Nothing Like Family

I have been in the deer woods since Monday. Let me begin by saying it will be my last visit for a LONG time. I shot what I thought was a doe, but in actuality was a button buck. If you read my blog, you know this is NOT something I would ever intentionally do. It really upset me. Mistakes are made often in the woods, but not by me. I was feeling pretty low. I came home yesterday in a funk and managed to remain in a funk until I talked to my daddy, hence the title of this blog post.

Dad asked me if anyone killed a deer. I copped to my mistake. And in his infinite words of wisdom he said, "Well, no big deal. Those are the best to eat and actually it's better to manage them because they will starve if you don't. It's OK. It happens." I know some people might argue with his logic, but I just don't. I felt soooo much better and even managed to eat deer steak, which I previously declared I would NOT do. And you know, he was right.

I am uploading pictures of my deer stand so you can see what the heck I'm talking about. It's more like 20 feet instead of 25, but hey, I'm STILL 5'1"!!

Today is Thanksgiving. I won't bore you with regular Thanksgiving espousals. We all know I am beyond thankful for my life, love,friends, and family. I'm going to give you five (although I could easily give 50) oft unmentioned things that totally earn my gratefulness: ;)
1. Newspapers: good for only one thing...packing breakables because they sure don't deliver fair, honest, and or balance news anymore.
2. Right Wing Religious Republican Conservatives: they keep me on my toes and remind me of my duties and responsibilites of vigilent citizenship.
3. Slow Drivers: they require me to practice my manners. i try not to curse, think bad thoughts, and/or use inappropriate hand gestures.
4. Bluetooth Headsets: reminds me that I'm NOT the only person who appears to be talking to herself! Of course, I don't own a bluetooth but whatever. ;)
5. Wal-Mart: YES, this deserves the #1 spot but I'm a tad stubborn. Without WallyWorld, I would have nothing and nothing to complain about. Gotta love/hate it.

Well,hope all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Eat, drink, be merry, AND reflect on your many blessings. Remember, there are many others who are not as fortunate. And please remember the families of the fallen soldiers this Thanksgiving and say a special prayer for them and those still serving. They deserve nothing less than our deepest gratitude. God Bless the USA!

Later blog readers.....

Tyler Parten Foundation**a serious blog post

During this season of giving, if you are looking for a worthwhile charity, please watch video and consider this one. Be thankful you are where you are because others are just not as lucky. Thanks, steph

NewsFlash

It has been brought to my attention that my blog is lacking in well, shall we say, bells and whistles. I am determined to "spice up" my page with pictures soon. However, it will not be this post because I haven't figured out exactly how I'm going to WOW ya! ;)

I finally finished all of my papers for school. I have never been so ready for a Thanksgiving break in all of my life. I want to read a really good book. I cannot believe with all of the reading I have been doing, it is still my first choice for fun. It is a trait I have managed to pass on to my daughter. She has purchased 10 books from the book fair in the past two days. AND she's multi-reading just like me. ;) Which means we usually read 2 or more books at a time.

I will end my post here. I know it's short, but I promise the next one will not disappoint. ;) Later blog readers.....

Cue Willie Nelson *WARNING extremely long rambling post

I did something I will NEVER do again this past week. NEVER. This weekend was opening gun season for deer and we always try to make it to camp for it. Lots of folks show up (total of 18 this weekend) so it's "busy." AD had been at camp getting it ready for us since Tuesday and decided we should come Friday. Well, at the last minute he wanted us to come Thursday. So, I say SURE without thinking it through. And because I am literally exhausted and gimped up (will get to that in a minute), I am going the crappy non-creative route for my blog. Please forgive me. ;)

THURSDAY: I leave the house at 730 and drive Blakely to school in Marianna. Throw her out of the car (JK, but almost) and head immediately to ASU in Jonesboro, a jaunty 1 1/2 hour drive north. Get there turn in 2 papers (took all of 25 minutes) and leave to go back to pick her up in Marianna before lunch. Drive 2 1/2 to Monticello to deer camp. Arrive and immediately get into hunting gear and head to my stand. It is now 330. Sit there until 530 to see absolutely NO deer.

Now, gun season didn't come in until Saturday so I am lugging my crossbow. And it is NOT light.

Blakely and I steal the camper bed so AD had to sleep on the couch. Bad girls, I know. Most people know that I am a morning person and my family is definitely NOT. I left them sleeping at 5 am to go back to my stand for Day 2 of bowhunting.

FRIDAY: If you read my blog, you know I'm not a big fan of the woods at night. Welll, I'm also not a big fan of them at dark before daylight. Creeps me out. It's sooooo quiet and eerie at first then you hear all sorts of scary noises. Did I mention my bow was heavy? Well, lugging it to my stand with my 400lbs of hunting clothes (because it was cold) AND my backpack with requisite oatmeal creme pies AND diet coke became a "tad" tedious. I swear if I didn't go to the gym regularly...I'd have NEVER made it. I get in the stand and sit there for 3 1/2 hours to see 1 freaky spider, 1 very angry red wasp that turned into very dead wasp, at least 500 squirrels, and 3 crows that looked suspiciously like Poe's Raven. Normally, the crows wouldn't bother me but I'm not gonna lie....it was Friday the 13th!!!! Kind of spoooookky. I normally would've stayed longer but that pretty much sealed it for me. I was very disappointed with no deer, but elated as well I had not had a coronary.

When got back to camp, AD decided to take me to the place he'd been working on for me. Now two guys that I know of had seen my new stand and they wouldn't even get in it. Too high they said. So, needless to say AD felt I probably wouldn't get in it either. Did you know that I also have a fear of heights???? OK. So, we trudge out and I see it. I'm thinking that's kind of high but I see all the deer tracks around the feeder and literally throw caution to the wind. I have on my 400lbs of clothes and my "supply" backpack. My crossbow is on the ground. I'll have to pull it up by a string once I get up there. I go right on over and climb straight up 25 feet (I'm 5'1") and plop my butt down. I don't know who's shocked more, me or AD. LOL He thinks I may not be able to pull the bow up because it's heavy. I'm like the freaking bionic woman because that baby came right on up. Yeah, replay the shock value. I am now sweating profusely. He leaves and I wait.

Ok, this is not so bad I keep telling myself. But in reality, I am about to freak out. I start thinking what if I'm like a cat that climbs a tree and gets stuck? How am I going to get down!?!? Mini-panic attack. What if I have a seizure or black out? What if those ravens come back and pick me off???? But then I hear footsteps. Deer footsteps. yeah, i'm okay now. Totally focused on bambi. In the span of 1 hour I see 6 deer. Of course, none are legal to shoot so I just enjoy the show.

Night falls. It's funny how things can go from good to bad in an instant. Watching deer frolic one minute, next minute thinking psycho killer is in the woods (think Texas chainsaw massacre) and he know just where I am. I text AD and tell him I'm ready. NORMALLY, I know he's not going to get in any hurry. But what'dya know....he's on his way. I think this freaked me out way more. He tells me to stay in the stand until he gets there, but of course I don't listen. It took me 4 tries to get my bow down on the string because I can't tie a knot and I kept getting tangled in the string. Good Lord, it's a wonder I made it down. But I do and I get my flashlight and stand real still against my tree and wait. I hear footsteps. Slow, deliberate, and extremely close to me. This is where I wish I'd never seen any horror movies because they were all running through my mind. I didn't even have a gun but a stupid crossbow. What would I do? Stab them with my arrow?!?!? An arrow is not much defense against a chainsaw. Seriously. The footsteps stop directly in front of me, no more than 10 yards. I turn my flashlight on because I think if I can shine it in the eyes of Leatherface it can buy me some time. LOL It's a doe! She's absolutely big and beautiful! She just stood there and looked at me. Well, actually the light but hey, give me my moment. It was soooo National Geographic. She did not move until she saw the Rhino (fancy 4wheeler) headlights. Wow. What an amazing creature. Totally worth the entire anxiety attack.

I end up on the couch tonight. But not until I sit by the fire and listen to a bunch of crap. That is pretty much a standard deer camp evening.

SATURDAY:

Gun Season!!

I wake up and it feels like I've been in a fight. My butt, back, legs, arms, and shoulders are super sore. Like you feel after lifting lots of weights. Apparently, I'm not doing enough at the gym.

I decide not to return to the high stand because AD is taking Blakely over to the other club. I would have to drive myself (in the dark), walk to the stand that I've only been to once (in the dark), AND climb the "mountain" (in the dark). My momma didn't raise no fool! I went with my family. LOL Of course, I didn't see anything but did get to read several disgruntled texts from AD and Blakely. They'd gotten into it in the stand because she refused to shoot the gun to kill a spike deer. Good grief. Good grief. I'm refereeing on a freakin' deer stand between my spouse and child. Both at a standoff. Both stubborn. It was ridiculous. We got off our stands extremely early and headed back to camp in lovely moods. I decide that afternoon I would take myself to the other stand just so I could get some peace.

Ended up having a guy go with me. Didn't know him but he was very nice. AD set it up because he knows I'm directionally challenged and nightfall would be kind of dicey for me. :) I manage to get right on back up there. Saw one button buck (illegal) and that's it. Nothing cool or scary. This guy wanted to leave before it got too dark which was fine by me so other than not killing a deer, it wasn't too bad.

I decide to stay by myself and not do the whole campfire thing. I'm tired and sore. My arms and legs feel like jelly. I have a headache and my allergies are acting up...plus the Matrix was on. ;)
You would've thought I'd not shown up for dinner with the Queen. AD says everybody wants to know where you are...I really doubt it and do not succumb to his peer pressure. ;)

Slept on couch AGAIN.

SUNDAY:

It's do or die time. I'm going home after morning hunt so I've got to get serious. Of course, my family stays in bed (as usual) and I take myself without ANY help to the "mountain" stand. It hurts to move my arms and legs. I think I may have atrophied my muscles. OK, maybe not but seriously I've pushed them to failure. That 25 foot climb is not looking so good to me. And it's pitch black dark. Of course it is just 520 in the a.m. I seriously am super proud of myself. I didn't panic at all this time. I walked in there expecting to see Leatherface but I was going to kick his butt today. All 527lbs of me. ;)
I climb and sit. Loaded my gun and waited. I could hear a deer but I couldn't see it yet because of the darkness. Gradually, it was getting lighter and I could make out a doe. She was a nice size but it wasn't light enough for me to take a shot. I swear she knew that because she sauntered right on off a little before dawn. Man! I wouldn't see another deer for 2 hours. A little button buck baby that reminded me of Norman the Calf off City Slickers. Too cute. And illegal. Although, even if it was legal I wouldn't have shot it. I have my standards ya know. That was it. After 5 hours on the stand, I'm ready to go home deerless. You can't kill 'em every time. I'm okay with that.

Well, that's my entire deer hunting saga. Lengthy and boring. But I feel better about sharing. ;) The best part of the whole weekend was spending time with my quarreling family (that's how we roll) and getting the best cardio/butt/thigh/shoulder/arm workout of my entire life!

Tomorrow it's back to reality. Two poetry explications and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." Oh joy unsurpassed. Hope all have a wonderful week. Later blog readers......

P.S.: I will NEVER drive from Marianna to JB to Marianna to Monticello EVER AGAIN. The End.;)

Great Quotes!

I ordered a card set from Sally Foster and totally forgot why, NOW I remember! Neat cards with awesome quotes that I must share. Feel free to pass them along. They made by blah day much brighter.

"Treasure the one who lightens the burden of anyone else."--Charles Dickens

"Your world is as big as you make it."--Georgia Douglas Johnson

"You are one of my nicest thoughts."--Georgia O'Keefe

"It's not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts."--J. M. Laurence

"Dreams come a size too big so that you can grow into them."--Josie Bissett

"Everything great that is done in the world is done by hope."--Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I wish you all the joy that one can wish."--William Shakespeare

"Friends are the sunshine of life."--John Hay

"Believe! There are no limits but the sky."--Cervantes

A little trivia on the last quote. Cervantes authored "Don Quixote" and several everyday colloquialisms have been culled from his masterpiece. Of course, they have been arranged in modern speak to make sense. Here are a few:

"The sky's the limit."
"Thanks for nothing."
"Mum's the word."
"No love lost."
"Give the devil his due."

Pretty cool, huh? And even neater (and I thought of this one all on my own!), if you take the "i" and "x" out of Quixote, you are left with the word "QUOTE!!!" Way cool! I learned all of this from a New York Times Crossword Sunday puzzle by the way. ;)

Hope you enjoyed. Later blog readers.......

Schedule, Hospital, Road Rage, and Starbucks

For starters, I registered for the Spring semester and true to my word, I have piled it on. It will be tough, but I'm cool with that. I managed to whittle down the boring drive from 3 days to 2! Yes!!!

I took my mom to the hospital today for a test. Let me just say that hospitals are COLD. I get it...but seriously, it's cold enough to hang meat?!?! lol I managed to get a little schoolwork done, but saved a little time for some people watching. I really enjoy doing that. I promise I don't stare and freak them out (well, sometimes I do) but it is a fun way to pass the time. There are some very, very interesting peeps out there. Hospitals are prime environments to get a well-rounded, varied group to watch. I like to make up stories in my head about some I see. For instance, the little old guy who chatted up a much younger lady. Here's my story:

She reminded him of his daughter he hadn't seen or spoken to in years. As he watched her toy with her cell phone, he asked her aloud if her phone was a Blackberry? She answered yes. He was quite proud of himself just knowing the name of an actual cell phone. They struck up a cordial conversation that lasted until he was called back for his heart test. She was sad to see him go because he reminded her of her father whom she hadn't spoken with in years. This one simple act inspired them to call the ones they still loved and missed the most. Just think what might have happened if he'd never spoken up.

Well, there you have it. Sometimes the stories are funny, but most of the time I find them to be poignant. I'm weird, I know.

After TWO and a HALF HOURS, we finally get to leave the hospital. We are starving! Of course, it's Memphis and traffic is horrendous. I just really, really dislike inconsiderate drivers. If you are in the fast lane (that would be the left in case you didn't know!), go faster. If not, then please get the heck out of my way! I'm hungry, thirsty, hungry, AND need to potty!!! LOL I managed to make it Houston's on Poplar without a "serious" incident. Geez.

Speaking of Houston's, I had sashima salad. It was THE BOMB!! Oh, how I wish FC had restaurants that served stuff like Houston's. Yum-ola!

My mom has to have her afternoon coffee. Starbucks on the brain. She's a straight black coffee drinker too, but prefers milder blends. I am bold all the way! I was quite disappointed in the selection. It was rather weak but I must say did do the job. ;)

This week is coming to a close which means we are now only 2 weeks away from Thanksgiving. And speaking of Turkey Day, it really irritates me that we uber celebrate Halloween and Christmas, but totally skip Thanksgiving! Not cool. Not cool at ALL. Later blog readers.....

This and That

I'm just sitting here pondering. I am sooooo thankful I received the gift of a sense of humor from my family. Without it, I honestly think I could crack up..and I don't mean with laughter. I will expand on this statement in a bit. But for now.....

I am on the road a lot. I rarely listen to the radio. I like the quiet. I think. I compose poetry in my head, but never write it down. I notice (if daylight) the colors of the world around me. I am amazed I am living on earth and breathing air. I thank God for my blessings and pray for Him to show me (like point it out PLEASE or a burning bush or something I would notice! lol) my purpose in life. Sometimes I think I get it....other days I just don't have a clue. If I'm driving at night, I notice nothing because I don't have the best eyesight at night. So, I'm concentrating on just getting home without incident! Seriously. But I'm also quiet and reflective. Doesn't it just boggle your mind sometime to think of the sheer magnitude of our world and universe??? Right now someone is being born, dying, making war, making love, crying, laughing, sleeping, commiting a crime, making a decision, watching a movie, worrying, wondering, ....I could go on and on and on. Think of all the opportunities you have had, taken, and/or missed in your life. Wow. I am who I am because of those decisions. Is my life random? I would think not. No, I know it's not. And neither is anybody elses. Why can't we just live and let live? I don't mean the "stick your head in the sand" and make it go away. I mean trying to walk in someone elses shoes just to try to wrap your head around their life situation. An understanding. A compassion. To help, if wanted or forgive, if needed. Which brings me back to my humor....

If I didn't possess it, I would spend all of my time angry, depressed, or on an extended crying jag. There are times when my sense of humor is all that saved me from making a complete ass of myself. And yes, there have been many MANY times I failed to see the humor! I am a literal work in progress. I don't think I will ever achieve my goal, and I'm not sure I'm supposed to...maybe it's just all about the journey.

Well, hope I didn't depress you guys too much with this dramatic diatribe. If I did, well....hellooooo, just laugh it off! ;) Later blog readers.....

PS: If you are looking for a charity to donate to before the end of this tax year please consider the Tyler Parten Memorial Fund. It is fully tax deductible and is for a very worthy cause. If you don't know the story of Tyler, please read my September 2009 blog entry. Thanks.

1st Lt. Tyler Parten Memorial Fund
C/O ARCF
1400 W. Markham, Suite 206
Little Rock, AR 72201

First Things First

First of all, I would like to apologize for my epic failure in not blogging this week. It's been a very weird week. Because I am not feeling exactly "creative" today, I am going to break it down simply (much more for me, than you! lol)...this is not to insult your intelligence but to save mine! ;)

1. The Weather: OK. For those of us who live in Arkansas, ENOUGH rain ALREADY! It rained cats, dogs, elephants, tigers, *insert any animal, ALL week long. The drive to ASU is crappy enough without the torrential downpours. 10 inches in 24 hours?!?!? Seriously. That's mucho rain-o. I donned my muck boots and trudged (literally) across campus. I saw some people dressed up in high heel boots (my fave! but not in rain) and full hair/make-up. I'm like what the heck?!? I had no makeup, rain soaked hair, oversized sweatshirt with hoody, and of course my mucks. Nice. LOL However, I learned long ago not to question the Big Guy so I've just let a smile be my umbrella. My heart goes out to our farmers, though. It's been a tough few week and there's much still in the fields. I hope this coming week with all the glorious sunshine they can get all "in the dry" and salvage what's left. Also, my deep appreciation goes out to all the elementary teachers who have had to deal with indoor recess. Believe me, I do NOT envy your job. Which leads me to topic #2:

2. Lee Academy: I subbed on Wednesday. It was awful. Wednesday is my "work" day for all my school work. But, I did this as a favor for another teacher so she could take her little ones to the pumpkin patch (in Mississippi...where apparently it is much drier)....she teaches 7th-8th graders ALL day long. I don't care for this age group. Never have. No offense, they are wonderful children but I prefer 11-12th graders. I felt like an elementary school teacher. All day with the same kids makes Steph a grouchy lady...okay, more than grouchy lady! LOL I was worn slap out by 3pm and in NO mood for witty banter, or banter of any kind. I guess I am pretty well acclimated to not working a J-O-B now because this just stunk. It took me a couple of days to recover mentally and physically. I will not sub again until the Spring. I promised a pregnant teacher friend that I would sub 3 days/week for FOUR weeks during her maternity leave. What on EARTH was I thinking?!?!? LOL I pity the kids, the school, AND my family during that time! Good grief! Speaking of family leads me to topic #3:

3. Deer Woods: AD took me deer hunting this weekend. We weren't going to go because of all the water, but I acted petulant and he caved. He probably shouldn't have. We drove to Warren in rain (big surprise) and bought a Rhino ATV. Very cool. Then we drove back to Monticello to the motel because it was way too muddy to haul the camper. Got up at 5a Saturday and got on the stand. I fell asleep not once, twice, but THREE times. I felt narcoleptic. It could've been from all the carbs I ingested. I tend to eat, heck OVEReat, when deer hunting. I sat there for 4 hours and didn't see a darn thing. Quite unusual. But there was sooo much water around that a lot of the deer had not the chance to return yet. I got off the stand and we rode around refilling feeders and checking stuff out. If you know me and AD, you know we tend to bicker. It alarms some people, but it's just how we communicate (when we're actually talking). Well, both of us were just cranky and NOTHING was going well. So, I said I wanted to go back to my stand. Really anything just to get away from AD and of course, he was willing to put me back up there. So what does that tell ya? LOL So, we end up texting. What would we do without texting?!? Then things start moving. First in was a doe that I couldn't, see but she smelled me. They "blow" at you. And it will scare the bejesus out of you when you hear it. I bet I jumped out of my skin there for a sec. No sleeping for me now! It helps when you can see them because it doesn't surprise you. But when you don't....well, it's freaky. I calmed down and in they start coming. One fairly good sized doe. I needed her to get 30 yards or closer because that's my range with the crossbow. Hunting with a crossbow is way harder than gun hunting. You can't just take any shot. She wouldn't give me a clear shot so I watched her eat til her hearts content and leave. Then I see HIM. He's a pretty big bodied deer about 60 yards out. Comes right up to the feeded but he only has 1 horn and it's about a 6 inch spike. Not legal. OF COURSE he gives me all sorts of clear shots but I can't take them. AAARGH! Then a doe and her two babies show up. I can't shoot a momma with her babies. Sorry, I'm a momma. I know that I'm supposed to be able to do that, but I have my standards. That's one of them. So I watched them eat. It was getting close to sundown and it's hard for me to see in that kind of light. I was done for the day...no deer. But that's OK.

I text AD and he SAYS he's on his way. Now, if you've read my blog for a while you know my "issues" with nighttime and the woods. NOT COOL. I'm sitting up there in the stand because you couldn't pry me down if you tried! Not in the dark. Unh-unh...no way. I don't hear the 4 wheeler. 5 minutes...no sound. 10 minutes....no sound. Did I mention that it was Halloween? Creepy crap starts happening, either for real or in my mind, who cares. I can't see, but oh can I hear. Bumps, clumps, flutterings.....and all I've got is this stupid crossbow. If I had my gun, well I'd feel a "little" better...oh, who am I kidding....I'd still FREAK OUT. So, I did. I text an angry message and hear the 4 wheeler. Sometimes I think he's just sitting there waiting on me to do that because he's thinking he'll "MAKE" me get used to the dark woods. He hasn't been able to make me do anything in 13 years so this "experiment" is wearing thin, not to mention it is futile. lol We fall right back into bickering and all is right with the world. I decided not to deer hunt today because I need to work on some graduate stuff. Of course, I am now proscratinating by blogging but whatever. ;)

4. The only thing I brought home from the hunt is about 2 extra pounds of flesh (mine) and fried pies from Ray's. Aahhhh, the joys of fried pies.

It's going to be a very busy week for me. Hopefully, this sunshine will stay. I must get to work on my annotated bibliography. Have a wonderful week blog readers! Later.....

NOTE: Obama participated in the solemn occasion of bringing 15 of our boys back home in body bags from Afghanistan this week. This was no doubt a difficult task to look into the faces of their families. He is still pondering whether to send all the troops asked for or some of them. I hear no talks of pulling them all out anymore. Remember his campaign promise? I do. Just goes to show you that he's no different. And that's exactly what people need to understand. God help us.