What? You Mean It Isn't Friday YET???

.

This morning I got my Friday blog post all ready to roll off the presses, mostly 'cause I'm kinda excited about the "Barnyard Bash" (Roosters - - - see my sidebar) that is happening then.

When I was finished with that I thought, "Well, what about TODAY??? What are you going to post TODAY?"

Today, my cyber friends, you get corned beef hash, which over here I like to call Eclectic Bits!!

EB #1

This is your Monday "Awwwwwwwwww" moment.

My great nephew Cohan in the hands of his Grandpa Joe. Do you see those tiny fingers curling around his grandpa's big one?

One more awwwwwwww for the road.

EB #2

This is my nephew-in-law, David who is a Coast Guard rescue helicopter pilot and hero. (I would not kid about a thing like that - - - follow the link and see for yourself!)

He and my neice, Misti, and great niece, Carson, have just recently moved to Sitka, Alaska where David has been bitten by the "fishing" bug.

We've already established that I am NOT an expert on fish types, but I THINK this is some variety of salmon. (My sources confirm that it is a King Salmon)

Knowing that her Uncle Fisherhubby is well, a Fisherhubby, and having been forwarned by moi of what all that entials in time, equipment, and expense, my niece Misti e-mailed me this photo with the simple caption: "And so it begins."

(The rest of today's EB's are brought to you courtesy of my recent Wisconsin Ramblings.)

EB #3

Know what these are????

I'll give you a little hint. Just moments before I snapped this picture, each pole had a man scrambling to the top. Sorry, they are QUICK and I didn't capture them in the photo.


They, the poles, are located right here in Hayward Wisconsin in the Lumberjack "Bowl." Our last weekend in town the World Lumberjack (AND Jill) Championships, as seen on ESPN, were taking place.

There was log rolling, pole climbing, and every kind of chopping you can imagine going on inside that fence. The sawdust was prohibitive!




This ESPN video combines all that is Hayward Lumberjack Championships with a very heart-touching story.

EB #4

Amish buggies in Ontario.

That's Ontario, in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Population 505 on a very busy day.

The Amish gentlemen who drove these buggies into town were passing by as I stood on the sidewalk with my camera in my hand. When I saw them, I smiled and said hello.

They stopped dead in their tracks, looked at me, returned my smile, and asked if they didn't look strange to me.

Oh those dear sirs, if they thought they looked strange to me, I wonder how I looked to them!!!


Ontario is a picturesque little village nestled in the Kickapoo River Valley.


Yes - - - there certainly IS a river called the Kickapoo and it beckons to canoers from all over the nation to come and dip their paddles in it's flowing tide.

EB #5

Not too far away from the Kickapoo shore, and just around a bend, if you strain your neck and your eyes you may be the FIRST in the car to see "Uncle Harold's Barn!!"

Of course, you have to SHOUT "I see Uncle Harold's Barn" FIRST to get the credit.

A game Sister Pam and I never failed to play as we wended our way down highway 33.


And just across the highway from Uncle Harold's Barn, you would see Aunt Vetra's House.

These beloved places belong to our family no longer- - - but they ever have a home in our hearts.

Why, if you look at that yard long enough you will see shadowy figures of children playing hard at kick ball and sword fighting. I'm sure you will.

(The kick ball and sword fighting story is deep in that link - - - scroll down until you see "Dad, Richard, and Pam")

EB #6

Now that you are all hot, tired, and dusty from your day of traveling with me through Vernon County and beyond, why not join us at a cool picnic table in the shade.


We're at the Hillsboro Drive In. They will come right to the table to take your order, or if you prefer stay in your car and they will bring your delectable delights to your window.


Such a lovely tradition for warm summer twilights.

Who can be the FIRST to spot the "world travelers" of a nonhuman type in this photo?


.