Grouse Hollow Journal for December 17, 2025
by Greg Koelker
I want to announce that I am back in the saddle again, so to speak. Lee Newspapers and I parted ways amicably a couple of weeks ago. Since then I reached out to Tim Hundt, editor of the VernonReporter.com online local news service. He and I made an arrangement for publishing The Grouse Hollow Journal, some photos, and other features on my own Vernon Reporter Grouse Hollow space. Thank you, Tim.
So what am I grousing about this week? Well, over the years, I have usually done extensive research before writing my annual gift giving guide for outdoors types, checking 5 star comments, user ratings, coolness, comparing prices and quality, reading outdoor magazines, etc. Because it is Christmas you tell the truth, in reality, I usually just grabbed the latest Cabela’s big boy toy catalog and checked out anything in it that I think I might like. Just like I did when the thick Sears Christmas catalog would come in the mail.
It sounds a bit ungrateful to grouse about having too much. There just isn’t much Ellen or I need along the line of outdoor clothes, fire arms, gear, or gadgets. That is, there comes a time in life where getting gifts (that we can’t eat or drink at least) is nice but superfluous. I am sure some of you of a certain age know exactly what I am talking about. I mean, after over 50 years, Ellen and I have a wonderful family and great friends and neighbors. We get to live on our Mountain Kids’ farm in our familiar and warm home to pass the time in our mostly quiet and secluded coulee surrounded by hills that are beautiful during all four seasons. We have a nice Lund fishing boat, a Polaris side-by-side, a Suzuki ATV, an all-wheel-drive Honda pickup, a four-wheel drive John Deere tractor, two insulated hunting blinds elevated on stands with steps and handrails, an ice sled tent with seats, a new auger, more Ice fishing shi – uh, stuff than we’ll ever use. (Upon further review, this musing might have been better suited for Thanksgiving I guess.)
For our annual Christmas safari to Cabela’s, I always make a list and share it with Ellen and the Sister Squad. After shopping, we go have lunch somewhere. That is the best part of the trip.
Visits, phone calls, emails, Facetime calls, invites, etc. are memories in the making and they don’t pile up in a closet or garage. (Full disclosure, I could use a new 2X Badger sweatshirt after the last three years of ripping and tearing at my old one while watching Wisconsin spin, crash, and burn on the grid iron. Better yet, perhaps Santa could bag up Kirby Smart or Ryan Day, or Marcus Freeman and drop one of them down the Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh’s chimney on Christmas Eve.)
Until next time, get out – my best Christmas memories are of Christmas mornings here with our little boys, and back in the day with my Mom and Dad and brother and sisters, and of family coming together at my grandparents’ farms, Ellen’s family farm, and with her siblings, and here at Grouse Hollow. The food, drink, presents, etc. were wonderful but being with those people is what they are all about. This year as the song says, all I want for Christmas is you.
Ellen and I want to wish you and yours a blessed Christmas. Peace.
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