Tears are the silent language of grief. –Voltaire
Today, as I seem to be doing more often of late because of various other personal reasons, I am crying and in mourning for the loss of my Grandmother Margaret. In my eyes, She was a wonderful Grandmother who enjoyed her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren as much as anyone else but I wholeheartedly believe she enjoyed them just a bit more than others.
I have never handled losing a close friend or loved one very well. Being that I am a very emotional man it's tougher for me when I experience the loss of a loved one. The way I see things, is that we all think that we are immortal when in reality, there is only one person who truly is immortal and that's our lord and savior jesus christ.
I just wanted to share my fondest memory of my Grandmother. Humor me for a moment :-)
When my Brother and Sister and myself were growing up we lived in the Metro Detroit area, which coincidentally is about a 6 to 7 hour drive back " home " to the U.P. where Grandma lived. Every summer, and sometimes on numerous occasions we would make the trip to Gladstone to see family and friends and spend most of our time at the cabins that I shared in previous blogs. It was a great time.. The entire family would come down and spend the day with us including both sets of Grandparents, numerous Aunt's and Uncles and our cousins. These are just some of the memories that stand out in my head.
But, the biggest treat of all - is when mom and dad would say " would you like to spend the night at gramma and grampa anderson's " needless to say, we would jump at the chance. Now, keep in mind we were all pretty energetic kids at the time so mom had the rule, that only one of us could go to gramma's and stay the night at a time, which lead to less stress on grandma and grampa.
There is only one thing I specifically remember Grandma teaching me, and it's perhaps the only thing that she ever did teach me, due to the fact we lived so far away in that she taught me there is always a reward for hard work.
My Grandma was an excellent cook. There isn't a visit toGrandma's that didn't involve her spending many hours in the kitchen to make sure the family, and us grand kids were well fed. OH MY some of the things that she made still rattle around in my head, as the smell of fresh pastries or a freshly baked pie were always never too far in the back of my mind, and to this day if I think about it hard enough - yeah, I can still smell it.
One day, she decided to go for a walk and she took me with her - I think I was 10 or 12 at the time. She had two small cool whip containers in her hand as we walked a few hundred yards down a trail that led to the railroad tracks. After spending a few hours in the brush, we had struggled to find a few pints of fresh picked wild blueberries which she just loved to pick when the time was right.
We took them back to her wonderful kitchen and made the best blueberry muffins that you ever had. I still remember my grandmother letting me eat as many as I wanted as she said to me in a whisper " we won't tell your mom and dad about how many muffins you ate, it will be our secret "
Gramma, if you read this. I just want you to know that I Will NEVER forget that day, and I enjoyed every single second that I got to spend with you. We all love you very much and while you are standing at the pearly gates of heaven and see Grandpa - tell him that I miss him just as much as I do you, and that I am still very happy that he got to meet his Granddaughter Leanna before he passed. You will forever be in my heart, and this world is at a great loss without you in it.
WE LOVE YOU GRAMMA !!!
Troy, Marissa, Maranda, Leanna and Brenden
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Heading North
Hi Gang :
Well, another adventure is set to get underway. Our annual trip to the U.P. to visit family, and hang out together as a family is set to begin. Back when us kids were little, we would travel to Gladstone / Escanaba once or twice a year to spend a week or two with family. Our folks, would rent a cabin in Kipling invite the family down and have a GREAT time. Many a birthday celebration for us kids, many visits by our grandparents and many a poker party for my folks with all of our Aunt's and Uncles and a bunch of our cousins. It was always a very memorable experience for us kids, and it still holds a special place in my heart even to this day.
One of the Cabins we spent time in as kids - and, coincidentally - where Maranda was conceived...
It's a different way of life up here. There's no urban sprawl - Traffic is non-existent ( Except on opening morning of deer season, or when there's a twofer sale at Shopko ) And the people, are generally much nicer.
Of course, one of the things we have to do when we go up - even if it's for only a few hours. Is to head to " Camp " to make sure everything is in order for the upcoming deer season. Wood has to be cut and stacked for November, things need to be checked out and of course, there's always a nature walk or some target shooting while we are there.
The Cabin at Camp..... It's old, but - it's dry, there's water and it keeps us warm when the snow is DEEP
Here's dad gathering kindling for the woodstove.....
There's a sense of solitude when being here. Something you can't get in the big city where we are surrounded by malls, and traffic and crime. Up in the Yoop, it's a simpler way of life. Many say it's much more difficult to live up here because of the distance to everything resembling a city. Honestly, given the chance I would trade the city life for living in the U.P. in a heartbeat.
I would much rather spend the time doing for myself, what most in the city pay others to do. This to me, is living life to it's fullest. Besides, you can't see this in the city !!!
Well, another adventure is set to get underway. Our annual trip to the U.P. to visit family, and hang out together as a family is set to begin. Back when us kids were little, we would travel to Gladstone / Escanaba once or twice a year to spend a week or two with family. Our folks, would rent a cabin in Kipling invite the family down and have a GREAT time. Many a birthday celebration for us kids, many visits by our grandparents and many a poker party for my folks with all of our Aunt's and Uncles and a bunch of our cousins. It was always a very memorable experience for us kids, and it still holds a special place in my heart even to this day.
One of the Cabins we spent time in as kids - and, coincidentally - where Maranda was conceived...
It's a different way of life up here. There's no urban sprawl - Traffic is non-existent ( Except on opening morning of deer season, or when there's a twofer sale at Shopko ) And the people, are generally much nicer.
Of course, one of the things we have to do when we go up - even if it's for only a few hours. Is to head to " Camp " to make sure everything is in order for the upcoming deer season. Wood has to be cut and stacked for November, things need to be checked out and of course, there's always a nature walk or some target shooting while we are there.
The Cabin at Camp..... It's old, but - it's dry, there's water and it keeps us warm when the snow is DEEP
Here's dad gathering kindling for the woodstove.....
There's a sense of solitude when being here. Something you can't get in the big city where we are surrounded by malls, and traffic and crime. Up in the Yoop, it's a simpler way of life. Many say it's much more difficult to live up here because of the distance to everything resembling a city. Honestly, given the chance I would trade the city life for living in the U.P. in a heartbeat.
I would much rather spend the time doing for myself, what most in the city pay others to do. This to me, is living life to it's fullest. Besides, you can't see this in the city !!!
Friday, June 24, 2011
October Sky
I'm going to try to make this short and sweet, but you know me, that's not necessarily possible most times. I don't blog as often as I would like, but then again I don't want to become on of those people that blog about " Everything "
The last couple of days, I've been reminded on numerous occasions of a series of events that occurred in my childhood that are as fresh, and real to me today as they ever have been.
For those of you that don't already know, I've taken it upon myself to obtain a college education. I had originally planned to do this many years ago, however, I started a family at a very young age and quickly learned that family, comes before anything and I let the opportunity of ever attending school fall by the wayside.
Now some 20 years later, I am reminded daily as to the reason's I originally decided not to go, but age and maturity have told me to just " man up " and get it done.
In the course of my orientation for school, I was asked to provide a 150 to 200 word " Bio " about myself in which I described to my fellow classmates my family, my children and my proudest achievement. In which I stated.
The highlight of my life was that I participated in the build of a satellite for NASA that was to have flown on the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Due to a parts emergency on the International Space Station, our project was grounded, shuttles and crews were swapped out and Columbia flew instead of Endeavor. That particular flight has a deep, and sorrowful memory for me as it will forever be remembered in history by us all as “The Columbia Disaster “
When I look at that statement in more detail, I think back to the time I first became interested in the U.S. Space Program. For me it was back in approximately 1979 or 1980 when the Apollo program had already been cancelled as the U.S. and NASA were building " The Space Shuttle. "
However, I was fascinated by how we got started in space in the first place. I was so fascinated in fact, It became an obsession that continues to this day. I used to sneak out of class just to go to the library to read books on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs ( and of course, play with the new PC the school had just received )
My 5th and 6th grade teachers would become quickly upset with me, that on numerous occasions they would leave the classroom alone, come to the library and drag me back to class by the collar or the ear. Needless to say, they weren't very happy with me and the disruption I had caused by leaving the classroom in the first place ( Mrs. Nitterhouse, Mrs. Kunkle and Mrs. Baginsky - I'm REALLY sorry ) After a few phone calls, and a few notes of " disappointment " from my teachers on my report cards, my parents quickly dissuaded me from doing do in the future and that practice ended as I entered Junior High School.
This morning, before Maranda got out of bed I was fortunate enough to have some time to myself. In addition to my morning coffee, I took the 90 minutes to watch one of my all time favorite movies " October Sky ." I think of Homer Hickham in the movie and everything he went through to follow his dream. The successes, the failures and the peer pressure he received because of his passion for rocketry.
Homer taught himself everything that he needed to know about mathematics and became one of the most respected, and prolific engineers at NASA and even went on to teach astronauts everything they needed to know in order to fly in space.
First of all, let me tell you all that I SUCK at Mathematics. Once I hit High School, it was the class I could depend on to get more sleep. This was never a strong point for me, and as a result I am extremely hindered by my lack of mathematics knowledge. However, now that I am a student again I fully intend to rectify this problem by taking as many math courses that I can. You can't become a great scientist or engineer without mathematics as it's a basis for everything in those fields.
In the movie, Homer said to his dad after he had returned to Coalwood after winning the science fair " Sure, Werner Von Braun was a brilliant scientist but, he's not my hero "
You want to know who my hero's are ? First, My Father. He spent a LOT of his time teaching me (and my brother) everything he knew about space when I was young.
To the many nights we would sit in the freezing cold at night with dad out in the front yard, with a cheap telescope looking at the rings of Saturn or the mountain ranges on the moon. Or the time in 4th grade he totally took it upon himself to teach me how to build a satellite using an old coffee can and a diode from Radio Shack, that I entered into the school science fair. And for all the times he told me that I could be anyone I wanted to be, and go wherever I wanted to go as long as I kept reaching for the stars.
Also, my grade school teachers. Because of your insistence on me attending class, and denying me the opportunity to be in the library whenever I wanted to go. Your denial of library access made me want to learn, and study this stuff so much more only because you told me " I couldn't "
And last, but not least - my wife. She understands that I am a student of life, and that I simply want to learn the most that I can about a topic. She gives me something on a daily basis that I could NEVER thank her enough for. And that's support !! Going back to school is no easy task no matter what your age, and thanks to her, She has instilled in me the confidence that I have needed for a great many years. Someday soon, I'll be able to look up with confidence to finally be able to reach that " October Sky "
The last couple of days, I've been reminded on numerous occasions of a series of events that occurred in my childhood that are as fresh, and real to me today as they ever have been.
For those of you that don't already know, I've taken it upon myself to obtain a college education. I had originally planned to do this many years ago, however, I started a family at a very young age and quickly learned that family, comes before anything and I let the opportunity of ever attending school fall by the wayside.
Now some 20 years later, I am reminded daily as to the reason's I originally decided not to go, but age and maturity have told me to just " man up " and get it done.
In the course of my orientation for school, I was asked to provide a 150 to 200 word " Bio " about myself in which I described to my fellow classmates my family, my children and my proudest achievement. In which I stated.
The highlight of my life was that I participated in the build of a satellite for NASA that was to have flown on the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Due to a parts emergency on the International Space Station, our project was grounded, shuttles and crews were swapped out and Columbia flew instead of Endeavor. That particular flight has a deep, and sorrowful memory for me as it will forever be remembered in history by us all as “The Columbia Disaster “
When I look at that statement in more detail, I think back to the time I first became interested in the U.S. Space Program. For me it was back in approximately 1979 or 1980 when the Apollo program had already been cancelled as the U.S. and NASA were building " The Space Shuttle. "
However, I was fascinated by how we got started in space in the first place. I was so fascinated in fact, It became an obsession that continues to this day. I used to sneak out of class just to go to the library to read books on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs ( and of course, play with the new PC the school had just received )
My 5th and 6th grade teachers would become quickly upset with me, that on numerous occasions they would leave the classroom alone, come to the library and drag me back to class by the collar or the ear. Needless to say, they weren't very happy with me and the disruption I had caused by leaving the classroom in the first place ( Mrs. Nitterhouse, Mrs. Kunkle and Mrs. Baginsky - I'm REALLY sorry ) After a few phone calls, and a few notes of " disappointment " from my teachers on my report cards, my parents quickly dissuaded me from doing do in the future and that practice ended as I entered Junior High School.
This morning, before Maranda got out of bed I was fortunate enough to have some time to myself. In addition to my morning coffee, I took the 90 minutes to watch one of my all time favorite movies " October Sky ." I think of Homer Hickham in the movie and everything he went through to follow his dream. The successes, the failures and the peer pressure he received because of his passion for rocketry.
Homer taught himself everything that he needed to know about mathematics and became one of the most respected, and prolific engineers at NASA and even went on to teach astronauts everything they needed to know in order to fly in space.
First of all, let me tell you all that I SUCK at Mathematics. Once I hit High School, it was the class I could depend on to get more sleep. This was never a strong point for me, and as a result I am extremely hindered by my lack of mathematics knowledge. However, now that I am a student again I fully intend to rectify this problem by taking as many math courses that I can. You can't become a great scientist or engineer without mathematics as it's a basis for everything in those fields.
In the movie, Homer said to his dad after he had returned to Coalwood after winning the science fair " Sure, Werner Von Braun was a brilliant scientist but, he's not my hero "
You want to know who my hero's are ? First, My Father. He spent a LOT of his time teaching me (and my brother) everything he knew about space when I was young.
To the many nights we would sit in the freezing cold at night with dad out in the front yard, with a cheap telescope looking at the rings of Saturn or the mountain ranges on the moon. Or the time in 4th grade he totally took it upon himself to teach me how to build a satellite using an old coffee can and a diode from Radio Shack, that I entered into the school science fair. And for all the times he told me that I could be anyone I wanted to be, and go wherever I wanted to go as long as I kept reaching for the stars.
Also, my grade school teachers. Because of your insistence on me attending class, and denying me the opportunity to be in the library whenever I wanted to go. Your denial of library access made me want to learn, and study this stuff so much more only because you told me " I couldn't "
And last, but not least - my wife. She understands that I am a student of life, and that I simply want to learn the most that I can about a topic. She gives me something on a daily basis that I could NEVER thank her enough for. And that's support !! Going back to school is no easy task no matter what your age, and thanks to her, She has instilled in me the confidence that I have needed for a great many years. Someday soon, I'll be able to look up with confidence to finally be able to reach that " October Sky "
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Baby Puke, Poopy Pants and Discovery
I've come to the realization in the past few months, that my next few years are full of Baby Puke, Poopy pants and the discovery of new things when it comes to our daughter.
Having started so young with my first two ( now 19 and 13 respectively ) I never really found the joy in raising a child like I do with Maranda. Everyday, I discover the up's and down's of watching her grow and the discoveries she makes while doing so. And I have to admit, it's fun to watch.
From finding her little hands, to standing at the sofa every evening using her voice - I find it simply amazing at what she can do, how much she has accomplished, and honestly, how much I truly enjoy every moment with her..
She wakes up every morning with a smile on her face, she greets her mommy everyday with an even BIGGER smile when she gets home in the evenings, and let's us know when she's had enough for one day, and how she tells us she's ready to go " nite nite "
These little moments, I vaguely remember from raising my first two. I think that's why I truly enjoy them, and notice every little momentous achievement she makes. It's truly fun to watch everything that she does, and how easily she discovers new things everyday.
Parenting is a LOT of work, but for the most part we are VERY blessed with having such a wonderful little girl. For the first three months, we wanted to take her back to the hospital, and trade her in for a new one - but, after the adjustment period, I think we adjusted very well.
Now, we are into the Puke, and Poop stage.... Everything she eats makes her puke, the more we feed her, the more she poops - and there's a HUGE difference in the old school " Runny " ones as oppposed to the new, and not so improved " solid, big people " ones - - OMG. It's enough to gag a maggot on a gut wagon.....
I suppose it's her way of showing us as parents - Discovery :-)
Having started so young with my first two ( now 19 and 13 respectively ) I never really found the joy in raising a child like I do with Maranda. Everyday, I discover the up's and down's of watching her grow and the discoveries she makes while doing so. And I have to admit, it's fun to watch.
From finding her little hands, to standing at the sofa every evening using her voice - I find it simply amazing at what she can do, how much she has accomplished, and honestly, how much I truly enjoy every moment with her..
She wakes up every morning with a smile on her face, she greets her mommy everyday with an even BIGGER smile when she gets home in the evenings, and let's us know when she's had enough for one day, and how she tells us she's ready to go " nite nite "
These little moments, I vaguely remember from raising my first two. I think that's why I truly enjoy them, and notice every little momentous achievement she makes. It's truly fun to watch everything that she does, and how easily she discovers new things everyday.
Parenting is a LOT of work, but for the most part we are VERY blessed with having such a wonderful little girl. For the first three months, we wanted to take her back to the hospital, and trade her in for a new one - but, after the adjustment period, I think we adjusted very well.
Now, we are into the Puke, and Poop stage.... Everything she eats makes her puke, the more we feed her, the more she poops - and there's a HUGE difference in the old school " Runny " ones as oppposed to the new, and not so improved " solid, big people " ones - - OMG. It's enough to gag a maggot on a gut wagon.....
I suppose it's her way of showing us as parents - Discovery :-)
Monday, November 22, 2010
Da Buckless Yooper - Well, Almost !!
Well, the 2010 hunting season has come and gone for me. Saw a lot of beautiful country in the U.P. once again, as the U.P. has never once disappointed me in that regard. Temperatures were very tolerable while in the 30's and 40's all week.
Ended up dropping a doe the second to last evening of the hunt. Yeah, It wasn't what I wanted to take, but it was looking more and more like a " blank " season - so, having the opportunity to drop a doe was a welcome one. For the second year in a row, the Hammond camp has venison.
The trip up was enjoyable, The Wife had a somewhat stressful, but wonderful time at my Aunt and Uncle's house for the week. But the best of it all, was that I got to see my grandmother for a little while. I was unable to get up to Escanaba to see her last year as time didn't allow it, however come hell or high water this year, I was going to see her.
It was a wonderful visit ( as good as a visit to the nursing home could be I suppose ) It's a tough trip for me to make emotionally. Grandma celebrated her 88th birthday last Thursday and she was very happy to have as many visitors as she did. The toughest part for me is always leaving after the visit, simply because I have in the back of my mind, that it may be the last time I see her.
I only get up to the U.P. a couple of times a year, and although I try to get to see everybody when I get up there, some years, if not most years, It's virtually impossible....
However, I did get to see a few of my Aunt's, a Cousin, My Uncle Lee ( who is really awesome ) and My Uncle Paul ( Glad to see the surgery didn't slow him down ) and of course, the old stomping grounds in Gladstone and Escanaba... I really do miss it up there...
There's many places that I have traveled in recent years, However there is only one real place that I could honestly call home - and that's the U.P.
I think I'll go have a " Pastie " and take a look at my " Lutefisk " recipe.... I think it's calling my name :-)
Ended up dropping a doe the second to last evening of the hunt. Yeah, It wasn't what I wanted to take, but it was looking more and more like a " blank " season - so, having the opportunity to drop a doe was a welcome one. For the second year in a row, the Hammond camp has venison.
The trip up was enjoyable, The Wife had a somewhat stressful, but wonderful time at my Aunt and Uncle's house for the week. But the best of it all, was that I got to see my grandmother for a little while. I was unable to get up to Escanaba to see her last year as time didn't allow it, however come hell or high water this year, I was going to see her.
It was a wonderful visit ( as good as a visit to the nursing home could be I suppose ) It's a tough trip for me to make emotionally. Grandma celebrated her 88th birthday last Thursday and she was very happy to have as many visitors as she did. The toughest part for me is always leaving after the visit, simply because I have in the back of my mind, that it may be the last time I see her.
I only get up to the U.P. a couple of times a year, and although I try to get to see everybody when I get up there, some years, if not most years, It's virtually impossible....
However, I did get to see a few of my Aunt's, a Cousin, My Uncle Lee ( who is really awesome ) and My Uncle Paul ( Glad to see the surgery didn't slow him down ) and of course, the old stomping grounds in Gladstone and Escanaba... I really do miss it up there...
There's many places that I have traveled in recent years, However there is only one real place that I could honestly call home - and that's the U.P.
I think I'll go have a " Pastie " and take a look at my " Lutefisk " recipe.... I think it's calling my name :-)
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Annual Road Trip
I'm one of THOUSANDS of fellow Michigander's, who make the trip every Friday before Deer Season, to head to the Upper Penninsula. Why do I go you ask ? Well, for me, It's a right of passage of sorts. Tomorrow morning, the Journey " Up North " begins. This time, with an extra passenger...
First of all, I'm a hunter. I am very proud of the fact that my father, taught me at a very young age the importance of knowing these skills, the benefits of doing so, and the proper and safe way to use firearms.
Not to mention, My father was very instrumental is showing both myself, and my brother, how to utilize what we had taken from mother nature and use it in a manner that was both ethical, ecologically sound, and safe for the entire family.
Having said that. Our family, is blessed to have been given by my late grandfather, a small parcel of land complete with a small cabin located smack dab in the geographical center of the Upper Penninsula. So far out in the middle of nowhere in fact, that after a medical emergency involving my brother, it took 2 hours for the ambulance to get to camp - however, my father and his wife had to drive all the way out to the main highway - which is at the minimum, nearly 10 miles from the cabin.
Quoting a famous movie line.....For the layperson, It's North of the bridge and just South of Heaven. We make the trip every year to spend the week there Hunting, Drinking, Eating, Napping and basically, well, just having a very good time nearly 15 miles from the nearest town.
I wasn't in a position for many years thanks to a miserable marriage, of being able to go every single year. My first time actually staying at camp with my father, was in 2004 and let me tell you. That was the single, most amazing week I've had in a GREAT many years..
I got my first buck there. Not a very large one, but - it was just legal, and that was all that matters... I was so proud. The best part of that whole experience, was walking back to camp to get my father, because I needed help getting it into the truck, and getting it hung in the tree behind the cabin. The smile on his face when he first saw that buck, I will never forget... He was probably more proud than me.
It was our first day at camp - and I had been in the woods for a total of about 2 hours. Needless to say, this accomplishment was overshadowed by the fact that on the last day of camp - Dad bagged the biggest buck to be taken in many years at camp - a 6 pointer that was so close, dad could have beaten him over the head with a tree to take him...
Did I mention, we were sitting in HIS spot, for all of 15 minutes.....
These are just a couple of reason's why I love to go to camp. I get to spend the days with my father. Days, in which I am almost certain - will be numbered in some way. Dad's almost 70 years old now, and still very healthy. But, really. When you're spending time with your father, in a place that's as close to heaven as one can get, one can only think of " The inevitable " as I say to myself every year. " God, I hope I can do this with him again next year "
First of all, I'm a hunter. I am very proud of the fact that my father, taught me at a very young age the importance of knowing these skills, the benefits of doing so, and the proper and safe way to use firearms.
Not to mention, My father was very instrumental is showing both myself, and my brother, how to utilize what we had taken from mother nature and use it in a manner that was both ethical, ecologically sound, and safe for the entire family.
Having said that. Our family, is blessed to have been given by my late grandfather, a small parcel of land complete with a small cabin located smack dab in the geographical center of the Upper Penninsula. So far out in the middle of nowhere in fact, that after a medical emergency involving my brother, it took 2 hours for the ambulance to get to camp - however, my father and his wife had to drive all the way out to the main highway - which is at the minimum, nearly 10 miles from the cabin.
Quoting a famous movie line.....For the layperson, It's North of the bridge and just South of Heaven. We make the trip every year to spend the week there Hunting, Drinking, Eating, Napping and basically, well, just having a very good time nearly 15 miles from the nearest town.
I wasn't in a position for many years thanks to a miserable marriage, of being able to go every single year. My first time actually staying at camp with my father, was in 2004 and let me tell you. That was the single, most amazing week I've had in a GREAT many years..
I got my first buck there. Not a very large one, but - it was just legal, and that was all that matters... I was so proud. The best part of that whole experience, was walking back to camp to get my father, because I needed help getting it into the truck, and getting it hung in the tree behind the cabin. The smile on his face when he first saw that buck, I will never forget... He was probably more proud than me.
It was our first day at camp - and I had been in the woods for a total of about 2 hours. Needless to say, this accomplishment was overshadowed by the fact that on the last day of camp - Dad bagged the biggest buck to be taken in many years at camp - a 6 pointer that was so close, dad could have beaten him over the head with a tree to take him...
Did I mention, we were sitting in HIS spot, for all of 15 minutes.....
These are just a couple of reason's why I love to go to camp. I get to spend the days with my father. Days, in which I am almost certain - will be numbered in some way. Dad's almost 70 years old now, and still very healthy. But, really. When you're spending time with your father, in a place that's as close to heaven as one can get, one can only think of " The inevitable " as I say to myself every year. " God, I hope I can do this with him again next year "
Monday, September 21, 2009
What is a " Yooper "
So, I know it's coming - What is a " Yooper " Well, let me try my best to explain....
According to Wiki-Pedia ( you know, that place you go when you don't know the answer ) A Yooper, is someone of Scandinavian, Flemish, French Canadian, Finnish or German descent that resides, or is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
" Yooper " is basically taking the initial's U.P. ( Upper Pennisula for you city folks ) and making a word of it. How that came about, who knows. Perhaps it was some drunk swede sitting at deer camp drinking his Leinenkugel eating some pickled venison, or perhaps that Webster's Scholar trying to come up with a word for next years edition to keep from getting fired because he's fresh out of ideas- Who knows ???
I know, I know ( you Yoopers can quit throwing yer swampers and pasties at me anytime ) We aren't just descendants of Europeans, And honestly, My lineage doesn't even trace back to those Europeans ( Irish actually ) because I'm a " Yooper " by default...
How is that you ask ?
I was adopted....Oh sure Troy, likely excuse.
Being a " Yooper " is more than lineage, It's more than ancestry, and it's way more that just residing in Michigan's Beautiful Upper Peninsula.
So, what does it all mean ?
Being a Yooper - is about Pride, Honor, Decency, Hard Work, Survival - and well, having a few screws loose.....
Who else, could brave the bitterly cold winters of the North Country ? Where the snow is so deep, and comes down so hard at times off of Lake Superior - that you have to back your 4 x 4 into the driveway, just to plow your way out to get to Shopko, only to have to plow your way back in on the way home ??
Where else, has Deer hunting become such a way of life, that most people consider the Opening Day of Firearm Deer Season " a National Holiday "
Where else, are you forced to use your Air Conditioning, and your Furnace ON THE SAME DAY ??
And where else, can you be forced to drive 2 hours in any one direction - just to get to the Nearest Wal-Mart ??
That's right - The U.P. Us Yoopers like it that way. Why do you ask, do we decide to live in such beautiful desolation ? In a place where Isolationism, and Hardship, and Depravity are the norm ?
One answer... Detroit - Flint - Grand Rapids
We don't understand Urban Sprawl. We don't understand crime, and robbery and murder, and arson and pollution, and decay and all the things that the big city have to offer.
You can have them.
Give me the open air, the unclogged roads, the darkened skies at night for perfect views of the heaven's above, the un-polluted fishing stream where it's still safe to catch and eat what the U.P. has provided me...
A famous movie quite I heard a while back.. " If you're looking for heaven, It's north of the Bridge "
What is a Yooper you ask ?? that's me :-) And I'm proud of it !!!
Welcome to the madness
First of all, let me thank you for visiting my new blog.
Why the new " blog " you ask. Well, for those of you that know me. I usually have a LOT to say about certain things, and don't necessarily say them.
I find for me, sometimes and in many cases. Placing these random thoughts and Ideas in this context can help me to deal with a few of my " issues " in speaking about things, and at the same time, provide you - the viewing public a place to offer encouragement, advice, or just your thoughts and ideas for friendly discussion.
So, here it is..... A place to drain my brain, get things off my mind and a new place to hang out.
There will be many things placed here in the coming weeks, so book mark the page and visit often.
Once again - thanks for visiting
Why the new " blog " you ask. Well, for those of you that know me. I usually have a LOT to say about certain things, and don't necessarily say them.
I find for me, sometimes and in many cases. Placing these random thoughts and Ideas in this context can help me to deal with a few of my " issues " in speaking about things, and at the same time, provide you - the viewing public a place to offer encouragement, advice, or just your thoughts and ideas for friendly discussion.
So, here it is..... A place to drain my brain, get things off my mind and a new place to hang out.
There will be many things placed here in the coming weeks, so book mark the page and visit often.
Once again - thanks for visiting
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