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Mark plays around doing:
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Mark has been canoeing since he was in High School. His preferences are canoeing in the wilderness (BWCAW) and small rivers.
Plans are in 2000 to head back up the the BWCAW with my son and daughter and face off with the Basswood Falls.
Went up to the BWCAW with my daughter over the 4th of July weekend, 1998. In general, entered out of Ely (Lake One) and traveled aimlessly for several days. Saw a couple of bald eagles and other wild life. Camped in Lake Three next to an abandoned lumbering camp. Got rained out one day - we will need to remember to bring something to do next time. It can be very boring watching the rain. In general, Diana claims to have enjoyed herself and I realized that (despite the fact that I can still portage that standard weight canoe) I am not as young as I used to be.
If you are interested in the region, I suggest reading the Boundary Waters Journal magazine.
Jack and David went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine they lay down for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, Jack awoke and nudged his faithful friend awake.
"David, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
David replied, "I see millions and millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?" Jack questioned. David pondered for a minute. "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?"
Jack was silent for a minute, then spoke. "David, Someone has stolen
our tent."
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Mark has been playing trombone since before High School. He played in concert band, marching band, jazz band, and brass choir in High School. He played a little during college, mostly for churches, etc. Today, he has a silver Yamaha tenor horn and primarily plays to encourage his daughter and son to practice (her alto saxophone and his baritone).
He likes a wide variety of music, including: Celtic, Jazz, Blues, Ragtime, Big Band, Circus Marches, Gospel, etc. In general, he feels vocals tend to distract from the music.
Recently, I was traveling in southern Wisconsin checking out breweries. I stumbled upon wineries and a fine Chocolatier nestled among some fine brewery towns. This has struck me to consider expanding my survey of epicurean delights and naming some of the local wineries and chocolatiers along with breweries.
For now, may I suggest one of the finest chocolates I have had the privilege to eat:
Candinas Chocolatier, LLC, Proprietor:
Markus Candinas
2435 Old PB
Verona, Wisconsin 53593-9985
1.800.845.1554
You won't find him in your local stores. He only retails at his factory in Verona, WI and mail order. The factory was just started around 1994. Oh! but it is so good. May I suggest the truffles with raspberry or orange centers. Or the cordials filled with Champagne. Don't be fooled - it is not cheap! Swiss chocolate wrapped around his own recipes and flavors. BTW, the chocolate will spoil. This stuff is not meant to be kept (which is why you won't find it on your store shelves). So eat it - feel it melt on your tongue - coat your mouth - the flavors dance in your mouth. This is a very delightful find.
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Politics |
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Mark has a bent view of politics. In general there are two forms of
politics:
1) The noble goal of intervening into a controversial situation to
achieve a working agreement for the common good, and
2) Kissing up to all sides of a controversy to achieve a perception
that all sides got their own way.
Man will occasionally stumble over the truth,
but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.
Note: Roughly translated, this means "When all else fails, play dead"
Mark has been playing war games since he was in High School. He has
done role playing, board games, and miniatures for both historical and
fantasy games. Join me and explore the world of conquest.
Always Under Construction
| I find gardening very relaxing. Besides the sense of working
with my hands and seeing the accomplishments of my labor, it provides a
means to connect with nature at its rawest sense. Working the soil,
planting seeds, weeding out the undesirable plants, and finally harvesting
the crops. In the case of several crops, they feed my brewing
hobby.
This year we are growing the usual vegetables: sweet corn, potatoes, onions, garlic, pumpkins. Also trying barley for the first time. We also grow some ornamental vegetables, such as popcorn, Indian corn, pumpkins (jack-be-little & lumina), and an assortment of gourds In addition, we have several fruits: 4 apple trees (for future apple cider), grapes (for eating and future wine), raspberries, and strawberries. I Didn't Climb to the Top of the Food Chain to Be a Vegetarian. And for livestock, we have grown bronze and white turkeys, and ducks. Fatten them up for a autumn "harvest". Originally, in 2001, there were 5 turkeys, but unfortunately, one of the bronze turkeys committed suicide by standing under the heat lamp as it plummeted toward the source of our planet Earth's gravitational pull. Despite heroic efforts to overcome its injuries, the poor turkey died of fatal blow to the head two weeks later. The 3 ducks were raised in 2002. In some ways easier, but never as friendly as the turkeys. Now we are thinking pheasants or peacocks in 2003. |
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Gold Glow (Yellow) Rose
Tropicana (Orange) Rose First Prize (Pink) Rose Heirloom (Red) Rose Mr. Lincoln (Deep Red) Rose |
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Gold Glow
(Yellow) Rose
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| Each row has 9 vines, 7' between vines, 8' between rows.
Eventually, I am expecting about 2 cases of wine per row.
Future Plans
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Other sites:
Mark enjoys drinking beer for its flavor and aroma. Mark has been brewing his own beer since 1994. He primarily crafts Ales, but also enjoys Cider, Mead, and has found a really good Root Beer recipe. Please join me in a toast to President James Carter who legalized homebrewing.
Beware!
This
link leads down a questionable moral path. 
Search your soul and determine "Is this where you want
to visit?"