Right now there are just the two of you, Gavin and Halen my wonderful grandsons, but I am sure in the future there are more to come. Neither of you can read just yet, in fact Halen you are still trying to figure out how to hold up your head. After not seeing either of you for almost a month I wondered if Gavin would remember me, but when I walked through that door it was plain to see. With one hand, Gavin, you covered your eyes but you walked right to me, were you just playing shy? When I picked you up and saw that smile across your face, my heart was instantly in a wonderful place. And Halen I could see a smile in your eyes, even though it was hidden by your restless cries. This is not just for you but for all my grandkids. For all the good, and the bad, and the silly things you did.
I remember my grandmas and grandpas and all the love that they shared, and no matter how rotten I was, they always cared. Grandpa Krajenka was always ready to offer plenty of candy, what a kid wants the most, and Grandma Krajenka never failed with the hot tea and toast. Grandpa Swatz was a mountain of a man to me. He taught me to hunt and to fish, and avoid his grip on my knee. Grandma Swatz was always full of love and never sent us away, but she would not answer the door until she hid that secret ashtray.
I know there were times that my grandparents were mad at me, but I only remember them being happy.
To Gavin and Halen and those who are not here yet, I’m going to be a good grandpa, on that you can bet. I will spoil you, and treat you all well. If I sneak you a snack you must never tell. I will show you my world and and my look on life, and oh yeah, don’t forget grandma, my wonderful wife. She’s going to love you and hug you and to her, you will never be bad, and when you get a scrape on your knee, I guarantee you, she will be sad.
I’m sure that at some point with you all , I’ll be mad, this is true, but I pray you only remember the good when my life is through.
Love Grandpa
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Canoe Marathon, What A Rush
If you do not live in Grayling, Michigan, or have just never attended the Ausable River Canoe Marathon, then you probably will not understand the rush and excitement that comes over those of us who have been there. I think I can speak for the majority of us who have been there, whether it has been just once or 20+ times like myself and many others, the excitement is real.
The Ausable River Canoe Marathon is the longest, non-stop, canoe race in North America and is considered one of, if not the toughest spectator sport in the world. If you wish to be a spectator, and plan on watching the entire race, you had better prepare for approximately 20 hours of spectating. Yes, that's right, 20 hours, just for the prerace festivities and the race itself. The actual race will last about 14 hours for the fastest team and 18 hours for the last teams, and keep in mind that this is non-stop. No they do not paddle the entire time, but that is only because at 6 locations throughout the night the racers must get out of their canoes and carry them up and over a dam, then down the other side and back into the river.
These racers are not your everyday, average canoer. These paddlers are amazing. They are well trained, physically fit athletes. Many of these men and women canoe year round and participate in canoe races around the country and often in other countries. They must be mentally tough as well for it is not everyday that a person jumps into a canoe, after running with it 4 city blocks, then heads out for what is sure to be at least 14 hours of rigorous paddling. Paddling that begins in the small Northern Michigan town of Grayling.
Grayling is a town with a city population of approximately 2000 as of the year 2000.
As the last full weekend of July approaches each year, the cities population begins to grow. By midweek, prior to the weekend of the race, Graylings population has at least doubled, with spectators and racers coming from all around the country and several other countries. Time trials draw hundreds of spectators on Thursday, to see just where their favorite team will place for starting position. Other spectators will drop by the time trials just because they have never seen them before, they probably do not have a favorite team, they have just become wrapped up in the excitement of it all.
As Thursday and Friday pass, the excitement in Grayling begins to soar. It is Saturday, race day, and town is bustling. The city park is packed with arts and crafts vendors from around the state. The 150 yard long, crescent shaped, grassy hill in front of The Old Ausable Canoe Livery, or Rays as many of us long time locals remember it, has viewing spots being claimed as early as 9:00am with spectators placing blankets and chairs in their favorites spot to watch the start of the race 12 hours later. Around
6:00pm a huge croud has gathered on, and around the grassy hill in front of the canoe livery. Spectators are wandering the several city blocks surrounding the starting area of the marathon. People from all over are visiting with and taking pictures of the canoes and their teams as they begin to line up in their starting positions. The buzz of the crouds enthusiasm can be heard from several blocks away as the local emcee works the croud.
Asking the croud who is from certain colleges like Michigan State and U of M is always good for a roar. The macarena or ymca song and dance performed by hundreds, possibly even a couple thousand people can put a smile on the "Grinches" face in July. Race team introductions is a thrill for all, as each two man team makes their way down the boardwalk, along the river in front of the canoe livery, and greets the cheering croud. After the introduction of the teams they make their way back to their canoes and prepare for what will be a very demanding journey.
All of a sudden their is a huge canon blast signalling the start of the Ausable River Canoe Marathon, and the croud erupts with cheers, clapping, screaming, whistling, and any other type of encouraging noise you can imagine. My hair actually tingles every year when that croud starts to rumble and gets louder as the canoers are first seen making their entrance around the corner of the canoe livery, carrying their canoes at a full run and jumping into the river to begin what is sure to be one of the toughest nights of their lives.
Yes, I said toughest "nights" of their lives. The racers begin paddling at the canoe livery but I guess I should not say the race begins at the canoe livery. It actually begins about 4 blocks from the river. The canoes and their paddlers are lined up throughout a few of the cities streets, according to their positioning in Thursdays time trials, waiting to hear the 9:00 pm canon blast that signifies the start of the race. The 2 man paddling teams run with their canoes, trying not to trip over one of the other 200 paddlers, hoping to make safely into the river and out of the congestion of 100 canoes without capsizing or breaking something. Once they clear that first 100 yards of river the congestion eases up a bit and each team can start to get into a rhythm, preparing for the 120 mile, 14+ hour, all night journey that lies ahead. And for the spectators, well many will call it a night, but the diehards, like myself at one point in time, will follow the racers throughout the night.
As a spectator of over 30 Ausable River Canoe Marathons, I can honestly say it is one of the toughest spectator sports in the world. I have followed it all night on several ocassions and I know first hand that when you have followed these canoe racers all night Saturday and into the early afternoon Sunday, scurrying from stop to stop, portage to portage, hollering and cheering at each location, you are dead tired at the end of it all. The night is filled with highs and lows. Between stops, fighting sleep and driving tension just to make it to the next stop. Catching a few minutes of sleep at a portage before the racers approach. Then the adrenaline comes rushing through your body again as canoes are spotted approaching a bridge or dam. A distant light on the water with that tell tale swagger to the beat of the paddlers cadence is spotted and the croud begins to cheer. Have you ever seen a couple thousand people, standing on the side of a river and dam, at 3:00 in the morning, just to watch as two guys in a canoe approach, get out of their canoe and carry over the dam just to get back in the river and paddle away, being chased to the next spot.
If you have not, then I must recommend that you go to the Ausable River Canoe Marathon and follow it at least to the Mio Dam. No that is not the end, but it will give you a pretty good idea of what it is like to be one of the toughest spectators in the world. I can honestly say there was a time when I was one of those tough spectators.
Good luck to all the paddlers have a safe journey.
The Ausable River Canoe Marathon is the longest, non-stop, canoe race in North America and is considered one of, if not the toughest spectator sport in the world. If you wish to be a spectator, and plan on watching the entire race, you had better prepare for approximately 20 hours of spectating. Yes, that's right, 20 hours, just for the prerace festivities and the race itself. The actual race will last about 14 hours for the fastest team and 18 hours for the last teams, and keep in mind that this is non-stop. No they do not paddle the entire time, but that is only because at 6 locations throughout the night the racers must get out of their canoes and carry them up and over a dam, then down the other side and back into the river.
These racers are not your everyday, average canoer. These paddlers are amazing. They are well trained, physically fit athletes. Many of these men and women canoe year round and participate in canoe races around the country and often in other countries. They must be mentally tough as well for it is not everyday that a person jumps into a canoe, after running with it 4 city blocks, then heads out for what is sure to be at least 14 hours of rigorous paddling. Paddling that begins in the small Northern Michigan town of Grayling.
Grayling is a town with a city population of approximately 2000 as of the year 2000.
As the last full weekend of July approaches each year, the cities population begins to grow. By midweek, prior to the weekend of the race, Graylings population has at least doubled, with spectators and racers coming from all around the country and several other countries. Time trials draw hundreds of spectators on Thursday, to see just where their favorite team will place for starting position. Other spectators will drop by the time trials just because they have never seen them before, they probably do not have a favorite team, they have just become wrapped up in the excitement of it all.
As Thursday and Friday pass, the excitement in Grayling begins to soar. It is Saturday, race day, and town is bustling. The city park is packed with arts and crafts vendors from around the state. The 150 yard long, crescent shaped, grassy hill in front of The Old Ausable Canoe Livery, or Rays as many of us long time locals remember it, has viewing spots being claimed as early as 9:00am with spectators placing blankets and chairs in their favorites spot to watch the start of the race 12 hours later. Around
6:00pm a huge croud has gathered on, and around the grassy hill in front of the canoe livery. Spectators are wandering the several city blocks surrounding the starting area of the marathon. People from all over are visiting with and taking pictures of the canoes and their teams as they begin to line up in their starting positions. The buzz of the crouds enthusiasm can be heard from several blocks away as the local emcee works the croud.
Asking the croud who is from certain colleges like Michigan State and U of M is always good for a roar. The macarena or ymca song and dance performed by hundreds, possibly even a couple thousand people can put a smile on the "Grinches" face in July. Race team introductions is a thrill for all, as each two man team makes their way down the boardwalk, along the river in front of the canoe livery, and greets the cheering croud. After the introduction of the teams they make their way back to their canoes and prepare for what will be a very demanding journey.
All of a sudden their is a huge canon blast signalling the start of the Ausable River Canoe Marathon, and the croud erupts with cheers, clapping, screaming, whistling, and any other type of encouraging noise you can imagine. My hair actually tingles every year when that croud starts to rumble and gets louder as the canoers are first seen making their entrance around the corner of the canoe livery, carrying their canoes at a full run and jumping into the river to begin what is sure to be one of the toughest nights of their lives.
Yes, I said toughest "nights" of their lives. The racers begin paddling at the canoe livery but I guess I should not say the race begins at the canoe livery. It actually begins about 4 blocks from the river. The canoes and their paddlers are lined up throughout a few of the cities streets, according to their positioning in Thursdays time trials, waiting to hear the 9:00 pm canon blast that signifies the start of the race. The 2 man paddling teams run with their canoes, trying not to trip over one of the other 200 paddlers, hoping to make safely into the river and out of the congestion of 100 canoes without capsizing or breaking something. Once they clear that first 100 yards of river the congestion eases up a bit and each team can start to get into a rhythm, preparing for the 120 mile, 14+ hour, all night journey that lies ahead. And for the spectators, well many will call it a night, but the diehards, like myself at one point in time, will follow the racers throughout the night.
As a spectator of over 30 Ausable River Canoe Marathons, I can honestly say it is one of the toughest spectator sports in the world. I have followed it all night on several ocassions and I know first hand that when you have followed these canoe racers all night Saturday and into the early afternoon Sunday, scurrying from stop to stop, portage to portage, hollering and cheering at each location, you are dead tired at the end of it all. The night is filled with highs and lows. Between stops, fighting sleep and driving tension just to make it to the next stop. Catching a few minutes of sleep at a portage before the racers approach. Then the adrenaline comes rushing through your body again as canoes are spotted approaching a bridge or dam. A distant light on the water with that tell tale swagger to the beat of the paddlers cadence is spotted and the croud begins to cheer. Have you ever seen a couple thousand people, standing on the side of a river and dam, at 3:00 in the morning, just to watch as two guys in a canoe approach, get out of their canoe and carry over the dam just to get back in the river and paddle away, being chased to the next spot.
If you have not, then I must recommend that you go to the Ausable River Canoe Marathon and follow it at least to the Mio Dam. No that is not the end, but it will give you a pretty good idea of what it is like to be one of the toughest spectators in the world. I can honestly say there was a time when I was one of those tough spectators.
Good luck to all the paddlers have a safe journey.
Should Be Packing, I'm Going Fishing
That kayak of mine has not been in the water in a month and I think it is about time to do something about it. Tomorrow is supposed to be a wonderful day as far as the weather is concerned. Low 80s, mostly cloudy, very low wind, a perfect day for fishing, and I think my kayak has been very lonely just sitting there, upside down, in my lawn for the past month. I is just not right to keep something from the water for so long that was meant to be in the water. I almost feel bad for my kayak. Sure, I know we are moving into a new home in a couple weeks and I should really spend tomorrow packing some things, but why would I prepare ahead this time. It seems like every other time we moved we waited until the last minute to actually get things packed and cleaned so why change that now. I'm sure if my kayak could read it would be so happy.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Butthead!
So I am driving to work today, loving the peace and serenity of the 15 miles of farmland and the 30 miles of forest which line the road to work. The 2 hen wild turkeys and their batch of 6 young were right where I see them almost every day. A big 8 point buck was once again waiting to cross the road at what must be his favorite crosswalk. I have now seen this magnificent buck 4 times in the last month. 2 Turkey buzzards spring to the air and lite in a nearby jackpine tree as I spooked them off the porcupine carcass they were dining on. The green of the forest is a welcome sight every morning, full of life and inspiration.
And then the window on the drivers side of the car in front of me reveals a hand sticking out. Suddenly, as if with no concern at all, a stinking white, still smoking, cigarette butt is flicked from the fingers of the driver and onto the pavement. Not more than 1/2 mile down the road another cigarette butt is thrown out of the passengers window. No regard for possible fires. What about the young wildlife that does not know any better and chooses to try that carcenogenic little morsel for breakfast. What about the fact that the tar filled, paper wrapped, fiber packed death capsule will lay along side the road for years so that we can all enjoy it. I do not care if people smoke, but I know for a fact that cars have ashtrays in them. If your cigarette butts are to nasty to put in your car ashtray, what makes you think we want them thrown whereever you feel like dropping them when you are done.
Here is a great idea. How about if I come by and throw my trash in your yard?
And then the window on the drivers side of the car in front of me reveals a hand sticking out. Suddenly, as if with no concern at all, a stinking white, still smoking, cigarette butt is flicked from the fingers of the driver and onto the pavement. Not more than 1/2 mile down the road another cigarette butt is thrown out of the passengers window. No regard for possible fires. What about the young wildlife that does not know any better and chooses to try that carcenogenic little morsel for breakfast. What about the fact that the tar filled, paper wrapped, fiber packed death capsule will lay along side the road for years so that we can all enjoy it. I do not care if people smoke, but I know for a fact that cars have ashtrays in them. If your cigarette butts are to nasty to put in your car ashtray, what makes you think we want them thrown whereever you feel like dropping them when you are done.
Here is a great idea. How about if I come by and throw my trash in your yard?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
My Family, My Words, My Art, My Beautiful Life
My family is precious. A loving wife, who was my high school sweet heart and the only true love of my life. 28 years with her has been the most wonderful 28 years of my life. Sure a few rough patches, but that only makes us stronger.Three sons that are the joy of my life. Each with his own set of characteristics, keeping them individual, yet with the common string of dna, proper morals and loving parents that ties them so close to each other.
A trouble maker at one point, and still bullheaded
as ever, 
but now a wonderful young man, my oldest is also the father to my two beautiful grandsons.
but now a wonderful young man, my oldest is also the father to my two beautiful grandsons. A military man, guitar player,
fisherman and hunter, and beach goer,
my middle son is as proud of himself
as I am of him.
Sure he is a bit cocky, but he will go far.
A middle school honor student, avid outdoorsman, true friend to his buddies and the best uncle in the world, my youngest son has suddenly shown the true spirit and attitude of a 13 year old.
He means goods but just can not help being a bit on the cantankerous side at the moment. Wanting to push me just as far as possible, yet not enough to actually get in trouble. I think he is to smart for his own good but will use that to take him to the stars.
He means goods but just can not help being a bit on the cantankerous side at the moment. Wanting to push me just as far as possible, yet not enough to actually get in trouble. I think he is to smart for his own good but will use that to take him to the stars.Sure sometimes life is a train wreck. It seems as if all the bad in life meet at a central point in time and collide. But as with all catastrophes, the bad times in life are short term. 
There is always a brighter side.
A blue sky filled with wonder.
A daisy filled field holding all the wonders of nature. A true uplift to the spirit.
Come On Frank, It's Just A Sausage Biscuit!
Now please do not mistake me for someone who lives on and craves fast food, but as I sit here typing ,my tastebuds are still reeling from that buttery salty flavor of a wonderfully flakey biscuit. A slightly dry yet sinfully yummy patty of fat filled sausage.
Was I extra hungry this morning?
I don't think so.
Was it something I eat everyday so I had to have it?
Definitely not.
Am I a lover of fast food?
Absolutely not. In fact I usually think it is quite gross and often feel terrible, both physically and mentally, after eating it.
Yeah, I know that gut ache will be coming on shortly, but for now it's all good.
Was I extra hungry this morning?
I don't think so.
Was it something I eat everyday so I had to have it?
Definitely not.
Am I a lover of fast food?
Absolutely not. In fact I usually think it is quite gross and often feel terrible, both physically and mentally, after eating it.
Yeah, I know that gut ache will be coming on shortly, but for now it's all good.
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Brighter Side of a Rainy Day
Saturday, May 8th, was a great day for a few fisherman from around Michigan. Several members from Crappie.com were getting together for an outing on Wixom Lake in Gladwin county. The wind howled up to 40 mph. The temperature hovered around the 40 degree mark and a cold, misty rain came down most of the weekend, but our spirits were not dampened.
Yankeedoodler (Don) and his wife arrived at the campground Friday evening giving us some time to chit chat and share some good old conversation. Surprisingly, not all the conversation was about fishing. The wind continued to gust and t a hard mist fell through the night. What would Saturday have in store for us as far as the weather was concerned? Well, we were really not concerned.
Saturday morning I returned to the campground and met Ready2fish (Jim) and Skillett007 (Kevin) where they had set up camp next to Don and his wife Carol. A few hours of swapping tales and fishing info helped pass the time, while Don moved his trailer (a whole new story in itself) and I prepared the loin for lunch. Man did we eat good. Everyone had some wonderful food to share and I do believe no one went hungry. That little slice of chocolate heaven was amazing, thanks Carol.
As the winds swayed the tall hardwoods, the slight drizzle that had been coming down a good part of the morning eased up just as we were preparing to hit the water for some fishing. Don, Jim, and Kevin each motored their boats down river toward the first bay that might hold some crappies as I drove to the public access and put my kayak in for a 1/2 mile paddle up the lake to meet the others. Paddling into a 25 - 40 mph head wind is not the easiest chore, but our timing was perfect, for as I approached the bay from the South, yankeedoodler, skillett007, and ready2fish were coming in from the North.
Ready2fish landed a couple little crappies fairly quickly. Skillett007 was not having much luck and yankeedoodler was not doing much better. I managed to catch 17 small crappies off one submerged tree and another dozen or so in a canal, but for the most part fishing was slow for everyone. After about 4 hours of fishing we all met back at the camp. It turned out that everyone did catch at least one crappie. I kept a couple for fish sandwiches and the rest were released by everyone.
The evening brought on several more hours of pleasant conversation, a few refreshments and more great food. It all seemed to end to soon and a great time was had by everyone. The weather could not have been worse in the eyes of many people, but to us it was just another great reason why we live in Michigan.
Yankeedoodler (Don) and his wife arrived at the campground Friday evening giving us some time to chit chat and share some good old conversation. Surprisingly, not all the conversation was about fishing. The wind continued to gust and t a hard mist fell through the night. What would Saturday have in store for us as far as the weather was concerned? Well, we were really not concerned.
Saturday morning I returned to the campground and met Ready2fish (Jim) and Skillett007 (Kevin) where they had set up camp next to Don and his wife Carol. A few hours of swapping tales and fishing info helped pass the time, while Don moved his trailer (a whole new story in itself) and I prepared the loin for lunch. Man did we eat good. Everyone had some wonderful food to share and I do believe no one went hungry. That little slice of chocolate heaven was amazing, thanks Carol.
As the winds swayed the tall hardwoods, the slight drizzle that had been coming down a good part of the morning eased up just as we were preparing to hit the water for some fishing. Don, Jim, and Kevin each motored their boats down river toward the first bay that might hold some crappies as I drove to the public access and put my kayak in for a 1/2 mile paddle up the lake to meet the others. Paddling into a 25 - 40 mph head wind is not the easiest chore, but our timing was perfect, for as I approached the bay from the South, yankeedoodler, skillett007, and ready2fish were coming in from the North.
Ready2fish landed a couple little crappies fairly quickly. Skillett007 was not having much luck and yankeedoodler was not doing much better. I managed to catch 17 small crappies off one submerged tree and another dozen or so in a canal, but for the most part fishing was slow for everyone. After about 4 hours of fishing we all met back at the camp. It turned out that everyone did catch at least one crappie. I kept a couple for fish sandwiches and the rest were released by everyone.
The evening brought on several more hours of pleasant conversation, a few refreshments and more great food. It all seemed to end to soon and a great time was had by everyone. The weather could not have been worse in the eyes of many people, but to us it was just another great reason why we live in Michigan.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Alive and Loving It
It has been quite sometime since I pulled an almost all nighter working. I sat down at my drawing table yesterday afternoon and started another drawing. I am currently designing the cover and 12 months of a calendar for a website so I began another of the months. By late evening I had it complete and was, for some strange reason, very pleased with the results. Watching a movie, or two, with my wonderful wife, I had the itch to draw more when she finally went to bed sometime around 11pm. I sat back at the drawing table and completed an entire drawing by 1:30am. This particular drawing was not for the calendar, just something for practice and to use as a demo/show piece. This is just a simple portrait of one of my favorite actresses. Not a lot of detail but a bit of a challenge none the less.
Awake at 5:am to drop off my wife at work and head to my own job. Now I know I did get about 3 hours of sleep by the time I actually fell asleep, but believe me it is not quite as easy these days. Being a 45 year old is not as simple as it might sound. Sure living in general is easy, but to push the limits is a bit tougher. Though every time I do push myself, whether it be physically and/or mentally, (lack of sleep would fall into both of those for me), I feel totally recharged when it is over.
All the termoil of last week is gone. I intentionally thought about some of the garbage that had gone on last week and did not even get upset, in fact I sort of chuckled about it. Looking at the fact that it is going to be a really long day after such a night seems to have only picked me up even more. Knowing that my lovely wife and 13 year old son will be at home to greet me this evening is such a wonderful feeling. I am alive and loving it.
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