Oct. 11, ’09-A wave of customers started to flow to our farm over the past week. When we happened to be off the vet route and home, we opened the door to the Trap Shack. Seems they got the open house date confused and were eager to meet the Last River Rat. We were ready and the people arrived. Now the day before the open house, Tom decided there was an opportunity to heat  and bottle  our bees’  honey. He en-listed our just turned 3 son to help. I walked in our kitchen to a smiling Hawken proudly stating, “Look Mama, I’m making honey!” “ Mmmhmm…where’s Pops?! ” “I’m putting it in glass jars too Mama!” I took my own advice and smiled and took a deep breath as Tom lugged more honey to bottle on our now sticky stove to sell @ Open House. I mentioned that I had chores to do outside while they worked on the honey project. More customers a day early and I kindly vocalized that there should be plenty of honey and I’d gladly clean up the kitchen now. Greg came from college @ UW La Crosse this evening. He allows Hawken to jump on his bed and listen to heavy metal music on his computer. The next AM I headed out for a 4:00 rock walk. I meet the eye of the deer formation in the sky and watch the space between the stars. Out @Thunder Lane I had a knowing there would be deer. I sent the song to the Universe and it started. The crashing sounds penetrated the early morning silence. The deer  moved across Thunder Backwaters with my song. I walked briskly and went to Sunrise Slough. A vocal prayer for 2 ducks to share with the boys. Greg and cousin Keith Bollinger were duck hunting before the Open House . There were 10 ducks setting on the slough and I knew they’d get 2. The power of intention is magical when used with goodness and peace. It’s pushing away the limits of  mind and quantum leaping into where I am one with the Universe. I arrive back to the farms and feed the flocks of sheep and herd of cattle. The chickens roam freely when daylight comes and strut for all the tourists. Uncle Kenny Salwey is my uncle on my dad Gerry Salwey’s side. My Ma  Sharon and Dad arrived when Kenny did @ 8:30 AM. Kenny got high fives and eskimo kisses from Hawken. My folks took Hawken to church and Uncle Kenny found a setting spot in the Trap Shack Showroom. The Showroom is in a re-modeled section of our 1901 barn on our first farm. The heater was going full blast all day in the showroom. Uncle Kenny propped his cane against the old beater table. Had him set so all who entered could feel the magic of his presence immediately. He deserved a proper centerpiece hand carved prior to this morning’s breakfast. Tom took Hawken down in the basement with a carving knife. No worries-they climbed up the stairs with an artfully carved punkin under Pop’s arm. So that smilin’ punkin graced the River Rat’s table along with a tanned beaver pelt. I had fresh cans of honey roasted nuts popped open for munching on. Also Bit ‘O Honey candies were scattered-’suck on candy’ is a staple within the Salwey family. More beaver pelts, coon skins, muskrat and 1 silver fox served as touchy feely educational tools. It turned into a sunny 45 degree Sunday. The post-church crowds drifted into the Showroom. A homage to the Rat. A pilgramage to a primal connection to nature, farm and family. The cherished place within the Showroom was next to Kenny and Tom. A special thanks to my dad, who is so friendly and a great historian. He knows the lineage of anyone within the 3 closest counties. He and my Ma helped with food and playing with Hawken. My brother Tim and his wife JoJo came to smooze with customers. JoJo is also a master angler in the trout world and embraces some of the spiritual knowings I do. Tim is a free spirit that has an artistic side. He is a naturalist and carpenter and has such love for teaching and sharing. I am so blessed to belong to this family. My other brother Dean Salwey is 8 years older than me. He called to say he was working @ Captain Dennis Reglin’s farm chopping corn silage, and wouldn’t be able to make it. My Aunt Dorothy Bollinger , was so kind to bring Grandma Melvina Salwey to the Shack. Grandma is 96 years young and resides now in the Fountain City Nursing Home. Aunt Dorothy is mom to cousin Keith Bollinger. Keith has been helping Tom and Greg @ all the conventions they travel to.  Ben and Chelsea Golden were the featured artists that had their artwork and photography skills highlighted. Chelsea is also part of our A-team for Hawken duty. They  designed the new Lutheran Church just outside of Arcadia. Rol and Betty Roskos- my brother and sis-in-law joined the family and friends. They also helped served food and chatted with people. They kindly relayed that the gathering was as American as apple pie. We served apple pie to 16 people. 2 pies cut into slivers so many could taste. I’m married to the Pie Guy. Tom’s Mum was a lard crust pie baker. My Ma is a whole wheat woman. So Greg, Tom, Hawken and I made lard, whole wheat crust pies, with apples harvested from our orchard.  Uncle Kenny received his sliver and asked for another. Grandma Melvina tells me she dreams of being able to make pies yet. That day she smiled and said it was tastey. Sales were brisk all day and we are so thankful for all the people who came. We advertised as No Purchase Necessary for the message is more important than money. Come see where your friends are and share a story. Tom and I love stories and sharing our lives. We feel it is part of life to share, give and recieve. What a blessing to share our passion for humane treatment of nature and animals. Many people toured with me around the farm and orchard. Thanks for listening and I saw the re-kindled longing for many to have a fruit tree, chickens or even a goat.   We served Cowboy Kenny  Cookies, Chocolate Chip and date filled cookies.  Hot chocolate and coffee helped warm us on the inside.   Some of the fast selling merchandise were Larry the Insurance Guy’s Coon Catcher’s,  Hawken’s Bucket Bait, Beslisle 160 coon traps and #650 MN brand traps. Also our sheep wool for Coon Catcher or coyote traps sold well. Next to the original shack, the hanging black caldron pot was filled with water that boiled with the lit fire underneath it.   Hotdogs were roasted on the open fire along with roasted shmallows and smores.  The simmering caldron was a popular gathering spot for story sharing.  Whether you were our next door neighbor or traveled from Madison or Red Wing-we appreciate your appearance @ Welcome Home Farm and the Trap Shack Company.  Uncle Kenny’s books are available on our website along with his latest release-The Old Time River Rats.  It’s in stock and available now for your reading pleasure. Larry Jungwirth-the insurance guy- demonstrated his Jungwirth Coon Catcher’s in the Shack. Kenny autographed books and stayed ’til 6 PM when the last people departed.  John Kamrowski filmed the event for us and captured the magic that enveloped the day. Greg helped out with sales and chatting with people. His  duct taped spearing tool for harvesting fish was noticed by Kenny. The tool hangs above the doorway to the Shack with great stories within it.  The beef cattle herd were resting under the trees. Patches is Tom’s pet cow. She is 20 years young and hadn’t calved for 3 years. She choose Oct. 6th to have a black heifer calf.  She really showed off her new off spring as people shook their heads in dis-belief that ol’ Patches was still here and now had a calf.   After weeks of Tom debating he was struck with the  calf’s name- Lightening-ask him about that story!   Delightful times to gather and feel the spirit in nature and friends.

Thanks for the stories,

Sue Roskos