Fall 2006

These were taken a year ago, so they are old news. But I wanted you to see them anyways. It was one of those magically beautiful days.

Go Nuts!

Hickory nuts that is. What a pain they are. They taste great. Better than most tree nuts I think. And yumyum is how I remember Mom's banana/hickory nut bread. But what a pain! I'm sure you've heard the expression, "A tough nut to crack". And then you have to use a nut pick to get the small nutmeat out. They are also a pain, literally, when you are playing in the leaves when you are a kid and land on one.

The hickory tree that's a landmark is the one at the end of the upper yard, by the old gate. Say up by the hickory tree, and everyone knows where you are talking about. But we have quite a few others; one in the yard, several in the hedgerow behind the house, on the hill. I would like to explore the possibility of chipping some branches and using it in a smoker on the grill. Hmmm.

Technically, this type of hickory is called a Shagbark Hickory because the bark is, well, shaggy.

I thought about sending some hickory nuts to Lucas and Amelia, and McKenna, as a treat. Then decided their parents might not appreciate the hammer on thumb prospects.

Archeological Artifacts

I find it fascinating that this flint stone arrowhead and skinning knife were found on the property here in Biscuit Hollow. This was obviously indian territory at one time, and that must explain why Mom and Dad called us kids a bunch of wild indians. I can't think of any other reason... I wonder what tribe the makers of these tools belonged to.

So I decided we should look to see what other fascinating artifacts we could find. Under the guise of building a pond, I hired a big bulldozer last year and dug a big hole in a likely location.

Alas, the only artifacts found were a shotgun slug and a Pinnacle 3. My guess these were left there by members of the Esuoherom tribe.

Mountain Men

The Morehouse mountain men, nephews Nick and Mike, were both successful deer hunters the first weekend of gun season.


Here's Mike with the 5-point he shot the first morning behind my house at an incredible distance of 350+ yards. Even he admits this picture might qualify as somewhat redneck.
Nick shot this very nice 8-pointer South of Addison.

Honoring Their Service

Jann's parents, Herb and Iris Densten, listen to speakers at the Veterans Day service at Madison (Indiana) Consolidated High School on Friday. The Denstens met in an officers’ club in the Philippines during the second World War. (Staff photo by Ken Ritchie)

Following is the story as it appeared in the Madison Courier:

11/10/2007 9:00:00 AM
Honoring their Service

Laura Halleman Courier Staff Writer

Vigorous applause greeted each military veteran as one-by-one their names were read and they stood in recognition of their service to their country Friday at Madison Consolidated High School's Veterans Day program.

The annual event was an opportunity for residents and students to show their appreciation and support for local veterans.

"We owe so much to the unselfish men and women who have fought for our freedom around the world," Mayor Al Huntington said. "They are true heroes, not sports figures, not comedians, not music stars." He added that he was not a veteran and didn't have a good understanding of them early in life, but encouraged students in attendance to remember veterans of all wars.

The MCHS Band played patriotic songs and the MCHS choir sang as excerpts such as one from Winston Churchill were read to the crowd.

Two military veterans on hand at the program were Herb and Iris Densten. While in their 20s, the Denstens met on a blind date while serving their country.

Herb was a flyer with the fighter squadron P51 Mustang and Iris was an Army nurse stationed in the Philippines, where they met during WWII at a dance at an officers' club.

"There wasn't much else to go to on a date," Herb said. "Manila was a pile of rubble at that time."

The couple had planned on being married when they returned to the United States, but chose to marry in the Philippines due to the possibility that Iris would be put back into activity instead of returning home with Herb.

The couple moved to Madison (from New Jersey) in April to be closer to their children.

The ceremony closed out with wreath presentation by Boy Scout Troop 717 and a standing ovation for the veterans.

"I truly thank them for their service," Mayor elect Tim Armstrong said. "Sometimes we take for granted what we have, but when you realize what all of those who have served and are serving in the military are sacrificing for us it puts things into perspective."

Ursa Major with Minors

It's a little hard to tell from the picture because the snow had melted some by the time I took the picture. But these are tracks of a mother bear and several cubs, three if anecdotal tales of other sightings are correct. This was about 30 yards from the tree stand I was hunting from Saturday, November 11, several hundred yards from the house. They apparently passed by during the night before I arrived for the day's hunt.

Yes, we had about an inch of snow that day.

Captain Commander

Captain Adam Morehouse was recently installed as the Commander of Echo Company, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The Army knows pomp and circumstance. We received a written invitation with a detailed program for the ceremony. It included an impressive biography of the new Captain and a long list of awards and decorations he has received. The Company consists of approximately 300 men, expected to grow to 400 by the end of the year. The Company’s mission is to train in human intelligence gathering techniques.

Adam’s wife Rachel has a demanding and stressful career of her own as a case manager for the Arizona Child Protective Services. We are so proud of them both!

Change

Change. It’s hard to accept sometimes. This was my grandparent’s retirement home. See previous post 5/29/07, The Floyd and Clarice Morehouse Place. It succumbed to the bulldozer 11/1/07. There was just some smoldering ashes and the stonework left on 11/6 when I revisited. Now all we have are the memories. Which are far better than the eyesore it had become.

The owner had the bulldozer clear some paths up the hill behind the house and build a pond in the pasture to the west of the house. The bulldozer operator was Murray Knowles.

Fall Foliage 2007 - The End

This will be the last issue of the fall foliage pictures. The only remaining leaves are the oak, beech, and poplar hangers-on. Brown. Burnt orange. More brown. Pretty nonetheless.

I add this picture for Ellen. I should have included a close up of the old homestead when the colors were bright.

Now how are you supposed to see a brown deer in this all brown environment? Maybe that was the idea?

Vacation

Just thought I would let you know I am on vacation this week, sort of, and will be in BH hunting. Sort of, because I have to work Monday and Friday. But the rest of the time and next weekend, I'll be in a tree somewhere. I haven't been able to get online down there this past weekend for some reason, so I don't know when the next update will be for sure.

By the way, a hunter shot a bear on top of Mount Laurel last week. Second year in a row we have had a bear shot on the farm.