Monday, March 30, 2015

What I love about living in the south

Well, it is an absolutely beautiful spring morning at Riverview this morning. I woke up about 4:45 am, and very quietly eased out of bed. I have not stayed married for 44+ years to the same woman by being stupid. I eased out into the den, read my Bible for a while, and watched the early morning local news. It is very important to know what the weather is going to be on each given day since conversations in our community revolve around three topics: the weather, pickup trucks, and crops. I never want to be deficit on a third of the topics. As soon as it got light enough to see, I walked outside with a cup of coffee and listened to a couple of turkey gobblers trying to convince a few hens that they were the best looking guys in the woods.
 As it got even lighter, I took in the beauty of God's creation by observing the blooming Dogwoods, Azalias, and various fruit trees. There is just an explosion of colors right in my backyard. I am so blessed to get to enjoy this beauty, and it made me begin thinking about all of the things I love about living in the south. I'm going to share a few of those things in no particular order:
1) I love the sound of the wind blowing through the tops of the majestic pine trees.
2) I love seeing the Spanish moss swaying gently on those same breezes.
3) I love sweet tea
4) I love southern manners. I like hearing children say "yes mam, no mam, yes sir, and no sir".
5) I like the fact that we are all kin to one another. When Martha first moved back home with me, I cautioned her that we were kin to everyone we came in contact with; so be careful who you talk about.
6) I like the fact that when you are compelled to talk about someone, you can say anything you want to say as long as you add "bless her/his heart" as a disclaimer at the end of the conversation.
7) and finally, I like the fact that everyone has someone in the family who is crazier than a looney bug, and that's perfectly OK," bless their hearts"!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Oh What a Feeling

Our 2014-2015 hunting season officially ended this past Saturday at 1:00 pm, and it was an outstanding one in every sense of the word. For the third year in a row, we had more guests visit us than in the prior year, and the quality of the cover and hunting was outstanding! One of the more interesting statistics that I observed from this past season is that we had the lowest kill per hunt than any year I ever remember. You might find it odd for me to say this, but that is a good thing! We are selling sport rather than meat.
 I give a lot of credit for that statistic to the introduction of our English Cocker flushing dogs. These little dogs flat put the birds in the air rather than having them pop out of a covey and fly at various times. Another great statistic this year was that we lost less shot quail than any other season. Again, the credit for that stat goes to these little retrievers. We definitely plan to expand this program in the future years.
 However, my favorite statistic is this one: It was yet another zero defect safety season at Riverview!!! Anyone reading this blog who has hunted with us knows that my number one criteria of a successful season is a safe season, and we achieved that record again. I can only say, "Praise God".
 Today we are taking inventories of all of our supplies, and converting four of our jeeps to woods burning rigs. It's going to be too damp to burn today. However, by tomorrow afternoon this place will look like General Sherman has revisited us. Speaking of General Sherman, I'm fairly certain that he is warm where he is now without having to warm his butt on the backside of any Georgia mansions.
 As for me, I plan to spend some time resting, visiting with grandchildren, and fishing.You know what they say about fishing? " Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in a boat all day long drinking". That would be me!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Reflections

As I was reading my newspaper this morning, the following headline caught my attention," President Obama comes down to Georgia Tech". Now seeing as how I am no fan of either President Obama or Georgia Tech, the headline sounded eerily similar to the title of the old Charlie Daniels song, " The Devil Came Down To Georgia". As far as I'm concerned, Obama and Tech deserve one another! 'Nuff said?
 We have the rest of this week and all of next week remaining in what has been an outstanding hunting season both in terms of quality and quantity of guests. One of my young guides approached me yesterday and asked me if I was looking forward to the season ending. I looked at him and responded, "Son, the day that I do not look forward to a hunting season beginning is the day that I will retire, and the day that I do not look forward to it ending is the day that I will have myself committed to a mental institution".
  I will write more when I have something worthwhile to say.