In the U.P. we love everything Yooper. Da Yooper Tourist Trap is cool. So is Da Yoopers. Deer camp isn't until November but we can dream, can't we?
How to Act Like A Natural Born Yooper
My brand new squirrel proof bird feeder.
(That's a turkey, in case you couldn't identify the creature.)
It's still cold and white here in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. But it's beautiful. I just love it. The one thing we all have in common up here is a real love for nature and wildlife. And it's right outside our door all the time. Deer, rabbits, turkeys, birds of all sorts, a bear here and there, and a whole mess of others, including wolves and coyotes. But they aren't usually on my doorstep. Being shy, they keep their distance and sing to each other every evening. That's the only way we know they are neighbors. Although we see tracks in the snow when we go out in the woods.
You might not be a real Yooper, but you can act like one by caring about the wildlife around your house. Put out feed for them - bird seed and corn will do the trick. And ask more questions before you buy a bird feeder. Like what about being turkey proof?
Gertie
It's still cold and white here in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. But it's beautiful. I just love it. The one thing we all have in common up here is a real love for nature and wildlife. And it's right outside our door all the time. Deer, rabbits, turkeys, birds of all sorts, a bear here and there, and a whole mess of others, including wolves and coyotes. But they aren't usually on my doorstep. Being shy, they keep their distance and sing to each other every evening. That's the only way we know they are neighbors. Although we see tracks in the snow when we go out in the woods.
You might not be a real Yooper, but you can act like one by caring about the wildlife around your house. Put out feed for them - bird seed and corn will do the trick. And ask more questions before you buy a bird feeder. Like what about being turkey proof?
Gertie
How To Look Like a Natural Born Yooper
The snow is getting ready to fly and the temperature is about to plummet. In the Michigan Upper Peninsula we're ready for anything. Even the tourists (aka out-of-state hunters). We can see them coming a mile away, packed into mini-vans and station wagons and not dressed at all right for the climate. Here's what you need to wear to sort of fit in. Not to mention, stay warm:
1. Sorel boots.
2. A good wool hat with ear flaps. Try a Stormy Kromer.
3. Since we're into hunting season, wear a blaze orange hunting jacket, whether you hunt or not. Women, our men love a women in orange.
4. Snow mobile bibs. Pick them up at Fleet Farm.
5. Leather gloves.
6. Wool socks.
Okay, you're set. Just don't open your mouth or we'll know the difference, eh?
Free Short Story Featuring Me!
I'm the main character in a holiday short story over at Deb's website. Stop by, check out all the decorations, and read my story. Happy, happy, and see you next year.
Blaze Orange Alert for Youse Tourists
We Yoopers are smack dab in the middle of deer hunting season in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, which I write about with Deb Baker in Murder Passes the Buck. If you hang around this area long enough, you realize that hunting is more than a sport. It's survival for us; the way we make ends meet. So wasn't I surprised when Deb's editor told us we couldn't kill any animals in our story.
"What?" I shouted (that's me, Gertie)
"I can see her point," Deb said. "Some people aren't used to our way of life."
"But they buy meat at the grocery store," I pointed out.
"It's the killing part that bothers them."
"Okay, we won't kill any deer, but can we kill people?"
Deb nodded and smiled that wicked grin that told me she was thinking about murder. "As many as we want."
So that's how we ended up writing three hunting murder mystery stories without harming a single deer or bear or turkey and you know what, I kinda liked it that way myself.
Back to deer season, hunters are running all over the woods and some of them are from Chicago or places where they don't know safety rules, so WEAR YOUR ORANGE!
And to break you in to the season, watch Escanaba in da Moonlight, Jeff Daniel's funny movie about a guy from Escanaba who still hadn't shot a buck. There's even a song and here's a little taste of it.
"Reuben, he loved hunting but he never had no luck.
After 30 years of tryin', well, he still ain't bagged a buck.
Some say he's unlucky, some say he's just cursed,
Some say when he pulled that trigger, Reuben was the worst."
~The Ballad of the Buckless Yooper~ Jeff Daniels
Oh, and read our book, Murder Passes the Buck. You'll like it.
See you at camp.
Gertie
"What?" I shouted (that's me, Gertie)
"I can see her point," Deb said. "Some people aren't used to our way of life."
"But they buy meat at the grocery store," I pointed out.
"It's the killing part that bothers them."
"Okay, we won't kill any deer, but can we kill people?"
Deb nodded and smiled that wicked grin that told me she was thinking about murder. "As many as we want."
So that's how we ended up writing three hunting murder mystery stories without harming a single deer or bear or turkey and you know what, I kinda liked it that way myself.
Back to deer season, hunters are running all over the woods and some of them are from Chicago or places where they don't know safety rules, so WEAR YOUR ORANGE!
And to break you in to the season, watch Escanaba in da Moonlight, Jeff Daniel's funny movie about a guy from Escanaba who still hadn't shot a buck. There's even a song and here's a little taste of it.
"Reuben, he loved hunting but he never had no luck.
After 30 years of tryin', well, he still ain't bagged a buck.
Some say he's unlucky, some say he's just cursed,
Some say when he pulled that trigger, Reuben was the worst."
~The Ballad of the Buckless Yooper~ Jeff Daniels
Oh, and read our book, Murder Passes the Buck. You'll like it.
See you at camp.
Gertie
Albino Moose spotted!
Some lucky traveler had the opportunity to snap this picture on a highway near Marenisco, Michigan. Here in the Upper Peninsula we love our wildlife, every color, every size, every temperament. These two albinos look gentle, but don't let that fool you. A moose will always stand its ground and watch you. If it starts stomping, you are in deep trouble. In that case, head for the hills or a tree or if you have no place to go, play dead.
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