Joining the Morel Mushroom Hunters

Ahhh, 4:00 in the afternoon rolled around yesterday. The bird sound went off on the wall clock and Sadie headed for the door to go outside. I pulled myself away from the Office Professional Word 2007 individual studies I have been working on...Away we went! This week,the week before Mother's Day, is usually the week we start seeing morels here,then it seems to end abruptly at that point, or we stop looking. It took me a while to find them. I went to the place that has been the most productive since we moved here and started searching. As you can see they are hiding out of view. I removed some vegetation before snapping a couple of pictures. The timber has been holding moisture, a down slope from the tillable ground has brought the water to the surface . Sadie and I felt pretty good after our romp in the woods. She found the water and had a good mud-pack going on;I found some mushrooms to put on the table for supper. What a great way to end the day?!? ;)

Stinging Nettles Anyone?

Yes, you heard me. Stinging Nettles - What do you know about them? Other than they can give you a serious prickly sensation after you come in contact with them. It is a multi-faceted plant when it comes to practical uses. Not only are stinging nettles edible but you can make beer, garden fertilizer, nutritional supplements, folk medication, shampoos,skin care products and using the fiber. Only most of us aren't aware of what it can do for us - we consider it an invasive menace. It has been used in Europe,Asia and Northern Africa for centuries. Last week I harvested some new spring leaves and cooked them up just like spinach. The instructions I found said to use the first growth of the spring. Plants are not to be more than a foot tall, using the leaves only from the top four inches. Unlike cooked spinach the leaves didn't become limp but had texture. Yes, the "sting" was removed.

Find out more about Urtica dioica here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinging_nettle

Sunday Morning Praise

As world events, turmoil in my own State & our Country seem to keep tumbling out of control. I run to the source of my faith...Jesus the Son of God said that life wouldn't be smooth sailing,that tribulation would be par for the course. However, he came to give us hope. There are times when the creature has this innate need to offer Praise and Thanksgiving to the creator. Internal peace from insecurity in the world's system can be gained because his promises remain the same Yesterday, Today and Forever...

Fishing Choices at Timber Life

It is time to plan a fishing outing now that my "Pink" Roddy Hunter LED Lighted Reel&Rod has arrived. When I ordered I wasn't satisfied with just one fishing pole so I looked around over at Mik Lurch's website www.miklurchtackle.com and found a ladyfish spincasting combo by Shakespeare that I wanted to try too. One way or another it looks like I will get a line in the water. Once,I wasn't to sure about using pink on my fishing expeditions,but the idea has grown on me after being introduced to it by Jody over at The Hunter's Wife. I can't possibly let Kristine at Outdoor Bloggers Summit/Hunt Smart Think Safety and Marian over at Marian's Hunting Stories,etc...,etc...,etc... have ALL the fun since they too are proud owners of the Roddy Hunter rod&reel combo. Last weekend when I visited Gun and Reel Sports in Jamestown,ND. I picked up the beginnings to start filling a tackle box. Son-in-law Justin Schnackenberg gave me some tips on stuff that has worked for him. So,walking the fishing supply isles we found some of the basics in his opinion. The more I look at my fishing poles and tackle as I work on this post...The more I want to decide which direction I am going to go to put them in the water. www.iowadnr.gov/news/currentfish.html

Jamestown, ND Flooding

(Thanks to Justin Schnackenberg for catching this helicopter in action) While we were enjoying our visit to Jamestown,ND. last weekend we were keeping an eye to the sky,the sandbag walls,and earthen dikes. Flooding has been a very serious concern in Jamestown as well as the whole State of North Dakota. In good times the Jamestown Dam and Pipestem Reservoir are great fishing spots. However, this year with large amounts of snow and ice,now rain, the ground is saturated with nowhere for the extra water to go except overland. The clean-up at Pipestem is already being planned to get it opened for all the anglers wanting to get back to the important business of fishing. "First time" records are being set for the Jamestown Dam.

Gun&Reel Sports

115 1st Street West Jamestown, ND 58401 701-252-2850 800-427-2850 www.gunandreelsports.com My visits to Jamestown, ND. have taken me past this outdoor sports supplier many times. I kept telling myself the next time I came to town that I would go see what they had in their inventory. This past weekend became that opportunity. I would like to thank Gary Docktor, son of one of the original owners, for his time in sharing how Gun & Reel has come to be an outdoor sports supplier for the residents of central North Dakota and those like me who stop by when they are passing through. When I asked Mr. Docktor how things began, this is what I learned - Gerome Docktor and Bob Brastrup returned to Jamestown from their tour of service in different branches of the military. They each had different careers until a common interest in hunting and fishing brought them together. In 1953 they decided to become partners in a business to help meet the needs of those of like interest. In 1987, Bob passed away and Gerome incorporated to sell shares to his employees. Presently there are three partners, two of them are interested in retiring soon and Gary would like to keep the business in the family. He will be buying out those shares with hopes that eventually his son may decide to join him in running the store after his graduation from college with a business degree. The same route that Gary took after he graduated from high school. The original business began two doors to the east of their present location. As time went on the business evolved and moved to the vacant Montgomery Ward building, with more space came an expanded inventory to cover a wider range of needs. Present inventory covers hunting,fishing,athletic apparel,ATVs,motorcycles, lawnmowers and generators to name a few catergories. Gary said he enjoys mainly bird hunting( ducks,geese,and pheasant). There are enough of his friends that take larger game that he receives their extra to supply his table. Gary's son was mentored by his grandfather in the full range of outdoor experiences and shares the love of hunting the bigger game. I really enjoyed the family owned - hometown atmosphere that Gun & Reel Sports gives to those who enter their doors. It will be a place for me to stop again when I visit Jamestown. Stop by and take a tour through pictures, or maybe even onsite the next time you are passing through central North Dakota off Interstate 94.

Tripping to North Dakota

Time for a trip to North Dakota...We added a side event to our route to visit our daughter and her husband in Jamestown. Hubby wanted to visit a man in rural Barney who was building a couple of planes by a design/builder from Missouri named Bob Bosley. Hubby and Tex belong to a discussion forum that hooks people up to share current aircraft building projects. Those who belong gain knowledge from others who have built and may, or may not, make choices of what planes could be a part of the next project in the hangar. We ended up finding a very deep soft spot in Tex's drive as the frost is just coming out of the ground from the winter . The driver's side front wheel was lodged soundly in a hole...Tex was able to get us out with his bobcat. It could have happened here at home just as easily. Tex said in jest"Welcome to North Dakota." All of us broke out in a laugh. Sadie and I spent our time in the car which became a sauna due to the warmer temperatures that accompanied us northward. Although we weren't alone, we too ended up having a visitor. There was a BIG dog running around the farm, not knowing her temperment for sure we,Sadie and I stayed put. Eventually it was discovered that the BIG dog whose name was Piper(yes after a plane "Piper Cub")was a BIG teddybear. Definitely a sweet GreatDane-Mastiff mix. After Hubby spent some time with Tex getting aquainted and snapping some pictures we were back on the road again. There was a building I saw when we turned to go to Tex's place that caught my attention. Before we left the area I took a picture to keep it in the same condition forever in my memory. Today we don't see many one roomed schoolhouses still in this shape. In our west-northwest trek towards Jamestown we saw other one roomed buildings but not in the same condition as this one. You never know when there won't be anymore to mark the passing of our past generations and the community gatherings that happened there...

Good Morning World!

Good Morning World! The crisp air at sunrise gave the perfect setting for all the birds to erupt in song. What a perfect greeting for the day to begin! Later in the day hubby took advantage of some smooth air to get off the ground for a short hop around the patch before the sunset. Clouds had moved in to set the stage for future moisture. It has been a wonderful day with forays into the timber to see what flora is erupting with the warmer temperatures. Time lapse photography would have been fun today. The Mayapples are erupting swiftly from the ground. It won't be long until they are blooming,an indicator for us to be looking for the coveted Morel Mushroom. Gooseberry,Wild Raspberry, Honeysuckle and Multi-flora rosebrush are among the plants putting on new leaves preparing for fruiting blooms. The Wild Honeybees have been awake and buzzing for almost three weeks. They would invite themselves into the house when I opened the back door during some of the cold snaps. It didn't take them long to find there wasn't anything they needed andwould head back out the other direction. It wasn't very long ago there were cooler temps. I was wondering if it would ever end. True Spring has arrived at Timber Life and the hope to see new life begins anew. Hope things are improving in your neck of the woods too! ;)

Shed Hunting

The weather has been absolutely wonderful for Shed Hunting. I have spent portions of three days looking through the pastures and timber areas. Sadie accompanied me yesterday. Then she went with hubby and I to take a look around the southside of the property today. Our goal was to find a match to get a pair for #4. I found that particular shed sticking out from under pasture grass, bent from the winter snow,in the north pasture yesterday before noon. It looks like it has already gone through a whole year of weathering to me. Number 3 was the first shed I found yesterday in a very conspicuous location just feet from the fence line between the pasture and the infamous corn field of last Fall and Winter. Shed #2 was found in a totally different direction. Close to a fence line too...This time along the ravine south of the house. The chewed shed, #1 , was found last year, behind my big garden. I left it outside on the front deck for decoration. As you can see, the little creatures came to reclaim what they considered to be theirs. The squirrels came to file down their teeth. They were the only ones caught in the act of wittling, but the groundhog tracks left yet another clue to the ever shrinking antler. If it should be that I don't locate another antler this Spring I will be happy...The collection is starting to grow. ;)

Sadie Says - A Year Old and Counting

My goodness of all the days that have past since I started exploring the big old wide world. Yes, on March 18th, mom and dad gave me a little party to celebrate my 1st Birthday. Just to think it won't be until May 15th, that we will pass another milestone, a year since I made the trip from Madison,SD., to Central Iowa. Mom met Dorothy Sanborn from South Dakota's Countryside Kennels at the Sioux Falls, SD., Pilot to bring me home. Mom and I have had some growing pains, but we are getting to know each other real well. There is a very strong mutual admiration society happening here. A real plus is that I was house broken by the time I was 5 1/2 months old. Mom has heard it is hard to get a Springer Spaniel potty trained...not at my house it wasn't. I am a smart girl. My favorite new tricks are to twirl and roll-over,for a treat of course. Mom has started trusting me to run off my leash when we go into the timber. How very happy that has made me! We get to go together now. There are a couple of small creeks with water running, you should see the M-U-D up to my shoulders. Can't possibly avoid it don't you know?!? All I would like to say in closing is that this is turning out to be heaven in my book. Just a chance to live the Timber Life... ;)

Dancing with the Stars - Shawn Johnson

It is fun to see Miss Shawn Johnson, a fellow Iowan, and 2008 Olympic gymnastic medalist, sharing her bubbly 17 year old character with the world once again. When she smiles and laughs it is hard to keep a straight face. I wish her well in her new endeavour in Dancing with the Stars...

Surprise!

After the whole of last week without rain,or snow... The weekend arrived,giving us some honest to goodness thunder, and lightening starting off at 1:40 A.M. on Saturday. I sat down to the computer to do some blog reading around 11:30 A.M. today, it was just raining. I turned around at 11:55 A.M. to go into the kitchen, looking out the sliding glass door, I was Surprised that it gotten cold enough to allow snow to fall for a few hours. Tonight all the snow has gone, but while it lasted, the white, huge, heavy flakes filled the air with beauty as they rushed to cover the ground...;)

2009 Iowa Deer Classic

The trip to the Iowa Deer Classic this year came on the second day, March 7th. Hubby and I arrived around 10:00 A.M. to get our tickets and get down to the show floor to see what was available.
My check list this year included getting information on the Shadow Hunter elevated blinds. Given the opportunity that would be the brand I would invest my money on. The other things on my check list included a ground blind,a bow,some trail cameras, to checkout the deer heads and sheds. I wanted to see the antlers rated from 180-200. I didn't take the time to see every deer head there, but I did find one that was impressivly scored at 227 1/2. It was taken in a county just to the southeast of us. Hope some day his offspring will find it's way in our direction. The crowd developed while we were looking things over,to the point trying to move from place to place became a challenge. A good indicator of the interest of the huntresses and hunters in Iowa. ;)

Out and About

Wednesday turned out to be a positively delightful respite weather wise. Even the morning temperatures were warm enough only to need a sweatshirt on an outing to check out all the noise from Hendrickson Marsh three quarters of a mile away. Timber Life gained a different set of 4x4 wheels on January 24th, to help traverse the terrain . Sure do appreciate what a machine can do. ;) This year proved to be a challenge, even with a tractor to maintain our travel route. The diesel fuel, for the first time in 6 1/2 years of tractor ownership, had a problem providing sure performance, even with winter additives. We were not the only ones to fall victim to the evil malady of "gelling". It is just hard to tolerate when things are so awful cold and the tractor quits working a quarter of a mile from the nearest stationary plug-in. You would think with the piece of iron coming out of Russia it would start in all kinds of cold, but it isn't to be. It sat until a day got up to 25 and the portable generator turned over to get the block heated up so the oil would move. Encouragement comes now that we can see the end of the drifts that had us driving through the field to gain access to home from forays to the outside world. Things are looking a bit rutty still, but there are signs this week of warmer temperatures. Maybe some wind to give us some drying. Then the Belarus 572 can once again "Spring" into action to create a smoother ride...;)

2009 Iowa Deer Classic

Many of you have already had the chance to get together and share fantastic times at your state hunting exhibitions. Deer heads hanging from makeshift walls,shed antlers lining tables to be judged, put out there for all the other huntresses and hunters to gander at...Made to wonder what the other part of the animal might have looked like. Next weekend March 6th - 8th,at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. It is Iowa's turn to go check out the displays, attend seminars,and find out what new products they can't possibly experience the outdoors without. There seems to be a lot of good event deals on this and that to give us the edge when it comes to getting a wild animal to put on the dinner table. Last year was my first time to attend and I found it to be exciting to see people I had seen on television, or read about while searching Google for "Deer Hunting" and all that goes with it. Byron Ferguson Seminar

Altoona,IA Bass Pro Shop Updates

This picture I posted on July 18,2008, heralded in the public advertisement of the intent for the Bass Pro Shop chain to become an anchor store of the new Shoppes at Prairie Crossing Mall that is being developed at the corner of U.S. Highway 65 by-pass loop and Interstate 80. An article in The Des Moines Register on February 9, 2009, reported that the man behind the development, Mike Whalen, felt good about the progress that had been achieved during one of the coldest winters Iowa had experienced in the last seven years. Yesterday gave me the opportunity to check on the building myself. The picture to the left is the view presently seen from the U.S 65 by-pass as you travel to the on ramp to Interstate 80 East. Traveling further, another angle presented itself overlooking a water feature. I am sure it will be developed to add peace and serenity to what will be a very busy location. Familiar markers are seen in the picture to the left - the Bass Pro Shop sign, and the Altoona water tower, along with the east edge of the building. This building is impressive in size,3 1/2 football fields worth of merchandise will fill it when completed. Could take days to see it ALL. ;)