Snowy Gate at the top of the ridge road by Ellen.

Kitchen Window Cardinals & Ellen taking a sled ride

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 27, 2012

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 27, 2012 by Greg Koelker

Thanks to the blizzard last week, my newly retired better halft Ellen got her first “snow day” since she was a little kid. In all the 36 years Ellen worked at Gundersen Lutheran, she rarely got to stay home on a snow day with the boys and I. Since I teach at De Soto High School, a district that often has to call school off or at least run late or close early due to lots of drifted and icy ridges and hills, I got to stay home a few times over the years. Ben and Mark didn't get too many snow days either. When they still had to get on the bus to go to school in La Crosse, there was a lot of let's say, consternation on their part. Although I can't prove it, I think some people resent this. Angie Jesseski, who teaches up in Holmen, always sends me a wisecracking email if we close or are late; they rarely close. While Viroqua closes often enough, Seniorita Halvorsen – who used to be my next door neighbor at DHS – will routinely give me a hard time when we are and they aren't. Even the people at the Gunderen Lab were a tad jealous I think. When I would learn of a school delay or closing when El had already braved the highways to town and work, I would call in and announce to her that “I love my job!” She was used to it, but over the years, when I would call her and someone else answered, I could hear them off the receiver calling, “Hey Ellen, it's Mr. I-Love-My-Job!” I am not sure if that is very professional at all. Anyway, snow days are a nice surprise “vacation” day, but for the record, we are trading each one for a beautiful sunny June day that could be spent in the boat filling the livewell with bluegills, so there is some justice I guess.

Ellen loves snow. She loves to watch it fall. She loves to snow shoe on it. She takes pictures of it. She loves to go for walks in it. She – and I am not making this up - even loves to shovel it. On Thursday last, she came in to announce to Mr. Bah-humbug-I-love-my-job-but-not-so-much-snow, that she had been sledding! She told me that while she was shoveling off the patio, she was thinking about the old Flexible Flyer sleds that she and her brothers and sisters and we all used to use back in the day. Remember how you could sorta steer them? So she went up to the shop and dug out one of the boys' old blue plastic sled boats and tried riding it down the hill they used to call “Suicide.” She said she had to bust some brush to get to the bottom of the hill; then she had to get Scout to quit laughing. I grabbed a Nikon and took a few snaps of their fun. When El came in, she reminded me of our neighbor's old yellow lab, Sam, who used to chase the boys down the hill and grab at their scarves and coats causing no end of accidents and grief.

After a lunch of tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches, we both went back out to do what I love best about snow, move it. Okay, if you believe that I love that or much anything else about snow, I have a bridge I'd like to offer to you for sale between De Soto and Lansing, IA – cash only, and you can set up a toll to make money. Anyway, she ran her shovel and I got “the beast” snarling and rattling. A couple hours later, our wet clothes were hanging by the fire in the basement – okay, that's not entirely true. The wet clothes were hanging in the basement, but there is no fire, just heat blowing out of the duct work attached to the Geo Thermal system. It dries things fine, but there was something about that wood fire on days like this.

Our bird feeder has become cardinal center. While I doubt cardinals like a blizzard, they at least are the perfect bird to complement blowing and drifting snow. I set up a camera and tripod in the kitchen to record pictures and videos of the birds at the feeder on Thursday. We had at least 30 cardinals and untold numbers of bluejays, chickadees, sparrows, and woodpeckers elbowing their way up to the birdseed.

The boys got their love of snow from their mother for sure. They live in Coloradao for the main purpose of riding on mountains of it. While they are getting dumped on now, a couple of weeks ago Ben and some friends flew to Mt. Baker, Washington to ski. He said they got 30 inches the day they got there on top of the 10 or more feet they already had. He and his buddies put “skins” on their skiis and hike up the mountain using their skiis as a sort of snow shoe. Then they ski back down. That'll get you in shape. Mark traveled to Idaho and Jackson Hole, Wyoming to snowboard about the same time. Ben takes snow pictures for the Vail Valley corporation and he wasn't finding much to photograph until last week, but he did get a shot of Mark blasting off a drift on the evening news in Denver. Mark's luxury limo business, Zone Transporation, needs the snow. People come there to ski, so if fewer people are coming, well you can do the math. I have to admit that snow on the mountains is something to see.

Finally, I have to apologize to the Bergen Township road crew. I can't repeat the words, descriptors, and/or curses, that followed the truck that plowed in the bottom of our driveway on Thursday. For crying out loud, Ellen had just shoveled that part of the driveway open. Anyway, it was no big deal and our road is open. Thank you Guys, and thanks to all of the dedicated people who take care of our roads and utilities in all weather and at all times of the year; you do a necessary and important job that takes a lot of time and guts. My brother-in-law Jamie plows for Grant County so I know first hand from him and my sister how your job affects the family and such. Anyway, if you haven't already, wish your State, County, and Town highway people, any police officer, your firemen, EMTs, your postman, UPS drivers, and Fed Ex persons a Happy Holiday and a great New Year, and tell 'em thanks.

Until next time, get out – Happy Holidays to everyone from Ellen, Scout, Gypsy, and me here at Grouse Hollow. Go Bucky! Go Pack! Enjoy.

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 20, 2012

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 20, 2012 by Greg Koelker

I apologize to readers, but it is hard to start something about the outdoors or holidays when mostly I can't get the tragic school shooting in Connecticut last week off of my mind. When I heard about it, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach, and I can't even begin to imagine what those parents, grandparents, siblings, classmates, teachers, friends, cousins, neighbors, clergy, police, EMT's, funeral directors, everyone in that community must be going through. I do know that the effects don't end in Connecticut. Mass shootings wherever affect each of us, our state, our nation, our world. Some will demand gun control, others more school security, still others more mental health screening, or more police. One psychologist on the radio said that there are thousands of potential killers among us who fit the profile discovered by study of mass murderers. But – fortunately – they are “false positives” who lack whatever it is that is missing to actually take action. I have heard one idea in all the media noise since that makes sense to me. Commentator David Brooks on the PBS Newshour said on Friday night that media should not show the murderer's picture or tell their name – ever. Take away the fifteen minutes of fame idea. The perpetrator is dead, but without the idea of becoming famous or infamous, perhaps some potential killers would not do it. Who knows?

What can we do? During this golden season, remember those families and that community and each other. Celebrate this time to give those who are going through this first hand something to look forward to.

Until next time, turn off the news and hug your kids and grandkids even more than you do. Enjoy the season.

Grouse Hollow Journal Xmas for Outdoors Types

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 13, 2012 by Greg Koelker

Ho! Ho! Ho! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! The first snow fall of the season is slowly piling up this Sunday morning and Christmas is coming faster, so here are my annual gift giving suggestions for Outdoors Types.

First off, I want to share that I was so totally out of shape when hunting season came around this year that I didn't enjoy it near as much as some other years. There were days I had to find the gumption to get out there, I saw it as almost too much work. I walk every day, but . . . anyway, we decided to renew my gym membership and so far I have been getting in to work out at least three times a week; I do feel better, sore and stiff, but better. A gym membership costs around $35 a month, but I paid in advance for a year and they threw in six more months for that price, so it was nearer $20 month. It's a lot, but if it helps prevent a heart attack or a fall in the woods, it will be well worth it. A recumbant exercycle is pretty cool and low impact on the joints and back. Amazon had one for $150, but they run up from around $250 usually (and the entire family can use it while watching TV or reading or listening to music or whatever). The family would benefit from a wii video sports console and games, and people actually exercise while they play the games. I have played softball and jumped from cloud to cloud on my niece's game and I worked up a sweat. They aren't cheap but Amazon had one for under $200. The best and easiest (least expensive) exercise is still probably walking. I bought a new pair of New Balance walking shoes for $50 on sale the other day. I chose them because they were made in the US, but they make my feet and knees feel better while I walk, making it more likely that I will get out there. Some good thick walking socks are not a bad idea either.

Being in shape to get out there is good and being safe while up there in a tree stand is really good. A pretty good gift idea to show you care for your tree stand hunters starts with a good saftey set up. Some safety harnesses are a real pain to get into and so they don't get used, but some are easy. The one I have is a camo vest that I put on and pull straps up between my legs to attach to seat belt type clips. I buckle the vest and I'm ready to hook up to a tree when I get up there - $75-150.

A new ladder stand would be welcome for hunters who have a place to put them and leave them up. They run from $50 to $400 and probably more, but most are pretty safe and much easier to climb into than climbing stands or stands you hang on a tree. For around two bills you can find one for two people so your hunter can take along one of the kids or you can spend some quality time together watching wildlife. One of the accessories I like using while spending time in a tree stand is a bow hanger. I attach the hanger to the tree and my bow is hanging right where I need it while my hands are warm in my pockets. There are a variety of hangers out there, but $25 should get the job done. The Iron Talon bow holder clamps on to metal tree stands and holds a bow at the ready for under $20 at Cabelas. They even have a gun and/or crossbow holder. If your tree stand hunter is also into shooting video of his or her shots, a tree stand camera mount might be a good gift for around $50. Of course a new Go Pro Camera would be pretty cool at around $200. On the ground hunting tent blinds are relatively inexpensive. I saw the one I have for $40 – during the hunting season.

If you have an ice fisherman to buy for, a new Vexilar or Marcum or other flasher would be a great gift and maybe increase the number of times your fisherman fries fresh fish - $280 to $600 (you might want to use a gift certificate here and let 'em pick out their own unless you know which one to get.) If the ice ever gets to being really thick around here again or if your ice angler heads up north, a power auger would be pretty cool. $300 to $500 – another one that might be a good one for a gift certificate. For around $40 you could get a plastic utility ice sled for pulling gear out on the ice or even pulling firewood down to the house. Ultra-lite ice poles are good and can be had for around $20. I suggest a long one so that your fisherperson can walk about and fish without having to drag a bucket along.

Renewing or ordering an outdoor magazine or two would be good. I have always enjoyed Gray's Sporting Journal for the well-written stories and art and photography, but it is $37 for seven issues a year. I want to recommend Wisconsin Outdoor News. This bi-monthly newspaper is full of Wisconsin stories, news, editorials, pictures, recipes, lake maps, and more at $26 for 24 issues annually, well-worth it. Wisconsin Natural Resources is colorful and local at $9 fo 6 issues. Wisconsin Trails is informative and full of Wisconsin vacation and day trip ideas but $25 for 6 issues. I like In-Fisherman at $15 for 8 issues as well.

Finally, I asked Ellen what she thought outdoor women would like and she immediately replied snow shoes. That's a great idea, for kids and men too – and they will get some exercise. You can get some really nice ones for around $160. I recommend the ski poles to go along with them. Some snow would be nice too I suppose. She added that goose down vests and coats or Smart Wool socks or Under Armor long johns will make the cold less cold. Lots of women never buy real out door pac style boots with linings so they don't have the right footgear to get in a tree stand or go to a Packer game. An electric boot dryer would be nice too at around $20.

Of course, gloves, mittens, vests, hats, sweaters, pocket camera, Under Armor anything, Scent-loc anything, socks, a good thermos, etc. would all be great gifts. I recommend you don't buy hunting boots, puppies, guns, bows, four -wheelers, binoculars, anything where the outdoors type might need to have a say in it. If you get something like this, make sure you have specifics first or keep the gift receipt. A gift card is always a good idea. (Make sure it won't expire in a year when you buy it.) I also recommend books for those long winter nights. On the Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin is one I read and recommended last year - $19 in hardcover, and Under a Poacher's Moon – Stories of a Wisconsin Game Warden by retired Wisconsin warden Steve Dewald is a good one too - $14 in paper back is a good read. Finally, after proofreading this column, Ellen suggested I add a food dehydrator. She got me a Nesco that works fantastic. It makes jerky in a couple of hours and it can be used to dry fruit and mushrooms and such as well - $50 and up.

Until next time, get out – I suppose I'd better get out and get some gift shopping done too. Think thick ice! On Donder, on Dasher, on, uh, uh, oh yeah, Rudolph, etc. etc. Enjoy.

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 6, 2012 by Greg Koelker

This morning (Saturday last) is dreary and damp.  Scout and I went to the dump over on what used to be School Section Road but now goes by the name of Chipmunk Ridge Road.  I visited with our neighbor, Doug the Barn Wrecker.  (He and another neighbor tore down our old dairy barn a few years ago.)  His group had good luck deer hunting, killing 29 deer over the last couple of weeks!  On the way back to Highway 35, I stopped to glass a boat load of water fowlers parked in some grass with a bunch of decoys set up north of the Stoddard Bay berm.  I had no sooner got my binoculars on them when three guys popped up out of the grass covered craft and started shooting.  I had the window open and could make out some pops from the shots.  A dog started prancing on one end of the boat, but someone made it stay in the boat.  I saw a person jump into the water and start wading to pick up whatever birds they had out.  While that didn't look like fun, I imagine the dog would have gotten really cold making that retrieve.

Anyway, we are not hunting today except for clothes and stuff to take along to Lambeau Field tomorrow.  We are going on a birthday party bus that starts in Cassville and picks us up in Burton at 4:30 AM.  El's baby sister Lori Fure turns 50 this week and this is what she wanted to do for her birthday.  We were in immediately.  Let us hope that Aaron and crew are sharper than they were last week in New York.  I have only seen the Pack win at Lambeau, usually trouncing the Bears, but I have seen them beat the Vikings and Oilers there too.  One of the most memorable games was on December 20,1999.  It was memorable because I was there with my older son Ben, and buddies Curt Christensen and Ron Von Glahn and we got to see a Packer victory; Favre and the Pack eked out a victory over the Tennessee Oilers 30-25.  The game was also memorable because it was Reggie White and Mike Holmgren's last game at Lambeau.  The day was even more special because perennial radio announcers Jim Irwin and Max MacGee were honored at half time as they were retiring after the season as well.   Reggie retired with 68 1/2 sacks after 95 games as a Packer from 94-99.  He died in 2005 at age 43.  Holmgren left Green Bay after leading the Pack back to respectability in the playoffs over 7 seasons with a 75-37-0 record and a Superbowl XXXI win and Superbowl XXXII loss.  Holmgren may be coaching - at Dallas of all g'dawful places - soon, according to sports radio rumors.  Jim Irwin worked for WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee and was the voice of the Packers for 30 years.  He passed away this year.  A long time Packer player (he started in 1954), Max McGee scored the first touchdown in Superbowl history (with a killer hangover); McGee was Irwin's color commentator from 1979 until 1998.  I think it worth mentioning that McGee started the Max McGee National Research Center for Juvenile Diabetes in 1999.  Anyway, it snowed the entire day, a light flurry of snow that accumulated by late afternoon into a fluffy frosting on the field and stands and parking areas.  We grilled brats and such before and after the game.  In fact, we were the last people to leave our area of the parking area.  The clean up crews were going down the row across from us loading trash into the bucket of an end loader.  I spied a red and white PlaySkool cooler that was about to get tossed out, so I rescued it.  It had beer and sausage and cheese in it that hadn't been touched!  It has been so named "The Stolen Cooler" ever since and has made too many fishing, hunting, and vacation trips to mention.  The Stolen Cooler returns to Lambeau with us this weekend too.  

The trip to Lambeau was an adventure that started at 3:15 AM on a foggy Sunday morning.  The bus ride didn't seem that bad even with stops in Fennimore and Madison and Fond du Lac.  We stopped for breakfast at Mac and Don's in Sun Prairie and then motored around the east side of Lake Winnebago north to Green Bay.  The fog had lifted and we saw a few deer hunters going out into flat plowed ground.  I am not sure where they planned to jump deer, but what do I know.  Anyway, the bus driver parked in the lot behind Champions Sports Bar, and by the time I got off, people had already put up a table, put out food, and many had popped a top.  There were sandwiches, cookies, chips and dips, jerky, ham wrapped cream cheese and pickles, bloody mary mix, Rice Krispie Treats and more bars, etc. etc. no brats  or dogs though.  Dressing for the game was iffy as it was relatively warm out, like 50.  I opted for no Under Armor, but I wore my insulated bibs and my deer hunting coat - yeah, I was that guy in blaze orange.  We were able to use Champions' restrooms because we had paid to park there, so when Ellen and I went in, we were thrilled to see that the Happy Schnapps Combo was playing.  Their most famous hit is "The Bears Still Suck" polka as well as other great songs like "Do You Want To Go To Work Today?" and "On The Badger."  The lead singer boasted to the crowd that he loved beer, but that he once quit drinking it for ten years and then he turned thirteen!  That was pretty cool, but it was pretty hot inside, so we went back to the tailgate party.  After a picture of me holding the Stolen Cooler up with the stadium in the back ground, we headed to Lambeau some three blocks away.  

The stadium was rocking by the time we walked in.  There were players warming up on the not - so - frozen tundra and other pre-game activities and announcements going on, like don't cause a ruckuss or you'll be removed and charged.  We bought a beer and water ($10.50) and wandered into where I thought our seats were.  Eventually a kind older couple pointed out to us that we were in their season ticket holder seats and that ours were on the other side of  stadium.  You would think the sections would be numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on, but the odd ones are one side and the even on the other.  Duh.  Anyway, we made it to our seats before the Pack was introduced.  The National Anthem was performed by a fantastic trumpet player and as his last note faded into an echo, two fighter jets screamed in past one of the huge monitors and blasted across the stadium, leaving thunder and screaming fans in their wake.  Pretty cool.  Aside from an inebriated and extremely loud and foul-mouthed Viking fan across the aisle from me, the game was fun.  The stadium police had a visit with him by the end of the first quarter and he settled a bit.  After half-time, he didn't come back until there were only four minutes left to play in the game and hope was pretty lost for the purple people.  Lori and Dave were two rows behind us, so we were able to high five on the good plays and growl together on the not-so-good plays; boy, is Adrian Peterson fun to watch, except when he is scoring on the good guys.  Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb are much more fun to watch when they is scoring touchdowns for the good guys though.  The Packers won 23-14 and we yelled until we hurt.  

Until next time, get out - what a weekend for football fans: the Badgers drubbed Nebraska 70-31 to give us something to look forward to in the new year on New Years Day while the Packers take the lead in the NFC North after the Bears lost to Seattle.  More importantly for some of you, don't forget to get your Spring Turkey permit application taken care of by December 10.  You can apply online at: https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/wi_public/goHome.do.  Black Friday may have come and gone, but shoppers for outdoors types may still need some ideas, so my annual Christmas suggestions column is coming next time. Enjoy.