McEwen Farming and Family Stuff

Wednesday, 16^th July

Wisconsin landscape, in the north is one of continuous forests and lakes and rivers. Hidden behind dense stands of timber you get glimpses of water opening into lovely views. We travelled for hours making our way across northern Wisconsin to White Lake. There we were welcomed by Jan and Larry Mabry and their 2 sons, Doug and Dustyn and young Cooper – one gorgeous Labrador.

Jan is Ian’s cousin. – It goes like this:-

John McEwen – Tom McEwen – Evelyn May (Grandmother)– Jan’s mother – Jan Mabry

John McEwen – William McEwen – John McEwen – Ian McEwen

Tom migrated to US about cc 1903

Larry and Jan have a lovely home set in a thick forest of trees and wildlife. As we sat on the veranda, chipmunks came scurrying along to eat the corn and peanuts set out in bowls under the chairs. They are delightful but so much smaller than I thought. Copper chases them but they are too quick. We saw the small birds come into the feeders. Very tickled to see a hummingbird pause – look –hover –and fly away in disgust because he did not like the seed Larry had set out. We heard about the bears calling every now and again, surprising the occupants by pressing their nose against the window. We did hope that Mr Bear would come calling but not to be.

We enjoyed a beautiful drive around the local sites – glacier boulders, ancient pines – gorgeous name –` Cathedral  Pines.’ We had lunch at Boulder Lake watching the boats and the kids swimming.

Next day, White Lake to Indian River. We crossed the 5 mile long Mackinaw Bridge over Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Further on we stopped for the night in Indian River. The name conjured  up memories of `F Troop’. I laugh as I remember and write. Do you remember the TV series?  Sure enough the small town had a river and a very terse and upright Indian guarding the town centre. The best I can say about the motel is that it lowered the averaged cost of motel stays!!!!

We have a story of the next day – today as I write. As we drive long distances and through similar farming land, I knit. I planned to do this when I was packing – wool, needles, pattern. I have enjoyed knitting a jumper to send to Ukraine. After 6 weeks, I was ready to knit the neck band – oh no! I forgot the four small needles to pick up the stitches for the neckband. I asked Ian to look up Walmart in Bay City on Lake Huron, on his phone. (internet) He duly enters the address as I watch. We set off and I cringe when I saw it was 5 miles out of our way.  We pressed on through suburbia, left and right turns and ~you have reached your destintation’ No way – I looked across past the houses -`that looks like a shopping mall’. Ian follows a circular route and we come out at the shopping mall. I look for Walmart – no Walmart but I couldn’t believe my eyes there was a huge craft shop  – equalivalent to Spotlight. I find wool and needles and am left amazed and delighted particularly when I ask a customer if Walmart was close by – oh no she said  it is the other side of the river in the west of the city!!!!!!!! Who knew the craft shop was there? –  only our good Lord could lead us there. I thanked Him so very much for blessing us with such a small thing – needles – finding them pleased me but saved Ian getting very tired and possibly frustrated.

Finding our way out onto the freeway we bumped into road works and detours and later for lunch the same thing!!!!  As we finished the day with computer not connecting to wifi!!!!!