June 22, 2006 at 4:05 p.m.
Grass sure grows well near the lake
Grass sure grows well near the lake
We had the opportunity to take a few days to travel “up north” last week. I’ve heard that some people make these trips to go fishing. Our trips usually involve a lot of mowing....and some fishing.
A close relative on my side of the family owns a lot with a cabin on a lake south of Bemidji. This is a real cabin...not the luxurious homes that Minnesotans refer to as cabins. This is a real cabin with less than 400 square feet and none of the comforts of home...no cable TV, no air conditioning, no DSL, no phone, no hot water, no kitchen.
There is a wood stove, electricity and cold water into the place. However, since nobody has stayed in the place for years, the water is not currently into the cabin. It’s way too much work to get the water flowing and even more time and energy to drain it again. It would be nice to have some of the modern conveniences. But, considering everything, we do without them.
We usually try to make a trip in early June, before the grass is so long that we don’t get lost in it as we try to mow. We were a little late this year. After four hours of non-stop mowing, with two mowers, we managed to conquer a good share of the unruly green menace. Some of this unmanicured mess was thigh high on a six-footer.
My, grass sure grows well near the lake.
On to the next place. About an hour’s drive to the northwest is our next stop. This is my wife’s family cabin on a lake. This cabin has a color TV (with two channels, when weather permits) and hot water. Well, usually it has hot water. This time it didn’t have any water at all.
We could hear the pump running. But, when we opened the faucets, a few spits of moisture, followed by strange noises and rattling pipes, were the only results. After a few phone calls and some experimentation, we figured out that we’d “lost the prime.” Through a modern miracle, we were able to get the water running.
It was late...time to have something to eat and get cleaned up before bedtime. All that mowing and pump repair made us hungry and tired.
The next day, I mowed at this cabin.
My, grass sure grows well near the lake.
We went fishing for a couple of hours around noon. That was plenty of time, according to my wife.
Later in the afternoon, we drove the 15 miles to town to have dinner with my mother-in-law. She’s a lovely woman (despite the fact that she says I am her “second favorite son-in-law”...She has two daughters) and in pretty good health. Before dinner, I ask if there’s anything I can do to help out.
“Well, it doesn’t really need it, but I suppose you could mow the lawn,” was the response. This is a piece of cake. Big yard, but I get to use the rider. Won’t start! Won’t take a charge! I explore the depths of my electrical knowledge. As you might guess, that didn’t take long. Regardless, I eventually got the mower started and finished the job. Back too late to fish that night, but did get a few more the next morning.
On to the next stop on the “Parade of Cabins.” However, this time we did the smart thing. We went to the best kind of cabin; somebody else’s. This time, we go to the one where someone else has done all the work. No Mowing! AND, the water works. Before leaving for home the next morning, our host provided such good guiding that even I was able to boat a couple of keepers.
With all the distractions, we caught and cleaned enough fish to have fresh fish two nights and still bring a few meals home. Maybe all that mowing wasn’t so bad. We might even do that again.
Speaking of cleaned fish.
A concerned citizen reported a possible violation to the DNR in Bemidji this spring, before the season opened. According to the DNR, the citizen observed a fisherman catch two large smallmouth bass at the Lindberg Landing on the Mississippi River, put them in a plastic bag and take off on his bicycle.
The citizen trailed the felonious fisher to his home and then reported the location to the DNR. When the officer went to the violator’s residence, he found the two bass, a large walleye, a northern and a perch. Not so unusual, you might think, but all five of the fish were alive and well in the fisherman’s bathtub.
Will you still need me?
A lot was made of superstar, ex-beatle Paul McCartney’s 64th birthday on Father’s day, June 18. Of course references to his writing of “When I’m 64” were common. He wrote the popular song when he was 16.
Coincidentally, singer-songwriter Paul Simon also turned 64 recently. When asked whether he felt that old, Simon said, “Not ‘til I got the phone call.” McCartney called Simon on Simon’s 64th and sang the song to him. I doubt many of us will be able to top that.
Speaking of Father’s day
Mother’s Day has been official since 1909. The first official recognition of our day, dads, was 1972.
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You are invited to send interesting, unusual and/or humorous items that could possibly be used in this space. If you choose to do so, please send it to [email protected].
If you prefer, you may send it to
Chisago County Press
Attn: Dave
12631 Lake Blvd.
Lindstrom, Mn 55045
or, you may bring it in to the office.
Sports stuff would be great, but, please do not limit yourselves. Politics, religion, culture (pop or otherwise) are welcomed. Please do not feel offended if your contribution is not included.
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