Over in the Pasty Cam Guest Gallery, we've been busy adding new albums. One of those newbies, is Sherry Giacoletto. With tail raised in the air, mane flying in the breeze, her horse seems to be saying, "Yippee, the sun is shining, spring must be on it's way!" I for one, sure hope that's an accurate prediction! A galloping shot like this makes the old "spring fever", just that much more intense....time to head outside for awhile, think I'll just canter though! :->

Weeee...first again...I think. :-) Never know until I hit enter on this thing.
Anyway, beautiful horse picture! That sure is a nice looking pinto. I wonder what his/her name is? It sure must be fun to go riding in the UP countryside with him/her!
Best wishes all!
Renee

I set my alarm, being silly, just to be the first post today, and my Alabama neighbor beat me anyway! :)

Only 25°in my corner of Houghton County this morning. Looks like we wait a bit longer for spring. Those tiny tips of bulbs that have emerged may freeze and it is hard pickings for the robins. I did see a sled on a frozen lake yesterday which I thought was a little scary. The ice cannot be safe.

Today's photo rocks!

Three feet of snow melted away in my garden during the last week of sunshine. (Actually it probably sublimated, a favorite word of Dad, may he rest in peace.) A clump of yellow snow crocus against the south foundation of my house burst into bloom and was promptly eaten by a hungry moose -- I mean mouse. The garden is just a critter smorgasbord. So heads up, UP! Spring has reached the northern reaches of the LP and is ready to leap the straits and sweep up to Keweenau! (I am ignoring tomorrow's forecast for snow.)

What's that thing rated at anyway, about 1 horse power!

...
Great picture! This one will be my screen saver.

Sherry - didn't they write a song about you? Sherrrry Baby? ;>) Anyway great picture of your paint horse. This will be my screen saver for a while.

Mohawk welcomed home Bob Johnson last nite after he served over a year in Iraq. He was met with a long string of cars and people waving in the streets . One of those moments a person never forgets. Welcome back soldier.

After all the horsing around here yesterday, now we see the horse.

Too bad our soldiers that served in Viet Nam did not have the same welcome back homecoming. Very sad.

This horse looks like the horse Little Joe use to ride on Bonanza....looks like he/she is have a good time.

Nice photo! Do you really have that much snow left yet?

Mary Ann..... We have a 4 foot tall swimming pool in the yard for the kids... haven't seen it in months...still not peeking out of the drift!!!! That's why all the locals head for Florida next week..to thaw out!!

As a veteran, I would like to say "Welcome Home" and "God Bless" to all personnel in the Armed Forces. They are putting their lives on the line to keep our country and citizens free, and that includes those people who would rather criticize the government for their actions, whatever the reason. Whatever your political affiliation, our servicemen and women deserve our support and gratitude. Thanks to them, we have the pleasure of living in the greatest country in the world, a country that many people would rather see destroyed with acts of cowardice. I would rather have all of our young men and women home with their families and safe, but I understand they have a job to do. They have embarked on a mission to help make the world a little bit safer, for not only people from a foreign land, but also all Americans. I also remember what it was like to return from Vietnam and regardless of your views of what Vietnam represented, we did not deserve the disrespect and anti-American behavior put upon us. Honoring them when they come home is a great thing, but we must also remember to honor them while they are there....making sacrifices, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice....to keep us safe. God Bless this great land!!

uper1........ Well said, and I for one concur.

I saw one lone, honking, goose fly overhead on my walk early this morning. Could that be a good indicator of warmer weather coming? I sure hope so!

He was probably the 'advance scout goose', checking on weather conditions and open waters...

Love that horse pic. Reminds me of the one in "Hildago" which by the way- the horse that stared in that movie did come from northern MIchigan. Good action picture.

WELCOME HOME BOB JOHNSON!!!! Thank you for all you've done for US!! If you know him, please pass this along. We don't know each other, but it didn't stop him and countless others from sacrificing for us....Iraq, Vietnam, world over. Thank you is just too small for your dedication.

I spent several summers as a youngster, ok, junior high, at Sherry's place helping with the horses. Great place to learn about them and how to care for them. This one in the pic reminds me of Rosemary, one of the paints when I was there. Nice picture, lots of snow yet. Here in West Texas, we have 64 and rain expected. Mom and Dad, new area of interest in the job market seems to be Tucson. Will keep you posted

To the troll - It's never to late to let all the vietnam veteran know that we thank them for their service. I do agree that they sure were treated bad when they came home.My brother served in vietnam & had lost both legs over there & the only people to greet him home was the family & friends. So to all our veterans thank you for all you do to let the rest of us live in this great country. Have a great day in the U. P. Great pic for the day!

I don't know Bob Johnson either, but I thank you also for all you have done. Without you we wouldn't be reading this.
God Bless our troops.

Beautiful picture Sherry. When I was a kid, Sherry & her husband would frequent my grandma's saddle shop. Maybe someone remembers it? Nearlia Ranch out in Bootjack. My grandma's name was Ann Olson. Sherry & her husband were nice people.

uper1, said it so well-I concur.

Welcome home, Bob Johnson, and God Bless YOU for your sacrifice, for all of us.

I came home (to Wisconsin) from Vietnam in 1970. I was not in combat, but one of the great number of support troops that keep an Army running. There was no parade, no fanfare, no brass band. My wife met me at the airport and took me home. I didn't need any of the thanks or hoopla because I wasn't any kind of hero. I merely went and did my job, as did most of us. We knew that the war was futile and should not have involved us at all, but we did our "duty" rather than escaping to Canada. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. US troops have been called on to do their duty often. Proper "recognition" for their service is a matter for endless debate, but most of them will do their duty and not need the brass band when they return. The parades and flag waving aren't really required. A simple thank you will satisfy most of us.

Well spoken Bob

Welcome home Bob!! I'm sure your family was glad to have you back. Thanks for all you've done in Iraq for America, good job!!:)

To Alex in GA: Forget setting an alarm! One has to stay up all night and keep checking this page in order to be that first post! :-)
BTW....what part of GA are you in? We are up in the NE corner of AL not too far from Scottsboro and Gadsden.
Best wishes to all!
Renee

Awsome picture. I come here often being away from
the UP for school.

just wondering though,
the horse looks like it could be a minnature.
does anyone know?

uper-1 I agree ... I read the page on the net
that has the names of the vets who passed on each
day plus birtdays... I dont think the vets should
have been treated that way at all either .. its my own little thing but I feel good taking the time to read those names every day... from
"the wall"

Renee in AL: I am in Snellville, home of the American Idol finalist, which is hard to believe, because Snellville is SO TINY! We are barely East of Stone Mountain. Fran, from GA, is North of us a couple of hours. I just might stay up all night tonight... SO THERE! :)

Great photo! I'll never forget the first time I rode a horse,
and it happened to be in Lake Linden. We rented
horses at a stable and I was given a gentle chestnut
mare named Sugar... enjoyed it so much, I begged my
dad to take us back again the next day.. and he did.
Regarding the movie, Hidalgo, there's a story in the
current Outside magazine... turns out it's a tall tale.
Incidently, Vigo Mortensson bought the horse at
the end of the filming.

Welcome home Bob! I do not know you, but I want your family and friends to know how fortunate they are to have you home...

God bless the men and women who sacrifice everything they need to give us everything we want!

I also want those who protest war to realize that the reason they can protest is because people fought, died, and won us our freedom - don't let them take it away from us!

Hey Renee, Alex, Fran and others:
I wanted to be "Last Post" (of the day, not the other kind!) the other day but I couldn't stay awake that late. ;-)

No need to stay up if you're in the "right" corner of the world - not being in the US, but a little further east is certainly helping ;)

Annie Olson...what a wonderful woman. My grandparents would take us out there as kids. I absolutely adored her. Louis Giacoletto too. Wonderful people...and their types are slowly disappearing.

Hat's off to Mr. Johnson..welcome home! Hat's off to all Vets...Vietnam or Iraq...you all deserve great kudos!

What has happened to Louie? Is he still alive? He was the sweetest.

****A big fifty star welcome home to Bob Johnson!****

DO NOT LIGHT FIRECRACKERS NEAR THOSE HORSES ANYMORE.

OR--DO NOT OVERFEED THEM OATS---REALLY.

Fred the Troll-
Re: Hidalgo, was he from the northern part of the LP or (the real North) the UP??


The picture today is AWESOME!

Welcome Home BOB
I've seen you twice now, but have not got to talk to you yet. When I stop down Billy's house I will check if your home and say hello.

Where is Redridge?

Wendy from Illinois. Yes I remember your grandma's place. We kept our horses there. This is Carolyn Hurlburt. We had Masquerade and Bahari. Do you remember me? I am going to e-mail you to. I took down your e-mail address.

Bob, a cheesehead: you have my utmost respect!

Renee, don't let Alex fool you.He says Snelleville is tiny but you couldn't prove it by me.There are about 80 zillion cars around there.!!!! He'll laugh at that! You aren't so awful far from me. We are just over the statelne from Chatt. When we go to PC Beach we go your way.

Fran and Alex: My being originally from Chicago most of the towns I have seen down here so far are small, very small, in comparrison. But I am loving it! I never was one for the 'big city" at all!
Best wishes,
Renee

Renee,I don't like big cities either.Have you been to the Unclaimed Airline Items store at Boaz?

Snellville IS growing! Gwinnett County IS growing... But we are far enough from Atlanta to make it a really nice quiet place. We like it here, but would rather Mohawk, Michigan! :)

For those voting for Diana in American Idol... Just remember one thing... I was here FIRST! :)

www.harrison-entertainment.com (She is really good though. It wouldn't surprise me if she makes it to the top three).

Fran: No we have not been to the Unclaimed Baggage Center yet, but I have heard about it and read about it online. We need to go at the first Monday of the month some time as that is when they are supposed to get all new stuff in. I am really liking all the flea markets, yard sales, and such this area has too! Also, the scenic places! I never knew Alabama had so many waterfalls! One reason I love the UP so much is all the waterfalls it has. So this is a nice second. :-)
-Renee

hi ace,i don't know you but knew your brother well.he was one heck of guy that will forever be in my memories...i did'nt know him before he lost his legs but that day he lost his legs and my birthday are the same day which is coming up real soon.i will again this year be thinking of him as i do every year.gone but never forgotton thanks for the memories...WE LOVE AND MISS YOU MEL...

Unclaimed Baggage Center.... that sounds really great! I wonder if they would ever get one here. Where do the proceeds go from this kind of thing?

WOW great picture. i love horses

Unclaimed Baggage is only in this area. But they do sell on Ebay on occasion and I think direct from their site too:
http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/index.html
As for where the proceeds go to; I guess they keep them. The airlines sell them the items that are not claimed, this place buys them, and turns around and sells them. One can find some pretty good deals there I hear.
-Renee

I really enjoy this site, but have never posted a message before. I grew up in Gay (remember the famous Gay bar?), and have so many fond memories of those years. Hope to get up there this summer to visit friends and family dotted around the CC. Have a very close friend in Fulton. Alex -- were the Tiensivu family that lived in Gay by chance relatives of yours - maybe grandparents or great grandparents? I remember Bob T. They lived right behind the alley from us in Gay and owned cows which provided the townspeople with milk. Wow, that really sounds like I lived in the dark ages!!! My son lives in Atlanta - a fun city but very much traffic. Much gratitude and thanks to Bob Johnson for his service in Iraq. Many of the posts here are right on. God bless all of the service men and women serving our GREAT COUNTRY. I can't help but shed tears for those who are making the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, as well as their loved ones, even though I don't know them personally. Loved the horse pic.