Extra Living Space

At long last we've implemented a permanent solution to that portion of the porch that had seasonally been screened.

Last year the screens and doors that were installed in the spring and stored-away in the fall finally reached the end of their useful life.  No longer capable of keeping the bugs out and unworthy of repair were not even installed.

They were basically trash.

Now there is this.

Aluminum screens, windows and doors permanently installed.  Weather proof, bug proof, critter proof and capable of virtual year-round use - by Suncomfort Sunrooms.

The futon mattress can now remain on the bed frame.

A decorative piece of area rug can be deployed.

Nice furniture can be purchased.

A space heater will make it toasty-comfy during the shoulder seasons.

Guest bedroom for entertainment purposes.

The possibilities are endless.

Death to the Invader

Last Friday brought another bad day for phragmites, reed canary grass and woody invasives out back in the prairie planting.    

Following our controlled burn in early May of 2020 we invited a field team from Robert E. Lee and Associates to return in late summer last year to perform follow-up chemical treatment.

We've done this before and now we're on a twice a year cycle - spring and fall.  This is their first visit of 2022.  

If you're wondering why I don't just do this myself the short answer is that I probably could - but I'd be breaking the law.  Because the work is performed in a delineated wetland habitat only licensed applicators can pull a permit from Wisconsin DNR and perform the work.  You know me - I'm all about doing things on the up and up. Pulling, cutting and treating other invasives located in less sensitive locations remain my responsibility.

Death to the invader! 

You can learn more about NES Ecological Services here

 

Death To The Invader

Last week brought another bad day for phragmites, reed canary grass and woody invasives out back in the prairie planting.    

Following our controlled burn in early May of 2020 we invited a field team from Robert E. Lee and Associates to return in late summer last year to perform follow-up chemical treatment.

We've done this before and this is their first visit of 2021.  If you're wondering why I don't just do this myself the short answer is that I probably could - but I'd be breaking the law.  Because the work is performed in a delineated wetland habitat only licensed applicators can pull a permit from Wisconsin DNR and perform the work.  You know me - I'm all about doing things on the up and up.

Death to the invader! 

You can learn more about NES Ecological Services here.

Death to the Invader

Yesterday was another bad day for phragmites, reed canary grass and woody invasives out back in the prairie planting.

Following our controlled burn in early May of this year we invited a field team from Robert E. Lee and Associates back to perform follow-up treatment.

We've done this before and counting the burn this is the third visit here for 2020.

Death to the invader! 

You can learn more about NES Ecological Services here.

Before and After a Prescribed Burn

Six weeks following our prescribed burn there was this:

View east - northeast

View south towards the house

Surface of the turf

And a follow-up on some persistent reed canary grass today

Death to the Invader

Started the day early with a trusted consultant touring The Platz and noting the geolocation of patches of non-native woody invasives - namely buckthorn and honeysuckle.

The good news is that the bad shrubs are not widely distributed and largely concentrated in locations where they can be dealt-with by hand and spot treatment.

You might be wondering why anyone would hire someone to do something they could perform on their own and the answer is two-fold. 

First, most of the locations are wetland, seasonally wet, or stream bank.  It is sensitive and home to a terrestrial-aquatic inhabitant: the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii).  While not threatened or endangered this turtle is listed as a Species of Special Concern.  As a consequence licensed applicators should perform this job.

The second reason is we can afford it.

They don't know it yet but today the invaders received a death sentence today.

You can learn more about NES Ecological Services here.

Al's Burgers

Al Rank opened this restaurant, located at 131 S. Washington Street, Green Bay in 1934. Over the years the Rank family continued to operate the establishment with son - George Rank - running the restaurant for more than five decades until Al's death in 2014.  

Things have not always come easy as Al's closed in August 2011 because of a fire that gutted the small building,  The shop reopened in April 2012.  When the Rank family finally decided to close the business Michael Wirz purchased it in 2016.  Following the completion of updates and obtaining a liquor license Wirz reopened the joint in (pardon the pun) short order.   

Another place to add to your list of great northeast Wisconsin burger emporiums. 

click on images for a better look

Rock Falls

Celebrating some birthdays with the family and, coincidentally, there was more terrific food involved.

Supper Club experience at Rock Falls - Dykesville, WI.