Dakota Life: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

LIVING ON THE ICE

Four days of living in my fish house on the ice of Devils Lake this last week of January, 2012 was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in quite a while. The peace, the quiet, watching the snow fall and then blow into drifts across the lake. I don't need to go far to enjoy God's wonderful creation and enjoy the LIFE here in DAKOTA !

I realize that some people wouldn't think that spending several days sitting on top of twenty inches of ice which is floating on forty feet of water is anything but enjoyable. But as I have always said, “I love the challenge of something different and new experiences”. Especially when it involves the outdoors!!

I might have had a different outlook if I had been out there last year (or the past several years for that matter) since it was such a severe winter those years. But this year has been so nice and mild. Yes, I thank God for blessing me with being able to enjoy the solitude and beauty of his wonderful creation.

Monday, January 30, 2012

BUCKET LIST

OK, another item can be crossed off my bucket list!!! That's right. The Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department's annual ice fishing tournament was held this weekend: always the last weekend of January. I have always purchased an entry ticket in years past but “things” always got in the way for me to go to it. Some years it was prior obligations, some years it was the weather and some years I just didn't feel like it. The entry ticket not only got you into the tournament, but also made you eligible for the door prize drawings which this year amounted to $190,000 in prizes.

As most of you know, I am not a fan of big crowds and this event draws a VERY LARGE crowd. So I was quite happy to just be there but not necessarily participate in the shoulder to shoulder fishing contest consisting of several thousand fishermen. No, I was happy enough to just be on Devils Lake, if nothing else to be able to say, “I was there during the tournament”.

Shoulder to shoulder fishing!

Besides that, I am always looking for something new and different to do and to take advantage of seeing new sights and experiences. Also, I've always heard about the excellent fishing there, so I hooked up my fish house and headed out!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

New Belt?????

I don't mean to be bragging or boastful but rather to give thanks to Creator God for the encouragement he has given me through my blessed family and my many friends. For the past nine months I have purposed to get back down to the weight at which I feel most comfortable. So far I have met two of my goals and wondering now whether I should shoot for my high school weight!!!!!

When my health was threatened by the excess poundage that I found and held onto over the past couple of years, I had no choice. I recently had another major physical (thanks to Medicare which I am now on) and was found to be on the road to good health with a re-newed spring in my step.

Yes, I suppose a new belt is in order since I am running out of space for new holes!!!

NOW THIS IS REALLY EMBARRASSING ! ! I thought I'd look through my picture file to find a before photo to use as a comparison to the photo that I took today. I found one of me at work taken in August of 2010, six months before I started taking care of myself. I really hesitated posting it. But since I will NEVER look like this again, here it is.......UFFDA ! ! !