Ice fishing continued....

It is cold, windy and close to home. Thank goodness. We are on a neighbours pond. They caught 4 fish. Kirk got all the fish because no one else wanted to clean them. Fish dinner tonight.

Ice fishing must be a very popular topic, as the video I posted already has 38 views in under 18 hours. Now if I could get subscribers, I could make money at this. Ya, right.

(double click on photos to enlarge)

Ice Fishing - First

It is the first time in his life - Kirk, ice-fishing, Feb. 3 2008.

He had a great time and more fishing trips are planned.

Kirk's - New/used Lund - his dream boat.

He bought the boat he saw on March 20, 2007.

(to see that post, type - boat for sale - in upper left corner and click search)

I don't know if it was one of those feelings -

If I don't do it NOW! I never will.

All I know Kirk is one "happy boater" even if he hasn't time to go fishing.


(click on photos to enlarge)

Whimper & Whine

Kirk left early this morning to go fishing. Minutes before leaving he decided he was not taking Shadow, his dog, who is old, weak, deaf and blind. This was my clue, it was going to be a long day for me.

So far so good. It is shortly after 4 pm and the whimper and whine only just started.

Shadow did not notice or get out of her bed until 7:30 am and then the search was on. "Where is Kirk?" I let her into the shop and she searched and settled into her bed out there. That didn't last long. She's had a lot of exercise today by walking back and forth to the house and shop.

At 10 am I finally just left the back door of the house open because I was tired of letting her in and out.

It is soon time for Kirk to return because she is now barking at open doors. Please come home soon!

Hunting for fish

This is different than "Going Fishing".

Today is the first time I've ever been on the water in Kirk's boat. We supposedly went fishing. I found, with his new "fish-finder" we spend more time driving around watching for fish to show up on the screen than picking a spot to fish. (We never did find that spot).

Problem was... we are moving too fast to stop when the fish are seen on the screen. So, when we turn around we can't find the location again? Now we troll along. Boredom sets in and we have to go fast again. Low and behold, fish on the screen. Can't stop. It has to be a "guy thing". Kirk's native friend points to a lot of different locations. His advice was as reliable as the fish-finder. Two for two.

We all had a great day out on the water. I'm not going to do it again real soon. I got one heck of a tan though.

(pictures are taken with our old camera, now Kirk's camera, advantage of being the photographer- you are not in the pictures. I send him out with the camera all the time. Kirk never comes back with pictures. Fish or no Fish.)

Fish & chips for dinner!

Kirk had a great day fishing. Yes, we had fish for dinner. Kirk and his native friend caught 30 fish. I didn't get the exact brake-down on who caught the most but it didn't matter Kirk came home with 4, just for dinner. (he is getting the hang of it - don't bring home any more than we can eat.)

Only disappointment was he didn't take any pictures. "You can send them out with a camera but, it doesn't mean they will use it. "

He was too busy studying his fish finder. His comment; I have a lot to learn!

Just when...

you think you have things figured out. Things change.

A co-worker commented on the fact, I seem more comfortable with the job. Surprise, I think their right.

It is amazing how fast things can change over night. Tim Hortons change the front end of the store. It looks great. Of course some customers like it and some don't. There you go.

We will adjust. But, I feel like I'm starting all over again. There you go.

Kirk is fishing, so I'm not planning dinner until he gets home. It could be fish! But, in the mean time the call came in. "When do you think you will have the next 15 steps done?" I hope he is enjoying his day because it will back to the grind tomorrow.

You deserve a break today!

Kirk is going fishing! Thursday is designated fishing day. I got called into work at Tim Hortons that day so I can't go.

Tomorrow we will have the first contract complete. 30 steps done and out of here. Next contract is 50 steps. I have a least half of the pieces already cut.

Kirk feels he needs a break. Besides, he has waited long enough to try out his fish finder. Even if he doesn't catch a thing it will be fun just playing with his new toy. It will be good for him to get off his feet for a day.

Weather forecast is good. Just hope the waters are calm. His boat can't handle rough water that is why he has it up for sale even though he really likes his boat. A Lund would be so much safer.

Pretend fish?

I arrived home from a good day at work. It is a test of patience which is a virtue. I feel, I did well.


Upon arrival I found Kirk finally testing out his fish-finder. No, he is not fishing or even close to the lake. Apparently, this gadget has a simulation mode. We are pretending we see fish? OK, that works when you can't take the time to go fishing.


They say we go back to our youth. Well, "pretend fish" may be something Kirk did then and is doing now.


He earned it. He built 4 sets of steps today (minus the hand rails).


His leg is still badly swollen. Self diagnosis - the thinks he has gout (no more seafood).

Paying GST & PST

Kirk is still waiting for his fish-finder. This morning he set aside the money he has been carrying in his pocket to pay for it. He made a comment "when it comes in, I should pick it up on my own and pay the taxes."

This tells me the past chain of events has really bothered him. I will try to explain.

At the beginning of the year when Kirk was calling and researching where to buy his fish-finder a friend of a friend recommended a friend, who owns a sporting goods store in London. Calls are made, best price was offered, and directions are given and excitement builds. Unfamiliar with the area, and I wasn't much help because I've been away for so long, Kirk's Native friend offered to go along for the ride and he knew the area. Besides, he had nothing better to do, the lake was frozen over.

The deal is made. The ordering of the product is set into motion and out of the blue, the Native friend offers to use his tax free card to save Kirk some money. At this moment, we did not realize how much resentment this would cause. We believe it was offered as just a friendly helping hand in return for helping him in the past. Besides, we are not sure who we are hurting here? Do the "Tax Police" need this money so badly?

Well, it was brought to our attention, Kirk is trying to weasel out of paying taxes. He got a good price and still didn't want to pay that additional 15%. We are stunned. That was not his intention and is now sorry he even accepted the help.

If and when they get to go fishing, hopefully many will benefit from this purchase.

Boat for Sale

I got the news today that Kirk wants to sell his boat. He's been told by a number of his friends that he can get a minimum of $10,000. for it. He is excited now, because he saw the boat of his dreams last weekend.


Around and around we go. I don't know anything about boats. To tell you the truth I don't care to know. His sales pitch was good and if that is what he wants, go for it. He just has to sell his boat first.

This is a picture of a newer model of

His DREAM Boat

Gone shopping

Excitement in the air. Today, Kirk is shopping for his fish-finder. There are very few times that he will leave here to go shopping but, this is something only he can pick out. (Not sure if he can bring it home today. It may have to be ordered.)

He has been working diligently on his boat for the last week now. (I should have taken pictures for the "before and after" story but, I wasn't thinking.) He put a new aluminum floor and carpet in the boat and is still in the process of buffing the boat to shine like new. The seats need to be recovered but, this doesn't seem to be a priority right now.

Hopefully, it will soon warm up around here so he can try out his new toy. There will be a lot of reading and study before it will be put to use. And, Oh yes, the show and tell.

Tomorrow is the big day. #65

Fishfinder

Today's project was to find this fish finder here in Canada.

Kirk has his heart set on this thing. We have to find it. We can get it from Humminbird but, I think he wants to purchase it here in Canada.

I only found one site, West Marine, they have this model and it is for sale in US Dollars?

March 7 is closing in fast!

I was warned not to have a party. OK, no party.

He didn't say I couldn't tell anyone about March 7.

Everyone should know it is Kirk's Birthday #65

We're having a heat wave!

We are in Canada. (Ok, you know that)It is November. (Ok, you know that too)
It is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. (Surprise)
Kirk has gone FISHING! (Surprise again)
The salmon is running?

Kirk asked me this morning "How is your cold?"
My reply "The best cold I've ever had. It just wants to hang around and mess up my head."
Actually, I think Kirk wanted me to go fishing too. I just couldn't do it.

He worked like a (Canadian) beaver all weekend so he felt justified to take off on such a lovely day. I don't blame him he is retired. (You know what I mean.)

Sticking to the necessities, I completed some household chores ran a few errands and back to my rest and orange juice while waiting to see if I'm cooking fish this evening. (Only worthy results will be photographed.)

Fishing success continued...

The man who instigated Kirk's participation in the Bass fishing tournament was waiting in front of the shop at 6 this morning.

I guess he was excited to tell Kirk the news; if Kirk would have entered the fishing derby he would have won! Others caught fish but very few caught Bass.

Would have, should have, could have but didn't. There you go.

Still, it was exciting to know it was a fishing success.

Fishing Success

These are pictures of Kirk's best day while living in Canada. I think he made that comment at least four times. Too bad these pictures do not reveal the full joy and excitement in air.

Originally, Kirk was lined up with a partner, who is native to the land and sport with excellent knowledge of the waters, to participate in Cedar Cove Marina Bass Derby. Since his day starts very early the 7pm finish time for the derby did not fit his schedule. However catching fish was the goal. Kirk left at noon with his designated partner Dwayne, just to fish and enjoy the day.

The humor of day; as Kirk caught fish Dwayne became more and more frustrated with his failure to even get a bite. Dwayne threw his fishing rod in the lake and declared himself "The Guide" while opening another beer.


As you can see, we will be having fish for dinner.

Sea legs

Shadow & Pete (the dogs) went fishing with Kirk yesterday. They have been on a boat before and handled it quite well. This time was a new experience for them. The water was choppy!

I can relate. I guess dogs are like people sometimes. Some can handle rough waters and others can't. It seems that Pete is like me. Poor little fellow got sea sick a few times.

Years ago, sailing across Lake Ontario, we sailed through a thunder storm. I was told to watch the horizon and eventually I would get my sea legs? I didn't understand it then and I don't now, but it did help a little bit. I just know, when I got sick I could lean overboard.

So when Kirk was explaining his adventure I got thinking, Pete couldn't watch the horizon and he has four short legs and no way to lean overboard. He may never want to go on a boat again. Well the phrase we get here in Canada "get over it". I'm sure he did.

Cast net

Sharing "how to" ideas is one of Kirk's gifts. He loves to show people an easier way to get something accomplished, built or fixed. It may not always work or be accepted but he is there to help in any way he can.

Some of the items that arrive at his door to be repaired or improved upon are interesting. Yesterday he was working on a homemade gadget that helps let the fishing nets into the water. It was made of a frying pan, car wheel and 2" iron pipe. All these items are very heavy. (It is something you have to see to believe). His job was to make this thing shorter/lighter in weight. At this point, I'm not sure if this was accomplished.

This leads to fishing and catching fish. One thing Kirk is good at is catching bait with his cast net. We have gone fishing many a time in Florida, only to catch bait and lots of it. Kirk introduced his net and use of it to the new customer/friend, Brian. Brian, who is an elected official on the First Nation council was very interested in this new method. I would have thought this is something all fishermen would know about. Guess I'm wrong again, it was new to him. Kirk let him have one of his old nets to practice and play with. I'm sure they will be getting together again soon to exchange more ideas.

Gone Fishing

Since the weather is warming up, my time of hibernation is coming to an end. This means less time to post boring information of the happenings in our life.

Kirk is taking this time to catch some fish. Actually, he caught one yesterday. When I came home from work, he was so proud to announce he caught his FIRST bass in Canada. It is not in season so he had to release it. He hopes today he will catch trout. He is on a mission today. Because yesterday was just a half hour stop to throw a line in the water. Today, we have poles, tackle box, thermos of coffee and cooler with ice to store fish. The excitement it too much.

Should he catch something I may take pictures and add to this post. In the mean time I think this picture is what the fish are suppose to look like.

Fish for dinner

This evening a customer dropped by needing some welding done on his boat. Very small job.

Kirk immediately got onto the topic of fishing. The customer pulled a couple of fresh (as in just caught) fish out of a cooler packed with ice.

This was dinner and a very good one. Is this classed a taxable income?