How do I share this? It scared the heck out of me and lots of others for sure. I guess
I’ll just tell it straight up; on February 10th my beautiful snow shoeing, snow shoveling, mountain climbing, tree trimming, gardening, thin and athletic better-half had a heart attack. Yeah, I know, go figure. After a three-day stay in Gundersen’s Critical Care unit, Ellen is home and feeling pretty good. Scout is taking good care of her, getting her out on short walks.
Our good friends Tom and Jane Downs are in Arizona this week. He sent a picture of his feet by the pool. I hope they enjoy their February in the desert time, but I gotta say, I almost put on shorts here on Saturday. How about this weather?
After Scout and I made our weekly dump trip, I unrolled some garden hose to thaw in the sun and got my stuff around to wash cars. The F 150 hasn’t been cleaned since before deer hunting. This truck with the topper is a lot more area to wash. I had to use a step ladder to get up high enough! Anyway, after the pickup was shining in the sun, I went in for lunch.
Ellen’s sister Kathy brought us lunch (an Olive Garden recipe soup, chicken and dressing sandwich spread and rolls and a peach pie) as well as our share of the deer salami. As usual, we got our deer salami sausage made at Haubert’s in Dickeyville, so I had my first taste of that with some crackers, cheese, and a Coors. Good stuff, Maynard! (Those readers of a certain age may remember that saying from a TV commercial.)
After lunch, El and I sat in the sun on the porch for an hour or so. I know Scout and I fell asleep for a bit. It was like April. We could hear grouse drumming in the distance, songbirds, doves cooing, turkeys gobbling, and melting, running water rounding out a Spring-like symphony. We could also hear the neighbor kids enjoying the near 60 degree afternoon. A resuscitated bat came circling in around us, swooping and diving in a confused sort of way before flying up under the eve of the shop. There were hornets sluggishly trying to fly from spot to spot under the porch ceiling and of course box elder and Asian beetles all over the side of the house. Ellen pointed out the budding pussy willows, box elder trees, and maple trees we can see from our chairs. (Already, two weeks ago she mentioned that the popple trees on the ridge were budding out. We also saw about a dozen robins in the yard around that same time.) There are geese flying north on the big river too. I hope Ma Nature isn’t playing with us. Hopefully the fruit trees aren’t neutered by a late frost like last year.
El and I stopped by the overlook at Shady Maple the other day to look over a pickup we were test driving. Even if it were legal to cross the railroad tracks, the river is open along this traditional and famous ice fishing spot. Some of you may remember when Shady Maple had dozens if not hundreds of permanent and colorful fishing shacks on the ice most of the winter. It is the subject of several Marion Bean watercolor paintings. El and I used to take our little boys down there to fish, often using a shack as a windbreak. Anyway, there were two fishermen with an air boat this day. We watched them move three times in the twenty minutes we waited - because the ignition locked up on this used truck we are probably not going to buy.
Until next time, get out - Ellen and I want to thank the doctors and staff at Gundersen Lutheran. They are awesome. And many, many thanks to our family and friends and neighbors and the First, Second, and Third grades at Stoddard Elementary for well wishes and valentines, for all of your prayers, kind words, get well cards, company, and food from so many. Enjoy.
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