I asked a friend if she had a nice Christmas and she replied: “It was. Got a new toilet seat for my ice shack.” After I stopped laughing, my mind went back years ago when I was a kid and tagged along with my Dad when he went ice fishing.
Ice shack on Ironbound Pond
As you can see above, an ice shack is a little building just about big enough to house a couple of chairs and a cooler. You drag it out on a frozen lake on runners, just like a big sled. Traditionally, ice shacks are used for ice fishing, where a hole is drilled in the ice and traps are set. When the little flag goes up on the trap, the fishermen know they have a fish on the line that needs to be hauled up through the hole.
Now there are those who say that ice fishing is nothing more than an excuse for a couple of buddies to get together, sit beside a hole in the ice, and drink beer. That could be true for some, but serious ice fishermen are there for the fish.
Folded ice traps in a pack basket
As a child, I spent many, many hours on frozen Maine lakes in howling wind as I wondered what part of me would get frostbite first. In spite of that, I’d watch those traps like a hawk, just waiting for a flag to go up. We didn’t have the luxury of an ice shack back then. And you’d better believe we didn’t have one with a toilet seat, either!
What was the most unique present you either gave or received this holiday season?
Photos courtesy of Debb Quimby Heald, one of the finest nature photographers I know.
There are some pretty fancy ice snacks out on the lakes these days. You certainly don’t freeze to death anymore. I bought my mom a chicken feeder this year to decorate with succulents 😊 Anything unique under your tree? Merry Christmas! Lots of hugs!!
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Ooh I like the chicken feeder idea! My best present was that I didn’t have to buy any presents! Not having any kids, we decided to go low key this year. It was heaven!
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Stress free! Now that is a brilliant Christmas! Hugs!
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My best present those days is getting back to here and meet the wonderful persons such you again. Merry Christmas and happy new year
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Thank you, my friend. We are very, very happy to see you back!
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Either it’s a very big ice shack or your friend ice fishes while sitting on the toilet! I think further intrepid journalistic investigation is required here. Merry Christmas.
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I was afraid to ask! Merry Christmas, my friend.
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Update: Their ice shack is an old converted camper. Talk about luxury! 😉
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Oh well that explains it! You deserve a Pulitzer Prize for journalistic diligence!
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That is soooo cool. Literally probably.
My mum remind me every Christmas that one year and brother and I were given money to buy her a present and we spent it on garbage and we’re left with only a small amount for the present and we ended up buying her a green shower curtain for Christmas. Some things people never get over do they even 40 years later
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And I’ll bet the only reason she’s still talking to you is just to remind you of your past transgressions. 😉
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Ha exactly !!
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My sister gifted me a concrete guinea pig with wings. It reminded her of a pet I’d had when we were kids. Though my pet didn’t have wings I’m pretty sure. We were all laughing at that. Lol. My favorite I gave this year was gifting my husband 5# s of cheddar cheese. He really does like his cheese. Lol. Hope you and your crew had a nice holiday!
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Now that’s what I call a fun gift exchange!
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My brother gave me a jar of air.
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Are you sure it wasn’t a jarred fart?
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I hope not. I’m too terrified to open it and find out.
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Merry Christmas my wonderful friend!! I have missed you so very much but have been super busy. I am enjoying being an owner of an antique store!! Yes, it is time consuming but rewarding at the same time. I’m already thinking of decorating for Valentine’s Day, Easter and Spring!! I love you Linda (Penny) and hope you are well and have a blessed New Year!! xoxoxo
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I am so happy for you!!!! I’ve missed you, too. Here I thought you were busy with your booth and come to find out you own a store! Sending happy hugs your way! 🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗
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Thank you , thank you , thank you!! 🙂 ❤
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We gave my nephew Colby a big white C to hang on his wall this year and when he unpacked it he said “why did I get a toilet seat for Christmas?”
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Hahaha! That’s brilliant!
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You got me on this my dear Linda, I can’t think of anything to say. If I wanted to go ice fishing I would go to the freezer and get one out to thaw.❤️🐲❤️🐉😁❤️
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You can’t think of anything to say? Whoa! I think that’s a first! Hahaha!!! 🐉 ❤️ 🐉 ❤️ 🐉
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Well, at least you didn’t say that about me thinking.😊😊🐲🌺🐲🌹❤️🐉🌺❤️🐉🚴🏼♂️🌺❤️🌹
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Hahaha! I would NEVER say that! 🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗🐉 ❤️ 🐉 ❤️ 🐉🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗
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I know, you have to big a heart.❤️❤️🐲❤️❤️🐉😘
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That is it. I can die happy. I have officially heard everything. A toilet seat for an ice shack…. shakes head and opens another bottle….
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I know, it’s crazy! I subsequently learned that the ice shack is a converted old camper, so that makes more sense…still…
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Not to me it doesn’t! 😊😉
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You are so tough Linda!! That would not work for me😂
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I haven’t been fishing in decades and that is just fine with me. 🙂
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I’m sure!
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As a Californian, I have never experienced what you describe here… and I think I’m happy about that.
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I think you should be! But then you have mudslides and earthquakes and wildfires. I always feel sorry for Californians during the many disasters. I hope you have never been in the midst of one.
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I was actually. The Woolsey fire in November, right after the mass shooting. People don’t think we have four seasons here in California, but we do: Earthquake, Fire, Mudslides and Homicide.
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Suddenly my snow and cold doesn’t sound quite as bad.
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