UPDATES!

Sorry for the long delay......Much more pics and posts in the next few days!

Maple Valley Farms

Balsamic Vinegar Roasted Chicken Horse Rustilin'!!!!

Balsamic Vinegar Roasted Chicken simmered in Sweet Vidalia Onions, Cheesy Rolls, and Early Peas....White Wine, Leelanau Style, from our special guest!  What a delightful Sunday Dinner!  With the finest of my China...Even if it is Snowman stuff!  The girls loved it!  This was one of the most moist chickens I have yet to bake!  Enjoy the music, "La Veillee" by Yann Tiersen......Inspired by------>  Parisienne Farm Girl!



 She is so wonderfully talented with a keen eye for classy fare.....

Here is the beast in the oven showcasing my table fare....

Perhaps you would enjoy a short tour of the preparations?

So after a peaceful lovely dinner, The Youngest of my girls is spending the night.....And we headed to the truck stop for a quick treat......She loves to pick out candy....On our way back...We ran into, THE DILEMNA!

What was a good American guy to do?  You know what I did..Time to run home and get the rope!  I had some left over from The Badger!

Let the games begin!  I know very little about horses.....Imagine my surprise in this cornfield when I lost sight of the might creature!

So that wasn't gonna work....Oh good....It ran into someone's yard.....Maybe they can help!  Notice the two classic things that seem to multiply in the country......THE WOMAN WITH HER HAND ON HER HIPS....and number 2......THE TRAMPOLINE FRAME THAT IS ALL BLOWN OUT!  THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE ONE OF THESE IN COSCO, ASK IF YOU CAN JUST BUY THE FRAME!  THAT IS HOW THEY ALWAYS END UP! (wait a minute, there are 2 trampolines in this picture.  One frame and one in "operation".....hmmmm

Maybe not......Ok....Improvise. Adapt.  Overcome..Use your HONDA CIVIC FOR CATTLE RUSTLING!!!!!
Oops....Bad idea!  Now they are both out!  And eating the flowers!

The brown one came on a full out charge.......I stood my ground and got as BIG AS I COULD!  ARMS OUTSTRETCHED......ROPE SWINGING!!!!Got within a couple feet!

What is this?

An unidentifiable creature in the Panama Canal????An alien?
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/strange/offbeat_cnn_cerro_azul_unidentifiable_creature_found_in_panama_20090918754_2877591

KMART WALKIE TALKIES!

Labor Day

For once I am enjoying the smell of grilling, the sound of kids running about, and getting to be a part of Labor Day!  Here's a snapshot of my girls and some puppies....And no, we aren't buyin a dog right now!  But they are very cute!

X and Y Chormosome's

I watched today as the flurry of activity in my home ran in and out, slammed doors, and giggled...How is it that I ended up at this stage?  What stage is that?  Me and (with the neighbor girls) SIX GIRLS!  A blessed stage none the less!  

Just wish I knew how to do girl's hair...

Mini Team T Chef's

I woke up to this morning to the sound of commotion in the kitchen....And the TEAM T girls were hard at work making me a surprise......

Sure smelled good walking into the dining room!


Complete with cookie cutter pancakes!

baGAAAAAAAAWK!

Another tradition of the TEAM T FALL KICKOFF EXTRAVAGANZA>>>>>"The running of the hens!!!!"

Leelanau County Honor Guard

Preparations have begun for the fall HUNTING SEASON IN beautiful LEELANAU COUNTY! There is a "stirring" in the bullpen as my dad would say.......FALL IS NEAR! The TEAM T Hunting Wagon!!!!

My brother and Uncle held TEAM T OUTDOORS Honor Guard Drill to get the formation in ship shape....Here is the first drill of the year, MUSTERING OF THE MEN!!!! This is the annual formal opening ceremony for the year and normally followed by a RED THUNDER BLANKET DANCER rain dance....

Enjoy Brother Fishglasses as he carries on the proud tradition!

Here is the Uncle Crazy Tom Crossbow firing range in action!!!!

And a reverse shot, camera is on the top of the target.....This is 48 yards folks!

My New Neighbor

Recently, I was puzzled with wonder after hearing what I thought was a knock on the front door. I made my way to the door and opened it. I looked outside and saw my front step devoid of anyone. "Huh. Thought I heard a knock." I continued with my busy work in the house only to hear a tap again.

This time, when I opened the door, I met my new neighbor. FRANK THE WONDER SQUIRREL! He stops by each day, and kid you not, runs into the front door (I will get it on video soon). He then waits 10 foot away for a snack. I planted the camera by my front porch to show him fetching the piece of bread! Pleasure to meet you Frank!

Chef Jitters! Fall Grill Cheese and Tomato Soup!

I offer you a simple fail proof fall TEAMT ALMOSTGUNLAKERS recipe!!! Can you believe I use 3/4 of a loaf for one sitting with my girls????(and one neighbor girl-what's a guy to do with FIVE girls in the house????Make Grill Cheese!~)






And how NOT to make brownies! (I forgot the eggs!!!!)

A Little more...

Another wonderful thing that happens on "my" weekends? My prodigal son returns!

And by the way, this is the how to make a fire!

D'ruthers

If I had my druthers.....I'd come back as Don Draper from Mad Men......What an awesome addictive show! So much drama on this series.....Love it! The pressure and stress of work and a bunch of people with some vices that distract them......And, Don's wife has a severe resemblance to June Carter...





Did I mention that the entire cast smokes? It was well prior to the known risks......Mom walking around smoking with her kids....The DOCTOR smoking......WOW

Friday Night

Just chillin' with two of my girls at a nice bonfire tonight......What you up to???

Kid's Fish Died

Here is the flushing ceremony....

Me and My Mistress lady......The sea!!!!! I miss her!

I enjoyed some time on Lake Michigan with my brother and Head Custodian Joel! Above is the end of a long fight with the fish!

And the sheer climax of landing the fish!

It has been a while but I have a feeling it won't be long before I can take my boat out there and enjoy my mistress.......The SEA!!!! (of course it is impossible for a single guy to have a mistress by the definition of the word but YOU know what I mean...)

Calling all Ship Captains

I am curious how many people still look at this blog.....I know that the posting has been so intermittent over the last 6 months......BUT I AM IN BUSINESS AGAIN AND PLAN ON KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF MY DAILY LIFE!

Leave a comment with a nickname or clue who you are if you are checking this out still.....If you are brand new, leave something like, "Traverse City, Michigan" or wherever you are from....

Where is she?

On the bottom of Lake Superior.....Here's a tribute...

The New Palace!!!

Finally got my own place again!!!!!! Send me a doctor because I'm in ecstasy!

Thanks to the missionaries that let me stay in their house! It is, however, a big sigh of relief for me and the girls to have a place all our own!!!!! I have a whole wall dedicated to the maritime lust in my heart.....A pic of the ol' Edmund Fitzgerald.....I am the Captain of this new vessel!


An old fashioned Port side lamp used on a ship at the turn of the century....

I am going through the Obvious moving steps unpacking, stepping over boxes, and loving it.....

I forgot how much stuff I had as I have been living out of a suitcase for several months....And yes, I brought my toothbrush for the trip.....

Enjoy a few snapshots of the new TEAMJITTERS PALACE OF WONDER AND AMAZEMENT!

It works out so well....Only a few minutes from the kids....Same bus route so they can get on and off the bus at my or her house.....Park in the backyard.....Teddy the wonderdog can stay here on weekends I have the girls......Its a 3 bedroom house with a garage.....AND ITS MINE! (As long as I pay the rent :) )






For a little surprise I treated my angels to a little surprise on their new Disney bedding, a FRESH ROSE!!!!! Wanted to be the first guy that bought them and surprised them with a rose!!!! Needless to say they loved em!

The backyard is huge and has a fire-pit! My neighbors are in for more than they bargained!!

U.P. Escape!

Where do I start? Obviously for those of you following the rambling Jitters life here on the blog, you know that this past year was the crumbling of life as I knew it...But just as new growth prospers through the freshly charred remains of a forest devastated by fire, MY NEW FRESH START ON LIFE BEGINS!

Have you ever walked through the remnants of a woods plagued by a wildfire? If you make a visit to the site of the inferno, you will see that green seedlings begin to pop out from the barren earth and grow toward the sky! The conditions created by the devastation are perfect to foster widespread nutrients and growth that had not existed in the very same soil prior to the fire. My life has mirrored this very same process. Although my forest grew for many years to towering heights and was torn down by life's storms, I am looking all around and see life exploding into new adventure and growth!

In true ALMOSTGUNLAKERS style, significant events call for big plans....So I decided to hop in the hot Honda, stop and buy a road Atlas, and HEAD FOR THE MACKINAW BRIDGE! I stopped at Walmart on the way and purchased this HIGH ROLLER OUTFIT complete with an ol' fashioned hat and silky super gaudy silk tropical shirt!



I then proceeded to the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge. My trip planning, although short, was a problem solving process. What is it my soul longs for and enjoys? Seconds later, the answer was screaming out.......SHIPS! SHIPWRECKS! THE MIGHTY SEA!

As I glanced over the Michigan fold out map in the parking lot of Walmart, I focused on Lake Superior and a small dot next to the connotation "Whitefish Point, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum". I put the car in drive and headed north.....



I must admit to you that as I crossed the Mackinaw Bridge, a tear filled my eyes until I felt a full drop race down my face. It was at that moment I realized that the crossing of the bridge was synonymous with what was occurring in my own life. Leaving behind one way of life and crossing into new territory.....It was INSPIRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped on the opposite side and pulled into a lot. The cool winds of the lake pushing against my eyelashes and plummeting into my nose were inexplicable. New life, fresh air.....I sucked in a deep breath and felt regenerated....I then continued on my journey north....

Ever notice how when taking a vacation trip you take pictures? Why is it that when you get home and look over the photographs, you wonder, "why did I take a picture of that?" Perhaps the best part of vacation is the anticipation....It is obvious that my excitement was on full tilt when I felt the need to photograph this billboard?

Anyhow....





My arrival in Sault St Marie was very exciting as well. I watched this large vessel make her way into the Soo Locks....Followed by a lunch for 1 in a cozy restaurant....

It amazed me that each place I went on this vacation people asked, "will there be two of you sir?" "Just two people in your room sir?" "Smoking or non and are you waiting for someone?" I smiled contently and simply said, "I am by myself." As I followed the hostess back to my table, that statement rang out in my head. "I am by myself." Really? Wow...I am not used to that. To go from living with five women in the same house...The sound of constant footsteps, laughing, fighting, the flurry of commotion......and now-Silence....A Table for one.....An empty car....I have begun to listen to myself and do some deep pondering of my life.....

After taking in the sights of the busy shipping town, I ventured further north.....To my ultimate destination........Whitefish Point! The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum....Enjoy these photographs of the items recovered from the great Edmund Fitzgerald, which sunk just 15 miles from Whitefish Point in Canadian Water....

To soak my feet in Lake Superior.....To pause in front of the bell which rode to the bottom with 29 souls aboard this doomed vessel......WOW!


















I spent a windswept night on Lake Superior at Freighters View Cabins.....It was so peaceful to sit in solitude on the shore, feeling the cold lake lap on my toes and watching the distant lights of vessels pass so quietly....I opened every single window in the cabin and consumed into my soul all the soft cool wind Lake Superior could offer...

Becoming Drag Race Trash! I love it!

Here are some of the highlights from our trip to the US 131 Motorpark on Saturday July 11!

Check out the mom blowin' smoke away from her kid, it's right at the end of this video and I was trying to be discrete with the camera so hang in there, WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT, YES!!!! Gotta love it!.....Priceless Allegan County Fun!

I attempted to take a couple pictures of some real interesting folks and nearly got in a fist fight! So here are a few clicks of me and the girls!

In true ALMOSTGUNLAKERS form, I must now release all my thoughts about yesterday.....

I absolutely relish the clientele that frequent these type of outings. It goes without saying that perhaps I have more in common with them than I would admit.....By that I mean, I AM TRASHY!!!! There is something about a rodded out car screaming down the track nose-to-nose with another speed fan while both have their toes sticking in the carburetor....I will admit that you will hear me screaming and yelling in the stands as two cars hauled by....And now, watching the video, I see that I fit in well. There I sat, devoid of my shirt, nocking over lemonades with my feet, hollaring in true redneck form....I actually felt my spirits lifted as the 11,000 horsepower JET FUNNY BUS ripped by at 213 miles per hour....At first, upon entering the track, I was thinking, "wow! There are some real crazy folks here.....Look at that guy carrying his kid with no shirt on...." Yet a few hours later, there I was, shirt off, sporting my new DRAGSTRIP BUCK airbrushed tattoo with pride!

Watching the video really gave me a hot new look at myself.....I was no different than any other person there (well maybe except the one lady in the bikini top eating her THIRD Hamburger and crushing 24 oz Budweiser cans on her head in rapid succession) I tried to snap a photo of her and it went sideways on me. Her 108 lb husband sporting no shirt, more tattoos then were brushed on at all three airbrush booths today, and a leather-chain-wallet stood up, spun around, and told me that if I was gonna take a picture of his wife, "WE WERE GONNA GO TOE TO TOE". I think I could have taken him but he had quite a few people from the trailer park around him and I'm sure they would have jumped in to help!

You get my point. Something deep down inside me screams DRAG STRIPS, DOUBLE WIDES, SWIMMIN' IN CREEKS, TUBE TOPS, stickers in the back window of my car, and well, after you see this next video, you will realize that my brother's apple didn't fall far from the tree! We kicked off the DRAGARAMA with a lengthy dip at the swimmin' hole while they cleaned off the track..Here's my brother going over the ORANGEVILLE HOT TUB SWIMMIN' HOLE DAM!

Here is me going over the dam in a barrel!

Here's to trashy rednecks! An ALMOSTGUNLAKER salute!!!! Keep watching your tv listings for the upcoming "PINKS ALL OUT" tv special filmed at US 131 Motorspeed Park in Martin, MI! You might be able to pick us out in the crowd.....And well, we might have blended in REAL WELL!!!!! TOO WELL! :)

Loaded For....

Loaded for bear? Try four kids bikes and all their stuff for a weekend in a HOT HONDA CIVIC! This little number gets 42 miles a gallon on the freeway.......

I do miss the ol' gas hoggin Prime Time Van where the kids weren't riding in the back window through.....Thats why I threw on the tint :)

Deep Thoughts

Here's your DEEP THOUGHTS WITH JITTERS for the day.....
(in the same voice as Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy from the old Saturday Night Live)

"You know,
sometimes I think if I had to be struck by lightening to win the Mega Millions, it would be worth it.
And sometimes I think that getting struck by lightening is a lot like winning the Mega Millions, only a lot hotter."


Here's a little Jack for ya!

Next Please

I refuse to watch, participate, or allow any of this carcass parade into my head......Next piece of news please.....

The Orangeville Hot Tub and a Confused Bambi!

When life gets hot, you know the staff here at ALMOSTGUNLAKERS turns up the heat! What better than a stress reducing soak at the free ORANGEVILLE HOT TUB! 2000 gallons per hour of muscle relaxing Fish Lake Mill Pond water cascading over the dam is just what the doctor ordered!!!!! Although Orangeville is known for its trashy humility, this little secret swimming hole and natural hot tub fits the bill!

Now, in typical ALMOSTGUNLAKER style, let me introduce you to a new friend who keeps poking around.........This poor little thing started coming around and seems to have lost its mother......Hope it's big enough to eat by hunting season!

Looking For Port of Call

It's been a while folks......My ship has been jossling amongst wild raging storms of the sea....I sit now on the bow of the SS JITTERS, feeling the cool breeze across my face, wondering what the sea of life holds for me now. For the last year, I have been on a long journey through the storm of divorce. I am confident of only a few things which have resulted.........

Years have been taken off my life......The big ol' palace of a house-my home.....is gone...I am 34 years old and feel as though I'm back at square one......I have a fresh canvas devoid of paint......How will I fill it? What will be the legacy I leave behind with my brush? The pain of a huge loss in my life overshadows all of the possibilities of a fresh canvas but I am working to set up the easel in my mind and get that canvas out into the sunlight......I must roll on!

My recent few months have been devoid of fishing.......

Devoid of any huge circus, no "big deal" parties....

I am happy to report, however, they have been full of my princesses!!!!

I have so enjoyed the special time with my sweeties!

I will sail on!

Don't you worry about ol' Jitters.......I will get it rollin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!