Now What Are They Doing?

A Bit Cooler than Planned

2012-01-19T15:07:00.003-06:00

OK, we live in Minnesota and should expect these things to happen. It got cooler than forecast last night.

That temp along with the wind brought the feels like temp down to -39.
I am almost embarrassed to say this, but I will. It wasn't that bad. At least it was a dry cold!

Winter is Here

2012-01-18T08:39:00.003-06:00

It took it's own sweet time, but it appears that winter is finally here, at least the cold weather part.
We have been blessed with temperatures well above average all season and snowfall amounts well below average.
In the snow department, we have only had 8 inches all season. Last year, we had over 60 inches by now.
Back to the temperatures. Here is what we have in store for us tomorrow morning.

Looks like a couple of extra logs on the fire tonight at Coyote Ridge.

New Tractor Lights on John Deere X360

2011-12-28T09:59:00.004-06:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted an update on my blog. Between work, play, family and life, writing has sure taken a back seat.
I have been trying to figure out a way to add some lights to my tractor because the stock lights leave something to be desired. They shine right into the front snow blower and are basically worthless.
Here is a youtube link to see what I did to fix the problem.
Now if we would just get some snow. Last December we received 36 inches. This year..maybe two inches.

Getting Ready For Winter

2011-10-15T18:20:00.002-05:00

It is almost a daily task to go out and chop up the leaves with Mr. John Deere. It is a task that I don't mind at all.
I needed some more light for winter snow blowing to I rigged up an extra light for the top of the canvas cab I install for the winter weather.
With the two headlights on the tractor and the spotlight up top, I think the dark country lane will be a bit brighter this winter.

Do I dare say, bring on the snow?

Random Trail Camera Pictures

2011-10-03T18:14:00.003-05:00

It has been a while since I checked the trail camera out in the back forty.
I had close to 100 pictures but edited them down to just a few.
There were lots of raccoon and deer pictures, but I tried to pick out the better ones of the deer with a few turkeys thrown in for good measure.

All is well here. You know the drill, work, work and more work. No complaints from me in that respect.
We spent most every weekend down at the lake in our camper and had a blast.

Busy and Busier!

2011-08-21T14:31:00.003-05:00

What a busy time it has been this summer. Between work and work, there has been no free time....except for today.
But first, yesterday.
We held our Third annual Bag Toss for the Red Cross. It was a huge success with a great crowd that had a fantastic time.
KEYC TV was there covering the event. Two of their news anchors even competed for the famous Red Cross Golden Bag Media Award. They looked good, but not good enough to beat the team from Hot 96.7 Radio. KEYC news story.
It was great to hang out with Stunt Monkey from Hot 96.7 and Annie, Mallory and Lisa from KEYC.
Ok,fast forward to today.
The airport hosted a fly in breakfast for vintage aircraft as well as experimental aircraft.
There must have been at least 100 planes that flew in for the event and I determined that each one of them turned out to be my favorite.

I saw nearly a dozen vintage planes that I had flown in the past. That was cool, but because of that, am I also vintage?

3rd Annual Bag Toss for the Red Cross

2011-07-31T13:16:00.003-05:00

For local readers of this blog I have some news for you.
The South Central Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross will be holding it's Third Annual Bag Toss event on Saturday, August 20th.
We are limiting the event to 128 teams and registrations are now being accepted.
You can register several ways. You may call the Red Cross office at 507-387-6664...or you can follow this link to find a registration form.
Besides great fun, food, hundreds and hundreds of dollars in prizes. we will be having a silent auction.
The event will be held at Ray Erlandson Park near Victory and Main in Mankato.
Here is a link to the Facebook page that gets updated on a regular basis...in fact, almost daily.

This and That

2011-07-24T14:18:00.005-05:00

Why do I always start my blog entries out with "it has been a while"?
I guess I have been too busy with life to write about it.
All is going well. Sue went back to work last week after having both knees replaced. She is doing great and really enjoyed the 12 weeks off.
My double cataract surgery went very well....no glasses and better than 20-20 vision now.
We have been spending most every weekend out at the lake in our camper.
The sunsets have been amazing...here are a few examples.

We went out in the canoe yesterday. The water was like glass and just perfect! Sorry, no pictures. I don't dare take my camera out in the canoe the way we rock side to side. It is always an adventure!
After being out on the water we worked up an appetite so I fired up the flesh cooker and threw on the beef .

At this point, the weekend had to come to an end, so we came home to get a few chores done.
I was riding around on Mr. Deere mowing the lawn when I discovered that I had an audience.

I am sure Bambi's mom was lurking in the woods keeping track of her little one.
Until next time......

It's About Time

2011-07-04T11:41:00.004-05:00

That statement rings true for so many reasons.
It's about time I posted a blog update, the weather has finally turned decent, I have more than one day off,get to eat really good BBQ...and the list goes on and on.
Anyway, I had not checked the trail camera here at Coyote Ridge for some time (another "it's about time"),so I did that this morning. There were 195 pictures on the digital disk.
I slugged through them and have a few to share. I won't bore you with all of them, just some of my favorites.

And for good measure a turkey made it's appearance.

It appears that the wildlife successfully reproduced this Spring. We have seen a good number of baby turkeys and deer exploring the woods out here.
Today we are off to our son Ben and his wife Anna's house for some of his special BBQ ribs. He slow cooks them for five hours on the grill and they are out of this world!
Of course we will have plenty to go with the cooked flesh. How about potato salad, fresh green beans cooked with bacon, calico beans,blueberry-rhubarb upside down cake and of course cold beer!

Update on the Eyeballs

2011-06-21T08:59:00.002-05:00

Just a short update on my peepers.
As many of you know I had cataract surgery on both eyes recently. I could not believe that a person of my youth would need such a procedure. :)
Anyway, I had the left eye done first. The afternoon of surgery I had 20-70 vision in that eye. At the follow up exam the next morning at 8:00 I had 20-30 vision. At my one week post-op exam I had 20-20 vision...How great is that!
Last Tuesday I had my other eye done. 20-40 the day of surgery and the next day I had 20-20 vision. I have a follow up exam this Friday and am expecting the numbers to improve even more.
I have worn glasses for distance since the 5th grade and now I don't need them at all except for reading.
The reading glasses routine is getting old so I am going to see about getting bifocal contacts so I will not have to be groping for my readers every five minutes.
To make a long story short, I never knew how bad my eyesight was until I had the peepers fixed!

Catching Up

2011-06-07T14:32:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I updated the blog. Life just seems to get in the way sometimes.
Sue is doing so well with her two new knees. She had both of them replaced five weeks ago and has been driving for three weeks already.
Not to be outdone, I had minor surgery last Tuesday. I had a cataract removed off my left eye. It was a total success with a a HUGE difference in my eyesight. I went from 20/70 to 20/20. I fully expect the same miracle when they do my right eye next Tuesday.
No more glasses, except for reading....maybe.
We have been enjoying the last several weekends out at the lake camping. More of that action is scheduled for this weekend. Is it Friday yet?
We have been having a real heatwave here. Last Friday it was 95 degrees. Yesterday it was 99 degrees. Today at 2:30 PM it was 102 degrees. We may just get to 105 before the day is done.

Bravery and Birds

2011-05-16T16:30:00.004-05:00

First the brave part. As you probably know, Sue had both knees replaced two and a half weeks ago. You read correctly, both knees at the same time.
She is doing amazing! The walker is history, the cane is history and she is walking on her own...that is incredible!
Her secret is good old fashioned hard work. Go to physical therapy, do all the exercises at home and put in some extra time over and above the "normal".
The physical therapist told her today that she can start driving anytime. I can't say it enough...AMAZING!
Now for the birds....
The hummingbirds are returning in numbers here at Coyote Ridge. They are warming up to us and are even sitting still for pictures. Feel free to click on the pictures for larger images.

So far the little birds have been pretty peaceful with one another. That will end soon when 20-30 of the hyper birds all compete for space at the six feeders. Let the action begin!

This is for the Birds

2011-05-14T09:05:00.003-05:00

Many of our birds are returning to their summer home here at Coyote Ridge.
We have welcomed them back with my secret sweet recipe that fills the six hummingbird feeders on the back deck.
Sue was able to catch a couple of our feathered friends feeding this morning.

The feeders have been semi-active with our little Hummers as well. In a few weeks the hyper little winged wonders will be challenging each other for a place at the hanging sugar bars.

This and That

2011-05-08T10:49:00.005-05:00

Because of Sue's double knee replacement surgery a week ago, we are staying close to home here at Coyote Ridge.
Her surgery was very successful and her recovery is going great!
I think she looks real good...don't you?

She goes to physical therapy three days a week and works the knees at home with special exercises at least three times per day.
Saturday was a beautiful day to work outside so I decided to strip the old stain off the front and back decks. What a mess!

I blasted about 80% of the stain off with my power washer. The rest will be taken off with a chemical stain remover. I will then re-stain and if done right, should last several more years.
Yesterday we had several hummingbirds and two Baltimore Orioles at the feeders. No pictures of the birds as they are so skittish early in the season.

I fixed the tires on my tractor dump cart this weekend so I can drive around and "haul stuff". It is a real guy thing, but absolutely necessary if I want to get all my projects finished in a reasonable amount of time.
I was hoping to haul some dirt today and do some seeding, but the rain has delayed that for a while.

A Hummer and a Bummer

2011-05-04T19:46:00.000-05:00

First the bummer. I had an eye appointment today with an Opthamologist because my eyesight has been deteriorating rather rapidly the past two years.
During those two years the optometrists I had been going to said it was just the aging process. I know I am getting older, but not that fast!
So after about two hours of testing, the diagnosis ....cataracts.
The good news is that the procedure is easy and I will have 20-20 vision and will not need glasses except for reading.
So I guess it really isn't a bummer after all.
The timing is a bit off as Sue still has a long road to recovery after having both knees replaced last Thursday. She is getting along great...considering the almost barbaric process to replace the knees.
My surgery is scheduled for May 31st and June 14th. Since Sue had both knees done at once, I thought maybe the Dr. might be able to do both eyes at the same time. No way he said. Sue wins this round. :)
Now the hummer part of the story.
I saw my first hummingbird of the season this evening on the back deck.
About two weeks ago I put a couple of feeders out so they would have a treat after their long flight "home" for the summer season.
We sure love watching the little birds and at times we are able to see as many as 20 birds feed at the same time.
I will have to stand guard and get some pictures.

Sue Made it Home

2011-05-01T18:06:00.003-05:00

It was indeed a challenge, but Sue made it home safe and sound from the hospital today.
For having both knees replaced Thursday afternoon, I think she is doing great!

She will have physical therapy three times per week with various doctors appointments thrown in for good measure.
From what I understand, intense physical therapy is the key to success.

Update on Sue

2011-04-29T19:39:00.004-05:00

As some of you may have read, Sue was scheduled for double knee replacement on Thursday.
The update is....the surgery went off as planned and she now has two brand new knees!
She chose to have both replaced at the same time for several reasons.
Instead of two surgeries, two hospital stays, two periods off work...you get the idea. It just seemed like a good idea at the time and it still does.
She was in surgery for 2.5 hours and recovery for about another hour.
The fine folks at the hospital (Mayo here in town) wheeled her to her room where Dave, her physical therapist was waiting for her first treatment.

I must say, these Mayo folks are very organized...and good at what they do.
In no time at all, her team had her up and walking the halls.

She will be in the hospital until Sunday then sent home with a responsible adult. Gee, I am not sure if I can qualify to be that person!
While in the hospital, she has two group physical therapy sessions per day.
All the recipients of new knees shuffle down the hallway to the large PT room and do their exercises together under the watchful eyes of some really good physical therapists.
The group concept is really neat. The patients tend to cheer each other on and push each other to work even harder.
The patients are encouraged to have their "coaches" with them during these sessions. I really enjoy participating so I can see first hand the determination these people have to heal faster and get on the road to a better quality of life.
There is a group physical therapy session in the morning. A group lunch with patients, coaches and physical therapists at noon and another session for everyone at one PM. After that, everyone has had about enough for one day so once again they all go shuffling back off to their private rooms for some well deserved rest.
I must say the food is very good at the hospital.
Their menu is very complete and easy to order from. You just dial "FOOD" on the phone a half hour before you want to eat and a friendly person on the other end takes your order. A half hour later the food is delivered piping hot to the room.
Do you get the idea that I am impressed with these folks?
I will let you know how things go during the recovery process. Sue will be off work for about 8-12 weeks and plans on spending some time recuperating down at the lake in the camper. Perfect!

The Deer Are Curious Here at Coyote Ridge This Spring

2011-04-23T20:03:00.003-05:00

The warmer temperatures and green plants have been bringing out the deer lately. I was able to get a few photos in the past few days.

We drove out to the lake today to do some more preseason work on the camper. Sue planted some hostas and I stacked up more firewood that we had hauled out in the truck. We also hung some more curtains that Sue made to keep more of the sunlight out with the sun coming up so early. They sure look nice and I am sure they will do the trick.
Sue will be having both knees replaced this Thursday so we are trying to get as many projects finished as possible.

Under the Knife....Oh My!

2011-04-17T12:45:00.002-05:00

Sue has been having a rough time with her knees for many years and had several surgeries to repair them. The procedures seem to last for a while then not so much.
She had an appointment Thursday with a very good Orthopedic Surgeon who is very well known for his work.
He took x-rays and proclaimed that it was time for new knees. That is exactly what Sue wanted to hear.
So on April 28th. she goes in for knee replacement...both knees at the same time.
She should be in the hospital for three days and off work for twelve weeks. That is a heck of a way to get the summer off! No doubt, it will be worth the short term pain for the long term gain.
Of course, they are not my knees so it is easy for me to say that.
We spent part of yesterday and today cooking and baking in advance so meal preparation will be easier.
So far we have made up 36 servings of three types of homemade soup, two "hot dishes" and four loaves of bread...pumpkin and banana.
For the most part, the outdoor spring cleanup is done, so that is a big project out of the way.
Maybe next weekend we can get down to the camper and get it dewinterized for the season. I really don't want to turn on the water to the camper until the threat of freezing is gone. The ice is still on the lake, but that should clear off in a few weeks.
So there is my update for now. Stay tuned for more.

Oh Deer!

2011-04-11T20:20:00.003-05:00

It sure has been a while since I sat down at the keyboard and updated my blog. With the severe threat of flooding and a crazy schedule...well, you know the rest.
Sunday afternoon I set up the trail camera out here at Coyote Ridge.
It took several pictures, the best being a picture of this nice deer who strolled past the camera.

Tune in again. Who knows what will show up in the camera's viewfinder?

A Few Seattle Pictures

2011-03-28T10:58:00.003-05:00

What a grand time we had in Seattle at our son's wedding! Sarah and Andy looked great...and very happy.
Here are a few pictures that were taken...two professional photographers were there, but those pics are not ready yet.
For now, I will post the "rookie" pictures.

The parties, company and city....out of this world FUN!

Spring Is Getting Closer

2011-03-27T10:44:00.002-05:00

The sun is out today but the temperature is still in the low 20's as I write this. Highs this week should be in the 40's by weeks end, so that is an improvement.
Today we are loading up the truck with supplies for our RV and heading to the lake where we have it parked.
We will get it cleaned up after it's long winter nap.
It is still too cold to clear the RV antifreeze out of the water lines, but there is plenty of other work to do.
Sue made new curtains for it this winter so we will get those hung. The material she used to make them is supposed to block out the sunlight...perfect for maybe even sleeping in and hiding from the early sunrises that summer brings.

Back from Seattle

2011-03-24T18:33:00.002-05:00

WOW...what a trip! We made it back from our son's wedding Sunday night and have been attempting to get caught up at work and some sleep.
Sarah and Andy are a very neat couple and you can see the love.
I will be posting some pictures this weekend....so stay tuned.

Soon to Seattle

2011-03-11T11:09:00.003-06:00

Next week we will be heading off to Seattle for the wedding of our son Andy and his wonderful bride-to-be Sarah.
We are really looking forward to seeing the kids again and being a part of their special day.

Seattle is such a beautiful city and a very fun one as well.
Our other son Ben and his bride Anna will be flying out with us as well. They are fun to be with so we are really excited.
You can bet we will have lots of pictures to share!

Mr. Fox Pays Coyote Ridge A Visit

2011-03-05T18:07:00.003-06:00

You never know what you will see when you look out the window out here in the woods.
Sue peeked out and there it was....another red fox.

Now that the weather is a bit(very little bit) warmer, the animals appear to be venturing out.
The guys who delivered the tractor the other day saw a coyote run across our country lane as they were driving in.

Mr. Deere Has Arrived at Coyote Ridge

2011-03-03T17:38:00.006-06:00

About a month ago I wrote about the search for a new tractor to take care of snow removal and lawn care duties here at Coyote Ridge.
I published a picture of a tractor I was lusting over.

Well, Sue looked at the checkbook and informed me that $150,000 was no where to be found. Really?
So I throttled back my desires and ordered a 2011 John Deere X360 with hydraulic lifts, power steering, cruise control, tilt steering and a few other goodies. The blower really tosses the snow and is very easy to operate with the hydraulic lift.
Here are a few pictures.

Twelve inches of snow now in the forecast for next week...bring it on!

Is Spring on the Way?

2011-03-03T13:33:00.002-06:00

It has been on the chilly side here in Minnesota with the average temperatures well below normal.
Today we inched above the freezing mark with the possibility of a "major" weather event next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Now I doubt the major weather event will involve warm temperatures so we can all assume that more snow is in the forecast.
So far this season we have received about eight feet of snow. If you count the drifts, put that total in the double digits.
I do have some good news to report. My new John Deere is expected to arrive late today. I was almost afraid that I would not be able to re-arrange snow with it this season...but....anything can (and usually does) happen in March.
I will get some pictures as we christen Mr. Deere with champagne in the next few days.

Back In Town

2011-02-20T15:24:00.002-06:00

What a busy time! I was out of town on business for five days last week in Nashville. The weather was perfect...highs each day in the mid 60's.
Back here in Minnesota it was in the 40's and even low 50's with a TON of snow melting.
Because of all the snow this year, most of the ground around here never froze and the water is really sinking in. The creeks here at Coyote Ridge are really running.
We have lots of snow to melt away yet, but at least it is a start.
Of course as soon as I arrived home Friday a winter storm watch was issued and then updated to a blizzard warning from today until noon tomorrow.
All day it has been changing from sleet to snow and the back to sleet. Before it is all over, we are supposed to get 10-12 inches of snow and lots of drifting.
I would not mind so much if my new tractor and blower had been delivered. It was ordered two weeks ago and was supposed to be here this past Friday.
Business for John Deere must be good.
I really wanted to get back to the office Monday morning and hit the bricks running, but this weather may keep me snowbound here at the Ridge until about noon. It could take a while to blast through the drifts with the tractor and blower.
Our son Andy and his bride to be, Sarah, are getting their wedding day planned in Seattle. In less than a month they will be exchanging vows. We are really anxious to get out there and celebrate with them next month.
Our oldest son Ben and his bride Anna will be flying out with us. They are great folks and fun to be around.

A Cold Blast

2011-02-08T14:49:00.003-06:00

Mother Nature must really be in a bad mood this year. She is really ripping most of the country with weather that is not typical.
Sure, Minnesota gets snow and cold but not this much.
It was a bit chilly on the way in to work this morning as evidenced by the car thermometer.

Add the wind and our windchill was a crisp -41 degrees.
The extra log on the fire last night seemed to do the trick.
I hope you are warm and safe!

Oh Deere!

2011-02-04T13:45:00.002-06:00

Is a new John Deere about to inhabit Coyote Ridge?

Stay tuned!

2011-01-31T10:40:00.003-06:00

More blowing and drifting forecast for Coyote Ridge for the next few days. Wind chills expected to be -25-35 degrees.
If we get much more snow on my country lane, I won't know where to put it.

Over the Top...But Not Really

2011-01-27T10:52:00.002-06:00

I try not to be controversial here and I think I am still above the line in my thinking on this one.
What you are about to read below is not a condemnation of our medical care for seniors, but instead an eye opener.
I hate sweeping generalizations, but the person who wrote this has some pretty thought provoking observations.
Here you go........

Here's the way it should be

Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes.

This would correct two things in one motion:

Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.
They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs, etc.
They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.
They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance.
Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.
All meals and snacks would be brought to them
They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.
They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counseling, a pool and education...and free admission to in-house concerts by nationally recognized entertainment artists.
Simple clothing - I.e.., shoes, slippers, pj's - and legal aid would be free, upon request.
There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor exercise yard complete with gardens.
Each senior would have a P.C., T.V., phone and radio in their room at no cost.
They would receive daily phone calls.
There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU would fight for their rights and protection.
The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families from abuse or neglect.

As for the criminals :

They would receive cold food.
They would be left alone and unsupervised.
They would receive showers once a week.
They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per month.
They would have no hope of ever getting out.

Maybe one day we will have our priorities straight! What do you think?

A Party

2011-01-23T11:42:00.007-06:00

Yesterday we celebrated the 60th wedding anniversary of Sue's folks, Molly and Harv. We had been trying to do that for a month but heavy snow and high winds thwarted those plans until yesterday.
It was a nice sunny day (-6 degrees} so we decided to all meet at a great Mexican restaurant in Owatonna, Minnesota mid-afternoon.
Of course we have a few pictures to remember the day. We took more, but they were a bit blurry so I didn't include them. Sorry if you don't see yourself.

If I do say so myself....what a fine group of people!
The food was outstanding and the portions more that ample. In fact, there is plenty left over for tonight....yum!
Before going to the party yesterday, we stopped at Fleet Farm for some shopping. If they don't have what you are looking for, you don't need it. Man, what a cool store!
After we left the restaurant we went over to Sue's brother's house. Mark and Janet as such good hosts and everyone is very comfortable at their home.
At about 7:00 we decided to head back home. It is a short drive, only about 45 minutes.
By then the temperatures were already falling. By the time we dropped Sue's folks off and arrived back out to Coyote Ridge, the temps had already fallen to 15 below.
A fire in the fireplace quickly took they chill off and all was good.

Cold

2011-01-21T08:26:00.003-06:00

Much of the Midwest woke up to ridiculous temperatures this morning. Out here at Coyote Ridge we dipped down to -24 degrees...and yes, that was the actual temperature. I won't even say what the wind chill was!
I did happen to catch the outside temperature inside the truck after we started "warming up".

I can't complain too much as our neighbors to the North in International Falls, MN checked in with -46 degrees this morning.
A warm up is on the way tomorrow with our high expected to be 10 above.
As a "real" Minnesotan, I am looking forward to not having to wear a coat tomorrow.

Long Overdue

2011-01-17T13:33:00.005-06:00

Can you believe it is past the middle of January already? I say that for several reasons.
1. We are getting tired of winter
2. I have not posted in almost two weeks
3. I am trying to justify in my mind the fact that I have been too lazy to post any updates.
The winter here at Coyote Ridge has been one for the record books already. We already have our allotment of snow for the entire season. While the snowfall is up, the temperatures are down. By the end of the week our highs will be lucky to reach zero while our lows approach 20 below.
But, I must say....it is beautiful!
I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from Christmas. We visited my folks in Des Moines and had a great time visiting with the family.
Of course I have a few pictures to share.
They include my folks, brother and his wife, niece, nephew and assorted spouses and friends.

It was really nice to spend Christmas with the Des Moines crew. My folks are very much involved with life and all it has to offer. They have slowed down a little, but considering Dad is almost 91 and Mom 88 years old, they get around great and try not to let the grass grow under their feet.

Foxes Invade Coyote Ridge

2011-01-02T12:37:00.005-06:00

The past two mornings we have had the pleasure of watching some foxes hunting for food here at Coyote Ridge.
I know they are serious about hunting, but we get the biggest charge when they leap into the air an pounce on their prey.
I was able to get a few pictures for you. They are not the best quality as I was shooting through a window and screen...but you will get the general idea.
Feel free to click on the image for a larger picture.

There is always something to be seen out here at Coyote Ridge...you just have to be looking at the right time.

What a Winter

2010-12-27T10:48:00.003-06:00

We are more than ready to get through December and plow our way into January.
Our neighbors on the East coast are getting what we have been experiencing all winter...snow, and lots of it.
So far this winter we have received 46 inches and the serious snow months are still ahead of us.
We have had a few sunny days and now the ice dams are forming on most buildings, like the ones on my office building.

Of course the water is now backing up into the building causing water issues. A company is supposed to show up today to steam the ice off the roof so the water can run off as opposed to back up.
It is always something. Keeps life interesting and exciting....tho I am sure there are other things that could do the same and be lest costly.
We visited my folks and the rest of my family this past weekend. I will have pictures soon.

Just a quick update

2010-12-18T18:13:00.002-06:00

All is well out here at Coyote Ridge in spite of the whiter than normal winter.
We had another eight inches of snow Wednesday, but no wind this time. It was a cake walk rearranging the powder this time.
Our Christmas shopping is complete now. Early this morning we hitched up the horses and drove into town. One hour later, we were done. Of course several Internet purchases over the past few weeks helped get over the hump.
Looks like more white fluff in the forecast Monday and Monday night...4-6 inches. That is manageable.

No Longer Captive

2010-12-12T13:21:00.005-06:00

Holy smokes....two posts in one day!
Our neighbor, farmer Scott, payed us a visit this afternoon to blow out the 6-8 foot drifts in our lane. It was impossible for us to blast through with our "normal" equipment, so we called in the big guns...a big John Deere, diesel and blower that could throw the snow into the next timezone.
Feel free to click on the pictures for a larger view.

With the wind packing the snow into concrete like drifts, even the super heavy equipment had to take a run at some of the drifts.
Of course with the snow comes some winter beauty as well. If you look carefully at these pictures you will see them glisten because of the ice we received prior to the blizzard. Also, the blue skies always look nice after nothing but white-out conditions. Click for larger images if you wish.

What a nice feeling to have the snow removed....time now for a big mug of hot chocolate!

WOW!

2010-12-12T10:42:00.003-06:00

All I can say is WOW!
We had a winter blow here in Minnesota that now has it's place in the history books. About 20 inches of snow and winds of 40mph sustained with gusts of 55 mph. Combine that with cold temps and we had wind chills of 40 degrees below zero.
For the first time in our eight years living here at Coyote Ridge, we are seeking professional help removing snow.
We were able to clear the snow around the wooded property, but our one-third mile lane is out in the open and choked with snow drifts six feet high.
Hopefully later today one of our farmer neighbors will be here with a big tractor and blower to transfer the snow into the next county.
Traction is a problem because we received freezing rain before the snow started Friday night and early Saturday morning.

It was really hard to capture the drifts on the camera as we did not feel like trudging up the lane through the snow.
What is making the removal so difficult is the fact that the wind packed the snow into drifts making them feel like concrete when you run into them.
We were without power for a time yesterday. That only lasted about six hours so we felt very fortunate. Our gas fireplace keep us toasty warm with a steady temperature of 70 degrees inside compared to a ridiculous -30 degrees outside.
All is good now with the sun shining and the winds at a manageable level.

Storm Update

2010-12-10T18:39:00.002-06:00

Now the National Weather Service is calling for a blizzard warning as opposed to the winter storm warning that they earlier issued.
Ten to 14 inches of snow with high winds causing 2-3 foot drifts. Wind chills are expected to be 30 degrees below zero.
If I can see through the blowing snow tomorrow, I will get some pictures.

Again?

2010-12-10T09:09:00.002-06:00

Seems like the nasty winter weather likes to hit us on the weekends.
The NWS has issued a winter storm warning for us....eight inches of snow. That is not the problem. They are also calling for high winds causing blizzard like conditions and wind chills of 30 degrees below zero.
I am very glad the John Deere guys fixed my tractor. It now sports a new tie rod, new wear bars on the blower and an oil and filter change.
Here is a sneak peek and what the weather prognosticators are calling for:
... Winter Storm Warning in effect from 9 PM this evening to 6 am
CST Sunday...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a Winter Storm Warning for mixed precipitation... which is in effect from
9 PM this evening to 6 am CST Sunday. The Winter Storm Watch is no
longer in effect.

* Timing... significant snow beginning late this evening night and
lasting into late Saturday night.

* Main impact... 4 to 8 inches of snow is likely across south
central Minnesota.

* Other impacts... a period of freezing rain... sleet... and snow is
expected tonight into early Saturday... with potential ice
accumulations up to one tenth of an inch. Strong winds will
develop on Saturday... and may result in near blizzard
conditions... especially in open country. Wind chills will
plummet to around 30 below on Saturday night.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of
snow... sleet... and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are
also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or
impossible.

OK then...here we go!

Snow at the Ridge...Part Two

2010-12-05T18:20:00.001-06:00

Since I don't do a very good job updating this blog every day, I thought I would stretch out the snow pictures into two sessions.
The snow is still here and it is still looking good so here you go with round two of snow pictures from Coyote Ridge.

So there we go, a Minnesota winter at Coyote Ridge. Thanks for stopping in.

Coyote Ridge Is Covered In Snow

2010-12-04T12:52:00.006-06:00

We had a wonderful snowfall yesterday and last night out here in the woods. About seven inches of soft fluffy snow fell with no drifting...just the way we like it.
About the only problem we encountered was a broken tie rod on my tractor. Our wonderful neighbor came over with his tractor and blew out the lane and driveway. I used our backup blower (a walk behind)and had it drag me around the property to touch things up a bit. It sure is nice to have such thoughtful neighbors!
While I was following the snow blower around the property, Sue was busy with the camera getting some pictures for you to enjoy.
Welcome to a Minnesota winter!

After seeing all the snow pictures, I need to warm up a bit. Check back soon as we have more pictures and words to share with you.

Cabin Fever? Not yet

2010-11-28T15:50:00.003-06:00

Today was a beautiful day (for Minnesota) so we decided to run down to our seasonal camping site on Rice Lake.
We couldn't believe the lack of snow down there. Granted, with temps in the low 40's today we were getting some melt, but down there they just had a few snow patches. Apparently they didn't get the foot of snow our area received a couple of weeks ago.
The place sure looks different with no leafs on the trees and so few campers. We left ours there for the winter. We figured, why haul it back when we would just turn around in the spring and drag it back down there.
We had the camera along and shot a few pictures for you.

While we were out we picked up some new wire shelving for some of the cabinets so that we can organize them a bit better. There was lots of wasted space and these shelves should fix that issue.

My...Your Hands Are Cold!

2010-11-24T21:04:00.001-06:00

Many of us will be flying over the holidays and some are concerned about the new security measures being used by the TSA.
Here are a few lines that some travelers have been hearing.

Subject: The New TSA Slogans
________________________________________

Grope discounts available.

Can't see London, can't see France, unless we see your underpants.

If we did our job any better, we'd have to buy you dinner first.

Only we know if Lady Gaga is really a lady.

Don't worry, my hands are still warm from the last guy.

Throw a few back at the airport Chili's and you won't even notice.

Wanna fly? Open your fly!

We've handled more balls than Barney Frank.

We are now free to move about your pants

We rub you the wrong way, so you can be on your way.

It's not a grope. It's a freedom pat.

When in doubt, we make you whip it out.

TSA: Touchin', Squeezin', Arrestin'

You were a virgin.

We handle more packages than the USPS

The TSA isn't silly, they just want to inspect your willy.

Stroke of the hand, law of the land.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem.

Let your fingers do the Walking.
Bend Over And Cough

Reach out and touch someone.

Can you feel me now?

When we're done with you, you'll need a cigarette

Plumbing and Electrical Work

2010-11-23T13:23:00.002-06:00

We are remodeling the kitchen out here at Coyote Ridge. It is not a small undertaking, but we are doing in bite-size pieces.
We decided to go with stainless steel appliances, so off to the appliance store we went.
But first, let me back up.
Recently our upright freezer in the garage threw in the towel. With just the two of us here we thought we could get along without one.....wrong!
So, we thought since we had talked about up-grading the kitchen we would just buy a larger refrigerator. We went from an 18 cubic foot model to a 27 cubic foot beast. While we were at it we thought we might as well go with stainless...so we did. Of course the white stove looked out of place..it has been replaced with stainless. Now the white range hood looked out of place. Replaced with stainless. Of course the white microwave had to go....and it did. Oh my....look at that dishwasher, it looks so out of place....yup, you guessed it....replaced.
This weekend we replaced the dishwasher without too much blood shed.

The fridge, darn near a walk in cooler, needed a water line run to feed the in-door water spout, ice cube and crushed ice dispenser. That was surprisingly easy. We just tapped into the cold water line under the sink and drilled through the back of some cabinets to route the water line to the fridge.
I am happy to report....No leaks!

A Chili Day!

2010-11-21T13:05:00.003-06:00

Well, It is that time of year again, break out the soup pot and let the fun begin.
We really enjoy making homemade soup for several reasons.
You know what you are getting in the ingredients, you can make it to your taste and the end product is just down right good!
Today's soup was chili made with seven kinds of beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, garlic, salsa, chili powder and six pounds of lean hamburger.

We make a very large kettle of soup and then freeze individual portions. It is a quick and easy meal after work. Thaw, heat and get out some good bread and you have a meal you just can't get downtown.

Our First Real Snow

2010-11-13T13:03:00.003-06:00

We had our first "real" snow today...as opposed to a "fake" snow. Up until now we had a few flurries. So far we have six inches of the white stuff with about three more on the way.

We can't complain, as this is almost mid-November with temperatures the last two weeks running 20 degrees above average.

Fall Is Here

2010-10-26T13:41:00.003-05:00

The last several weeks here in Minnesota have been amazing. Our temperatures have been anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees above normal with no rain.
About 75% of the leaves are off the trees now, but I did get a few pictures several weeks ago. The colors were past their prime, but you will get the general idea.

Today is another story. We are getting wind gusts up to 60 mph and the temps are in the low 40's at best. For sure, Fall is here!
We have a lot of trees here on Coyote Ridge and that means leaves everywhere. For the past four weeks or so we have been mowing and chopping the fallen leaves about every four days so that we can stay ahead of the game.
Now the fun begins trying to time out the last of the leaves coming down and the snow.
I try to keep the mower on the tractor for as long as possible and yet try to time it out so the snow blower is installed on it in time for the snow. I hate getting caught with snow and the mower is still installed in anticipation of getting all the leaves chopped.
Last week we winterized the camper for the winter. That is always a sad time, knowing that the season is over.

Keep On Keepin On

2010-10-05T16:04:00.003-05:00

Still busy as all get out here at work after record rains hit the area. Who would have thought that 10-12 inches of rain would cause so much trouble! I guess the fact that the ground was saturated and the rivers pretty full before the rain ever hit has something to do with it.

We were fortunate that Coyote Ridge was not affected by the rain. We only had 5.5 inches with no ill affects other that some pretty full streams running through the property. Actually, the sound of the rushing water was very nice.

Once I catch my breath, breath Bob breath, I will try to catch you up on happenings.

Link to Pictures

WOW

2010-09-29T10:29:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. We have had major flooding going on after 12 inches of rain fell in a very short period of time last Wednesday night. I work for the American Red Cross, so I have been a bit busy helping coordinate disaster response for thousands of people affected by all this water. On a side note. The heavy rains have swollen rivers to all time highs. These records go back over 100 years, so you can only imagine how bad it is.

A Happy Teardrop

2010-09-20T16:30:00.005-05:00

This past weekend we saw a very interesting RV at the lake. It was a homemade teardrop camper built by a very talented man from Mankato,Minnesota.

This little palace on two wheels was a real work of art.
According the owner and craftsman of this unit,it all started out because they stayed at a motel in the Black Hills and were not Happy with the accommodations. He thought he could build something lightweight that could be pulled with just about any vehicle.
In my opinion, he was successful!
The little beauty started out with a trailer kit from Harbor Freight. He moved the axle and started building. He used plywood for the shell with a neat stain to really bring out a beautiful wood pattern.
Inside he has LED lights, a sound system, TV and other creature comforts.

This rig can run on shore power or two on board deep cycle batteries. The inside sleeping area is 6'2" long and appeared to be very comfortable.
The back of the camper raises up to expose a nifty kitchen area accessible from the outside.
With a weight of only 700 pounds, it can be towed by almost anything.
Great job!
As we were pulling into the campground we saw some movement in the ditch and saw several turkeys flitting about. Sue was able to capture one with the camera.

As farmers begin harvesting, we have noticed more wildlife out and about. Be careful out there...those critters can cause some damage.

Heading Out

2010-09-16T18:14:00.003-05:00

It is Thursday and that means getting ready to head out for the weekend. We will be spending the weekend in our camper on beautiful Rice Lake at Pihls Park South of Wells, Minnesota.
The manager of the park, Mary, sent these pictures that she took this Spring.

This is a very peaceful place and we are glad we found it.

Looking Good!

2010-09-15T10:25:00.000-05:00

Age has a way of creeping up on all of us. It is just one of those things that we can't escape.
Here is a great example of how someone takes great pride in staying healthy.

A doctor on his morning walk, noticed the old lady above,
Sitting on her front step smoking a cigar, so he walked up to her and said,
"I couldn't help but notice how happy you look! What is your secret?"
"I smoke ten cigars a day," she said. "Before I go to bed, I smoke a nice big
joint. Apart from that, I drink a whole bottle of Jack Daniels every week,
and eat only junk food. On weekends, I pop pills, get a little lovin', and don't
exercise at all."
"That is absolutely amazing! How old are you?"
"Thirty-four," she replied.
So much for that method of "clean living".

Back From A Great Weekend With Pictures

2010-09-12T14:35:00.009-05:00

I have been promising some pictures of our seasonal site near Wells, Minnesota. This is a Faribault County Park with 30 camp sites. It is called Pihls Park, named after the gentleman who donated the land to the county some years ago.
What impressed us the most about this park was the super quiet and laid back atmosphere. The manager, Mary is a great person and very accommodating.
The sites are huge as you can see in these pictures of our camper and no other rigs breathing on us. You can click on the pictures for a larger view.

And a few more pics to show distances between units.

While the park itself is about 20 acres, it is surrounded by woods and a very nice lake with a fishing pier.

Here are a few general pictures so you can get more of the cozy feel of this wonderful park.

The campground is mature and offers 110v and 30 amp electrical service and water. There is a dump station on site so hauling the "blue-boy" wheeled waste tank is not a problem at all.
Their rates are $20 per day or $175 per month May through September. That monthly fee even includes utilities. I know that there are several seasonal sites still available for next year in case you know of someone who appreciates peace and quiet.

Time For An Update

2010-09-09T11:53:00.002-05:00

My how time slips away! Last weekend was a huge success at our new favorite campground.
Even tho it was a holiday weekend, it was very quiet and peaceful. With only thirty sites, there is never a problem of too many people, and with each site about 100 feet apart and no spots behind us, we have all the privacy we need.
We were so impressed we paid the seasonal rate for the rest of September and signed up as a seasonal for next season, May through September. We can even come earlier in the season and stay later with no promise that the water will be turned on yet. No charge for early or late stays!
We even worked out a deal so we can just leave the camper parked in the off season for $100. That is cheap storage and makes it very convenient. This way I don't have to plow snow around the rig all winter like I would if it were parked at home.
I did take some pictures, but they will have to wait for posting as life (work) is still getting in the way. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and am thankful everyday to be doing something I love.
I will take more pictures this weekend and get them posted as soon as possible.

It is Too Warm in Minnesota Right Now

2010-09-02T17:44:00.002-05:00

Who in their right mind would think that the lovely land of 10,000 lakes would be too warm? Please allow me to explain.
I have noticed over the past few weeks that the ice cream (three different kinds) has not been as frozen as it should have been. I blamed it on the extremely hot temperatures we have been having lately. Deep down I probably thought..."oh no, the freezer is on it's last leg". Anyway, Sue was getting some food out of the big white box to put in the camper after work today and she discovered that we had major melt going on in there. Of course it happened while it was full of food. I do think we caught it in time and the meat was still very cold, not frozen, but still preserved.
I guess we will know for sure after we consume the flesh this weekend. We transferred the items to other freezing devices here at Coyote Ridge so we should be okay until we get to the freezer store to purchase a new one.
That project will have to wait as we are pulling out tomorrow for a long weekend of camping and fishing at our favorite campground. If this weekend goes as planned, we may become seasonal residents. The campground is on a lake with VERY large sites and only 20 of them, so it is very quiet and laid back. That is just our style. I will get some pictures this weekend if we can strike a reasonable deal.
Since we are still among the ranks of working stiffs, we thought this would be more convenient and get us out of Dodge more often.
I will fill you in when we return.

I Feel Like Paul Harvey

2010-08-29T15:01:00.002-05:00

Every once and a while I see something repeating or perhaps posting on the blog. My wife Sue sent this to me. It is a VERY cool story her sister Mary emailed to her.
Please make sure you read all the way to the end.

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago . Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street .. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still."

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft
This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

Pretty neat huh?

Now you know....The REST of the story. Bob

Oh Deer and Rumble-Rumble

2010-08-19T16:04:00.003-05:00

I changed the batteries in the trail camera last night and checked the digital unit out today to see what I "caught".
Not the best quality photos as the animal was moving while the camera was shooting.
Anyway.....here are a few shots of a nice doe that was wandering around the back forty at about 7:00 this morning.

Now I had better explain the rumble-rumble headline.
I am organizing a fundraiser for the American Red Cross. This Sunday we will have about 450 motorcyclists participating in a ride across parts of Southeast and South Central Minnesota.
Most of the county Sheriffs in the area ride bikes and they participate by leading the riders from six starting points. The ride ends in Mankato,Minnesota with a nice party and great food. Who could ask for more?
Sheriffs' Posse Ride for the Red Cross
The Sheriffs are a great bunch of guys and are a lot of fun to be around.

Things That Will Make You Smile

2010-08-18T17:18:00.002-05:00

Every once and a while I run into something that makes me smile or even laugh out loud.
I ran into this today and just had to share it with you.
Kulula is a low-cost South-African airline that doesn't take itself too seriously.

From the cockpit on KULULA.COM- South Africa 's Budget Airline

WHAT A PITY KULULA DOESN'T FLY HERE - WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM IF ONLY FOR THEIR Humor

Kulula is an Airline with head office situated in Johannesburg . Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
------------------------------------------------------------------

On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"

---o0o---

On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."

----o0o---

On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have."

----o0o---

"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane."

---o0o---

"Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business
as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."

---o0o---

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"

---o0o---

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a flight attendant on a flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."

---o0o---

From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth . To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."

---o0o---

"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one small child, pick your favourite."

---o0o---

Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines."

----o0o---

"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."

---o0o---

"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.."

---o0o---

And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Kulula Airlines is pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"

---o0o---

Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."

---o0o---

Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"

---o0o---

Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

---o0o---

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline. He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment.
Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land, or were we shot down?"

---o0o---

After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."

---o0o---

Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today.. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of Kulula Airways."

---o0o---

Heard on a Kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing.. If you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."

---o0o---

A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, non-stop from Durban to Cape Town , The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight.. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOODNESS!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!"

A passenger then yelled, "That's nothing. You should see the back of mine!"

Hummers Everywhere!

2010-08-14T19:51:00.004-05:00

This Spring we hung out a few Hummingbird feeders off the back deck and screened porch. Of course, one thing lead to another and we ended up with eight feeders. At times, we have up to 20 hummingbirds fighting over the feeders.
Sue caught a few of these little buggers on film (digital) the other day through the window.
Feel free to click on the pictures for a larger image.

Those little hummers are eating us out of house and home. They go through about 10 cups of feed every day. It is well worth the small expense of two cups of sugar and eight cups of water.

The New Boat and Fishin

2010-08-12T23:34:00.007-05:00

In an earlier post I talked about buying an inflatable boat that would be portable enough to toss into the camper or pickup truck so we could investigate some of the waterways while out camping.
The first boat was eight feet long and advertised that it had a payload capacity of 900 pounds or three people.
I inflated the boat and when I saw the size I could not decide to laugh or cry. It was tiny!
So back to the drawing board. I sold the boat and purchased another one...this one was advertised to be 12 feet long with a capacity of 1200 pounds or six people.
I inflated the boat and was pleased! Will it hold six people.....not safely...but it is perfect for two plus all our "stuff".
We took it out fishing last weekend and it worked great. We were loaded and set to do battle. We had four oars, two personal floatation devices, three seat cushions, a 15 pound anchor and rope, two fishing rods, tackle box and a cooler of food and beverages. Lets not forget a small trolling motor and two batteries.

Feel free to click on the pictures for a larger view.
Fishing that day was good. We caught at least three dozen fish...since the majority of them were Bullheads, we released them.

Is Sue happy with the new boat?

A successful voyage indeed!

Cooks In The Kitchen

2010-08-11T17:18:00.004-05:00

Several weeks ago our youngest son Andy and his Fiance Sarah visited us from their home in Seattle.
I had mentioned in an earlier blog that both sons, Ben and Andy are fantastic young men.....and cooks!
While here Andy made sure we were will fed every morning.

And the finished product....a wonderful Greek breakfast!

Delicious.....Nothing better.
And another note....Happy birthday Andy!

It Has Been A while

2010-08-04T13:26:00.002-05:00

Where does the time go? It has been an action packed week around here. In addition to the normal work week, we have been busy with one thing or another.
We hosted a small family reunion at Coyote Ridge for my immediate family last weekend. My parents and my brother's family came up from Iowa to see how the other half live.
The 13 of us had a great time with great conversation, food, beer and games. What a wonderful combination!
After the gang left Sunday morning, we gathered up the boating equipment and hit the lake. I guess I should back up a bit and explain.
A few weeks ago we purchased a nice inflatable boat to take with us camping. We wanted something that folded up and did not take up much space.
We thought we found the perfect boat. The picture had three people in the boat having a grand time fishing.
Well, we got the boat home and inflated it to find that the eight foot boat had a seating area that would accommodate one person and their fishing gear....at best.
Well, off shopping we went again. We found the same boat, but this one is 12 feet long with a 1200 pound capacity. That is more like it!
The trolling motor I purchased for the small boat works well on the larger craft....as long as you are not in a hurry. It has two reverse speeds and two forward speeds.....slow and slower! For what we need, it works just fine. We won't be pulling any water skiers, but it is just fine for fishing.
The inaugural run went very well and we are very happy with the watercraft.
I will get some pictures when we take it out again this coming weekend.

A New Purchase For Sue

2010-07-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

In my last blog I mentioned that we were at Gander Mountain when we received a call from Andy telling us that he and Sarah were getting married.
I guess I should tell you what we were doing at Gander Mt.
We had gone there to pick up some stick on letters and numbers for our new boat. One thing lead to another and we ended up in the firearms department.
We were looking at the pistols in the case when Sue went silent and was pointing to a Beretta with the total look of lust in her eyes.
The sales associate knew at that point he had a sale. She ran it through it's paces and before long she was the proud new owner of a Beretta Bobcat 21-A eight shot semi-automatic.

It is a perfect purse pistol for her. It is very easy to handle and weighs only 11.3 ounces.
Needless to say, the tin cans have been plinking here at Coyote Ridge ever since!

Great News To Report

2010-07-25T18:04:00.005-05:00

Please allow me to explain. Friday night we were at Gander Mountain when my cell phone rang. It was our youngest son Andy calling from his home in Seattle. I was dealing hot and heavy with a sales associate so I handed he phone to Sue. From the tone I determined it was good news of some kind. All of a sudden Sue squealed "Andy and Sarah are getting married!" Wow! We took turns talking and congratulating them, of course asking a million questions. The tentative date is the first part of September, 2011.
He wanted us to be the first to know, followed by his older brother Ben, then his grandparents.
As Sue said. "We couldn't have chosen a more perfect daughter."
Here is a picture of the happy couple taken on a recent trip to San Francisco.

We are looking forward to a great wedding in Seattle!

Ahoy Mate!

2010-07-20T10:06:00.004-05:00

As Captain of the new watercraft I though I would introduce you to our new purchase.
For years we have been interested in things that float on water and have owned everything from a canoe to a 24 foot cabin cruiser that we had in Florida.
Now we own the smallest craft ever....a nine foot inflatable boat.

And to power this balloon on steroids we ordered this electric trolling motor.

I doubt we will do much water skiing with this bag of air, but that was not the intention of the purchase.
Many times while camping we wish we had a small boat to explore some of the coves on small lakes. This looked like just the ticket to achieve that need to see what is around the next bend.
We wanted something that was light and did not take up much space in the camper. Deflated, the boat is about two feet long and a foot wide weighing only 20 pounds.
It has a 600 pound weight capacity so we are well within limits.
Sue is making us pirate outfits, so we should be rather intimidating out there on the open water!
Now if I could just figure out how to christen the boat with the ceremonial bottle of cheap champagne!

A Great Weekend!

2010-07-19T14:22:00.007-05:00

Like I said earlier, picking a new campground is like eating from a box of chocolates.You just never know what you are going to get. This campground was amazing! No pool, no games, no activities....just big beautiful sites and huge trees.

It is located South of Wells, MN in a very quiet area with no traffic noise...and get this....no noise from trains, not that I mind that, but it seems all campgrounds must be built near railroad tracks.
There were only 30 sites total so we had plenty of privacy because of the large sites and limited people using the campground.
We had access to the lake from our site and our dog Lucy really enjoyed the water. Can you tell?

We tend to explore for about a fifty mile radius wherever we go so this trip took us to Vinje,Iowa...population 6. There was a church and a bar. We went to the bar. The food was really, really good and inexpensive!

We ventured into Albert Lea and went to a very nice farmer's market. They had such nice produce, so I purchased chocolate chip cookies....they were delicious!
After that we went to the mall and a larger sporting goods store where Sue wanted to look for shorts. She found several pair that were just perfect for her. While she was trying them on I wondered around the store looking at things I didn't need until I spotted a rubber inflatable boat that would be just perfect to keep in the camper to use for fishing or just some lake cruising. At that point...I just had to have it. So like the cookies....I bought it.
Soon I will post a picture and other details.

They're Back

2010-07-14T16:50:00.003-05:00

Coyote Ridge is back to normal after hosting sixty relatives from Sue's side of the family for a reunion last Saturday.
The "event" was a huge success with everyone enjoying themselves. We enjoy hosting the gatherings and always look forward to seeing everyone.
I suppose I should explain the headline. Regular followers know that we have a trail camera set up in the woods to capture wildlife in their environment.
So far the digital camera has captured images of a coyote, deer, squirrels, turkeys, wild cats and raccoons.
It appears that there is no shortage of raccoons out there as every night several are caught wandering through the area.

It is Wednesday already as the week trudges on like a herd of thundering turtles.
We are going camping this weekend at a new to us campground in Southern Minnesota. It is a small county park South of Wells,Minnesota.
Checking out these new places reminds me of a box of chocolates....you never know for sure what you will find.

A Few More Pictures

2010-07-12T15:31:00.003-05:00

Andy and Sarah are on a jet plane (don't know when they'll will be back again) heading home to Seattle. We sure had a grand time.
I dug up a few more pictures from the weekend.
No rhyme or reason to them other than the fact that they involve recreational shooting, food and nature...That is a great combination in my book!

I must say, the gals and guys did a great job dusting the clay pigeons!
We are seriously thinking about hitting Seattle next month for a few days. We will check flights this week and see what we come up with.

What A Great Time With The Young Folks

2010-07-11T21:49:00.004-05:00

Our youngest son Andy and his partner Sarah have been visiting the Midwest from Seattle since July 1st. They spent time in Minneapolis, Wisconsin, my folks home in Des Moines then up to see us.
They arrived here last Thursday and we haven't slowed down yet!
Thursday evening we went out for pizza and twenty five cent pitchers of beer at our favorite pizza place.
Friday was spent getting ready for a family reunion at our home on Saturday.
What a time that was. We had about sixty folks here at Coyote Ridge and I know everyone had a great time! It sure was nice to have all of us together!
Sunday we toured a local winery and of course sampled along the way....ten in all to be exact. We then purchased a bottle and sat outside enjoying the company and beautiful weather.

We were then off to hike back to a waterfall in the area where we think we found a fresh cougar track.
It was off to the store where we picked up supplies for Mexican food that our sons cooked for us. They are fantastic cooks and really know their way around the kitchen. We are spoiled as Andy cooked huge breakfasts for us each morning.
To wrap up the weekend we do what all good Minnesotans do on Sundays....we broke out four guns and shot clay pigeons and tin cans. The ladies did real well. Hey wait just a second, the guys in the kitchen and the ladies shootin stuff? Oh well, it works!

It was wonderful that Ben and Anna were able to spend so much time with Andy and Sarah this weekend. Everyone gets along wonderfully.
Tomorrow the kids will fly back to Seattle. We will be very sad to see them go, but we know they have their life there.
We are so blessed to have such wonderful and caring sons.

Picking Up After The Storm

2010-07-05T19:18:00.009-05:00

About a week and a half ago we had straight line winds of 70+ mph and tornadoes roll through our area.

Coyote Ridge was spared the tornadoes, but caught the brunt of the winds.
Sue captured a few pictures for you after things calmed down a bit.

We were very lucky that only one large tree came down in the yard and only four or five in our woods.
The rest of the cleanup was mostly branches, limbs and leaves.

Since I work for the American Red Cross, I was busy helping with relief efforts while Sue our son Ben and his wife Anna were responsible for Coyote Ridge cleanup.
By the time I got home, everything was cleaned up with the homestead looking fabulous. Great timing Bob!

It Has Been A While!

2010-07-02T21:50:00.003-05:00

My last post was almost two weeks ago and talked about how busy I had been responding to tornadoes that hit our area.
Just as we were winding down with those, another batch of twisters hit our area again damaging almost 400 homes.
Working for the American Red Cross keeps me busy, especially during times like this.
Personally, we had a few trees down and power off for about 40 hours. Basically, our woes were just an inconvenience. Our Red Cross Facebook Site
I finally had a day off today so we had 18,000 pounds of river rock stone delivered. With shovels in hand we re-did several landscape areas.
We have a family reunion scheduled for here next Saturday so a few more projects "need" to get done.
Great news to report....Our youngest son Andy and his wonderful girlfriend Sarah are visiting from Seattle. They flew into Minneapolis and will attend a family reunion on her side in Wisconsin, then visit my parents in Iowa then make their way back to Minnesota to visit us for a few days.

And....The Winds Blew

2010-06-20T17:37:00.003-05:00

Lots of activity the last few days here in Minnesota. Nearly 40 tornadoes touched down this past Thursday afternoon and evening destroying ove 100 homes and damaging hundreds of others.
Since I work for the American Red Cross, weekend camping plans were put on hold while we served the needs of thousands of victems and volunteers.
Here is a link to what happened:
American Red Cross
We will be working one-on-one with the clients now to help speed their recovery so they can get back to semi-normal real soon.

Success!

2010-06-13T11:42:00.004-05:00

It finally happened....Our Coyote Ridge trail camera caught a coyote!
We hear them all the time and occasionally spot then on our wooded property, but they just haven't wandered in front of the trail camera....until this past Wednesday evening shortly after 6PM.
The camera took three pictures of it, with these two turning out pretty good. I had to enlarge them, so some of the quality was lost....but they are still acceptable.
Click on the image for a better view.

Success at last!

Heading Out

2010-06-04T11:39:00.003-05:00

We are heading out today to the Redwood Falls, MN area for some camping. This sounds like a pretty nice place.
At 219 acres in size, Alexander Ramsey Park is the largest municipal park in the State of Minnesota. Termed as the "Little Yellowstone of Minnesota", the park is enhanced by 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps shelters and bridges and picturesque Ramsey Falls. The park serves as a focal point for community events, festivals and summer activities and features campground facilities, shelter houses, four miles of paved hiking trails, a DNR trout stream, scenic overlooks, and a zoo.

Walnut Grove, Minnesota

2010-05-31T16:43:00.009-05:00

Many of you may remember the TV series "Little House On The Prairie" starring Michael Landon. Two weeks ago we went camping along Plum Creek South of Walnut Grove, the area where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived as a young girl.

Years after living near Walnut Grove, Laura wrote a book about her life near Walnut Grove, referencing Plum Creek.

Before Pa Ingalls built their humble cabin, the family lived in a ten by ten foot sod hut built into the hillside on Plum Creek.

The family lived near walnut Grove for about two years before grasshoppers ruined their crops and forced them to leave the area.
The Ingalls family made a number of moves to different parts of the Midwest...doing everything from farming to managing hotels.

If you are ever in Southwest Minnesota, it would be well worth your time to visit the area. Each July they hold the Wilder Pageant that draws upwards of 10,000 people.
Great Link To Historical Info

Raccoon Invasion

2010-05-30T08:58:00.003-05:00

Every day that passes, we get closer to re-naming Coyote Ridge to Raccoon Ridge.
Every night we hear coyotes serenading us, but they remain rather illusive when it comes to getting caught on the trail camera.
Every night we get about a dozen pictures of coons milling about. The camera did catch one of the masked bandits foraging about during daylight hours.
As always, feel free to click on the picture for a larger image.

I am beginning to wonder where all the deer are. last year we had deer wander into the camera zone most every night. Maybe the cougar has been working overtime thinning the herd?
Stay tuned!

Bag Toss for the Red Cross

2010-05-28T15:56:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday was a great day for the South Central MN Chapter of the American Red Cross.
We held our 2nd annual event had had 55 teams registered.
Winners, and those who won door prizes, walked away with $2,000.00 in parting gifts.
As promised earlier, I have a few pictures for you.

This fundraising event was possible because of our great volunteers, corporate sponsors and the players!

I Hope You See The Humor-Gotta Love The South

2010-05-25T13:11:00.001-05:00

Tennessee

The owner of a golf course was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, 'You graduated from the University of Tennessee, and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?'
The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, 'Everything but my earrings.'

Alabama

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. 'Where's Henry?' the others asked.
'Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail,' the successful hunter replied.
'You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?' they inquired.
'A tough call,' nodded the hunter. 'But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!'

Texas

The Sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch. The Sheriff asked, 'Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don't you see that sign right over your head'. 'Yep', he replied. 'That's why I dumpin it here, cause it says 'Fine For Dumping Garbage'.

Louisiana

A senior at LSU was overheard saying... 'When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana.' When asked why, he replied he'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.

Mississippi

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, 'Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup
truck from the parking lot!'
Bubba replied, 'Did you see who it was?'
The young man answered, 'I couldn't tell, but I got his license number.'

Georgia

A Georgia State trooper pulled over a pickup on I- 75. The trooper asked, 'Got any I.D.?'
The driver replied, 'Bout whut?'

North Carolina

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it.
Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was....
The man replied, 'I have a flat tire.'
The passerby asked, 'But what's with the flowers?'
The man responded, 'When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. Hey, it don't make no sense to me neither.'

Success!

2010-05-23T15:33:00.003-05:00

We had a tremendously successful Bag Toss for the Red Cross this past Saturday. We had 55 teams participating for $2,000.00 worth of prizes. From the comments at the event, everyone had a great time with wonderful food, weather, music, prizes and competition.
Hopefully I will get some of the pictures edited and posted.
The trail camera here at coyote Ridge has been busy snapping lots of pictures every night. You guessed it, more raccoons!

We must be patient.....sooner or later a dog (coyote) or a cat (cougar) will pass through.

Busy and more Busy

2010-05-20T15:04:00.003-05:00

Last weekend we hooked up the camper and traveled to Walnut Grove, Minnesota. You may recognize that name from the TV show, Little House On The Prairie. Soon I will have some pictures.
I have spent the majority of this week getting ready for the Second Annual Bag Toss for the Red Cross event scheduled for this Saturday.
We should have 64 teams competing for more than $2,000.00 in prizes.
The weather is looking good so everyone should enjoy great music, food and games.....all for the support of our local American Red Cross.

A Few Pictures From The Trail Camera

2010-05-16T17:22:00.004-05:00

I have been hoping for some pictures of a cougar or at least some coyotes on the trail camera here at Coyote Ridge.
I think we may have to rename it "Coon Ridge" because of all the raccoons showing up on the camera.
Every night the masked bandits have been running wild.

Not to be outdone, a pesky squirrel raced in front of the camera.

I must be patient, I know the critters are out there just waiting for their fifteen minutes of fame.

Important Information...Very Important!

2010-05-13T09:02:00.002-05:00

I published this last year, but I think it is worth reviewing because of it's extreme importance.

BBQ RULES
We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh
your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity.
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging
beside the grill - beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three meter exclusion zone
where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can
take place without the interference of the woman.

Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great.
He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he flips the meat

Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND
HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine...
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils,
napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.

(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.

Cougar Ridge Instead Of Coyote Ridge?

2010-05-04T16:35:00.004-05:00

Some weird stuff here at Coyote Ridge of late.
Here is the story....The other night we were letting the dogs out one last time for the night. As usual, we shined the big spotlight around the property to check for monsters.
All of a sudden we spotted these bright gold eyes looking back at us. The animal then looked like it jumped and we lost sight of it.
The next morning Sue looked out the kitchen window and spotted a full size cougar standing in the back yard near the tree line. By the time she grabbed the camera it was gone.
I called the DNR and they said at this point they could not do anything about the cougar.
I just received our trail camera back from the repair facility Friday and had not set it back out yet. If I had had the camera in it's normal hiding place, we would have caught the big cat on "digital film".
The camera is now in it's place and working fine as you can see in this picture of me caught in the headlights.

Not that I am paranoid, but you can see my trusty 9mm holstered on my hip....just in case the 150 pound cat decides to attack!

Please do stay tuned because I think some really cool pictures are about to be created here at Coyote Ridge.

It Has Been a While

2010-04-29T11:12:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I scratched a few words into this blog.
Spring is always a very busy time at work and home on Coyote Ridge.
The workshop remodel project is almost complete...pictures coming soon.
Yard work is always a high priority this time of year and that is almost done as well.
The camper is now all set to roll after a six month hibernation. Here in the cold climate, we have to winterize the system and take in everything cold sensitive.
The good news is that we will be heading out for a weekend camping trip...we just love exploring!
I had a new weight distribution and anti-sway system installed this week. It worked great on the way home from the RV dealership. We had 30 mph winds and it handled great!
More later...thanks for checking in.

True or False?

2010-04-15T14:42:00.001-05:00

Very interesting....

: True/False Quiz

Can you guess which of the following are true and which are false?

1. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

2. Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button.

3. A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 years.

4. People do not get sick from cold weather; it's from being indoors a lot more.

5. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop, even your heart!

6. Only 7 per cent of the population are lefties.

7. Forty people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.

8. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until they are 2-6 years old.

9. The average person over 50 years old will have spent almost 5 years waiting in lines.

10. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.

11. The average housefly lives for one month.

12. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.

13. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.

14. The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.

15. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day.

16. Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.

17. The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.

18. The only two animals that can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and the parrot.

19. John Travolta turned down the starring roles in "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Tootsie."

20. Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State Anthem.

21. In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of the milk.

22. Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane, just in case there is a crash.

23. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle, built in 1903, used a tomato can for a carburetor..

24. Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth. They are used in vein transplant surgery.

25. Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were 7th cousins.

26. If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.

If you said "True" to all of them....you are right!

I Feel Pretty Smart!

2010-04-14T13:43:00.002-05:00

At one time or another, most (all) of us say something that just didn't come out right.

-- If you ever feel a little bit stupid, just dig this up and read it again; you'll begin to think you're a genius..
Here are a few examples of some of those awkward moments:
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(On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)

Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?

Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,"

--Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest.

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"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."

--Mariah Carey

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"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"

-- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign

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"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,"

--Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.

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"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country,"

--Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC . ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it,"

--A congressional candidate in Texas .

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"Half this game is ninety percent mental."

--Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark

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"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.."

--Al Gore, Vice President

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"I love California . I practically grew up in Phoenix ."

-- Dan Quayle

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"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"

--Lee Iacocca

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"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

--Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst.

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"We don't necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people."

-- Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Instructor.

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"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances."

--Department of Social Services, Greenville , South Carolina

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"Traditionally, most of Australia 's imports come from overseas."

--Keppel Enderbery

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"If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there will be a record."

-- Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman

I am feeling pretty smart right about now!

Sure Fire Ways To Draw Attention

2010-04-08T10:31:00.004-05:00

In my never ending quest to add value to this site, I have stolen a few ideas to help keep life interesting.
I hope you enjoy them!
To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars.... See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice!
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana.
6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.
7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.
8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.
9. Sing Along At The Opera.
10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache.
11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'
12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'
13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity
14. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE FITTING ROOM is.

Easter Sunday and the Smell of Gunpowder

2010-04-05T18:56:00.005-05:00

We have a tradition here at Coyote Ridge...be it a bit unusual!
We break out some of the firearms and shoot stuff! Man, we know how to celebrate.
After a long winter inside, it was nice to smell the aroma of freshly released gun powder smoke. And what do we shoot? Just about anything we want to....that's legal anyway.
Sue is really good with her handguns. Here she takes on the woods with her smallest caliber handgun....a .22 revolver.

That fine day I broke out one of the small 9mm conceal pistols and let a few hundred rounds fly.

So there you have it. Another peaceful Holiday at Coyote Ridge.

Great Easter

2010-04-04T18:42:00.004-05:00

Instead of gathering at someones home this Easter, we decided to meet at a restaurant so that none of the family would get stuck cleaning and cooking.
About fifteen of us met at the Timberlodge Restaurant in Owatonna,MN for some great fellowship and food.
I forgot about getting pictures until we were outside in the parking lot. I did catch Ben and Anna before we all went our separate ways.

Sue and I had the walleye...it was fabulous!
You might ask "why fish when they have such delicious steaks?" That is an easy answer. Saturday we marinaded two huge rib eye steaks in Italian salad dressing for the better part of the day and tossed them on the flesh cooker.

Now back to Easter Sunday. We have a tradition here at Coyote Ridge. We enjoy breaking out some firearms. You will have to tune in real soon to get that story...with pictures!

Wildlife Invades Coyote Ridge This Week

2010-04-03T18:48:00.003-05:00

This has been a big week here at Coyote Ridge. Now that spring has sprung, the wild critters are out in full force.
In the past week we have seen seven coyotes,eight deer,one woodchuck and four turkeys. I am not even counting the squirrels that seem to be eating our door frames.
I did catch a picture of a turkey out the shop window this morning.

This week I went out to check on my trail camera and brought it in. Even with new batteries, the LCD screen does not work. It is under warranty so I will send it back for repair or replacement.

Is Spring Really Here?

2010-03-30T16:28:00.003-05:00

Look what happened today!

It seemed like just yesterday that we had snow everywhere. Now with warmer temps and not even a snow flurry in March, some farmers are out plowing their fields already.
Many of the rivers are really-really high, but the levels are abating so we should be okay on that front.
Yup....I am ready for Spring!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

2010-03-29T14:43:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday Sarah! We miss you.

Anna's Birthday

2010-03-21T19:04:00.003-05:00

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in law by the name of Anna. She is married to our oldest son Ben.
Last week was Anna's birthday and we celebrated by going out to dinner at one of our newest restaurants..Number 4.
What a fabulous meal and great company!
We sure wish our other son Andy and his charming partner Sarah lived closer,(they live in Seattle) so we could spend more time with them.
We are so lucky to have two fine sons with wonderful gals!
The happy couple......

And Mom and Dad......

Tune in again soon....news about our workshop/party room.

Some Good Humor Along Our Highways

2010-03-19T22:51:00.001-05:00

I hope you get a chuckle out of these:

Drive Through Service At Our Local Walmart

2010-03-18T15:23:00.005-05:00

Our local Walmart this morning........

March 18, 2010
High-speed chase ends car driving into Wal-Mart
Police pull guns on suspect

By Robb Murray The Free Press

MANKATO — A Minnesota Lake man drove his car into the Mankato Wal-Mart store Thursday morning and held authorities at bay for 30 minutes before he surrendered his weapon and was apprehended.

Raymond Mager, Jr., 47, had been involved in a minor traffic accident at about 6 a.m. He fled the scene and authorities were called. Blue Earth County Sheriff Brad Peterson was the first to respond, and when he made contact with Mager, Mager reportedly fled.

Peterson followed him into the Wal-Mart parking lot where a short chase ensued. Mager actually drove through the store doors and into the store and Peterson, who was then joined by a Mankato police officer, followed him into the store.

About 30 minutes later Mager surrendered his pellet gun and two officers took him into custody.

Mager faces possible charges of first-degree assault and fleeing police. He was taken to Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital following the incident for a mental evaluation.

Yuh Think!

I Was Able To get To The RV

2010-03-08T13:52:00.006-06:00

Ah, a sure sign of Spring. I was able to get to the camper on Sunday. Enough snow had melted enabling me to open the door to the camper and poke around for a while.
I had been hearing a beep coming from that direction for the past few weeks and figured it was a low battery warning for the smoke detector or the carbon monoxide detector. It was the later of the two, but both devices are now at full strength .
Everything else in the rig looked pretty good. I will know for sure when I am able to drain out the antifreeze from the water lines and fire up the appliances.

Can you tell I am getting Spring Fever?

You never know what you will find after putting something like an RV to bed for at least five months. Any one of a number of problems can crop up.

Speaking of problems....how about these "issues"?

I can only imagine some of the choice words uttered or screamed during those "events"!

Let the Warm Up Begin!

2010-03-05T09:05:00.003-06:00

The temperatures here at Coyote Ridge have been reaching the upper 30's most every day for about the past week. Slowly, the snow piles are getting smaller...but not fast enough. We are hoping for some mid 40 degree weather so we can get rid of the stuff before the Spring rains arrive.
Timing of the snow melt is important so that we can lessen the chances of flooding.

Here is a little number game that was sent to me. It was very cool and accurate. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping in! Bob

Find out who truly is your role model - mine was Mother Theresa.

DON'T SCROLL DOWN YET!!

FIRST, do the simple math below.

THEN, scroll down to find your hero.

It is truly remarkable just how accurate this is!

1) Pick your favorite number between 1 and 8
2) Multiply your choice by 3
3) Add 3
4) Multiply again by 3
5) You'll get a 2 digit number......maybe 42, for example
6) Add the digits together. Example 4 and 2 = 6

Now Scroll down.
With that number, see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below:

1. Albert Einstein
2. Oprah Winfrey
3. Mother Theresa
4. Ronald Reagan
5. Bill Gates
6. Gandhi
7. Eleanor Roosevelt
8. Babe Ruth
9. BOB
10.Winston Churchill
11.Barbara Walters
12.Dalai Lama

Fun with numbers!