As I sit here tonight the cats are curled up, 3 in a bed, under the Christmas tree. There's a fire in the fireplace and it's a cool and snowy 25 degrees outside.
I realize that it's been almost 8 full months since I've spent any time on the computer(a very interesting and liberating experiment). I have spent more than a few hours trying to catch up on the blogs I follow, and there's still a lot of reading to do.
Nancy and I were saddened to read of the passing of fellow blogger Bob Leong. I'm sorry this is so late in coming, but we wish to express our condolences to Yvonne and family.
I met Bob in Oregon in 2012 at a blogger get-together, nick-named the "International Motorcycle Bloggers Convention". I spent 5 slow paced days driving from WI to OR. to meet up with 7 other motorcycle bloggers. Together we spent a 3 day weekend driving and relaxing in the beautiful Enterprise/Hell's Canyon area. It was really nice to be able to put a face to the blogs! It was a fun 10 day, 3500 mile trip for me.
I was kind of hesitant about making the trip because I am a shy, quiet and private person. I wasn't sure how I'd fit in with the group. I had been following and commenting on their blogs, but that's a lot different than meeting them in person. I was immediately accepted as one of the group, and Bob was the first person I met. Roland and Sonja, Karen, Brad and Brandy, and Richard all made me feel welcome.
I'll miss Bob's witty comments, his numerous bare feet pictures, and his bright pink Crocs.
Since meeting Bob, I've tried to post an occasional picture or two just for his benefit.....
On to some happier thoughts... Nancy and I have been staying quite busy. In October, we celebrated our 13th year together!
The fall colors were beautiful this year, but were very short lived...
Winter has arrived in the Wisconsin north woods and the motorcycles are resting. Our first real snowfall came November 9th and it's still here. This year, the snow will not break my spirit! I've upgraded the weaponry in the garage. The 5.5 hp, 24" snow blower has been upgraded. Now, I get to laugh at Old Man Winter!!!
I got a good deal on a John Deere 1025R sub-compact utility tractor. It's powered by a 24 hp, 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel engine. It came equipped with a 47" snow blower, a front end loader, and a 54" mid mount mower. The loader and mower deck are tucked away in the garage.
I spent a lot of time splitting wood this year and have expanded the wood piles by another 20+ feet...
This is our third winter up north, but it's the first winter we've seen wild turkeys in the yard...
The deer are everywhere...
The black bears made their appearance this summer and the woods is full of wildlife...
I'm happy to be back and look forward to catching up on a ton of reading!!!!!!!
Welcome back! You were missed…
ReplyDeleteI like the really red leaves in your photos.
And here I thought, I was the shy person in the group ;-) Interestingly enough I believe we were all a bit shy in the beginning but it was Bob's doing (he could be very convincing) bringing our versatile group together, and it had been fun, right?
ReplyDeleteLovely fall pics by the way.
i just started reading your blog when you went to have a break from the computer
ReplyDeleteglad to see you are back with the posting and there great pictures of the area
will be reading as you post
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your techno-break. Of course, being a fellow Wisconsinite I have been thinking of you and how your seasons came and went. I see you have the snowfall that only those who can make money off the stuff, love.
ReplyDeleteNew "weaponry" is a great idea. Few people realize how something like that can keep a person sane.
Your house must be a bit on the cool side or your cats are just wonderfully well adjusted. That's a tight knit group! Such a cute photo! And nice to see all is well.
Glad you found my "temporary blog" as I get ready now to wander the country looking for another place to try to settle down.
13 year marriage? You are newlyweds!
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ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I too took a month off from blogging & reading, it's been a busy fall. I must admit I took Bob's passing quite hard & I kind of lost the zest for blogging, but I am going to start back as time permits.
ReplyDeleteSo all the kitties curled up like that would you call it the 'whole kit and caboodle" they look so cute. We are having our usual rainy winter, it's cool today & the dampness is a little bone chilling. I actually miss the Northern winters with snow because it was a dry cold. Hope you are enjoying the festive season.
Welcome back mate
ReplyDeleteAs you can see lots has happened in your sabbatical.
Looks like it'll be 6 months before we get some motoblogs from you neck of the woods.
Merry christmas to you and the family
Great to have you back Erik, thought of you often and more than once was thiisss close to writing but held back.
ReplyDeleteTake good care buddy, looking forward to more news from the North!
Hooray, glad you are back. And so happy things are well with you and Nancy. We've missed you.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure meeting you in 2012, we just wish it could have been a little longer visit.
Cute pic of your kitties all curled up. And your fall colors may have been short lived, but they are stunning. Our warm wet fall caused a lot of brown leaves to linger.
Erik, so glad all is well and you're back - 'nuff said!
ReplyDeleteNow you talking, I think even I would enjoy spending winter in Wisconsin if I had a John Deere 1025R to play with. Heck, I would probably even do all my neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI have been away from blogs, too many things keeping me busy in life but I'm back. Glad you back too. When you coming down my way?
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
ReplyDeleteThe International Motorcycle Bloggers Convention sounds like a lot of fun, too bad about the distance from Philly.