Category: Upper Peninsula of Michigan

We occasionally visit my home in the UP.

Family Journal: Wednesday July 9, 2008

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Uncle Dan, Mom, & Aunt Darlene, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

We had a nice visit yesterday from my Uncle Dan and Aunt Darlene. The three Heikkila siblings are shown above. My mother is in the middle. The other surviving sister Ione could not make it, but she came up earlier in the summer. I haven’t seen Dan and Darlene in a while and it was good to sit and talk with them. My uncle Dan donated his kidney to his sister/my mother years ago and has always been kind to my family. Both Dan and Darlene are enjoying their retirement and live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We spent many of a family vacation when I was growing up staying at their homes. I have lots of good memories of the fun times I had with all of my cousins.

Of course on the way home they needed to stop for a Riverside Pizza. The Riverside Bar and Restaurant is a landmark in Iron River. They make a unique pizza that is sliced in little squares instead of the normal big pie pieces. the sauce, cheese and other toppings are delicious as well as the thin crust. A one-of-a-kind pizza that I don’t understand why they never tried to spread it. All tourists and former residents have to eat one during their visit.

In the afternoon I went for a physical at the Iron County Community Hospital. I need to get a physical and TB test for my new school. I got a booster vaccine of DTP (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis). I was four years late with the last booster shot received in 1994.

Family Journal: Monday July 7, 2008

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Andy Enjoys a Pasty, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

My brother Andy is enjoying a Yooper pasty. He recently got a job at the international school in Quito, Ecuador (Cotopaxi). Congratulations!!!

The pasty is a regional dish of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Michigan has two peninsulas surrounded by the Great Lakes. The northern peninsula is known as the Upper Peninsula or UP. It is about the size of Maryland and looks like a running rabbit. It is surrounded mostly by water – Lake Superior on the northern side and Lake Michigan on much of the southern side. There is a section connected to Wisconsin. The border is marked by the Brule and Menominee rivers. It is a land of forests, lakes, and rivers. The UP has very cold winters with areas near Lake Superior receiving much snow. It is one of the few regions in the US with its own distinct culture.

The “pasty” was brought to the UP by immigrant miners from Cornwall, England. The copper and tin mines of Cornwall in the late 1800’s were running out of minerals and Cornish miners (known as Cousin Jacks) immigrated in vast numbers looking for work. It coincided nicely with the iron and copper mining boom in the UP at the time. The people of Cornwall developed the pasty and it is mentioned in a couple of Shakespeare plays.

The pasties of the UP are baked with a thick dough covering. Inside they are filled with potatoes and beef. Some have rutabagas and onions. There are variations of pasties, with some shops offering vegetarian, pizza, fish, etc. They are a meal in itself and are eaten with lots of ketchup. Owen loves them and even Oliver eats the pasty nuggets made by the Pasty Corner shop in Iron River.

Our vacation continues here at my parent’s home in Caspian. Yesterday I had a physical for my life insurance. We spent most of the day packing and organizing boxes stored at my parents house. We did find time to go up to the West Iron County High School gymnasium with the boys and for an evening swim at Sunset Lake. It was in the 90’s. Ocean now crawls the length of the house and is getting into everything. She pulls herself up on the couch and is standing quite well. She is getting fatter and cuter!!!! Nadia is seeing some success in weaning her. My mom is feeling much better. Owen had his first sleepover at his cousin Tony’s house yesterday.

SHARK!!!!!! Family Journal July 6, 2008

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SHARK!!!!!!, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

The boys are running out of the Menominee River in terror. They spotted a rare Northern Freshwater River Shark that roared its teeth.

Our vacation continues and we had a great day yesterday. Wrapping up the 4th of July holiday weekend, we first went to the pancake breakfast at the Stambaugh American Legion post. My father is a member as he served in the US army during the occupation of Germany after WWII. We then drove to Iron Mountain and purchased toiletries for Serbia next year. After the hell of WalMart, Jimmer and I took the boys to the Piers Gorge Protected Area. This is a section of the Menominee River that features rapids and cliffs and old growth white pines. Absolutely beautiful and one of my favorite places in the Upper Peninsula. We hiked to a beach area and as you can see from the photos on our flickr account, the kids had a great time. Kids are up, have to go.

Fourth of July Family Journal

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Backyard BBQ, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

We had a nice day on the Independence Day holiday on Friday. We hosted a family BBQ in our yard. A door and two saw horses served as a table but everyone had a nice time. In the morning, we went to the parade in downtown Iron River. In the afternoon, Owen and I went on our first bike ride. We did the entire 4 mile length. We all dressed in our American outfits. Despite living outside of the USA for the past 20 years, I am very patriotic. I am daily known as “the American” and so am faced with my nationality all the time. I love the USA for the promotion of the individual and a nation built on lofty ideals and not race or religion. Having lived in 7 different countries, I know that the USA is not the best place in the world. All countries and cultures have their good things and bad things and there is no “best place.”

Yesterday we went to the Circle Cafe in Alpha for breakfast. The people of Alpha have preserved the old school and are using the facility as the restaurant is inside. Good for them! Most of the old schools around here have been demolished throughout the years. Ever since the iron mines closed in the past 40 years the population has dropped in the area and many schools have closed. Where there used to be 5 high schools in the county there are now 2 and I feel eventually there will be only one.

In the afternoon Grandma came home from the hospital. She is still a bit down because of the ordeal. She takes 20 medications daily and the pain and hassle of severe diabetes is tough. More on her later. It is nice that she is back and enjoying time with her grandchildren. I did get time to take Owen and Oliver to Sunset Lake for a bit. We enjoyed the park and the beach. In the evening, Jim came over and we went for a walk on the Apple Blossom trail while Nadia ran. Oliver went the whole way on his big wheel. Ocean is now crawling across the room with ease.

Family Journal: Wednesday July 2, 2008

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Owen Rides a Bike, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

Huge day yesterday as Owen rode a bike on his own for the first time. I really didn’t need to help him much as he was ready to go. We have rode bikes with training wheels for a couple of years now and lately he has been talking of taking them off. We borrowed a bike from my brother.

Yesterday we took the kids to Iron Mountain. Nadia did some clothes shopping at JC Penny with my sister-in-law Michelle, and Jim and I took the kids. We first stopped at the Pasty Oven for lunch. We then went over to a park in Quinnesec and that is where Owen just took off. He went around the block several times. Quite emotional for me and an important milestone for him. Owen is quite coordinated and athletic so bike riding came quite easy to him. We also went to Lake Antoine and went for a short hike.

After returning to Caspian, Nadia played in bocce (a post on this later) at the Duc of Abruzzi courts. We finished up the evening by going to Scott’s Subs for ice cream. We didn’t visit my mother in the hospital because she was sleeping. She continues to stay at the ICCH.

Family Journal: July 1, 2008

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Family With Grandma, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

We were back at my parents’ home in Caspian. We took the morning washing clothes, making Ocean’s food, and cleaning. I assisted with the summer work projects in Anaco via email and phone. Much of the day spent with tending to children (que sorpresa). In the morning I took the kids up to the Caspian Community Center park to give Nadia time alone to work. In the afternoon I took Owen and Oliver to the Ottawa National Forest and we hiked from Orville’s bench to the beach.

Nadia is a bit stressed with all the things we have to do still before we leave for Serbia. We had three big stress ors this year in our lives with a birth, new jobs, and a move to another country. We’ll keep plugging away and taking care of these things.

We all went up and visited with my mother yesterday. She is battling diabetes and it is frustrating to watch. For someone who never smoked or drank her whole life and exercised daily, the long term effects of the disease have really did a lot of damage to her which she did not cause through an unhealthy lifestyle. She was diagnosed with diabetes when I was in high school. It runs in the Heikkila family. To top it off, she was born with only one kidney that was 1/2 the size of a normal kidney. She received a transplant from her brother Dan over 10 years ago, so with the insulin and hypertension pills, she also takes anti-rejection drugs. The hypertension and kidney failure are attributable to diabetes. It is amazing the just because a small region of the pancreas does not produce a chemical hormone (insulin) that it would cause all these side effects. She has been injecting insulin for many years and takes her sugar levels many times daily, but despite careful control of the disease, she is still suffering the long-term damage that comes with the disease. In recent years, her circulation is very poor in her legs (again, diabetes is the culprit here) which is causing painful swelling. The American Diabetes Association has a lot more information on the disease.

We bought a Florida Lotto ticket for 52 draws (good from June 11, 2008 – December 6, 2008). Our numbers are 07,15,20,25,26,30

Family Journal: Monday June 30, 2008

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Kralovec Grandchildren, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

Pictured above are the five Kralovec grandchildren. My mother got shirts for her five grandchildren in the birth order. Owen being the oldest is number one and Ocean the youngest being number 5. Will there be more? I think only if my youngest brother comes through with more kids because both Jim and I have wives that are surgically done having children.

We got together yesterday for Tony’s fifth birthday (number 2 grand child) at my brother’s house in Iron Mountain. Earlier in the day we took the kids to see the movie Wall-E. Despite great reviews from the critics, I didn’t like the movie. We then went back to Jim’s house and had the party. In attendance were Michelle’s father LeRoy and grandmother “Peanut,” my parents, and our families. We ate a lot and had a good time, although Oliver, Beau, and Tony fought a lot.

The party wrapped up a couple of busy days for us. Saturday we went to Marquette about 90 miles north east of Iron River. Jim and I took the boys to the Upper Peninsula high school football all-star game. It was in the “Yooper Dome” a domed stadium on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Marquette is on Lake Superior and we had a nice time on the beach.

The next day we drove to Green Bay, Wisconsin to visit our friends the Bonetti’s and do some clothes shopping. I completed my new ISB professional wardrobe and we had a great time with Mark, Donell, Brandell and Lauren. They have a beautiful home in the suburb of Bellvue and they even watched the boys while we shopped.

There was a bit of sadness yesterday at Tony’s party. My mother’s health continues to deteriorate and we needed to take her to the hospital last night. She is a diabetic and has lost much weight this month

Today, July 1, we are cleaning and organizing our lives again after two days of travel and assisting my parents.

Family Journal – Friday June 27, 2008

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Pounding Nails, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

Andy, Owen, Grandpa, and I completed repairing the roof yesterday on our garage. My Dad put an addition to the garage about 30 years ago using materials from the old hot dog stand at Hubby Holmes Baseball Field in Dober. The roof was leaking profusely this spring so we decided it was time for a new roof. Andy is quite a carpenter, so good in fact that he could go into business as a contractor quite easily. He led the project and I learned how to roof.

First one lays down a felt layer. We then measure and cut the rolls of roofing. We used sheets instead of individual shingles due to the rustic nature of the garage. The roll is then carried up to the roof and laid out in the proper place. Then sealant is squirted along the edges and then nails are pounded about 2 inches apart, all along the edge of the roll. Roofing is not that technical, but it is hard work in hauling up the materials and then a bit monotanous in pounding all those nails. Thanks Andy and Grandpa for the roofing workshop. Owen even got into the act by pounding nails. Grandpa also helped out by playing soccer with Oliver. Ollie kept climbing up the ladder and going on the roof with us!

Yesterday afternoon my aunt Ione and uncle Jim Condon came over to visit. They live in Crystal Falls and she the older sister of my mother. We had a nice dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and cole slaw. It was good for a rainy afternoon. We did get in some baseball and Owen continues to impress!

Ocean crawled across the floor to retrieve a toy. She is approaching her ninth month soon so before you know it, she will be walking. She lets us know what she wants, and loudly.

I also completed my FCPA (application for absentee ballot) for November’s presidential election. Michigan is one of the key states so I am voting. I don’t want another Republican government so will be voting for Obama. I don’t know enough about him yet to get excited about his candidacy, but I am very disappointed with the Republicans the past 8 years. I think Bush has ruined the economy through excessive spending. I also don’t think the war in Iraq is winnable and don’t think we should have gotten messed up with it in the first place. Obama is looking like he will get us out of it quicker than McCain will. I also don’t like the anti-intellectual stance Bush has taken as leader of the nation. With all of our Nobel prizes, scientists, artists, etc., you think we could find someone better to lead us. At least Obama is smart and more of the challenges facing us as a nation will be discussed in the public forum in greater depth.

Clash of the Titans (At the Microscopic Level)

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Prescription Madness, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

We took the children in for their annual “wellness” check yesterday, a few days earlier than we had originally planned. Both Owen and Oliver have not been themselves lately and have had fevers.

All three children were diagnosed with the streptococcus bacteria, or what is commonly known as strep throat. Earlier both Nadia and I were tested positive in a throat culture for the bacteria. So we are the strep family, all of us taking medication to kill these blue (due to the biological stain probably) little Monerans. We went to the Bellin Health Clinic on Shawnao Avenue in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The children’s doctor is Dr. Jane Danowitt. We are very pleased with her services and trust her. Below are the results of the physicals.

Owen (5  years old): He weighed 44 pounds and 2 ounces which is in the 50th percentile for his age group. His length measured 45 inches which is in the 60th percentile. Owen’s bow legs and pigeon toes are not a medical concern. Owen had an ear infection. Dr. Danowitt said that this is one of the many different symptoms of a streptococcus bacteria.

Oliver (3 years old): His weight was 33 pounds and height was 38 & 1/4 inches which are both in the 75th percentile. His neck and stomach cysts were not of worry nor his raspy voice.  The doctor saw that both his ears were badly infected. The little bugger never even complained. He is a tough guy!

Ocean: Ocean’s nine months old and her weight was 20 pounds 11 3/4 ounces (90th percentile) her length was 28 inches (85th percentile) and her head circumference 46 centimeters (97th percentile). I think those high percentiles are thanks to Nadia’s prodigious milk production.

All three children were prescribed amoxocyllin for the strep and Dr. Danowitt suggested we put the boys on a good multivitamin with D and calcium. The three received blood tests for lead  which will come in a few days and other tests. All were normal except for Ocean’s iron was a bit low (70 with a low range of 73) so she is now taking FeSO4 supplements.

 

 

Family Journal: June 25, 2008

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Grandma & Ocean, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

Why am I blogging at midnight? It seems like it is the only time I have free. Nadia and I have new nicknames for each other. She is Mirleis, which is the name of our maid in Venezuela and I am “Leidi” our nanny in Venezuela. Without the domestic help, it seems that is all we do. We are loving it however, not working and being able to spend so much time with the kids. But we do realize that housework chores normally covered by inexpensive domestic help in our previous life in Venezuela are now covered by us.

Above is Ocean with her grandmother and the smile on their faces really make our vacation wonderful! They are getting to know one another as well as Owen and Oliver. I am finally back to normal after several days. Thank you Alexander Fleming!!

Finally the Scots give something worthwhile to the world besides bag pipes, kilts, and cool accents. The amoxocillin treatment really does work and it killed the staph bacteria that was inflaming my tonsils and making my body feel like it was run over by a truck. With our modern celebrity worship these days, I would like to recognize a real hero and what a discovery Dr. Fleming made back in 1928. Without it, I don’t know how long I would have suffered. Nadia is feeling better too, as she also was diagnosed with strep throat and began treatment the day after me.

Sunday I took the boys to the George Young Resort swimming pool and we really had a great time. This week we have been hanging around the house. We gave them hair cuts and just goofing around in the yard and going for walks in my hometown of Caspian. We have also been taking care of things we need to do when we are in the USA. I renewed my driver’s license, applied for an international permit, applied for a replacement for Oliver’s birth abroad report, sent for an FBI clearance, etc. Tomorrow we are heading for Green Bay for the boys’ doctor appointments. They have not been feeling well either and they are going to get a general “wellness check” in pediatrics jargon.