Little Carl is confident, quite self assured, and often thinks he can call the shots when dealing with adults. Carl, called nasty by most who know him, soon will begin 4th grade. He calls his new teacher to get the power structure worked out before the first day of school. If you want to read […]
Humor
Don’t Chase That Horse! Updated
Don’t Chase That Horse! Updated
Our horse Lilly escaped her enclosure on a beautiful summer day. I spotted her across the road at the boat landing parking lot, dining on lush virgin grass. Grabbing the rope to lead her back, a young fellow pulled into the parking lot ahead of me. I knew he was bright, because he said: “Hey, […]
Patty the Mouse Eats Her Holiday Meal
Patty the Mouse Eats Her Holiday Meal
Delivered the meal to the mouse Patty after we ate ours on Thanksgiving. Assembled it with love, on a fancy plate: turkey, bun, corn, mashed potatoes and cranberries. Put it out on Thursday afternoon and below is what I found in the morning. I’m thinking Patty had friends and family dining with her because that’s […]
Mouse in My Car: Updated
Mouse in My Car: Updated
Found hints of a mouse, or two, in my car yesterday. Not sure what to do, but I don’t think I’ll kill it. And it’ll be an IT until I can capture it and determine its gender. More to come, must think this over. Please don’t tell my wife. It’s a She Live trapped it, […]
Cheeses and Taste Testing Poem
Cheeses and Taste Testing Poem
This cheese and drink poem was written by Earle Garber, a local historian, author, and philosopher from the Wisconsin Rapids, WI area. He wrote this, then read it at a writers’ group meeting. Most taste teasers begin with a mild cured or early cheddar aged no less than a year before the sip of […]
The Couple Shared Everything
The Couple Shared Everything
Cousin Brad in Amery stopped at the Uff Da–Youbetcha cafe on Vine Street this past week, ordering his usual liver cooked rare with rare bacon on the side. Across from his table he noticed a wonderful old couple huddled together who just got their order: one large orange juice, one hamburger, and a side of […]
Uff Da Defined and Explained
Uff Da Defined and Explained
Uff da was an expression I heard often growing up. It could apply to a variety of situations, some bad, some good, but it was the Norwegian version of WOW or Holy Mackerel. Internet sites are devoted to it, and post cards can be bought that have 20 occasions in which Uff Da would be […]
Bloomer Boys in the Belfry with Bats
Bloomer Boys in the Belfry with Bats
The boys enjoyed the summer in the Bloomer Catholic church belfry, and now there are three sleeping up there. Parker, his friend Wally, and Parker’s brother Greyson. They didn’t want to take him but Parker’s mother Dana talked him into it, giving her more time to drive the Bloomer back roads and look for garage […]
A Most Bizarre Elementary Teacher–Updated
A Most Bizarre Elementary Teacher–Updated
At Amery Elementary School, the bizarre Miss Rose Schider taught the other 5th grade class. Miss Schaefer taught ours. Miss Schider was a character who kept student attention and focus, and, shown here, supervised the playground from 20 feet up. On her days, she’d climb out the windwo of her classroom, ease herself onto the […]
Amery Farmer Gets Even with a Trespasser-II
Amery Farmer Gets Even with a Trespasser-II
Another trespasser got on the nerves of a kind, patient farmer southwest of Amery. The man drove along a fence line to get to the Apple River just west of Little Falls. Fishing was his goal, and he spent a few hours casting before taking off. But that was where the guy wasn’t so smart. […]
Farmer Neighbor Encounters a Hippie and His Dog
Farmer Neighbor Encounters a Hippie and His Dog
My farmer neighbor Howard Stindle told me about the time he confronted a hippie and his dog walking across his pasture. The young man stooped to drink from a minor stream, and his dog drank as well. But the guy tried bringing the water to his mouth with one hand. “Hey, you don’t want to […]
Across the Ice on North Twin, Amery WI
Across the Ice on North Twin, Amery WI
Saturday evening in Amery. Jimmy asks Charmaine if she’d go buy a six pack of beer for him. He had worked that afternoon on a quilt rack and set it up, so she figured she could do something for him. (Jimmy and Charmaine, Amery ‘possibly fictional’ characters are going to be my/ our Ole […]
Claire: a Joke and Another Poem from Mineral Point
Claire: a Joke and Another Poem from Mineral Point
Claire interacts with Mineral Point resident. Just because Claire from Mineral Point seems to be a serious poet, a recluse, and unsocial, at times she shines. Coming down to the level of the grocery in her store she encountered Bill Blye, a Mineral Point resident. “Bill,” Claire said while picking out cans of food. “I […]
Weighing Diners in Amery, Part 2
Weighing Diners in Amery, Part 2
Nancy suggested that the newly closed café in Amery, Ida Mae’s, would be a possible spot to start the Weigh Station. “This group could have the place opened before Halloween, maybe much earlier.” The bathroom question came up. What if visits there would mean the diner wouldn’t gain any weight. Becky had an answer ready, […]
Getting Weighed at an All-You-Can-Eat Diner
Getting Weighed at an All-You-Can-Eat Diner
Imagine the joy of an all-you-can-eat diner, a new adventure in eating. Stepping on a scale starts it out. The concept and company behind this new eating experience is called Scales. In the meeting room of the Amery Pizzeria, company spokespeople laid out a brilliant plan. Becky, the friendly lady with a winning smile and […]