Turkey Anyone?

We sure have seen lots of turkeys in our almost seven years living out here in the country. As you can see in the picture, the big birds are not afraid to come out of the woods and look for food. This picture was taken out of a back window into the back yard one afternoon. I could not even get all of the birds into the viewfinder. We estimate 100-125 turkeys in the yard all at one time. It was amazing!

Deer In The Headlights

The trail camera has been busy catching about a dozen shots a day. Still no coyotes, but lots of deer. Feel free to click on the pictures for a larger image.



Maybe if I tie some cats out there the coyotes might be interested. :)

No Way!

On our recent trip "Up North", we ran into a cool place in Coleraine, Minnesota.
It is called Mt Itasca

They have several ski jumps there that are used for Olympic training. I can't imagine racing down the slippery slope on skis then launching into the air and being expected to land with some amount of control!

Two weeks ago they hade ski jumpers competing...without snow!
With the assistance of $130,000 in funding from the MASC, the Ole Mangseth Ski Jump was outfitted with plastic mats to allow for ski jump training and competition during the non-snow months. Since this addition was completed in 1999, usership and economic impact at the facility have increased significantly. Athletes from throughout the U.S. have trained in Coleraine for extended periods of time – at formal training camps lasting as long as ten days. Both the U.S. National Ski Jump Team and the Nordic Combined Development Team trained at the facility in the past two years.

This fellow has pretty good form...considering!


Once again...I repeat...NO WAY!


If I ever get the urge to do something like that, I will slowly walk to my recliner, sit down and wait for the urge to pass.

Is Sue Nesting?

Sue was busy in the kitchen for a few hours on Sunday.

With apples in season, she dusted off the Jack LaLanne Juicer and started the process.



The finished product....pure apple-pear juice with no preservatives....all natural!


The juicer machine is amazing...this is all that was left over from the process.


Nothing around here goes to waste. We dumped the fruit remains out by the trail camera so the animals could also have a treat.


Besides the delicious juice, Sue made her famous chocolate-zucchini bread with cinnamon topping!


I think I know what I will be having for a treat later!

Fall Colors At Coyote Ridge

Today was a beautiful sunny day, the kind of weather that makes Fall such a nice time here in Minnesota. I spend about two hours on the tractor this morning chopping the leaves that had fallen the past week. By the end of the day today I am sure the ground will be covered again with leaves.

In the meantime, I have a few Fall pictures for you. As always, you can click on the pics for a larger view.

Our country lane leading back to Coyoter Ridge:


We are back in the woods completly out of sight of any gawkers that may be traveling the back country roads.














Highs in the low 60's and sunny....gotta love the Minnesota Fall!

Some of This And That

The first week in September we went to Des Moines to celebrate my Mom's 87th birthday. She is trying to catch up to my dad who is 89. We are thankful that they are in good health and are always on the go. Here is a picture of Mon, Dad, Sue, my brother Paul and yours truly.

Good picture of Sue....you bet!

And how about this gal....my perfect dog Lucy.

And Lucy with Sue's perfect pooch, Betty.

Was I right when I said...Some of this and some of that? Tune in again soon for another edition of "Now What Are They Doing?"

This One Likes The Camera!

You never know what is sneaking around outside when we are not looking, case and point would be this deer that is not camera shy!

Click on pic for an even better shot>

With deer opener right abound the corner, they had better find their hiding places.....and fast.