Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'. It's a sign that any of us up here in the North Country could hang on our door year round. Whether it's trout, pike, bass, northern, or crappie fishing, you’re bound to have a favorite. Trout was Jon’s favorite. Jon was one of my husband’s best friends and subsequently one of mine. We’ve known Jon for years, Todd longer of course, but I treasured his friendship just the same. He was the first person to befriend me when I moved to the north country. Jon took his life recently, for reasons we’ll never understand. In fact, it was the eve of my 40th birthday party. Jon, you were supposed to come celebrate with us and stay overnight "in the spare bedroom" as requested. You never came. As I write this post the tears flow. Not a post I could ever imagine writing, but one that I feel the need to tell nonetheless. For Jon represented so many things to me as a person, all things of which tie back to nature and most importantly fishing. To me, Jon represented a quiet strength, a solitude, and most of all sunshine.

As I've mentioned, Jon loved to hunt and fish - he loved the outdoors. He’d go anywhere - the family cabin, cottage, area lakes (especially the secret ones Todd told him never to share with anyone). He and I hit it off because we shared that same love, as many of us in these parts do. Jon wasn’t a superior hunter or fisherman by any means, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t the best. He was the best in the sense that he had a pure love of the sport, its way of life, and a respect for it. Something not every outdoorsman has, but a trait I insist that any person I spend time in the field with honors. This strength came from within, a strength that I wish more people knew he truly had. It comes from your core being that is void of arrogance, jealousy, hatred, ignorance. Jon wasn’t one to puff up his chest and turn every outdoor adventure into a competition…he just went along quietly, enjoying every moment for what it was, with the company he kept, nature, himself. A quiet strength.

Solitude. It's one of the reasons we live up here in the North Country. Here, the forests and lakes are peaceful and calm. They stand quiet. They have centuries of stories they could tell, but they keep their secrets to themselves.  I never knew Jon to say a bad word about anyone…not even those who deserved it. His soulful solitude was his gift. His calm demeanor made you feel at ease; loved. This is what I miss the most.

The sun in the north woods, especially when it lights up the red and yellow maple leaves in the fall, is brilliant. Jon had a smile that could do the same. It would light up a room the moment he walked into it. It seems to be the cliché thing to say about a person after one passes from this world, but if you knew Jon and had ever been in a crowd of people with him you would know what I am talking about. He had the best smile, a true ray of sunshine.

Jon wasn't perfect. None of us are. I have no delusions about this fact. But Jon was special to Todd and to me. Dearest Jon, I want to say I wish you knew how much you are missed, but I'm quite certain you know. I know that I will still see you each day...in the strength of the tall white pines, the crystal blue lakes, the babbling waters of the trout stream, the lonesome call of the loon. I know you are there. I can feel you. I know you have gone fishin', and that's how I want to remember you. I see you smiling. I hear you laughing. I feel your presence. You were very loved, you are very missed, and will forever be in our hearts.

Tight lines my friend, until we see you on the flip side.

Love, Paula
XOXO

Fawn-Doe-Rosa with Keenan

Keenan Hacker and I spent Sunday together at Fawn-Doe-Rosa. I took him for the weekend so mommy and daddy could go fishing and have some one-on-one time. Keenan and I had a blast feeding the animals. His favorites were the otters and rabbits, my favorite were the llamas and vocally annoying guinea hens. The wolves and mountain lion were taking a nap, so we didn't get to see them very well. However, the 2010 chick and duckling models had arrived, so we enjoyed watching them. Not to mention the roosters, which after serious discussion, we agreed were not at handsome as Frankie.

Peeping Rooster

Frankie is nuts. He stands on the deck and looks through the door glass. He tries to come inside when I open the door. He misses the dogs, and I think me. Whenever I start the car he comes runnin'; chasing me down the driveway as I drive off. And, the creme de la creme (drum roll please) he plays fetch with Abbie and Kolah (I swear)! I throw the ball and Frankie runs after it. He never knows quite what to do with it once he gets there, but he'll still chase the damn thing. I never thought I'd see the day...

Frankie

Meet Frankie. He's our new rooster. My friend Tammy gave him to me. Frankie is fabulous! I never thought I would own a rooster, let alone fall in love with one. Frankie thinks he's a dog. He comes when called, knows the command "speak", and loves to play with Abbie and Kolah. Today he hung around outdside my home office window because he missed me (or so I thought). What a crazy bird! He's new, so I don't have many stories yet...but rest assured there will be stories galore in the weeks to follow.

Prom 2010

Sarah and Cole Mortel went to prom together this year as friends. What a handsome couple! Sarah is dating a boy from Grantsburg but before they met he had already agreed to go to prom with his friend Emily, so Sarah decided to ask Cole. Gary says they are great friends. What a nice class 2011 is! Graduation next year will be bittersweet - a lot of fun but sad to see many of the kids leave our community as they embark on their early adult adventures.

FCM Plane Crash Involving My Former Boss

A twin-engine airplane, flown by my former employer Alvin Bipes of A.B.Flight Services, crashed into the Minnesota River on April Fool’s Day near the intersection of River Road and Flying Cloud Drive. However, this was no April Fool’s joke!

"They took off normal and when they got up maybe 50 feet, that's when it suddenly went down, like he lost complete power," said witness Wallace Check.

Al Bipes and his best friend Tim Jacobsen were on their way to New Richmond, WI where they were to drop off the plane and drive back to Minnetonka.

Their small plane, a Beech Travelair that Al was borrowing form a friend, crashed just 500 feet from the runway and luckily into the water, which is there as result of seasonal flooding, thus buffering the landing.

Emergency workers pulled out Al and Tim, both conscious and alert, and sent them to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis to treat some serious but not life-threatening injuries. Al suffered a broken back, ribs, facial bones, along with facial lacerations. The same goes for Tim, minus the broken back.

Having spent two years working for Al as his Business Development Coordiantor/Travel Manager, I personally have flown with Al many times. I can say with confidence and pride that he is a damn good pilot and his skills saved both the life of his best friend Tim, and his own. I would gladly fly with Al any day before any other local pilots out there.

God was certainly watching out for you that day Al, but good job on the flying too. God Speed!

My Little Tiger

Another Olympics is upon us...and Kaylin Richardson, my little tiger (I've always called you that, you know), I couldn't be more proud of you and to have been your first ski coach with USSA Gilboa Racing Club. How many years did I coach you? Five? Something like that. I always knew you were going to go far. And now, your second olympics in BC! What an achievement to be there. Ski well my little tiger. No matter how you place, you are my hero and my champion! Soak it all in. You are the bravest, the strongest of heart, and the most adorable. I'm glad you liked me as a coach and I'm happy you got your french fries every time we skied. It was all about having fun, and fun we sure had! Ski fast and enjoy the ride. You deserve all that you have achieved. I'm so glad I could be part of it all. Love, your biggest fan, coach Paula!