Monday, June 2, 2014

A Kick in the Pants!

It had been a long, cold and unforgiving Maine winter, like the kind they had in the days before global warming and Gore-Tex. This calamity of unusual weather, weighed heavily on my psyche and was further compounded by my inability to pursue my passion for ice fishing, due to a back injury suffered while shoveling snow. Funk dug deep into my soul and despite my best attempts to circumvent its vile intrusion, it dominated my mood for the last several month of winter. By spring’s arrival, I half expected my disposition to improve but despite my best efforts to creep off the couch, this active outdoorsman was having a difficult time finding the mental and physical strength to motivate.

What I desperately needed was a project, or perhaps more precisely what I REALLY needed was a good solid kick in the pants!!

Enter on the scene, my good friends at Duluth Trading Company. This organization certainly understands work wear but even more importantly, they truly understand workers. They know not only how to design clothing that is comfortable, functional and durable but also understand how quality work wear and equipment can make even the toughest, dirties jobs infinitely easier.

It’s a typical hot, damp and buggy spring day in Maine. I am dressed neck to ankle in clothing from Duluth Trading Company, including their infamous Armachillo Workshirt and Duluth Flex Firehose Work Pants. Despite the adverse conditions . . . most notably the constant hum of Maine’s state bird, the notorious blackfly, I am feeling light and happy for the first time in months. With the help of Duluth Trading Company, I have been provided with a MUCH needed kick in the pants. With a small project starter grant and a merchandise gift card, I am now out planting apple trees with the help of my family and friends . . . most notably my two young children.

Apple trees require much care and tenderness, in their first several years of growth, and this notion of caring for another living thing is an extremely valuable lesson to pass on to children. What a perfect Fathers Day present to not only be able to plant apple trees with my sons but also what a treasured gift to be able to teach them how to someday grow into caring, patient and nurturing fathers.

Special thanks to Duluth Trading Company and my friends and family, who all came together to lend a hand in creating amazing memories and a future orchard to feed generations of man and beasts!

To buy that special something for Father's Day be sure to check out: Gift Ideas for Dad courtesy of Duluth Trading Company!

Lastly, anyone who comments on this article goes into a drawing to win a $100 Duluth Trading Company Gift Card! 

21 comments:

  1. Years later the survivors of tree planting, care and pruning, will not only bear fruit but the sweet memmories of all who have been involved. I have a Tee that proclaims that I participated in an EarthDay tree planting -- it was years ago on a CMP streamside power corridor; when I wear it proudly I remember the planting and sometimes, go and view the resulting woodland growth. And apples Yes, thanks, I'll have one :) Good work, my Man.?

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    1. Well said my friend. With planting a tree comes more than the simple joy of the planting, it is a cumulation of all of the memories of the time invested in caring for it and that time which is shared with others in doing so.

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  2. Love the comment about the state bird. Ha! Seriously glad to hear the back is on the mend. I do not miss shoveling snow at all. Really like the planting of the apple trees and mention of getting the kids involved. Right on and great parenting. Now I have the urge to go plant some trees. That is something I love to do. Enjoy your summer and great giveaway from Duluth!

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  3. Good to hear that the winter finally broke up north! I have been behind in my planting this year, but you expressed the intangible that I feel about planting and growing on your own land - "...this notion of caring for another living thing is an extremely valuable lesson to pass on to children."

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  4. Duluth Trading Company opened a new shop near us (Bloomington). Looking forward to checking it out

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  5. Duluth definitely makes some excellent work wear! Recently, I have been wearing their Dry on the Fly shorts and they have made my life and job WAY easier. They are now my goto place for high quality work clothes. Good luck with the trees and thanks for sharing!

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  6. thats so cool to plant trees with your kids, would love to try some Duluth products thank you!

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  7. I think Maine is beautiful, but the winters? That would be a tough transition from California weather! LOL. This was an interesting article and I'm glad to learn about Duluth Trading Company!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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    1. Winters are a little rugged but the seasons are amazing and really nothing can compare to that first snowstorm. THOUGH by winters end I just want ALL THE SNOW GONE! LOL!

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  8. Most of my childhood memories of my dad are outdoors...either working around the property, or getting up before dawn to go fishing. He'd love something from Duluth Trading Co I'm sure!

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  9. I absolutely love the Duluth Trading Company! I'm a outdoors Wisconsin girl through and through and I work in construction. It's a rare company that makes durable work clothes for women. THankfully Duluth Trading company not only makes durable work clothing, but the look good and are comfortable to wear. Duluth trading company's clothing has gotten me through some frigid northern winters and some stifling hot, humid summers!

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  10. Oh that is so neat planting the apple trees with your children! We did a small garden this year for the first time ever...and it has been so fun for Carter! He helps me water ...and every morning he is so excited to go outside and check for something new! A new cherry tomato starting...or a green pepper starting! So fun...love making memories with them! Wish I had room for apple trees!!!
    landfjacobson @ charter.net

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    1. Yes, mine get very excited about going out and picking veggies straight off the vine and eating them. Really helps to connect children with knowing where their food actually comes from. They have dwarf apple tree varieties that are suppose to only take 5 years to mature and never grow more than 5-6 feet! Something to perhaps consider! Thanks for posting!

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  11. Awesome work guys! You can't beat those kinds of memories! And thanks for the giveaway opportunity :)

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  12. Great article! I love the Duluth Trading Company - my husbands favorite pants are the Firehouse pants, they're some of the toughest, most durable workwear out there.

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  13. I can't wait for time to be able to get this kind of work done around my house. Nice work!

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  14. Thanks for the Fathers Day idea!

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  15. We don't have kids yet, but something I've always wanted to do was to plant trees together, one for each that we have.

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    1. As soon as I took mine out to plant the apple trees they both immediately picked out "their" tree. Now they love going out to water and look at how much their trees are growing. Great experience for kids!

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  16. I enjoy your pictures. Looks like a really good time. I like the giveaway you are hosting because Duluth seems to have a lot of usable gifts.

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  17. Thanks to everyone who played! The winner of the Duluth Training company was the infamous @duckhuntah who RETWEETED my post and was eligible. Congrats!

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