russ-stickacres.com Blog

Waking up this morning, I could tell it was going to be a great day. The sun was present and snow was plentiful! Time to run dogs!

We enjoyed guests Amy & son Jordan/Joy/Francie/and Rustic Russ’ relatives galore! Mom Sue, Sister Billie Jean, Sister Robin and husband Jeff and their six pack of kids; Jordan, Brandi (who opted out of rides), Missy, Mindy Jo, Lance, and Landon. Such beautiful children and “outdoorsy” too!

This boy, Hawk, is ready to rock and roll!

Joy’s trilogy of Bernese grace and beauty.

Rustic Russ with niece’s Missy and Mindy Jo.

There always has to be a checkpoint. Amy & Jordan make sure everything is up and running between taking out sleds.

Jordan went solo with Hawk & Butcher! Amy ~ six dogs, of course!

Francie with a 4-dog team. Her “India” running with 3 LCK dogs ~ lots of power with Hans in lead.

Rustic Russ leading the 4-sled caravan through the Russ-Stick Acres trails.

Rustic Russ’ Mom ~ Sue.

Brother-in-law Jeff. That grin never left his face~!

Jeff & Robin and young daughter, Landon, whizzing down the driveway.

Landon enjoyed hanging around…upside down.

Loading six kids in the van, filling up, and heading up north to the land of snow ~ $51
Feeding those six kids in the van and heading up north to the land of snow ~ $42
Going on a dog sled ride on a beautiful winter day in the land of the snow ~ PRICELESS

See you tomorrow ~

Woodswoman

Here at RSA, the only thing black on this Friday is Nauish (pronounced “Now-eesh”), our beautiful young Mustang.

I have said for years that I would rather have a dental root canal than walk into a shopping mall.

Even as a child, I recall the dreaded shopping trip for clothes. Lord how I hated trying things on.

Every summer, our family packed up and headed to Bear Lake, near Manistee, MI for a couple weeks of summer fun at the lake. We’d spend an idyllic few weeks at the cottage; swimming, fancy BBQ’s, boating, catching turtles, sitting on the dock ~ dangling our feet in the water, fishing and traveling by boat to town. Sometimes, even today, when I get a whiff of gas/oil mixture, it takes me back to those warm breezy days in the boat with my Dad running the motor. Every year was bliss, no matter what the weather.

While on vacation, we would always head to Manistee (where I was born) for the 4th of July Parade. My Mom would always try and fit in a shopping trip at the then prestigious Glenn of Michigan. I squirmed and pleaded, but rarely escaped this ritual of girlish indulgence. The dressing room was one large hall. As a youngster (size 6X), being sent behind those curtains, with older women donned in underwear trying on sale items, is an image that has stayed with me to this day.

In later years I still dodged shopping as much as possible. I recall the first time I bought necessary teenage undergarmets ~ I went into the dressing room with my small dog by my side, much to the sales person’s amazement and disgust. My Mom shook her head…realizing a pattern had begun.

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving, while accompanying my snazzy dressed Mother and elegantly dressed Sister-in-Law, Carla, I thought about how “low maintenance” I’ve become over the years.

Everything I had on yesterday: Boots, pants, shirt, sweater vest, and even jacket were from a local Thrift Shop ~ Nifty Thrifty. Come to think of it, everything Rustic Russ had on yesterday: Shirt, Hat (oh yeah, the hat), jacket were also from the Thrift Shop.

The last time I was at a store for clothes was two years ago. I was on my way to a wedding on Mackinac Island. My son Charlie was in the wedding of his dear friend, Ben. I drove up to Petoskey, ran in Wal-Mart, found some pants that fit, tore the tags off, headed to the Laundry Mat, tossed them in the dryer with a wet sock (that I had brought for the occasion) and slipped them on in the bathroom. Back on the road to Mackinaw City, all decked out with my new pants. I’ve never had a hankerin’ to fuss over such things. Never.

So, today, when people were out milling around the stores, I was home, checking out the surroundings in our new dumping of snow with the Zipster.

The feed store was making their scheduled bi-weekly delivery of grains and various critter food, and Rustic Russ was managing the snow with our Fancy Tractor.

And I… was enjoying the solitude, the peace, and quiet, and beauty. My black beauty.

See you tomorrow ~

Woodswoman

Early Thanksgiving morning, I found Rustic Russ busy unloading 60 bales of hay, from the previous day’s trip to “Juniors”, our hay supplier an hour’s drive from home.

Raz always likes a new delivery of hay to show up. Just look at that fat boy.

Nauish looking on.

Chores first, then we can think about us on this Thanksgiving day.

Rustic Russ realizes I have camera in hand so he jumps into a pose from the likes of Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”.

I let out a scream, realizing he took his hat off. He remedied that situation pronto. Hat was back on for the duration.

Our trusty grill won’t be lit today. Rustic Russ, dubbed “The Grillmaster” from his days training dogs with Jim Warren at his Sled Dog Lodge, produces culinary delights. But not today.

For the first time, Rustic Russ and I are parting ways on Thanksgiving.

He, with tobacco in hand, along with an early Christmas present for his sister, heads downstate with family ~ Amish style ~ together in a van.

I head up north to Petoskey. First stop ~ my brother Craig’s and sister-in-law Carla’s at Walloon Lake. They live a couple miles from Walloon, with property spilling into the Bear River.

Earlier in the morning, Craig was floating the icy cold river in his sturdy canoe. He started further up river and floated home.

A Chickadee came to see what I was doing on the deck. Hear his sound here. (Click on sound.)

My Mom, Jackie, at the restaurant (Stafford’s Bay View Inn). We decided to forgo cooking and clean up this year.

(Check the green grass outside the window. No grass south, at our place. Believe me when I tell you Mancelona is a snow-belt area.)
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Our small family (Woodwoman behind the lens.). Carla, Craig and Mom.

It’s California fattened turkeys for my two sons and families.

My niece Lauren, student at CMU, working at the restaurant while home, shows her Dad, Craig, to our table.

Lauren’s brother, my nephew Steve, (stay with me now…) boarded an airplane today from his mission home in Hawaii for an outreach trip to Israel, for a month of ministry work. He is a member of Surfing the Nation. (Click on name.) He will return to the U.S. on Christmas Eve and spend the holidays in California with my son, Charlie and family, before heading back to Hawaii to resume his ministry.

Another Thanksgiving for the record books.

But in the end, whether you eat at home or eat out at a restaurant, the results are the same. That good ‘ole Tryptophan kicks in and reduces us all to the same level.

Mellow.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Woodswoman

Hunting season in full swing and plenty of snow for sleds made for a great day of getting “doggy” during the final installment of the Orange Free Training Session. It was all about escaping the gun-totin’ pursuers of the almighty venison.

“What am I doing here?” You have to wonder what young Bella was thinking as her owner, Ramona, had her pull the kick sled around the drive.

Ramona familiarizes Bella with all the gear of a true sled dog.

Ramona, 3-Dog Ken, Amy, Joy and Francie joined us last Saturday for a day of sleds and snow.

Francie and her solo dog, India, start down the drive past the trio of awaiting horses. Joy’s trilogy of Bernese Mountain Dogs are anxious to join in the chase.

Off they go! Horses too.

Having been passed, India lunges forward to catch the trio. (Canines, not equines…we can only hope.)

Coming by the cabin door, where the house dogs are fed, proves to be too flushed with smells and distractable scents to go on by without checking further.

Catching a breather. Berner style.

HunyB presents her paw on demand. How perfect is that for applying a bootie?

Amy comes in from her first run on a dog sled. Six dogs. Her first run ~ ever! And feeling pretty sassy about her accomplishments! (Moments before this picture was shot, Amy put both hands up in the air in a sign of victory. A big no-no to let go of the dog sled, but she managed to maintain control.)

It is said addictions come in a pair, with a spare. Watch out Amy, this sport is truly addicting…

Too late. I’ve seen that look before.

I believe the last time I saw a grin like that was watching Tim Riley take his first ride exactly two years ago at our place. Amy, start saving your pennies for a team of huskies! And Iditarod!

Amy surveying the team and proud of her first run.

Joy helping out with harness removal.

Keeping the sled dogs happy, healthy and honed with honest work. It’s a great life. For all involved.

“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” Albert Einstein

See you tomorrow ~

Woodswoman

As a teenager, the only thing I knew about Mancelona, MI was that it was a small town with several turkey farms along US 131.

My Dad and Mom, and younger brother, Craig, and I were traveling north in a Volkswagon Bug during a slushy Sunday winter day when we got sucked up in the slush and drifted off the road to hit a mailbox head on. The mailbox bounced off the window, smashing it into 1,000,000 tiny pieces of ground glass. The post the mailbox sat on also crinkled our front end.

After being towed down the road, we ended up staying at a gas station for an hour or so to evaluate the damage. It was then I saw Mancelona’s football star.

I still remember his name (Mike C.), as I was a sleuth back then, even without the aid of the Internet, and tracked him down in the weeks that followed, without his knowledge of course.

He reassured my Mother about the glass in her hair (and beyond), and gave my Dad some advice about driving the Bug the rest of the way home to Petoskey. I seem to recall a roll of Duck Tape coming into play.

Me? I was just mesmerized by a small town boy who was so adult, and so darn cute with a square jaw and short curly hair, hidden away in a tiny village which seemed to have nothing to offer.

The gas station is gone now, but I still recall how wonderful the village of Mancelona made me feel that snowy day in 1969. It was hard to fathom that in 1869, exactly 100 years prior…four years after the Civil War, Perry Andress homesteaded here and named the village after his daughter, Mancelona.

Now, I live here with my “bestest” friend and husband, Rustic Russ.

I love Mancelona. I love the Mancelona Do-It Best Hardware on the corner where they smile and shout a hello to you by name. I love the tiny Post Office where, if I don’t show up for a week to get mail, they hold it and bring it to the counter without a request from my lips. I love the one stop light, by the best DQ near the 45th Parallel.

I love the fact that Rustic Russ can ride on horseback through the Glen’s parking lot with our friend’s Pat and Deb, also on horseback or with their covered wagon, and not cause a stir.

And in the winter, you may see Rustic Russ running his team of sled dogs down our road, along the airport, and heading into town.

It is now winter in Mancelona.

Take me? Hook me up…please ? I promise I’ll stop digging. (Little Feet)

Rustic Russ, always with “the hat”, harnessing Jeff. (a.k.a. Rock Star)

Asta’s turn.

Ranger, Rustic Russ’ main Leader. Gentle, strong, patient and trustworthy. And smart.

And he’s off.

If you happen to see his team at the Hardware, or the Feed Store, be sure and say Hello…

And say a silent prayer of thanks for a small town, named after a small girl, that hasn’t changed it’s ways…and doesn’t make it’s people change their ways.

We can remain like those in the past, 100 years ago, when people traveled by dog power and horseback and no one expected anything different.

Small, simple freedom is a wonderful blessing. A true giving of Thanks.

Until tomorrow ~

Blessings to you all.

Woodswoman

I want to interrupt my post with a neat video featuring our friend and fellow musher, Justin Fink.

Justin is…well, let the video tell you. Look for the video feature with Justin’s Journey: Dog sledding in Alaska. (Click on it!)

GO JUSTIN! (Click on his name for his website!)

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program:

OK, I admit it. One of my favorite past times is to take a walk and look for tracks. (Zip too…and Rustic Russ.)

And scat. It only makes sense. When you love to scoop poop, it carries over into other areas of your life.

Little do “normal” people realize how much you can learn from a “finding”. And, how exciting it is to score a scat.

In the dog yard, I can tell if a dog is healthy, happy (following normal routine), or off his game a tad. Every dog area is a confirmation that Rustic Russ and I are doing things right and our dogs are healthy. Like many mushers proclaim, it’s all in the poop.

In the woods, you can tell a lot by what nature leaves behind. Coyote scat with fur, claws, teeth, berries…they tell a story. An interesting story that I love to read.

It’s like a giant puzzle, in nature. Waiting for you to join in.

Bunny tracks. And it goes without saying…if there are tracks, there must be scat.

Tracks and scat go together like tea and toast, pork and beans, …OK, ok, you get the idea.

You may need to look under ferns.

You can do it in the fall.

The ground cover will tell its tales. Tales of fight or flight.

Banditos on the run.

Now, let’s take a quiz, shall we? We will start out easy and go from there. Ready?

How did you do? Those pictures were compliments of Rustic Russ, by the way. Before the snow fell. It was a photo assignment and he did darn well. And the animals cooperated that day.

If you want to learn more…check out the many books by fellow native Michigander and professional woodsman Len McDougall. (Click on name.) Len and partner, Cheanne Chellis, live in Paradise, MI with sled dogs and a wolf sanctuary in their own back yard. He and Cheanne operate Timberwolf Wilderness Adventures. I’ve visited their place with my Idita-Brats (junior mushing group). They have an amazing set up for the wolves, with the sled dogs near by.

Until tomorrow ~

Woodswoman

I had a minister once that tagged each day of the week with a theme. One of the days stuck with me. Monday Mop-Up. He stated he used that day to “clean up” items that had been left unattended.

Although I am writing this Blog late Sunday evening, let’s go with Monday Mop-Up.

First, for those of you who attended our Event with Lance Mackey (click on name), you may remember the wonderful Black Dog Sweatshirts that were presented as both a door prize and a raffle item.

It appears Michelle Riley (click on name) is attempting to retain this raffle prize, while presenting it to Tonya Mackey (Mrs. Lance Mackey). Perhaps it was because Tonya stated she already had several at home in Alaska.

Those of you who know Tonya, realize she can move with lightening speed. Perhaps she thought Michelle was really after that sweatshirt.

You are in luck. For anyone else who has wanted to obtain one of those amazing heavy sweatshirts (lined with fleece), they are on sale. You must order the Camo to obtain the sale price. They do run large. Just click on the color you want and an image will appear. What better Christmas gift than a Camo sweatshirt to remind you of sitting around and chatting dogs with Lance and Tonya? Click on BLACK DOG.

Speaking of Christmas gifts. I still have DVD’s available for sale. Dog-Gone Addiction and Lance Mackey’s Appetite and Attitude. If you would like a copy, let me know. $25 and $20, with shipping costs. All proceeds go right back to the filmmakers. (Click on names for more information.)

Other great ideas (this one free) from Alaska include a training log from Jon Little. Check out his BLOG post and click on his Excel site for the log. Nice little ditty to keep track of those miles for those of you who prepare for races or, like us, just like to know how many miles the dogs log throughout the season.

Back to local news, this weekend we had our final Orange-Free Training Session. We had a great time. Come back and check out the fun, as pictures will be posted soon.

See you tomorrow ~

Woodswoman

The National Turkey Federation estimated that 46 million turkeys—one fifth of the annual total of 235 million consumed in the United States in 2007—were eaten at Thanksgiving.

Lucky for this pair, they live at Russ-Stick Acres. They don’t require an official pardon.

Thanksgiving for us this year consists of getting together with loved ones and enjoying a feast.

Last year, on Thanksgiving day (11-22-07), we were given a little Pumpkin ~ my first grandchild.

David Charles Matz ~ born to Charlie and Kristina Matz. (My son and daughter-in-love.)

Living in California…far away from Nana Sherry (Woodswoman) and Papa Russ (Rustic Russ).

But we are coping, as we know little David has the most awesome parents looking over him and guiding him along.

The BEST mother in the world, Kristina.

Also an incredible daughter-in-law and wife. Married to an amazing man, Charlie.

Bub (on left) and Charlie (on right).

Bub & Charlie (click on name) are business partners, creating films, and teaching budding filmmakers.

Making a difference in the world as we know it, on the steps of Coast Hills Community Church.

At Russ-Stick Acres, Thanksgiving is every day. We give thanks to our amazing, simple and productive life. And to our amazing loved ones.

Here’s to all of you for a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving day!

Woodswoman

The week has been long…a lot happens in a week’s time, both at RSA, and at my place of employment…aka…confinement.

People are gearing up for the holidays next week and stressors are high.

But… there have been some good things going on.

Snow. Lots of snow, which means the ATV is put away and the sleds are out.

Rustic Russ picked up a huge truck load of meat for the dogs today. Donated by wonderful people up north a tad. (Happens every year at this time, like clock work.) Thanks Linda and Calvin at WVGS!

Also a shout out to our weekly, year ’round, meat providers, Karen and Tim at the Bellaire Smokehouse. Their scraps are worthy of a glass case. You should see their prime cuts and selections.

And around the world, interesting things continue to happen.

Check out the epitome of Nauish’s father (Click for video) ~ it’s got to be him. Look at this black beauty! Madeline (wife of T Boone) has her heart in the right place. See the video, then check out Nausih attempting to nibble on Buck (see below). Don’t worry, it’s play time.

And, who knew. The last blog post about the outdoor “facilities” was right on cue. It’s World Toilet Day. (Click on WTD.) There’s a day for everything I suppose.

Tomorrow is reserved for a day of dog sledding with dedicated dog people ~ mushers ~ on the short but sweet RSA trails. The final “Orange Free Training Session” is in full gear – with snow and sleds.

My eye lids are heavy and I have to be ready for a big day. And night. Ann and Will Rowland will be performing a concert in Mancelona. They were our musicians this past September at the Full Moon Fall Fling with Lance Mackey and Tim Riley. (Click on name.) See website for details! Join us!!

See you then ~
Blessings to everyone,
Woodswoman

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy has nothing on us.

I’ve never considered myself a Redneck, or even aspired to be, but the list is growing.

Jeff is famous for spewing off a list of “You might be a Redneck” lines. Here’s some that may interest you.

You might be a Redneck if…(These are Jeff’s, that apply to us.)

1. Taking your wife on a cruise means circling the Dairy Queen. (I’ve been on a lot of cruises!)

2. You have to go outside to get something out of the fridge. (Actually, we don’t use a fridge…)

3. You know how to milk a goat. (Is he kidding? Doesn’t everyone know how to milk a goat?)

OK, these are mine ~

1. You have items on layaway at the Resale store.

2. You don’t own a hanger ~ everything you own is hung on one nail.

3. You have a heat lamp in the outhouse.

OK, let’s focus on that last one a minute.

Rustic Russ prefers to call them outdoor facilities. I call ‘em as I see ‘em.

That cozy little building off to the right…consider it a “think tank”.

The Wee Wee House. (Up by the Wee House.)

This beauty is located at Serendipity Ranch…AC (Animal Control) Ellen has style.

Tim & Michelle Riley (Click on name), surveying a special facility on their original piece of property outside Grayling.

Some Riley humor.

Any lover of nature will tell you, it’s the perfect privy.

I love the excuse to step outside. The best reason is to view the surroundings. Stars, gentle snow fall, wind, rain, summer night sounds, crunching on snow, coyotes, howl of the sled dogs, startled snort of the horses, sunsets, sleet, sunrises, and if you are lucky…

Utopia.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman