This week on the Pasty Cam could well have been in black and white. I can't remember much color the past few days, and Lily the Beagle is probably wondering what happened to all the green of these fields. Here she sits on the hay bales, under the horsey wind chime, with the stick-on thermometer indicating falling temps. In fact, by the time I was finally able to upload today, it had reached zero in Calumet. Thanks again to Jay Fedorocko for a follow up to last week's snow-swimming puppy pic.

Apologies again for another late-in-the-day Pasty Cam. There's been a rush of activity here at Pasty Central ahead of Valentine's Week, which is our second busiest week of the year for gift order shipments.

As you may know, the end of this month marks 5 full years of the Pasty Cam. Edie and I are going to take a little time off, traveling south for the remainder of February. I've asked Toivo to man the wheel of this website until we return, with this Sunday's Shoebox Memory being my last for a while. I would invite you to continue sending photos@pasty.com your U.P. and Great Lakes area shots, as Toivo will be checking each day, and we'll be tuning in to stay in touch while we're away.

Have a safe, enjoyable journey. Lord knows you have more than earned it!!! Thank you for the last four years I've been able to enjoy your site. It has kept me close to my MTU sons and given me new friendships. I may be a troll, but my heart belongs in the UP. It's a longing no one can explain; made easier to bear by your awesome photos and postings. Again, God Speed and safe travels!!

Interesting pix, Jay...I think Lily's watching
YOU (or whoever) off to the far right, snowblowing! My dogs have spent an immense amount of time inside these past couple of weeks...completely ignoring their outdoor doghouse.

Enjoy your time away, Charlie. We'll keep you before HIM for journey mercies and a safe homecoming. 'Kilpela and Friends' are heading to Detroit tomorrow. We'll be playing at the Finnish/American Center in Farmington Hills for a dance Saturday evening. Hope the weather stays decent. :o)

Hey Charlie....... You said you were heading south.......Mardi Gras is waiting for you

Toivo, I am counting on you to improve my day. I am new to this site and enjoy it alot. Look forward to opening up to this each and every morning, it brings back fond memories of family and friends who live and have lived in the Copper Country. So far all the pictures from you have been wonderful. Thank You Karen

Toivo is good people, he will man the ship admirably, indeed. Kudos are in order for Charlie.

Wheatman

Amen - reality seen through Toivo's perspective will keep us all on our knees, I mean toes. Charlie, Godspeed on your time off for rejuvenation.

Bob Forsberg from Green Bay Died--think hes the one from Blue Jacket class of 55--once owned Town Pump on 6th street calumet ??--funneral feb 7th rians

Leave it to a beagle to get someplace high to see!
(doghouse etc.) Nice to see Lily again. Maybe we could get some more shots of the UP from her perspective from time to time.

Does anyone have a photo of the rollers which were pulled behind a team of horses and used to pank down the roads?

Jad Oska. Check out the the week of Feb 24-02 2002 for the photo of horse's pulling a roller

JAD, Oskar
Here's a link to the page RCW is talking about!
http://www.pasty.com/discuss/messages/994/1087.html

Let's see if I can make that an active link now!
http://www.pasty.com/discuss/messages/994/1087.html

My Guess is Charlie is Heading to the Great State of Alabama to visit Family. Will be in my neck of the woods. Maybe they will bring a little of the white stuff with them ! :)

Sam, What part of Alabama are you in?? i am in Prattville.

Bob,

We will be spending a week with my mother in Jones Chapel, a quiet little village west of Cullman, Alabama. I understand it has been quite cold for them this winter, too.

Charlie, are you a southern boy??? With your sisu and talents and sense of family and place I was sure you were a native, "son of the Copper Country"...can we adopt you as one of us... so we can lay claim??.....

Mary Lou - -

I've heard Charlie say that he was born in Alabama, (with the banjo on his knee). This must have made it a complicated delivery, to say the least. He owes his mother a lot more than just a week-long visit each year.

No, according to Charlie, the vacationing Hopper's from Eagle River are Yooper's by choice, not by birth.

Bob, I'm in Blount Springs Alabama, thats 20 miles south of Walmart in Cullman ! :)

I know many yoopers from Escanaba area winter in Gulf Shores,Alabama.... Wisconsin folks too. It is a beautiful place and not as busy as Florida

Gulf Shores area is a very popular place for the folks from the Birmingham Area to make weekend visits to through out the spring/summer. Less than 5 hours away !