DYING THRU A WINDOW OF A NURSING HOME WITH ANGELS WATCHING OVER..

Almost one week ago the daughter of a mother in Freeman's Nursing Home in Kingsford, Michigan sent me these text messages upon learning ALL the residents of this nursing home had Covid. She told me that they informed no one and only posted a note on the door to inform employees and families.. 

I don't know why she picked me to tell her story, but I read every post each day she sent them. Feeling the pain and torment she was going through, almost as if we stood there behind her. I don't believe in masks, I don't truly think they help any bit in this pandemic. I might wear one to make others happy, but I still don't think they work and nothing is going to change my mind, not even death. Since March families have been kept from nursing homes in Michigan out of caution, as not to spread Covid or pass it on to a loved one and yet here we are.. Those rules did nothing to protect loved ones and continue to punish the families of those prisoners within..

Saturday, November 28, 2020 - 9:26am

Hi..this is the daughter of a Freeman's resident. Just to clarify, I am in no way pointing fingers or accusing anyone of anything.. I admire these essential hero's.. I knew covid was in the building, I received calls on a regular basis. But I'm sure with all hell breaking loose there, it got over looked to let me know my mother was positive. I just want to put a face to this. Right here in upper Michigan. Not just on TV anymore.. REALLY, people this virus is killing off generations, and if we don't stop or slow down ,what generation is next.. so let's all hope and pray that this last Thanksgiving get together, won't be our last.. KEEP YOUR ASS AT HOME.. AND PUT A MASK ON.. and if you don't believe or have your rights, go look into my mother's eyes. And hope you won't have to look into your mother's eyes. God Bless all people who open the doors, and walk towards the unknown. Now that my friends, is bravery.. and courage at its finest.

 

Saturday, November 28, 2020 - 10:39am

Hi jason, hope you don't mind being my voice.. I am not on Facebook or other messaging..Hell, I can barely text.. so I'm hoping you receive this and please share.. my coworker shared part of the conversations yesterday.. wow..

 

Sunday, November 29, 2020 - 1:08pm

I'm outside my mother's window this Sunday morning.. let me try to tell this.. last Tuesday after work, I went to see mom through the window. She was weak ..tired..Wednesday night after work.. even weaker.. couldn't even bring food to her mouth by herself.. that is when I found out she was positive.. Thanksgiving day I sat outside watching my mom slowly get worse.. suffered fevers and chills.. and now needs oxygen.. Friday I worked and came to her window.. just sleep mom.. Saturday night.. I ordered hospice.. so I packed a bag this morning, and she's awake.. she knows I'm here.. those angels inside .. wow, you should see them.. dressed in PPE's.. with love and kindness in there eyes.. there is nothing more beautiful than a smile that is struggling through tears.. God Bless them.. so mom can barely swallow.. her underlining disease is tremors and diabetes and a few others. but its the tremors that is affecting swallowing.. weak muscle control.. but she does manage to get some nourishment down.. a little applesauce and chocolate ensure.. and now rest mom.. the doctor says her vital signs are still pretty good.. so lets just slow down.. 

I'm sharing this to put a face on this virus.. maybe like, slapping people in the face with reality.. my mother was a writer.. and darn good.. her stories have won awards and been published. She is amazing, my mom.. so I'm trying my best to write this for others.. to wake up.. STAY YOUR ASS HOME ... she is not struggling now, just resting.. her eyes are open, tired, and sometimes absent.. I tap on the window.. smile and tell her I love her.. her breaths are shallow and she looks ,well terrible, but peaceful.. I could only hope.. that you.. can see it's time to slow down,wear a mask.. and try to save more mother's and loved ones.. its lunch time.. mom said yes to getting up into her recliner.. the two CNA's (angels) got her in her chair, covered up, and a few bites of apple sauce.. the girls go around to feed the residents.. a few bites at a time..don't want anyone to aspirate...

 

Monday, November 30, 2020 - 8:24am

Mom's back in bed.. resting.. clarification.. I asked about hospice.. not yet, the doctor said to slow down and breath.. she's made it 5 days.. 5 tuff days.. but to see my mom.. my god.. I guess she's worse at night.. let's see how tonight goes.. so when I came back this afternoon.. someone smashed up some pumpkins out mom's window.. I've been giving the deer and birds some snacks here to come a visit the residents.. so thank you.. mom is really not resting well.. she tosses her legs some.. a little coughing.. then back to shallow breathing.. tossing more.. looks my way.. I hope she sees me smile.. she just stares struggling with coughing.. so weak so frail...... some wonderful lady just stopped by to ask me if I would like anything.. wow.. compassion.... I don't, and I'm not telling this for my sake.. these residents are lonely.. for over 8 months... asking to come out.. she's my mom.. and I don't want her to be lonely.. locked up.. just wanting to come outside.. for OVER 8 months.. shame on us all.. let's stop moving around.. please.. before.. well.. I just want it to go away.. lots of emotions..... its hard to leave.. the wind is strong tonight.. and some snow.. so , rest well mom.. I'll come again in the morning..

 

Monday, November 30, 2020 - 5:48pm

Monday morning.. I asked again for comfort care.. she is now awake.. staring up.. I tap on window.. she won't look.. the nurse holds her hand and tells her I'm outside and my mom didn't respond to me.. I tell her I love her.. and sit.. looking in.. they say she refuses all... they faxed my request a little after 10 am..around 1130.. I call doctors office and plead and ask to be merciful.. the girl told me she would show doctor asap.. at around noon the dr. Office phoned me and said she faxed back the order.. and the nurse gave me the thumbs up, we got the fax back.. it will be a bit.. I came home to wait for call.. 330 I call home.. now.. they are waiting for physical prescription.. 530 I'm still waiting to find out if there will be a scrip tonight.. my mother is unresponsive and looks like the skeleton.. god.. please.. I feel abandoned.. there is nothing be done.. but those ANGELS.. they hold her hand and they smile and try to be positive.... and I wait..

 

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 - 8:29am

645 PM.. monday... my mother wasn't afraid to stand up for what is right.. so to tell my mom's finally story... I will.. 700 at mom's window.. she's awake.. starring.. I took photos.. to show why I asked for comfort care.. I would do anything for my mom... and this too.. I called in.. the medication has been ordered.. should be another hour.. its just to comfort.. not.. just to take her from reality.. finally a little peace.. please god..

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 10:54am

Tuesday is tuff.. I believe that there is pain and suffering with starvation I asked for every 3 hours for my mother's compassion, I would like her to not be aware..noises startle her.. 445 the social worker called.. I made her aware of my medical power of attorney.. my mom should rest better tomorrow.. its been 4 days without.. and very little calories since last Wednesday.. 7 days from tomorrow. I am my mother's advocate.. 

425 mom passed ... 1030 now.. I've called and texted the ones who should know.. right now.. so.. here's the best I can do. To tell this. I got a call a little before 3 am.. she is going now.. I got up.. cried a little.. got dress, and to my mom's side.. her light was on.. I looked in to see the love and sorrow in the eyes of of Angel holding my mom's hand.. she left us for a bit.. I told my mom I love her.. and let her know I'll stay so don't be afraid..Tammy.. I'll always remember you.. I'm sure you were there for so many.. just like all the brave healthcare workers out there.... I promise to tell my mom's story.. You will all see.. how wonderful my mom was.. with " Her Goodbye "

 

Thursday, December 3, 2020 

Thursday.. APPLAUSE.. to Lisa.. the letter to the editor.. my mother's stories were of the life we lived.. the stories are fun.. but real.. she told other people's stories too.. a great grand ,I knew when I was young.. was a lumberjack... so my mom told stories and I told her last... But. the story of essentials... and I mean all, from every single nursing home ,actually around the world..THANK GOD for them.. being there for my mom.. and I hope for all you non believers and others who have rights... I hope .that there is still enough brave, courageous people , out there in case you need them... the healthcare workers are TIRED and also catching this , some live ,and some die..some suffer and some don't. And they are fighting for their lives.. and the best part, they are fighting for our lives.. us.. humanity.. so.. LETS ALL give them a break.. stay home if you can.. let the essential workers to this.. go out for only what you need.. leave your children home.. with your loved ones.. protect them NOW... 2020, this year is only going to get worse... we all should see this, and we all know what to do.. KEEP YOUR ASS HOME AND PUT A MASK ON.. ..The daughter..

CREATING A FAKE POLICE FACEBOOK PAGE, WHO WILL KNOW? (VIDEO)

IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER IS AGAINST THE LAW, BUT WHAT IF YOU IMPERSONATED AN ENTIRE POLICE FORCE INSTEAD? IS THAT LEGAL?

It all started last week on the Iron River, Michigan Police Department Facebook page as seen on this picture (above). If you read the meme and the description, you may be left scratching your head like many did.. What police officer or anyone in law enforcement would write anything about NOT investigating crimes taking place? I mean I would hope that if a police officer saw someone running down a road with a ski mask and a bag of cash he would "investigate" the situation..

(Above) As you see I was trying to edit the comment as I was being deleted and banned from this "police" page from a local community after simply asking about it. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal but what happens after... Wow!

(Above) Now my comment is totally gone and you will see only a "share" option meaning I was banned too. Under current US Supreme Court rulings, this action is against the law and violated my rights to free speech. I'm not making this up, you can go search Google to see many police departments have been sued for the very same actions. 

BUT IT GETS JUICIER, JUST WAIT..

(Above) Entire post/meme is gone. Deleted. This too is not allowed being the police operate under local government. 

(Above) So I called them out on my Facebook page because I really felt something is off. I thought for sure that City Manager David Thayer who runs the city of Iron River, Michigan would have full knowledge of this page since it had been operating for 2 years on Facebook. Who will take the blame for this screw up?
I figured.. Wrong.. Or did I?

THE ENTIRE IRON RIVER POLICE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK PAGE DISAPPEARED AND THEN A POST..

(Above) This comment suddenly appeared on my fb page (Jason Asselin's Adventures) after the entire page was deleted.

"David Thayer didn't ban you I did".. Then goes on to say "Our Department page" and talks as if she was someone in authority. However I know she is only a secretary at the police station, meaning she could operate the page under the city but would not have the authority to remove "free speech" or even to ban anyone. There are times I suppose where people do get crazy or out of hand, but this was clearly not "one of those times".. I was still lost at this point, as to whom did this lady really think she is? Like seriously??

(Above) And I quote, "The police department is not an elected official".. Now had she read into this a little and looked at the other things "Governments" which even include small town police facebook pages she would realize that she messed up. However she is still totally missing the point! I maybe shouldn't have told her to go seek legal council..

REBRANDING THE OLD POLICE PAGE?

(Above) The very next morning this page all of a sudden appeared called "Kindness Matters - Iron River" would come up if searching for "Iron River Police" on facebook. I mean surely the city isn't this stupid to delete an entire POLICE FACEBOOK PAGE and rebrand it to some crappy one?

Oh Facebook! I love that feature that shows you the history of facebook pages. Especially ones that show this used to be the Iron River Police page was rebranded? What is going on? Below I'll share some old posts. I'm guessing this person is dumb and forgot to remove all the postings dealing with "official?" police business..

AND THEN THIS PAGE WAS REMOVED AFTER..

BUT WHAT HAPPENED? 

SILENCE IS ALL I'VE HEARD SINCE. 
BETTER COVER THEIR ASSES, EH?

So Sarah McCord created a facebook page and ran it for 2 years under the nose of Iron River (MI) City Manager David Thayer without his knowledge or well wishes? I don't even understand this! How is that possible? 

She is a city employee, meaning her actions on her job reflects directly onto the city no matter why she felt she had this power. We can only assume the city was well aware of this page a maybe they purposely allowed it to operate this way just in case of this very issue?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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FOUND SNOW IN DA U.P. OF MICHIGAN ON JULY 24, 2019! (VIDEO)

 In most places across upper Michigan summer time temperatures have reached into the 90's but that wasn't hot enough to melt all the snow as Mark Mezydlo of Mohawk, MI found out in this Facebook video.


Side Note: See all the sawdust.. Years ago settlers would cut ice from lakes, then pack it in and under sawdust to keep it into July sometimes even later. In Quinnesec, MI they stored it underground in a place known as "Devil's Ice Box" packed in sawdust so the town would have ice all winter long.

Whether this was done on purpose or by accident, we'll never know unless Mark has something funny to offer....

Cougar Spotted Near Iron Mountain, Michigan?

On her morning walk near the Millie Hill Estates in Iron Mountain, Michigan she saw this..

This morning I got quite a few messages asking me if I heard about the COUGAR being spotted and seen on Millie Hill early Monday morning. Apparently this person took the picture (above) I posted.. 

I called "anonymous" this morning and asked if she was the person posting about the cougar on Millie Hill.. She said yes she was but she said that photo was just one she got from google because it shows exactly what she saw.. I believe her, read her story below as told to me by phone..

 She told me she walks often alone and has never seen anything like it before. She said she say a SNAKE just a minute before, so her eyes were glued to the ground looking for more and never saw the cougar until she got really close.. She said she froze with fear, not knowing exactly what she should do or not do.. She said the cat turned and trotted away, sort of a fast paced walk.. 

She described how its ears weren't tall, but more short and stubby. The body was slender and colored like a deer, with a long tail that followed behind just like a cat.. She told me that she quickly walked away and when she got her phone she googled "cougar" and that picture came up, she said that is exactly what she saw.

SEEN BEFORE IN TOWN?

Just last year or maybe earlier this year (I can't remember) someone in Iron Mountain on E Street reported a cougar walking around the neighborhood in the middle of the afternoon, they never found it but I thought that was strange.

Quite a few years ago I remember someone reporting one downtown near the Moose Jackson Cafe, someone saw it run from the dumpster area and said within seconds it was to the train tracks and gone.

I myself have seen 2 cougars, once near Crystal Falls, Michigan that I even reported to the DNR and was laughed right out of their office.. A few years later (maybe 7 years ago) I saw one cross the road near the US-2/M-95 junction as it was chasing a deer..

Cougars are definitely around here and as people continue to get out walking and exploring new areas, more will likely be seen. Many believe these cougars are really no threat, unless you have a dog our walking with you not on a leash or maybe one running loose around your yard nears a wooded area.. For the most part, cougar attacks on people are very uncommon.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A COUGAR NEAR WHERE YOU LIVE? GIVE THIS A SHARE!!

What Caused the FIRE at the Iron Mountain, MI Mobil Gas Station & Burger King?

The $1,000,000 question..
What do you know?

On May 20th around 3:20pm the first calls were going out about a fire at the Iron Mountain, Michigan Mobile Gas Station and attached Burger King. Immediately upon arrival, the IMFD knew they had a big fire and called for mutual support of the Breitung Township Fire Department. It is unclear as to why Kingsford didn't send a fire truck over to help, maybe they were busy or weren't asked..

I think it was posted some where that the first call came from "across the street"? I know Burger King was open, although some officials during the fire were unsure if they were even open at all. I'm not sure at what point did the employees even know the building was on fire..

I'm not saying anyone in the BK knew it was on fire, but on the other hand... How did no one know about it for so long? It is possible the exhaust fans were getting the smoke out of the building, that is the only reasonable explanation I can think of if that fire was burning for a long time before the call.

 You can see on video (posted below) that the right side collapses first. How hot was that fire behind it?

You can see on the video below, the right side appears to give way and the rest comes down with it...

Below is the video I captured from the front of the store.. It shows the rescue of that firefighter after it collapses onto him.

Below is 18+ minutes of video that includes the above incident along with slow motion as the wall fell.. I'm sure most questions will be "how long was this fire burning"..?

A former employee tells me there was "issues" with the building that they tried to report but went unanswered..

I'm sure the local fire department will get to the bottom of what caused this huge fire that destroyed 2 businesses.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? COME JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE!

Filming a "Ghost Ship" on Lake Superior With Kevin B. Klein

It was an epic fall color tour in the U.P. with Nashville recording artist Kevin B. Klein brought us to the Black Rocks of Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Michigan to watch the sunset. 

We were there filming a music video for his new song called "My Michigan" that reflected on many things we saw on this trip! 

Looking out onto the water we saw a strange object that appeared to reach the sky.. It looked almost like a giant mast of a ghost ship lost in time!

  Some have even said they think it looks like Jesus walking on water holding his staff.. While I think that is a little much, it still allows your mind to wonder as you search for answers of what you just saw.. What was it?

I posted a ton of FALL COLOR photos that I took on my journey across upper Michigan with Kevin B Klein Music! 

Come see the photos on facebook: Jason Asselin News & Video!

12th Annual Veteran Tribute Ride Gives $14,000 to Local Veteran Organizations

The $14,000 that was raised during this years 12th Annual Veteran Tribute Ride was given away today at Big 10 Sports Bar in Quinnesec, Michigan! 

 A major success that will benefit local Veterans all over this area.. Watch (below) as each organization accepts their donation and hear what this money will go towards helping!

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JOIN US IN 2017! SEE YOU THEN!

WI DNR Proposed Changes At Piers Gorge, Menominee River

The area known as Piers Gorge along the Menominee River is Michigan's upper peninsula is known for its natural beauty as you walk along a path along the river. It is also a place for white water rafting and kayaking too, many different people share the park for different reasons and activities. This entire time, only from Michigan could you experience this.. That could all change real soon..

The Wisconsin side has been sitting there, not touched by human hands for years. This may all change if Wisconsin goes ahead with their plan to make their side as accessible as Michigan's is... 

>>> SEE THE PROPOSED CHANGES (CLICK HERE) <<<

Many people will like it but others may want nature to stay the way it is..  

What do you think about the plans above? 

The Secret Marriage Proposal (Behind The Scenes)

This was the coolest secret proposal I have ever been part of.. We never met the couple or even seen a picture of them prior to this proposal and they had never been there either! We were asked just a week prior if it would be possible to film him asking his girlfriend to marry him at Piers Gorge in Michigan's upper peninsula, to which we quickly said yes.. Knowing they had never been there, we weren't sure how to lead them to where we were waiting. That is when my wife came up with this awesome idea... HEARTS TO FOLLOW...

 Using environment friendly chalk and knowing it would wash away in the first rain, hearts led the way..

 They could easily follow the hearts along the path, we suggested he make it a game on their "walk"..

 So I couldn't help but to add some LOVE into the mix as well.. Everyone should have it in their lives!

Ashley (target) said as they were walking through Piers Gorge, they saw this little kid run by them with his hands in his pocket, she said she thought to herself "he must be going to get more chalk".. Little did she know it wasn't him and all of these hearts and messages were for her.. This was the easy part... The big question was how to get them to stand where we needed them. Our first thought, wait I mean my first thought was to put my wife on this big boulder on the edge of the water where she could capture pictures from there, while I recorded video from the path.  Did I mention she has a fear of heights? WE changed our plans..

The next big challenge was getting them to stand exactly where we wanted them. So we came up with the idea of using a big pink rose wrapped up and just laying there for them to find. I'm sure it was a surprise to find it laying there next to the waters edge.. I wonder what she was thinking when he picked it up...

As we waited for their arrival, we had to ask people to stay away from the area where the rose was laying.. One group of people decided to stay and see what was about to happen. However, they were no where to be seen when it did.. We saw them holding hands as they walked towards us, my wife had her back to her and I was pretending as if I was talking to her. He took the turn and pointed down towards the hearts that were still on the ground, which led to the rose waiting.. The rest I'll let you watch for yourself!

Carrying Logs and Deer on his Back, meet David Moraska

I can only imagine what people must have thought as they came up on this strange sight. To see a guy riding down the right lane of M95 in Iron Mountain, Michigan heading south towards Wisconsin with a full grown deer on his shoulders. This isn't a fawn or even a small deer. This is a big doe with its tongue sticking out as if she was getting her last taste of fresh air.

Many Michigan hunters display their trophies no matter how big or small they are. Many put them on the back of their trucks, some put them on top of their cars. Sometimes you might even see one carry their score with a 4 wheeler or maybe even on a snowmobile. But have you ever seen someone use a bike?


His name is David Moraska and he does this once a year right around this time. He is 58 years old and built like an ox, he should be considering he just went 2 miles down the road on his single speed bike to a butcher located in a garage in Kingsford, Michigan. Here you can see him as he passes a coffee shop, then past Grede Foundry before making his turn back west.

Many in this small town have seen David before, they just don't recognize him with this deer on his back. While still on this subject, let me say this deer is the real deal. He killed it with his rifle, it is not roadkill as some has suggested. He let this deer sit in his garage for a few days to stiffen up, not from rigor but from the very cold air upper Michigan winters provide.

I moved here in early 1999 not knowing what to expect, my first winter here was a fast learning experience. Cold winter nights and much snow all around, this is truly the deep north. Living in Memphis, TN for 6 yrs before, this was a change I wouldn't soon forget. My cousin had always told me about this guy who walked around town carrying a log. He said it was a huge one too, sometimes he saw a chain wrapped around it. For a few years I thought he was pulling my leg, I had never saw him before. Until that day..

When I first saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes. This was before I carried a camera with me, heck this was before I wanted too. This was the first time I wished I had one. This guy was walking at a slow pace down the sidewalk with this huge log over his shoulders. He was strapped to it as if he was being crucified. It was truly a crazy thing to see. Many told me at the time he did it for religious purposes, it seemed like an excuse I could live with at the time, it was the only thing I heard people say. After that I saw him a few more times over the next few years, this was around 2004 I think.

In 2009 I really started getting into recording and editing videos, I started carrying a camera on me at all times as much as I could, never knowing what I might catch on camera. All I can remember is the one day I left the house without the camera. I only ran to the local gas station and noticed he was near my house carrying his log. I ran home and grabbed the camera to see if I could film him. My problem was I couldn't find him, where could he have gone too carrying a huge log? After this day I kept that camera on me no matter when or where I went, I wasn't going to miss him again. Right in front of my house it happened..

He told me this is his "cool down and pump" which I guess is something he works out with. Sure didn't sound religious to me, more about that later. He says he does this all year long, more so in the winter. This is a transformer pole that he sometimes wraps in chains which weigh 150# by itself. I asked him how much this pole weighed and he said as much as any other pole this size. I noticed he had a special bracket the log fit onto as he carried it around town. After this I got to know David a little more, our friendship began. Wanna see the chains he carries? Check out this video with music behind it..

In February, 2012 David got a hold of me to let me know he was planning on a night adventure. He asked me to meet him on top of Pine Mountain near the ski jump. I was a little late getting there and he had already walked down the hill. He saw me and turned around, going back up to the top.  You can't change the mind of a guy carrying a log, trust me.. This night time video, David opened up a little more about why he does this. He is beginning to trust me, knowing I want to show others this amazing guy no one knows about.

So the next time you see someone doing something absolutely crazy, just remember it is only crazy if you haven't or can't do it yourself. Instead of guessing or assuming why someone does something differently than you or I, go ask them questions.. You never know what you might learn about someone you just met.

Jason Asselin,
Iron Mountain, Michigan