The Nine Pound Small-Mouth Bass

To say I like my new job is rather an understatement. Today I had the pleasure and joy of meeting a very good father and his 12 year-old boy. I had already taken care of the medical problem at hand and we commenced to discuss the main issue of the day, the best spring fishing. This very intelligent, animated boy, proceeded to tell me about all his best fishing spots and the large small-mouth bass that he caught last fall. They had been fishing at their favorite inland lake for a while, from shore, and didn’t catch anything. This young man all of sudden yelled that he had a big one on, and his pole was waving madly in the wind. Father, brother and even mother ran to the shore to see what all the commotion was about. The young man played it up for a minute, and then said he was “just kidding”, there wasn’t a real fish on, he is just a joker you see. Well, about 15 minutes later this “NINE” pound small-mouth bass really did take his bait and soon the fight was on. He screamed to his family, “fish on, fish on, help, get the net”. Of course, they ignored him. It wasn’t long when the “NINE” pound bass jumped into a fury of frothy splashes and they started to take him seriously. Mother had already started cleaning up and had taken the net back to the van. Father ran furiously toward the van, but couldn’t find the net. Mother all the while was screaming directions to the net to Father while the bass took out line. Dad finally found the net on the dashboard and hurried back to the beach. Dad goes into the water and the line promptly winds around his legs as he missed the bass on the first scoop. Despite the tangles the bass takes out line again but eventually Dad becomes untangled and they proceed to land this very large small-mouth. Now, I have never seen a “NINE” pound small-mouth myself, but the boy swears by it. Dad said it was more like four, but like all good fishermen the boy earned his literary license that all good boys deserve when it comes to fishing. I suspect that that fish will continue to grow over the years, and this is my favorite type of “growth”. I am reminded me of my own son’s 12 pound salmon caught two autumn salmon fishing trips ago. You see, that fish is now over 20 pounds when he describes it and re-tells the story. Of course, the fish had two more years to grow and probably is 20 pounds by now, out there somewhere. Somewhere, maybe, there’s a “NINE” pound small-mouth bass out there for you or me. In any case, someday soon I am going to go fishing with that very good father and his very bright boy.

Tick Season

What a year for Ticks!!! I’ve treated several people now for Tick related problems. Most of these include local infections or allergic reactions at the site of attachment. I have not seen a single “Deer Tick”, the vector for Lyme Disease, nor have I seen in case of Lyme Disease yet. In fact, there are no reports of patients with Lyme Disease in my Counties (Mackinac and Luce) in many years. I had the fortune to meet a forester today and I asked him why he thought Ticks were so prevalent this year. I’ve brushed off several, and while Erica was visiting here she discovered they really love her! He said they have a cycle of about every three years here and this is their time. I didn’t remember that from microbiology, but in fact did confirm that tonight. They do go thru a life cycle that can result in some heavy tick years. Fortunately, only a few ticks are lucky enough to find a host---which they need to complete their life cycle. Most are actually found in grassy areas, more so than in wooded ones. They lay in wait in the grass, for you or me to walk by. Anyway, they are relatively harmless around here. My Forester Friend put it best, “I’m more afraid of getting struck by lightning outdoors than I am about getting Lyme Disease!” Most importantly, my new friend is going to take me brook trout fishing to some of his favorite spots soon. He said that last year by his “rough” count, he caught over 800 brook trout. One day alone he caught and released over 80. I am developing quite a resource of fishing friends. I certainly hope that these wonderful streams will become part of my fishing repertoire soon! I will keep exploring. This weekend I am going to fish the Upper Millicoquins, but also want to start working in my Big Garage. I am going to take the kayak racks out of the east end, take out the shelves, and get my shop together. That way to tools will be ready for re-doing our master closet, closing in the front porch, and eventually finishing the new addition. Then I’ll insulate it and put a pellet stove out there. It will be cozy enough for my fishing buddies to hang out in there. Heck, you’ll even be able to crash out there. My very active life here is great for me, my pants are all getting too big as I thin down again! Wishing you the best, saying Ya from Da U.P. Ay!

My New Friend Fred. I have made a new friend here, his name is Fred. Fred and I met due to the simplest of things, an apple core. I was outside admiring the view of Lake Michigan, eating a Michigan grown red delicious apple, and watching a squirrel opening acorns atop a stump of a tree I cut down last year. I finished the apple and threw the core into the wood about 25 feet behind the squirrel. All of sudden he stopped eating the acorn, stood up, ran into the wood and immediately retrieved the apple core from the brush. I was rather amazed that he could find it in the briar and raspberry bushes, but he did. He came back to his perch on the stump and proceeded to continuously rotate the core and completely nibble it down to nothing. I don't know why, but he reminded me of an intelligent, very fast friend I had up here years ago named "Fast Freddie". Given this squirrels obvious inteligence and prowess and speed, he now is named Fred. I put a whole apple on Fred's stump yesterday morn and went off to work. When I came home the apple was gone of course. Now you may think that a deer got it, or a coon. But I'm putting my money on Fred. I'm reminded of my Grandfather Walter by this---and his pet chipmunk. In those marvelous summers I spent with him on Douglas Lake in Northern Michigan, he befriended a chipmunk. He had a Polish name for the chipmunk that I can't remember, but I'd like to think it was "Fred". It started innocently enough, with both the chipmunk and my Grandfather being startled one day by each other in the garage. Grandfather used to sit out in the garage and eat peanuts and the shells would drop to the floor. He'd just sit there enjoying the summer Northern Michigan day, eating peanuts or just rocking in the chair, out in the garage, for hours. Now I realize that was his man cave, his respite away from the much more beautiful, fairer and intelligent sex. It wasn't long until the chipmunk started watching him from about 12 foot away, just watching Grandpa eating those peanuts. Then it was 6 feet, then he'd scurry underneath Grandfather's chair and scoop up the remnants. By the time I entered this story Grandfather's "Fred" was on his shoulder, on his knee, and he even allowed Fred to take a peanut from his shirt pocket while I watched. But I could only get within about 5 or 6 feet and Fred would run away. He learned to trust my Grandfather, but no other human being. There were a lot of us who trusted Grandfather like that, he was just that kind of guy. A man's man, firm, but allowing you to see the tender side enough that just mesmerized you. You just wanted to be around him, like I'm heard was Walt Whitman, or Abraham Lincoln. Grandfather loved that little chipmunk. But I know he loved me so much more, and as I sit here with tears in my eyes, I am thankful for my Fred. I am thankful of how he reminded me of my Grandfather, and how wonderful it is to be here in Northern Michigan, watching the sky go by, maybe eat some peanuts. I'm watching life go by slowly again. I am, alive again, and I know, I know Grandpa had these same feelings of joy and thankfulness to be here. Well, I know my Grandfather now lives in an even greater place, but I betcha there he has a friend named Fred.

Howdy Friends. I've been asked why I haven't been posting pics of the deer, the brook trout streams, etc. Fact is I'm still posting from dial-up, too time consuming to upload. However, I have ordered Hughes Satellite Internet and should have it in a couple weeks if I can coordinate with the installer. I also have high speed now at work and have a new Toshiba Lap Top the Hospital has supplied me with. I will be going to Findlay this weekend and get the cables I need to connect my camera phone to the computer so I can start posting photos of the beautiful Northland. It is sad to report that my friends Dan and Erica had to depart early this morn for the sunny state of Florida---they had quite an adventure in the U.P.---made it all the over to Wisconsin and back and still found time to hang out with me and dine at Chamberlain's on Big Manistique Lake, fish for brookies and pike, hike, bicycle, kayak and have a marvelously "awesome" time as Erica would say! This is my first call weekend here and I am still trying to adjust to a very different call system. I don't get outside pages from patients, that's all handled thru the E.R. and walk-in clinic on the weekend---so the pager is strangely quiet for hours and hours. When it beeps its from the E.R. or nurses station it is generally benign. There were a few hours yesterday where I had to help a critically ill patient get transferred out---but even that was relatively painless. Presently I'm looking at Lake Michigan and thinking about my Lorhel in a concert tonight in Cinci---Jomay, Sarah, Jeffy, Julie and Lindsey went down to partake in the joy of a live orchestra---a treat I have come to hear often in our musical life. I am looking forward to seeing them of course, and dream of the day we are all together up here. However, I do not miss life otherwise below the Mackinac Bridge. The circle of life here is you are raised in Northern Michigan---and can't wait to get out when you are in High School. Then, many years are spent trying to get back. Once you return, and grow acustomed to the continual view of cedars against the ephemeral, evervescent sky and water, you never want to leave. My home is open to visitors and over the next year is supposed to get bigger with the new addition. I would love to share this with you, maybe even a couple new fishing spots if you're nice! Blessings, signed, Northern Exposed, Jeff.

Just got back from fishing with my friend Dan---took us awhile to get there as there as we were stopped on the road by two deer that came up to our window---expecting to be fed I suppose, but we didn't have an apple or corn and they sauntered away. Got to the river and stepped in some bear poop and slipped down the hill a bit---but no serious injury. Didn't catch any brookies in two spots---despite them just planting some this week---but we really didn't care---it was another beautiful day in the U.P., sunny, warm, being with nature. Yesterday we went out and helped plant sunfish in two small lakes with the Club Crew---what a blast---carrying buckets of fish into the lakes and making sure there weren't any cormoronts around---wow can sunfish swim fast! This follows a magnificent weekend on Mackinac Island, attending Megan and Eddie's wedding---taught my son how to take in the moment---as we stood waiting for the ceremony---taking in the beautiful Straits of Mackinac and the folks all dressed up and the flowers---etc. He asked me when it was going to start---that he was bored---and I said he had to learn to stand there, step back, look, feel, take it in. It was a magic moment, and I think he finally understood. You should know that Dan and I fired the 44 Sunday---and he hit the center of a pie plate with a nice cluster 5/6 rounds. I on the other hand, just hit the wood that the target was posted on 1/6 times. I really need those lessons!!! In addition, he caught the only pike the other day on Pullup Lake---despite me having 6 hits. I'm really loosing my touch. Anyway, this is without a doubt the finest place on earth and all that we expected it to be. Sorry I have to be quick here---about to have Erica's whitefish tacos with fish just caught out of the lake today. Will try to post some new pics, etc. soon. Thanks!

First day of actual work today wasn't work, it was fun. The staff here is amazing, from the front office to the Nurse Practictioner, Lab Techs, and of course, the mainline, the Nurses. Wow, I am amazed at the quality and dedication of the folks up here. They love the people, the land and water, and are dedicated to stay as long as it takes. They made my first actual working day smooth and again, FUN!!! I know it's early, but I've been feeling the same excitement inside about family medicine that I felt as a third year medical student---like I can't wait to go back to work the next day!!!! YAY!!!!

The U.P. once again yielded a beautiful day. I got home from work about 5 p.m.---that's after finishing up charts, stopping at the corner grocery to chat with the owner about where he gets his incredible steaks---then driving the 25 minutes back to Naubinway. Once reaching the NOOK I visualized Lake Michigan looking like GLASS. Thus, I waded thru the tools and boxes and after maneuvering the kayaks around, was able to pull out my Old, Old Town, very scratched up Kayak and get in launched. I was very happy to be at sea again, going out past the "big rock". Fortunately, it is only partially exposed this year---the water level is up much higher than last year at this time---very encouraging. I made it about a third of the way to the Naubinway Lighthouse when I realized my shoulder muscles were burning---reminding me that I just moved a serious amount of tools and boxes and probably shouldn't try going further. Although I did have on my thick wet suit---judgement was the better part of valor today. Then I went out and raked up some pine cones, cleaned up more boxes and am about to cook dinner. Behold, it's only 7:30 p.m. and all that is done---what a good life this is. Thanks for checking in. Wildlife seen: One very large buck today---darted accross the road in front of me, fortunately he was wise enough to be out very far in front of me. Fishing done: None, still have to get my license! God Bless.

The time has come, I arrived in da U.P. on Saturday afternoon with a 17 foot U-Haul full of my doctor books, tools, clothes, furniture and SIXTEEN boxes of family scrapbooks. My wife has been busy over the years documenting our Children's progress! The memories are safe, still in their boxes, in my living room. The U.P. was kind to me in providing a beautiful sunny day on Sunday, so I could unload. During the trip up here I continually wondered how I was going to get the 500 pound plus table saw off the U-Haul alone, even with the dolly, I was contemplating a controlled crash doing it alone. Our good friends Dave and Julie from Findlay helped us get it all loaded. Ahh, but God is good, my friend Captain Jim from Hessel just happened to be in the area and was wondering if I arrived yet. Sure! Come on by I said. Jim and his wife Cindy came over and helped me unload. That's hospitality for you! Thanks Jim and Cindi!!! Yesterday was a whirlwind of visits to various departments and clinics at the Hospital getting oriented. As you would expect, people were warm and welcoming and wishing for and will be working for my success. Particularly charming to me was the visit to the clinic just up the road in Engadine---talk about a nice staff and quaint office. The office is in a little white house accross from the auto parts store and just down from the hardware. I start there Wednesday. Today I am in the clinic in Curtis--near Big Manistique Lake---that is just a temporary assignment while the usual doc is on vacation. Hope to take the kayak out tonight for the first time after work. Wildlife seen---Loons out front, one coyote. Fishing done: None, trying to get my Michigan driver's license so I can pay in-state fees! Shooting done---9 rounds fired to date from the Smith and Wesson 44---incredible power yet the quality gives you a little sense of control! Awesome, thanks guys!