and Mimi's riding horse, Lady Guenevere.

This is pablo, he blinked

This also is Pablo, he wanted more attention

This is Payton, Last years Foal

This is Lady Guenevere

This is the Lama

A Loons Story

Calomaar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:30:05 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:30 pm (GMT 0)

A Loons story

We here on Black Oak Lake, love our loons. Summer would surly be a lesser quality time without them. Their haunting calls, the distinctive silhouette as they move slowly across the lake, and their devotion to their mates. We usually have 2 or 3 families on the lake. Normally each family produces 2 young, which they devotedly care for. Some times they can be seen with a baby on their back as they go for a ride. Because they dive for food, and swim very well underwater, they are a relatively heavy bird. They ride low in the water, and it takes them a long way to get airborne. They seldom go inland, their nests are at the edge of the water. They are very nervous and will quickly dive when they feel threatened. They can swim long distances under water, but very shallow. Unfortunately, they are sometimes hit by boats while swimming underwater.

Last year, towards the end of the season, an Eagle got one of the Loons and it's absence was obvious, as the remaining Loon from the couple was always alone. Occasionally the Loons would gather into a group, I think as they prepare to move to their winter homes. The lone Loon was not a part of the group. As winter approached, the group of Loons left for their winter homes, but the lone Loon stayed behind. We noticed that he (or she) had been acting unusually, in that he would rear up and flap his wings and one wing didn't seem to be normal. One day another lone Loon appeared on the lake, and the two seemed to develop a friendship, and for several weeks they could be seen together at different locations on the lake. ( we have a Loon watch program where if you see a Loon out on the lake near your home, you note the time and location, then we compare notes, and hope to learn from the results) By this time they were the main topic of e mails that went from home to home among the concerned people. Someone contacted a wild bird organization and some folks from there and some of us got together in boats, and one cold late fall evening, attempted to capture both or at least the one that seemed to be injured. They caught the injured one but the other was too quick, and got away. The injured bird had a very badly broken wing, that had healed crooked, and unfortunately he had to be put down, as Loons don't eat or survive in captivity, and he surly wouldn't survive long on the frozen lake.

The remaining Loon, the newcomer, was spotted in the lake until the ice covered the lake completely, and then he disappeared. We fear that he became feed for the Eagle, or a wolf or coyote. I guess that we must accept the food chain as a matter of life, and love both the Loons and the Eagles.

Tom

The New Calomaar

Calomaar — Sat, 05 May 2007 22:06:07 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 2:06 am (GMT 0)

I hesitated writing this, because Mimi says that I sound pretentious when I start talking about the new house. But, I think that it's just getting excited about something that I like a lot. I really enjoyed the whole thing, from the first parts of planing, through the building, and now living in the new house. But, I'll give it a try, and try to keep it short and simple.
Calomaar was our a summer home, on Black Oak Lake, in the far North Woods of Wisconsin. We are the 3rd generation of our family to enjoy it. But Mimi & I wanted more from it than those previously using it. For years, it was our plan to retire to Calomaar and live there full time for the rest of our lives. There were very many things about the house that would need to be dealt with for that plan to work. For one it was intended to be a summer cottage when it was first built by grandpa Wenz in 1933. The house lacked insulation, good windows, had very small bedrooms, baths and kitchen, and lacked a lot of the comforts that we would need in a full time home. It was not very guest friendly. Over the years, as it was handed down from generation to generation, and many changes were made, and it was much better than it had started out. However we found that during the few times that we kept it open over winter, the heating costs were very high. Then there was the crawl space, under about 70% of the building. It was dirt, and there were still tree stumps left in place from when the house was built. It was open to the outdoors, and it produced a musty smell that could be a little offensive at times. The crawl space was a real dungeon and no one wanted to go into it for any reason. I could go on, but, there's no need to belabor the reasons, and there were many. We decided early on, we needed to make drastic changes. When I retired in April 2001, we had been living in our home in the city (Milwaukee area) and using Calomaar as a vacation home. Mimi would stay there for the summer, and I would drive up on the week ends, After I retired we both lived there during the summers, and closed it for the winters. And of course our daughter and her husband Erich and our grandson Alex were frequent visitors. We started to talk (and make lists) about what the new house would need. One thing we wanted, was to keep as much of the integrity of the old house as we could. Also the old house is located just 24 feet back from the lake, and affords wonderful views in three directions. And, there is a lot of history there. If we took it down, local building codes would require that anything new would need to be built 75 feet back from the lake. With all that in mind we started drawing a verity of different ideas for additions and remodeling. There came a point when we both agreed on a design idea. We made some “to scale” drawings to take to the building inspectors, for their approval. For a verity of reasons, we were refused. I purchased a copy of the official building codes, and spent a good deal of time studying them, learning about what was required. We modified the plans and resubmitted them only to be refused again. Somewhat discouraged, we put the plans on the back burner, and went on with our lives for a while.
After 8 or 10 months, we were having a conversation with a friend, about another family that had just completed a remodel. Their remodel involved removing a part of the old house, and adding to the remaining part. We got to thinking about their project. That kind of motivated us, so one day just for fun, I tried to draw a building, added to just a part of the old house. I was trying to design it so that all the rooms had a view of the lake. I had several different ideas, when Mimi came up behind me and said that she really liked one of them. Our interest was rekindled, and we got serious again. I got the CAD program going, and made the first attempt at our current home. Mimi, who has some training in drawing homes, sat down at her drawing table and we compared notes as we both worked at it. Several days later our combined efforts produced a set of plans that we both loved. We submitted it, and to our surprise, it was approved. Because neither of us are architectural engineers, and we new that there were a number of things about our plans that needed further engineering. We took our plans to an old friend from high school days, that could provide the needed skills. He reworked a few things and provided working plans.
We had built a garage a few years before, and liked the two guys that put it up, and made them our first contact when we started looking for a builder. We considered several others, but after several meetings, and with their bid in hand we chose them. The only problem was, they were not able to do all the work. So, Mimi and I decided to act as contractor and we would arrange for the rest of the sub contractors needed. We hired an excavator, 2 cement contractors, one for the walls and one for the floors. Cabinet maker, Counter top maker , Gas Company, Electric Company, Telephone Company, and on and on. It also meant that we needed to be in the area during construction. We rented a small house locally to keep us close by. To keep this as short as I can, I'll just say, from July 12th 2005, when we began demolition on the old house, until April 2006, when we moved in, we managed, worked, picked up parts, answered questions, arranged contracts, kept the schedule, and in the end, got everything done. I undertook the heating and A/C as that was the business I was in before I retired. We came in on time and on budget. There were no terrible setbacks or $ surprises. The only stumble was, that I had a very mild heart attack, on September 11th (9-11). I was back on the job by Sept 17th. It was good we were here during construction, because as things came up, we could make the decisions that would otherwise have been made by others. That saved problems down the road. Deputy was a hit, and on the job every day, and the guys were all his friends throughout the work. He has paw prints in the concrete, and his name in only places that the workers know about.
We are in the house for a year now, and it feels like home. I sometimes wonder how our ancestors would feel about what we have done. I hope, where ever they are, they are smiling down on us. After all it is still, as it has always been, Calomaar. The old parts of the house remain much the same, you can sit in the living room, enjoying a fire, and not tell anything has changed. By the way, we did get a lake view from all the rooms, except for one of the bathrooms.

The old house just before construction

The old house

The part of the old house we saved

The new basement of the addition

The 1st floor, floor.

The finished house

A view from the air, during construction

A view of the new house from out on the ice.

In the spring, some mens thoughts turn to ---

Calomaar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:27:42 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:27 pm (GMT 0)

I say the following despite the fact that there is predicted up to 12" of new snow today and tomorrow, and there may be a high temperature in the teens in the next few days.

A sure sign that spring is here, is that the pro baseball season has started. And, as we do each year, we fans start the season with great expectations for our favorite team. In my case, The Milwaukee Brewers. I have been a baseball fan for as long as I can remember that there was such a game. At the beginning of my memory, there was The Milwaukee Brewers, of the American Association, a minor league. Then one day, and at my age then, I didn't care a hoot about the reasons, The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee, and thus began a great devotion to the Braves. I knew every player, their batting averages their place in the line up, and so much more. To this day I can still tell you who played where on that team. If I had spent as much mental energy on something useful, there is no telling what I may have accomplished in life. Any way, I loved them win or loose, through 2 world series, and towards the end, some bad seasons.

Then one day, and I still don't fully understand why, ($$$) I guess, the Braves moved to Atlanta. Boooo Hisssss. Since then I have carried a mighty grudge, and hate the Braves with a passion, equaled only be that toward an old girl friend that dumped me back in high school. But that's a different story. Then one day a very dedicated Baseball fan and antrepinure in Milwaukee named Bud Selig, worked some magic, and arranged for the Seattle Pilots to move to Milwaukee. The new team resurrected the name of the old & beloved Brewers. We again had a pro baseball team. And still do to this day. The Brewers have had some good seasons, and some bad, more bad than good of late, but that doesn't matter, each spring as the season gets started there is cause for hope that this may again be a season such as 1982, when the Brewers went to the world series, (sadly they lost in 7 games to the Cardinals), or like the 2 World Series years with the Braves, (while in Milwaukee). So here I sit, the day after the opener, and the Brewers are undefeated, and they looked very good in their first game. I know there are still 161 games left, and there is a slim chance that they might loose one some where along the way, but to have an undefeated season, you must first win the first game. And there in lays my great hope for this season. All this going on in my mind, despite the weather, is a sure sign that spring is here. Can't wait for the game to night, it's on TV here.

Tom

Spring, and a new life comes into the world

Calomaar — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:45:26 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:45 am (GMT 0)

Saturday evening 3-31-07
Ahhh Spring, spring suggests new beginnings, and new life. The Tulips and Daffodils poking up their new flowers. The trees popping out their new leaves, the seeds just planted breaking through the surface of the ground with a new plant. How about the birds, I saw our resident Eagles, sitting on their nest, likely guarding the new lives in their eggs, or the Robins that have arrived back from their winter playgrounds, getting their nests set for their eggs. There are deer out in the woods giving birth to their fawns. The bear coming out of hibernation, and the new cubs seeing the light of day for the first time. Well spring has sprung in our extended family, and there is new life. Mimi's horse Dahlila, gave birth last night to her new foal. A colt, as yet unnamed. Younger brother to Payton, who is about 1 1/2 years old. That makes 4 of them, horses that is, when you count her riding horse, Gwen, more properly known as "Lady Guenevere". ( there has been much debate about the spelling, I believe this is from the movie )
After our usual morning breakfast with the group, Mimi & I headed to the barn, a 45 minute drive from our house. We found Tina, the lady that owns the barn, her young daughter and their 4 dogs all visiting the mare and 1/2 day old colt, in his stall. After a couple photos, we moved them into the indoor ring to get some exercise. The little fellow followed his mom like a shadow. She moved around the ring, coaxing the colt to follow along. He trotted and at one point broke into a canter. I managed a few more shots with the camera, however the indoor is rather dark, and the pictures are not the best. It didn't take much before he became tired, and he lay down. An attentive mom stood guard. One of the dogs, Jake, thinks he is a special emissary to all the babies that come into the world at that barn, and he promptly lay nose to nose with the colt.
Isn't it something how all the very young of all species are so cute and innocent?? It continues to surprise me that new born horses, which are prey in the natural scheme of things, will let people, come right up to them, and scratch their ears and neck, and they will nuzzle back at you with their noses, seemingly with out any natural fear. They are amazing animals.
Now for a name, it should start with the letter "P" as his fathers name is "P" ( just the letter P ) and all his offspring are customarily named, starting with a "P". as is Payton, his older brother. "P"s lot in life is to stand in stud for all the mares in the barn, and he does rather well, as there will be 7 new babies this season. 5 last year, and he has been doing this for years. So there is a shortage of P names. I've heard rumblings that Pablo is in consideration, and I feel that is wrong, as P is a warm blood, of North Eastern European descent, not Spanish, and Pablo just doesn't hack it. Anyway, I don't have much to say in the matter, it's pretty much up to Mimi and Tina from the barn. So there you have it, spring is sprung, the "colt" is riz, and I don't know what his new name is. ( I've always wanted to use that little diddy, just never had a place where it fits, not that it fits all that well here either.) Tom - Calomaar

Fun on the Lake

Calomaar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 11:54:25 -0400

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:54 pm (GMT 0)

Each year for as long as I can remember, two of our friends here on the lake have a friendly competition. The point is to be the first person, to be in a boat afloat on the lake. The two of them will spend weeks after the fact, debating who actually won. Each year a new "rule" gets added to make it fair for each. Then each new year one of them finds a new way to be first, and the debate begins again.
One year John was out in a small fishing boat with a motor, playing among the melting ice sheets. He looked like a mini ice breaker, as he charged a sheet of ice and smashed through. There was a wind that day, and as I watched, I could see the ice sheets moving about some. John wound up out near the middle of the lake, and some of the ice had closed in behind him. Now our lake is not exceptionally large, just 600 acres or so, but to John at that moment it must have seemed like Lake Michigan. All that ice between him and his shore. We teased him for months after that.
Another year John put a small row boat in when there was a few feet of open water along the shore, and rowed along breaking ice as he went, over to Walt's house where he claimed victory for that year. Walt claimed foul, he said that there needs to be enough open water so that you don't need to break the ice to get through. After a couple weeks of debate, they made a "rule" that to be the winner the boat must not break through any ice.
Another year Walt rowed his small row boat over to John's house, but to keep clear of the ice, he needed to stay very close to shore, and spent more time dislodging the boat from the rocks on the bottom than he spent sitting there rowing. John cried foul, he claimed that the boat has to float, and not come into contact with the bottom. A couple weeks later they agreed on another "rule", the boat must float and not come into contact with the bottom.
Yet another year, John put his kids Kayak into the lake and paddled over to Walt's house, with out hitting the ice, and without contacting the bottom. Walt cried foul, to be fair John needed to use a boat that he would likely use normally during the summer. The Kayak was not fair competition. You guessed it, they "discussed the kayak issue every time they saw each other for the next several weeks. Their wives finally made a "rule", They needed to declare a winner sooner.
So, in the spirit of their competition, this year Mimi and I decided to add to their fun, and made our own entry, and in the process broke as many of their rules as we could. See the picture below. Using a kayak, on the ice, weeks before any open water appeared, and a woman in the boat. I Emailed the picture to both of them, claiming victory, the resulting Emails were both keepers.
Tom (calomaar)

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Away from home for a few days

Calomaar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:15:52 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:15 pm (GMT 0)

We have remodeled our former summer home into a year-round home, and now live their fulltime. We still, however, have our home here in the Milwaukee area. We just drove the 5 hours to get here on Sunday. We are trying to get this house ready to sell. Since we made the decision to move to Land O’ Lakes, the house here has been somewhat neglected. Now to get it ready to sell, there is an overwhelming amount of work. First of all we need to keep the house operational so we have a place to live while working here. Then everything else gets divided into one of four categories; stuff that the kids get, stuff that goes to Good Will, stuff that gets thrown out, and finally the stuff we will be moving up to the lake. So today I’ve been going through the bedroom closet, which has become the home for far more than just clothes. The problem comes when I open a box and find old school papers from our 37-year-old, pregnant, daughter, from when she was in 2nd grade. I spend more time looking at the papers than I spend cleaning out the closet. So you say, why are her things here in our house, If you have kids, I’m sure that you know, that even if the kids have there own home, their house is for short term storage and Mom & Dads house is for long term storage. Even if they tell you when they bring it here that it’s only temporary. Why not, Mom & Dad are empty nesters and have lots of room. They have a nice little Cape Cod style home with a full basement and a garage, but I bet when they see the pile of things that is earmarked for them they will say “we don’t have room”. Anyway, my closet cleaning task today has taken most of the day, and progress has been slow. I just found a box of old pictures from just after we were married. There goes a couple more hours. At this rate we will still be getting it ready to sell for a couple more years.
Poor Deputy, our 13 1/2 year old Yellow Lab, is bored stiff here, he doesn’t do stairs to well any more, and all our work has been up stairs. He loves car rides, even the 5 hour trips, and goes most every where with us. Every time I go down stairs he thinks he can convince me that we should go for a walk, and when he realizes that I’m going right back up, he gives me that “look”. I don’t know where he learned the “look” but those big sad brown eyes can break your heart. I think it’s time to take a break from looking at old pictures and take the poor guy for a walk. Tom.

Getting started

Calomaar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:55:09 -0500

Author: Calomaar
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:55 pm (GMT 0)

Hi
I'm a 66 year old retired man, living in the northwoods of far northern Wisconsin. We recently remodeled our summer home, into a year round home, were we now live fulltime. In the past I have had a vegetable garden and enjoyed both the gardening, and the wonderful fresh vegetables that it produced. Here and know, however I am faced with a couple new challenges. First, I am bothered by arthritis in my knees and other joints, making work on my knees nearly impossible, and secondly, the growing season is much shorter here. It seems to me that I need to learn some new techniques. The use of a green house, above ground garden beds, keeping the deer out, and selecting the best verities to plant. It is in these areas that I am looking for help, advice, and any good hints to make this new adventure fun and productive. About 30 years ago, we cleared a wooded area, about 60 feet wide, by 150 feet long, give or take. We used it for bad mitten, camping, a fire pit, and whatever the kids wanted. I would like to use the north most part of the area, with the longest summer sun exposure, for the garden. I'd like to start modestly, and expand as I gather wisdom and desire. Thanks in advance for your comments and help. Tom Allman "Calomaar"