February 2010-Tom, Hawken and I are delighted that nephew Mike Roskos and son Charlie came to spend the day with us. They clambored out of their La Crosse residence early and went to hunt crows  on other property. 8 AM they pattered down our wooden hallway floor as we savored oatmeal, eggs, coffee and diet Dew. Hawken and Charlie checked out the farm toys and pet the house cat Pearl. A smooth textured blend of family, food and conversation rose like soft puffs of cold morning chimney smoke. The conversation flew to bird watching and the bold colored birds that frequent our feeders here and those in La Crosse. Cardinals, House Finches, Nuthatches, Sparrows all congregating for cracked sunflowers and assorted birdmix @ the feeders.

Charlie, Tom and Mike went to check traps on our propertyon the other side of Hwy 95. They returned and Charlie had shot crow and found a muskrat in a trap. Hawken and the guys shared tastey treats in the original Shack. The beautiful pot bellied stove holds  wood to warm the building and rejoices with an orange glow when stoked. I stepped inside the Shack and it was chilly. Charlie was asking if his hotdog was cooked enough. I stifled laughter and pondered how much wood we have had for years stacked outside of the Shack. Why is Tom trying to toast marshmallows with 1 tiny log barely smoldering? I nudged Tom and mentioned could use another log or two in the stove. Then he said that it had really burnt down a lot since he started it this early AM.  He threw another log on and they were able to melt the marshmallows,make toast and not wash their hands. Mike said, “Can even eat in The Shack-it’s great!!”

The afternoon was spent walking the frozen backwaters for the guys. Charlie shot 2  fox squirrels and was smitten with that endeavor. A lovely way to spend a Winter Day. Sweet serenity sifted through souls like Grandma Verna let flour sift through her hands.

Mike prepared the treasured squirrel in a casserole, and his family devoured the dish prepared with extra love and secret ingrediants. His blonde curly haired daughter Ellie was along trapping with Mike and Charlie in La Crosse. They have layed claim to harvesting their first muskrat together as a family. What a gift to pass an endearing love  of nature along to eager children.

  Dave Leske has been generously offering places for Mike’s Family to trap. Mike did mention that he dressed out the crow @ Charlie’s request and hasn’t yet prepared the treat.

Feel the Family Spirit in Peace and Love,

Sue Roskos