Running Water
on Jan 30 in In Memory, Life StoriesMr. Avery’s camp was located on the Indian rd. , in Dresden. It was only about 18 miles from the Bath Bridge. One year Paul came to me and said “Are you coming to camp with the guys or going playing with the girls at Rollin Andy’s “(a well know night spot in Brunswick, Me). I stated that I was going to do both because I was young and didn’t need as much sleep as the old guys. He chuckled and asked when I was coming to camp. I told him I would be there Fri night after an appearance art Andy’s. He said fine an that was that.
Friday night came and I went to Andy’s with the guys. It was raining hard and it was Indian summer (warm) so we didn’t have any snow to content with so I was heading to camp. I had had a couple of beers and back in those days there was as much to do about drinking and driving. I think we called it Young and stupid. Any way I was fine and was heading to camp.
It was raining so hard when I crossed the bridge into Woolwich and picked up Rt 127. Didn’t know who all would be there. I had to slow down a couple of times because of the rain but my 1947 ford p/u was running right along. I had to slow down as I turned on the Indian road because it was a dirt road. Only about 3 miles and I would be at came and even through it was 45 degrees or close to that there would be a nice cozy fire in the wood stove and it would be nice and toasty in camp.
As I rounded the bend, I saw a ladder up against the front of the camp. As my headlights flashed on the camp I could see two people on the roof in their white skivvies with flashlights. It was Paul and Russell and they were surprised to see someone coming down the road at 2 am and they were also relieved it wasn’t someone they didn’t know. I asked what they were doing and Paul replied that they had finally gotten running water in camp but that it wasn’t exactly where they wanted it; In other words, there was a leak in the roof over Paul’s bed. They couldn’t sleep so they decided to fix it. That picture was worth a 1000 words.
My First Gun
on Jan 30 in In Memory, Life StoriesAfter my first hunting season, I was all excited about hunting, but I didn’t own a gun. So I went down to the local pawn shop to go shopping for a gun. Not knowing anything about guns this was not going to be easy. I didn’t even know if I wanted a shotgun or a rifle. When I walked into the pawn shop I saw this 12 gauge shotgun. It caught my eye as it had the longest barrel I had ever seen. So I inspected it and it was within my budget. It was only $25.00 (remember it was the Sixties). So I bought it!! And I now had my first gun. 12 ga shotgun with 36 in barrel.
Now that I had my gun I headed to Mr. Avery’s house to show him of my Great Find. When I arrived at his house I showed him what I had bought. His response was “ this thing is so long you can reach out and hit the deer over the head”. He then proceeded to explain that this was and excellent duck gun, but I didn’t care as I had my first gun. Now all I had to do was get a gun rack for my truck. It was close to thanksgiving and Mr. Avery came and said he was going to a turkey shoot and wanted to borrow my 12 ga. He asked me to go and he said he always won a turkey for dinner all the years he had been going, but I had duty, but I was so proud that he wanted to use my shotgun. I got home about 6 that night and Mr. Avery wasn’t home yet and Mrs. Avery said he should be home anytime. About an hour later in comes Mr. Avery and the first thing he says to me is “ where did you get this gun”? I replied that I had gotten it at a pawn shop downtown Brunswick. He then proceeded to tell us the story.
There he was lining up to shoot and after he fired his load he missed the target completely. He couldn’t believe he missed and shot again and again he missed the target completely. Trying to figure out what was going on. Mr. Avery had a second shot gun so he got his turkey that year. He also said on the way home he stopped at a gunsmith friend of his to check out the shotgun. Turns out the barrel was bent and the gun couldn’t shoot straight. Mr. Avery of course had a solution. He informed me that this gun would make a great lightning rod. My feelings were hurt a little but you have to admit it was funny. Finally, we took that gun and made it a camp gun, one we left at camp which hung over the front door and every time some asked about the gun the reply was “Oh that is tom’s gun. He bought it to shoot around corners” A couple years later, we lost that gun in a fire when two 16 year olds boys decided to burn the camp down while they were drinking. They didn’t even know who the camp belonged to. Anyway that is the story on my first gun.
Roseasa and the Blue Jay
on Jan 30 in In Memory, Life StoriesMr. Avery’s camp was located on the Indian rd., in Dresden, Me. At that time it was a secluded area of Lincoln county. Mr. Avery loved that place and he would go there on weekends just to get away. He had a special relationship with the Chickadee’s of the area. I think that was his favorite bird. He would feed them on a regular basis, and you could even hear him talking to them as he went outside to feed them.
He always kept plenty of food in there feeders for them. They use to fly down and land on his bald head as he walked out to feeder. They knew he was going to feed them. He would actually take an empty tin can and put bacon grease in it and when it was full he would take it out and nail it to the tree. The birds loved that.
I remember one hunting season when we were all at camp and one morning Mr. Avery came in from feeding the birds and he was complaining about the Blue jay that was stealing all of the food and wasn’t letting the chickadees feed. So every time one of us went outside we would chase the blue jay. Roseasa kept saying he’s out there again and he decided to do something about it so he got out his 22 rifle and decided to shoot the blue jay. At the time we didn’t realize what a project that was going to be.
Roseasa stalked that blue jay for days sneaking up on it. What makes this so funny was that the bird feeder was out the door of the cabin only about 30 feet. The bird would fly down and land on feeder and eat all of the food. As the days went on we would notice Roseasa was missing and he would be at the back door trying to get that blue jay in his sights.
All of a sudden we would here a pop and he fired at the blue jay and he missed every time. This went on all week and the weekend was drawing near and when you leased expected it you would hear a pop. Another miss. It was Saturday and we were sitting around in the afternoon waiting to go out hunting for the last time at camp. We were joking and cutting up, drinking coffee and telling stories. Again Roseasa was missing and we hadn’t notice. All of a sudden we hear a loud boom and everyone looked around. That wasn’t a 22 someone remarked. Roseasa walked in and said “ that blue Jay won’t bother the chickadees any more as he placed his 12 ga shotgun on his bunk. We all laughed went out hunting. The next morning as we went outside there was another blue jay in the bird feeder.
Campgrounds
on Jan 21 in Maine01/21/2010 It is a really a rainy day here today at Raccoon River Campground. Rain is suppose to clear sometime today and a nice weekend to riding from Raccoon River Campground in Panama city beach, fl. this is a great place to stay. Clean restrooms and very clean park, and friendly staff. check out www.Raccoonriver.net check them out!!!
02/21/2010 Only 99 days until campground opens and lobsters will be in the tank. looking forward to a great season and pizza from Drifters reef. We are adding Dutch oven diners this year at drifters reef. Keeping checking blog for updates or go to our website www.meadowbrookme.com
motorcycle Day Trips of Maine
on Jan 13 in MaineMaine, Ride Through History
I am starting this ride from Meadowbrook Camping Area in Phippsburg, Me. This is a great Campground and has everything you need and the staff is very friendly . They also cook lobsters every night for their campers and has a full restaurant complete with the Dutch oven dinners. They also have cabin rentals for someone who is not prepared to tent. This campground is also centrally located on the midcoast and you can visit LL Bean and many other locations but the main attraction in Phippsburg is Fort Popham. Everyone has heard of Jamestown, Va. And the first colony, but a lot of people don’t know about the Popham Colony . Read More
Carol Mixon’s Penne Pasta
on Jan 03 in Recipes- 12 ounces of Penne Pasta
- 5 Teaspoons Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons of pine nuts
- 5 cloves of garlic, Minced
- 1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach Thawed and well drained
- 4 large tomatoes, chopped (about 8 ounces) I used a can of stewed tomatoes (very well Drained)
- ½ cup of fat free cottage cheese
- 4 ounces of Feta Cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground black pepper
Directions:
Cook Pasta, drain and set aside.In Large skillet add 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Heat over medium heat, add pine nuts and garlic. Cook and stir about 5 minutes or until pine nuts are lightly golden. Stir in tomatoes, spinach and cook about 3 minutes . Combine the cottage cheese and feta cheese in a separate Bowl. Place ½ the hot pasta in a large bowl, drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over pasta and gently toss until coated. Add remaining pasta, and add remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil and repeat last step. Add the spinach mixture and toss. Last add the feta cheese mixture, salt and pepper. Toss until well combined and you are ready to serve.
Kathy Mixon’s Filet Chicken W/stuffing
on Jan 03 in Recipes- 3 lbs Boneless chicken Breasts (split)
- 2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
- ¼ lb of butter
- ½ onion & ½ Celery (both Chopped)
Filling:
- 1 pkg 8 oz Pepperidge Farm Herbal Stuffing
- 1 egg
- ½ stick butter
- Cup of milk
Directions:
Blend together and sprinkle over top of chicken Sauté chicken in ½ stick butter. Remove chicken, add remaining butter. Sauté onion and celery until tender. Add soup and stir until smooth. Place Chicken in casserole dish and pour soup mixture over chicken. Sprinkle filling over top.
Bake at 350 uncovered for 30 minutes. Cover with foil and bake another 30 minutes (cook 1 hr total)
Jeanne’s Broccoli Salad
on Jan 03 in Recipes- 2 Bunches of Fresh Broccoli
- ½ cup of Bacon Bits. ( I use real bacon)
- 2/3 cup of seedless golden raisins
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- ½ cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cider Vinegar
Directions:
Combine all in large Tupperware and let sit overnight in refrigerator and it is ready to go.
Mr. Avery’s Meatloaf
on Jan 03 in Recipes- 1 Lb Hamburg
- 8 oz package of mushrooms
- 1 med onion diced
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon horseradish
- 2 can Cream of mushroom soup
Directions:
Remove 4 of the largest mushrooms out of 8oz package and chop remainder of mushrooms and Combine hamburg, onion, bread crumbs, horseradish, and one can of cream of mushroom soup and chopped mushrooms until thoroughly mixed.
Place in loaf pan. Take 2nd can of cream of mushroom soup and place on top of mixed Hamburg in loaf pan. Take remainder of mushrooms and cut each one in half placing on top of cream of mushroom soup in loaf pan.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how done you like it. We used to eat this at hunting camp every year. This meatloaf will be spooned out not sliced. This was usually served with boiled potatoes and can corn.
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