allmorgan

Flat Rock Canoe Trip

2008-01-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

On a brisk, late December morning, the crack of dawn found the fellas and I heading to St. Paul to find some more Indiana water... and some scenery.

A couple of canoes, cameras and some MRE's provided a the fun for the day. The sights included an screeching eagle, a flock of wild geese dragging their wings in the water as they took off, loads of natural rock and river formations and some wild, very cold water.

Take a look at these fine photos and videos and you'll agree that winter is as beautiful as summer.

October Water Skiing

2007-10-19T18:23:00.000-04:00

Who'd a thunk it? A beautiful day in October on Brookville lake. The water was great. Here's some pics of a fina day out on Brookville lake with Michael and the kids.

September 2007

2007-10-01T09:26:00.000-04:00

We celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary and managed to squeeze in a night out alone. Jason's mom and grandma watched the kids. We had a very nice dinner together. The kids enjoyed staying at home and playing with their grandmas.

We celebrated Bill and Shirley's 50th wedding anniversary together at the Canoe Livery. It was great seeing the whole family. We hope to get to see everyone soon.

Hannah continues to work very hard in school and has completed her first grading period.

Hannah went on her first field trip. Susan went too. They went to an apple orchard. The whole class got to pick their own apple, and later peal and eat it together. They saw how apples are sorted, washed, and stored. The class played games together and had storytime. They even got to go on a hay ride. Hannnah had lots of fun.

We managed to get a few extra swims in at our friend's pool in the month of September. That is one good thing that has came out of all the hot September weather. Hannah and Nic have become quite good getting around in the pool on their own.

Susan, Hannah, and Nic went boating on Susan's brother boat. It was Nic's first time on a boat. We were uncertain how he would react, but he kept saying "faster, faster". Hannah went tubing with her cousins Abby and Andrew. She didn't want to get out of the tube when it was time. It was a wonderfully relaxful Sunday. Too bad we forgot our camera, but we drew a picture when we got home.

Jason has remained busy throughout the month of September working most nights and weekends. Despite his hectic schedule, he is making time to practice with his band to get ready to play at a benefit. If you are interested in attending the benefit and contribruting to a good cause, contact Jason for more details.

August 2007

2007-09-06T12:31:00.000-04:00

The whole family came together to celebrate Nicholas's birthday. We grilled out and played games. Hannah started kindergarten so Susan busily gathered school supplies and clothes for her. Nicholas got a lot of exercise riding his new and much bigger bike he received for his birthday. Hannah continues to read lots of books.

Both of us continue to work around the yard. The garden was our largest, and most successful ever. The grass is officially the worse ever due to the drought. We're glad we didn't pay a lawn service this year.

Here are pictures for August.

July 2007

2007-08-13T13:01:00.000-04:00

July was a busy month for us. At the beginning of the month, Jason had his neck surgery. He was back at his desk in 4 days but taking it easy. Five days after, we went to a riverside party at a friends.

The following week, we went to Moonlight Gardens at Old Coney to see Old Crow Medicine Show (a concert Jason scheduled his surgery around.) Jason's brother Kyle came in from Korea with 9 of his extended family. We hosted a Saturday at our house, and we prepared about 7-8 American dishes. Most things were grown in our garden and Jason served plenty of homemade wine and beer (dark and light).

For the kids, Susan arranged activities from sack races to roasting marshmallows over the fire. We hoped to provide the real American experience and look forward to seeing our extended Korean family again soon.

2007 Spring Wine Grape Workshop

2007-03-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

A well-rounded, all-day workshop. We toured the facility, the vineyard, and watched Bruce Bordelon (Purdue University, Ag Dept, Small Fruit Specialist) prune several variety of vines. There was LOTS of wine tasting and trying it various glasses.

It happened at Ertle Cellars in Batesville, Indiana. This cellar and winery is a brand-new, state of the art facility. Energetic and determined winemaker, Brian Ahaus and and Gary Ertle, the seasonsed vineyard manager are running a very nice and clean operation with all areas well thought out. I plan to write up more here in the future, so check back.

February 2007 Ice Storm

2007-03-01T16:36:00.000-05:00

I say ice storm because it was icey and cold and went on for a two week stint... not that I'm complaining. I loved it. We're talking natural tree pruning at its best. The weather conditions were ideal for enclosing EVERYTHING in a thick case of ice.

It made for great pictures, although the pictures do it no liberty.

I like the midwest because we get to experience all four seasons. I'm more upset when we have a warm winter with little snow. I even like being stranded at home for a while. I got to get the kids out for a little sled riding too.

Hope the season finds everyone happy, healthy... and warm!

Morgan Christmas in Brookville

2006-12-27T17:34:00.000-05:00

The Morgan family Christmas took place at the Brookville Canoe Livery. A White Elephant gift-exchange was thoroughly entertaining and spirits were high and happy.

We remembered June Morgan who we lost in August.

We were happy to see all the family and look forward to seeing those who didn't make it SOON!

November 2006

2006-11-22T14:26:00.000-05:00

Here's photos for November 2006. A lot of photos taken by Susan capture the essence of Fall quite well. Also included are some photos that I left out from October... the pumpkins and Susan in her Raggedy-Ann get-up.

A quick, overdue visit to Louisville to see Andy and Debbie really hung Susan up on the pinball machine. Susan didn't really have a lot of time for small-talk and to socialize since there was a 790,000,000 high score to beat. Great fun.

We hope November finds everyone in good spirits and ready for Turkey. If you stop by the site, sign the guestbook so we know you're still alive. We look forward to seeing everyone for the holidays... or shortly after? Until then, be safe, have fun and hug your family for us.

Camping with Steve, Dick and Bill

2006-11-09T17:25:00.000-05:00

And you thought I meant Tom, Dick and Harry... I was invited to share an evening with "the Dickel" on an annual camping trip with the guys. You haven't partied until you've had an evening around a fire with guitars, shischk-a-bobz, gin... and "the Dickel".

Fun times. Of course Bill was there to shed a little civility on matters. I wasn't even aware of the existance of a coleman coffe maker. Set it on top of some heat and it'll brew you a pot of fresh coffee in minutes. Between the coffee maker, the stovetop, the tent heater and lanterns, it was an evening of music, debachery, and expending cans of coleman fuel by the dozen.

The weather was jsut incredible... almost as if the sun came out just for us. The night was a little chilly but well worth it and it beats rain anytime.

Note to self... not to miss out next year. Dickle + gin + homemade beer + bill's coffee maker = one helluva good time an no dissappointments.

The WinePod

2006-11-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me the most interesting link and I just had to blog about it. For the winemaking yuppy, try this on for size. A completely contained and integrated vessel for pressing, fermenting and making wine.

For me, the biggest challenge in making a stellar wine lies between tasting, interpreting and making changes. That is, truly understanding what you are tasting, making educated interpretations and ultimately the best decisions in changing the chemistry of the must now for your future award-winning wine. These interpretations are subjective in nature and you will not know how the decisions you make now will affect the wine several years down the road.

I could see using something like this to sharpen such decision-making skills... assuming one could afford it. However, once you own one, why would you need to learn anything since this thing will do it for you. It's probably not for me, but I love the idea of checking the temperature, pH, brix etc... from work!

The WinePod is a state-of-the-art tool for small lot artisan winemaking. The WinePod integrates fermentation, pressing, and ageing in one elegant unit yet it is simple and easy to use. The WinePod controls the heat of fermentation and maintains appropriate ageing temperature using electronically controlled thermoelectric heating and cooling. Your wine ferments and ages in a variable-capacity stainless steel tank with an integrated wine press. The WinePod collects and transmits fermentation and temperature data wirelessly to your PC where our software offers winemaking guidance and manages your processes and records.

You would think they'd at least make it resemble a barrel? If you haven't heard of the WinePod yet, you should in the next couple years as it will be marketed to commercial wine makers in 2007. All for now.

October 2006

2006-10-31T14:10:00.000-05:00

October is a busy month for the Morgans. Of special meaning to me is celebrating my Grandmothers birthday. Edith turned 93 this year and she's truly an amazing woman. She still drives to the spa and gets in her workout per the doctors orders. She takes her friends on bus trips through Branson, MI to see stage shows and still watches her grandchildren whenever she can find a free moment. She's an example and inspiration to us all that truly loving life and enjoying your family can bring longevity not known by people half her age. We love you grandma.

October brings birthdays for myself and Aunt June as well. Included in this album is a picture of the October birthday crowd, the kids and happnin's around the house. Hope this month finds you well too.

Coyote Creek Farms

2006-10-23T15:24:00.000-04:00

Friends Freddy and Anna invited us to join them at Coyote Creek Farm (a local trip!) for a family day of pumpkin fun.

Highlights of the day were the pumpkin sling-shot, the corn-cob shooter, buffalo burgers, a hayride to the pumpkin patch, and of course all the animals on the farm! The kids were in heaven. Time was well spent and the weather was perfect!

Spring 2007 Grapevines Ordered!

2006-10-18T22:46:00.000-04:00

I finally located the Vidal Blanc vines that I have been wanting. I found a pretty reputable place in NY, called Double A Vinyards. They grow pretty much every varietal you can think of. It's important that you get quality, disease-free vines. Handling is important. The grape-growing/wine-making forum I belong to highly endorses this place with the bulk of its members ordering from here.

While I was at it, I couldn't resist the urge to snag a few Swenson White vines. These vines will come in the Spring of 2007. Many varieties are already sold out. Gotta get 'em early.

These new vines will be added to my first-year Mars, Concord and Niagra vines... truly making the backyard, my backyard vineyard :)

In addition to the grape vines, I have two Mont Morency cherry trees, one Bing cherry with an additional Bing being added in the spring (for cross-polination) and 1 or 2 North Star trees.

I have made my first batch of Blackberry wine from my brambles also in the back. The goal is to have the backyard supplying I'll the wine fodder I'll ever need within 5-6 years. Caio till next time.

Talls Stacks '06 and Old Crow Medicine Show

2006-10-10T21:22:00.000-04:00

I love Old Crow Medicine Show and it was even sweeter to see them in such a setting. River boats along the Ohio River... imagine that. I was thoroughly bummed about missing the Aug. show in Louisville. I was full of shame... then I found out they were playing Tall Stacks. I was originally in disbelief, but the moment it was confirmed, we snagged some tickets for a cruise and said screw it's on. Susan and I were able to get out and take a cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati and then catch Old Crow at 9pm.

The weather was perfect. I was so giddy, I was taking all the pictures I could, video too. Tall Stacks in Cincinnati has become quite an event. I'm looking forward to the next one already. The charm of cruising a riverboat (the ski club was also in attendance,) coupled with a great night of music was just the thing we needed. Huge thanks to my mom for playing both baby sitter and chauffeur. It just wouldn't have happened otherwise. Mom's so great!

Photos for September 2006

2006-09-29T16:49:00.000-04:00

Finally got that new driveway we've been wanting since we moved into the house. Bit the bullet and did asphalt. Held out so long for cement, but it would have been a cool 12-13k and I knew I'd never spend that kind of cash on a driveway. I found a few flaws already, but the dude is coming back and hopefully squaring things away.

Plenty of pics of the kids and the new driveway in use already! The kids are growing faster then I'd like! Hannah was a natural in preschool and looks forward to every day of it. Here's the pics for September.

Ice Wine: CAN$30,000 for a half-bottle

2006-09-25T12:37:00.000-04:00

Man, ice wine too damned good. And so, I'm actually making a batch of it. That is, I got a kit that has the juice of Reisling grapes that were allowed to freeze on the vine, then harvested pressed. 3-gallons for US$75.

It is a lot of work (with risk of failure) for a vinyard/winery to grow and produce ice wine. The government will not let anyone sell a wine labeled "Ice Wine" unless it has went through the true process. Instead, you may have seen it labeled (Iced Wine). Take a look at the difference in price, but you may still notice it can be higher then the traditional bottle of wine.

Ice wine is here to stay and people are paying big bucks for it. Naturally, I wanted to try it out at home. And I don't have to wait for the first frost to start it this time :) I'll follow up later with updates.

I'll let the link to below say the rest.

Wine and Beer... coasting in the cellar

2006-09-19T09:21:00.000-04:00

I just got another batch of wine going Sunday night. Chianti. It's a red wine and more dry that I usually make. I thought it was about that time in my process to try something new and different. That makes a total of six batches of various wines and two batches of beer rippin' in the cellar.

In my efforts to stock the cellar, I started most batches in the spring. I did start another batch of Watermelon wine over the summer, but it was just too delicate and didn't survive the fermentation process. It smelled and tasted horrible. That was 3-gallons I dumped about a month ago. After much research, it turns out indeed that Watermelon wine is pretty difficult to make. It is usually better when fermented with another fruit that has more body. I'll try it again one day.

Most of the wines will be ready to taste around Christmas. But really, they'll be tasted, adjusted if needed and then bottled to do another 6 months or so in the cellar. I of course always hand a few out 'round the holidays.

I didn't want all the wines to be done at one time, so hence my efforts to stagger them. It's my goal to always have something new ready to be tasted, or bottled.

I have always been a fan of country wines i.e. wines made from fruit instead of grapes. I think it may be mainly because I don't like spending money on base ingredients. I get that from my dad. I am fine with buying my supplies etc., but it gets costly to always have to buy your base ingredients. I grow my own cherries and blackberries in the back yard. While I do have 7 grapevines of various variety going now, they won't be producing grapes for another year or so. I am planting additional grapevines (and a shitload of various garlic varieties) next Spring.

I did bite the bullet and bought 4 gallons of Gewurstiminer grape juice in late spring just so I could have a grape wine going. I have three other cherry type wines going. One of them also has blackberries in it. Damn that sounds good don't it? One batch is going on 4 years old. All the wines are going great and they are coasting. That's why I decided to start a red wine. Yeah, I bought that juice too, and that's all for this year I promise! Again, my reasoning was because I've never made a red grape wine yet and well, I guess you can't be a vintner without those under your belt.

Anyway, I have about 40 more gallon freezer bags jammed with cherries for other evil experiments :) Ok, that's all for now.

Researching the following surnames

2006-09-18T10:27:00.000-04:00

I am researching the following surnames:

Armitage, Atkinson, Balsly, Boeres, Boone, Capal, Ciner, Dornette, Dovey, Fesler / Fessler, Greiser/ Grieser, Hathaway, Heberger, Helfrich, Heninger, Holzhause, Jarman, Kenderdine, Klapkova, Kopstain, Kopstein, Lambert, Lichtfusz / Lichtfuss, Lienweber, Litzenberg, Lucas, Morgan, Nisonger, Ohlhauser, Oberwitte, Schmaltz, Schmidt, Schneider, Siebert / Seibert, Wright

If you would like to share any information, please contact me via the link below. I am interested in any information you would like to share, family notes, any photos, family recipes, and old records. Susan

Lunchbreak thoughts of 9/11

2006-09-11T13:10:00.000-04:00

I was thinking about life a moment ago and of all the things I love to do in this world. Things like, kiss my wife, chalk up the sidewalk with the kids, make music, sniff a bottle of un-corked vino, plant a garden and watch friends prosper. I was thinking about Sept. 11, 5 years ago... and then, all the things in life I take for granted. For a moment, things went quiet and dim.

Shit, life is fast today. You can miss a lot in just a wink. There's so much to think about now days that it's easy to forget most of it.

Today, I'm only urging everyone to do nothing, but contemplate what it means to you to do what you really love to do and to give gratitude to those who make it possible. There's so much I have to forget today, but NOT the people who mean everything to me... and NOT the people in this world who give what they give... to ultimately enable me to forget about life for a while.

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

2006-09-05T20:41:00.000-04:00

It was all Susan's idea. Of the many things she could choose from for our 5th anniversary, she wanted to do a canoe trip with just the two of us... something that has not happened since "before kids."

It was a great idea, and it turned out in a manner that is noteworthy. It was Labor Day weekend. The weather was already if'y. Since it was just the two of us, we didn't have to pack bottles, a ton of food and countless other articles. We simply took one dry-bag with our camera, a couple towels and a small cooler with some tuna salad and vodka and cranberry... of course.

We were ready and even expecting rain. We did get misted on a little but I think it made it all the better.

It was a great trip and I wouldn't have changed a thing. It reminded me that we are still capable of taking a lightweight trip and willing to take whatever Mother Nature intended.

By the time we got off the river, Greg had some people setting up the field for a huge fireworks display. These were genuine Class 6 works (see the picture of launch tubes) - They took the whole day to set up and the field was staged for a huge, private display. There couldn't have been more then 30 people (family) here watching this awesome display.

The show lasted longer than the WEBN fireworks and of the same caliber too. The picture here does it no liberty, but my accompanying video does.

These guys just got back from Japan to "test out the latest" at the canoe livery. It turns out they struck a barter (canoe and camp for fireworks display)

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate 5 years with my lovely bride.

Pictures for August 2006

2006-08-20T20:41:00.000-04:00

An albumn of pics through August has been put up. August was a hard month. June Morgan (Jason's aunt) died on August 10th. A big surprise. She was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer and died 17 days later. She was a very accomplished woman, wife of Bob Morgan and Morgan's Canoe Liveries, and touched the lives of many. We have placed a memorium on the home page of the site that will link you to her large obituary in the Cincinnati Enquire, as well as a number of photo albums that included June. She will be missed.

Other news in August is that we find outselves rather happy, healthy and fortunate. We hope you can say the same and we look forward to seeing friends and family soon.

View Pics for August 2006.

Farewell to a Morgan

2006-08-17T11:31:00.000-04:00

Photo Albums of June Morgan
View June's Obituary

June Morgan passed on August 10, 2006, but she remains in our hearts. She was an incredible person who meant a lot to us all. She was a devoted, loving mother and wife and we will truly miss, but never forget, her. May she rest in peace and watch over us from above. God Bless you, June. We love you. -Jason Morgan and Family

June Morgan, age 72, resident of Warren County, Ohio died Thursday, August 10, 2006. Born in Muncie, Indiana, June was the daughter of Virgil and Mildred (Artrip) Dugger. June graduated from Western Hills High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert W. Morgan, on September 11, 1954, when they were both students at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. They are the proud parents of 5 sons.

Bob taught at Sycamore High School and to supplement his income, he and June began "Canoe Trails" in the late 50's, a program which took hundreds of boys from the Greater Cincinnati area on 2-3 week long camping and canoe trips in Canada, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee. The boys knew June as "Blooming Flower", since she often would find wildflowers and wear them in her hair. On these trips, she was famous for her cooking- especially the yeast doughnuts she would make and let rise on the side of a hot canoe.

Bob and June established their first canoe livery, Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Center, on the Little Miami River in Ft. Ancient in 1964, where they have resided since the early 1960's.

Throughout June's life, she was always involved with children and nature. She was a 4H Leader and taught children about conservation and nature. She also was instrumental in getting the Little Miami River designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, where she served on the advisory board of the Little Miami Incorporated. She served as president of the Middle Council of the Little Miami Incorporated for a time in the 60's. In 1969, she was the first woman to descend down the Gauley River in West Virginia on a whitewater raft with Bob. In 1970, she was chosen by Family Circle Magazine as Homemaker of the Year, where she was featured with her 5 boys and their pets, along with some of her famous recipes. As the grandchildren started to arrive, she instilled in them this same love of nature and animals. Her 16 grandchildren know and love her as "Jumie".

In the late 1990's, cable station HGTV featured June, Bob and their family on the program, "TheGood Life", which was broadcast nationally. By this time, 4 of their 5 sons had taken over the family canoe and outdoor businesses located in Ft. Ancient, Ohio and Brookville, Indiana. This allowed June and Bob to travel extensively in the Fla. Everglades and Louisiana where Bob would fish, and June would often paint scenes from nature.

Bob and June continued their love of sharing nature with others, by opening a small bed and breakfast eco-lodge called Morgan's Jungle Lodge in the late 1990's on the remote and pristine Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica . National Geographic lists this area as one the most "biologically diverse places on the planet". Here, she acquired yet another name, "Jungle June". June enjoyed the daily visits from the white-faced monkeys, the howler monkeys, macaws and other various rainforest animals. Many area families traveled to the lodge and recognized this as a very special place run by a very special lady.

June was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Nancy (Dugger) Theobold. She is survived by her husband, Bob, and five children, Greg (Tracy) Morgan, Gary (Moira) Morgan, Dirk (Lori) Morgan, Rob (Michelle) Morgan and Randy (Joni) Morgan. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Jon and Drew Morgan; Chas and Mary Cate Morgan; Hunter Morgan, Teisha (Morgan) Widmer, Jessica, Jordan, Joni and Jadey Riewoldt; Ashley, Anne and William Morgan; and Amanda and Randall Morgan.

The visitation was held at the Bolton Lunsford Funeral Home, 3042 Harrison Ave, from 5-8PM on Wednesday August 16th.

A memorial service was held at Westwood United Methodist Church (the church they were married at,) 3460 Epworth Ave, Cincinnati, OH on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 11 a.m.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider The June Morgan River Sanctuary Fund, c/o Lebanon Citizen's National Bank, 2 North Broadway,

Lebanon Ohio, 45036. This has been set up in June's honor and will provide a place of rest and reflection for paddlers on the Little Miami River.

Photo Albums of June Morgan
View June's Obituary

July 2006 Camping at Morgan's Canoe

2006-07-10T20:41:00.000-04:00

Another great trip was had by all. It was good to be with friends and family on this not-so-easy-to-assemble trip. Greg allowed us to take the canoes out and we just headed up river to some sandy banks. The dogs were in heaven.

It was a bright sunny weekend in Brookville and we had the sweetest spot we could imagine on the riverside. We could have easily fit another family or two at our site.

I look forward to doing another trip again whenever people speak up and say they want to. Thanks and love go out to everyone and we look forward to not staying strangers too long.

Email me if you need any hi-res versions on the pics.

Click here to view

The 60Gb Video iPod... in black

2006-06-27T20:40:00.000-04:00

I did it, I bit the bullet and ordered it. The thought behind it was to not only keep track of my already extensive music collection (and playlists of course) but to also keep my photo library (even more extensive) in a second place... why not have it all just as handy. And... videos to boot, I couldn't resist the urge.

The iPod is an awesome thing. I truly love it and still find after owning the 40GB 3rd Generation version it will be in my life for some time.

My existing iPod doesn't seem to hold a charge very long... but I can say it's probably because I've beat it to hell and back. It goes everywhere, commuting, band practice, and plugged up while I'm at the puter. Now with the synching of videos and photos, it's an office/home-office staple.

I again bought a refurbished one from the Apple store. i think it's the only way to go. With 30-40 bucks off the original price and free shipping, it beat the best eBay deal I found.

I have been keeping a secret iPod log/list of random thoughts I have had and it's about time I made them public. Starting with the two thoughts below that I had long ago. I plan to make a random entry in the blog about the iPod and other things going forward.

1/19/05: When I'm in the iTunes Music Store, I'd like a way to flag a song or an album for later purchase... my wish-list if you will. Am I missing somethig here or has Apple not yet seen this?

1/5/05: The iPod is an awesome thing. I truly love it. But damn, if it had a button that I could hit to instantly record something from the radio while I was driving, it would be the iGod.