Deer Hunting October 2009

Derek and I went deer hunting last weekend. We hunted primarily close to Silver Lake and camped underneath Table Rock in Lake County. We were in the middle of nowhere and my cell phone was working fine. I was able to surf the internet. I called an old friend (he is 86 that kind of old) about a breakfast for Monday morning and left a message for him that I wouldn't be able to help recruit any of the group that we normally meet with. A hour or so later I got a voice mail. He said "don't worry Eric I have your back covered."

Normally this would be no big deal but coming from Larry Weinshiemer it meant something. You see Larry was a bombadier in a B 17. He flew 50 missions out of Italy over Germany and eastern europe during the war. His plane was shot down when he was sick and back at base. For years he thought he had lost all his friends and later learned several had survived. He later was trained to operate a plane that flew by radar in clouds and bad weather and was crewed by only three Pilot, copilot and radar operator. That way the plane could carry a larger payload. I wondered how many times they said "don't worry I have your back covered."

Christmas Memories

This was a wonderful Christmas! All of my family gathered near and I received a lovely new pair of Timberland work shoes. They are especially useful for when I work on my farm and view my trees.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. It is important to remember the real reason for this holiday season. This year has brought challenges for many of us but let us all remember our blessings.

The Seven Year Itch

Around 1947 my uncle Arnold was 17. He came down with a severe case of scabies which was called the seven year itch. The doctor told my grandma and grandpa to mix powered sulfer with lard and spread it all over Arnold at night. Grandma would not let Arnold stay in the house with that concoction so since it was summer a tent was set up out in the yard. Grandpa had Arnold stand in the tub and he spread lard mixed with sulfer all over him with a wooden spoon. Arnold then jumped out of the tub and ran outside.

My mom Pearl Marie had just started dating Wayne my father to be and they had just pulled in from a date. Arnold ran past the front of the car and my Dad turned on the lights. Arnold frosze and looked at the car with the lights on. Mom was completely embarrassed seeing her little brother and my Dad said. "my goodness what in the world is that." Mom says "ah its nothing just Arnold with the seven year itch."