Our Knight

Buckaroo chose to be a Knight for Halloween. It was about the sword more than anything else but he really played the part.

The thing about this Knight is that he has the gentlemen qualities to go with the costume. He defends what is right, fights for truth, is tender to his sister and loves his mom.

By night Buckaroo is a Knight, but by day he is a basketball superstar. You are looking at the next Steve Nash (that is if he doesn't become the next Randy Johnson).

Local Firechief

Punky Girl is obsessed with firemen and firetrucks and anything to do with fire fighting-no news flash here. I thought I'd post a few pictures of her obsession since it is part of our daily lives. Punky Girl teaches fire safety to her students in our den in the afternoons. When she is not teaching she is out going to fires and putting them out. This pretend play goes on all the time. I love to listen to her conversations with her students. She was a fire chief for Halloween.

To feed into her obsession, her daddy painted her big wheel red so that it could be her fire engine.

When it was Fire Safety Day at her school she could hardly contain herself. It was like Christmas for her (punned intended). When one of the firemen asked if she wanted to be a pretend patient and get wrapped up, total perm-a-grin for the rest of the day!

Does That Same Old Star?

Autie Em pointed out that she "missed" me since I have been MIA in blogland lately. It prompted me to remember what I wanted to talk about--things I miss that I didn't even realize I missed.

While Nimrod and I were hunting-I promise, no more hunting stories-we were out really early in the morning and really late at night. While we were riding along and I had nothing better to do, I started looking around, mostly up. WOW!! I forgot how many stars there are in the sky. I saw the Milky Way again, which I didn't even know I wasn't seeing anymore. I had forgotten that it should be bright in the sky for all to see along with all the constellations whose names I can't remember. Nimrod and I talked about when we were growing up how there were so many stars then. It never occurred to us that we wouldn't see them anymore. We don't live in the city and think we have pretty great visibility of the stars, but not like it was. We were saddened by the fact that our kids don't get to see the same awesomeness of the stars that we took for granted. To quote a country song, "Does that same old star still shine where you are?" Sadly, no. But, I determined to get our kids out and see God's greatness in the sky. I encourage you to do the same thing, whether you have kids or not. Go some place where there are too many to even fathom that there could be that many.

Another thing I miss, fruit pies. My dad used to buy them for like $.10 a piece or something really cheap. We ate them in our lunches every day. Snackshack pulled out some while we were taking one of our many snack breaks. I forgot how much I loved fruit pies. I probably would have eaten all that Snackshack had brought but that wouldn't have been very polite. Now they are like $1.79 a piece or something outrageous. AND, I would never let my kids have them for lunch everyday, but don't tell them that.

On the way home from work today I realized how much I miss interacting with and teaching teenagers. I have a great group of kids working hard and when they earn that credit they realize their hard work is worth it. I also got to talk with a kid about making better choices and making a life different than his siblings. He wants more from life than what he has seen. Helping the students, academically or with life choices, is something I didn't know I missed until I started doing it again. No, I don't want to back into teaching full-time, I would miss out on the REALLY important things in my life like my kids and the things important to them. I do, however, like this little niche I am filling for our district and will enjoy it as long as I can. Finally, something I miss that I can have back without all the calories :)

Have you pondered about what you are missing that you didn't know?

The Big Hunt

Pre-Hunt
Nimrod and I got to camp around noon the day before my hunt began. We got the trailer organized and then quietness... it was weird having no busy tasks to do, no kids to take care of, no Internet, no phone service. So, I did what all good moms do, I took a nap. Man, it was great! Late that afternoon we went scouting so I could find an elk and kill it first thing in the morning. Took the quad on an hour drive and then hiked awhile to glass a tank. Right at dusk a few small bulls came in to water and then Nimrod found a big one. He was over a thousand yards away but he looked good. The sun set and we couldn't see anymore so we headed back to the quad. In the midst of the darkness, elk were bugling all over the place. Imagine walking through trees, not being able to see anything but the person in front of you, and every few minutes you hear this noise that sounds like those plastic tubes we used to whirl around as kids followed by a few grunts. I don’t even know the letters to describe the sound but is very manly and outdoorsy sounding. Anyway, we were in the middle of a bugling frenzy and couldn't see anything but just knew that come tomorrow we would find the perfect one for me to kill. After an hour ride on the quad, ON A DIRT ROAD, we were back at the trailer. It was eight o’clock and needed to be in bed by nine so ate a quick dinner and off to bed. Nimrod was a little exited but I fell asleep right away, despite me already taking a nap earlier in the day.


DAY 1
3:00am-We wake up and it is pitch black outside. No moon-good conditions for hunting elk, bad conditions for someone who doesn’t really want to be up that early. I got up and put my make up on and got ready. Yes, I said makeup. I know, I know, but it is so part of my routine that I can’t help it. Besides, when I kill that big bull, I want to look good in the pictures.

3:30am-We have eaten and gotten ready and I look like camouflage Michelin man. I have 3 layers on top, two pairs of pants on and a big puffy jacket. Gone is self-esteem image. I am beyond the girly figure I think I should have. I am now relishing looking like a marshmallow. Our good friend, Wrongway, (think Gilligan’s island-goggles, personality and all) shows up at the trailer.He is a hunting fanatic just like my husband and knows the area pretty well so he has offered his help. We head out on the quad for an hour ride to the place we want to hunt. It is COLD and pitch black. Once we get to the spot, we have to load up with all the gear and head out into the trees and get set up before light so the elk don’t see us. We are walking in the dark through trees, stumbling over rocks and twigs. I am not as quiet as I should be, I guess I need to learn to be sneaky. The three of us follow the elk bugles and I am sure we are going to kill one on opening morning. I will be home by tomorrow with a nice elk. As daylight approaches we are in good position. The elk are bugling toward to us and I am ready for one to step from behind a tree. As the elk are approaching, we here a dog bark in the distance. What in the world? All of us are puzzled by this odd noise in the thick of trees. Next thing we hear is this diesel truck flying through the clearing just beyond us. There isn’t even a road there. Dog-gone-it! The elk clam up and now we hear more dogs. It turns out to be a truck full of 12-15 lion hound dogs and their owner. He lets them out all over the place and adios to elk we were on to. I’m a little lot miffed at this lion hunter!

We walk to a place away from where we were so Nimrod and Wrongway could glass for elk because obviously we weren't going to find one where the dogs were. Around 8:30am we headed back to camp. When we got back to camp Wrongway was laughing. He said he was watching me bob all around on the back of the quad and was waiting for Nimrod to bounce me right off the quad and be woken up by the ground. I had fallen asleep on the quad ride.

That evening we went to the place Nimrod and I went to the night before anticipating we would be among the bugle frenzy again and be able to kill the bull we saw the night before. Well, no one let the elk know that because there were none there at night. Someone must have told the elk I was coming back and they got scared and took off. I mean there was not one elk bugle. No frenzy, nothing! It also could have been my alergy attack that scared them off. I was sneezing like a maniac. My nose was running and I had no tissue so I had to use my sleeve. YUCK!! Let's just say I wasn't really in the mood to kill an elk anyway.

8:00pm-dinner and bed—I am exhausted and have nothing to show for it

Elk: 1 Me:0

Day 2
3:00am-up again and get ready for a new day to kill an elk. I realize that haven't had a B.M. since I have been here. This could be a problem. Not only am I looking like the Michelin man because of my clothes, I am bloated. I decide to take a colace to cleanse the system and hope that it works.

3:30am-back out on the quad ride on the dirt road for an hour. Did I tell you how these quad rides are killing my contacts? I want to scratch my eyes out. I have to wear my sunglasses when we ride, even in the middle of the night. I am just cool that way, ha! Really, it keeps most of the dust out my eyes. This me and my incognito hunting outfit. My mask keeps my allergies in check and my lips from drying out.

4:30am-get our gear together and head out in the dark again. Nimrod and Wrongway are upbeat because the wind is in our favor, there is no moon, and we hear some bugling. All the conditions are right for me to kill an elk. We sneak towards the elk and decide to cut them off as they head towards the place they will bed down for the day. One elk bugles and Nimrod bugles back. They continue this banter for quite some time as we follow it through the tree line. It is probably the first time Nimrod feels someone really understands his language. We really think we got this bull. We’re following him and inching our way, moving in and out of the trees. We know we are on the verge of getting him and all of a sudden, he is going away from us. We move faster, he moves faster. We chased that elk like a dog chasing his tail. When we finally realized we weren’t going to catch him, guess where we end up? Back at our quads. He led us in a circle. We were duped! And the whole time we're chasing this guy, I kept thinking, "If that colace kicks in, I am going to have to go in my pants because Nimrod is not going to stop for me to find a tree."

We wander around for awhile and the men decide to glass this ridge. I snuggle up the the backpack and take a nap right on the ground. 45 minutes later I wake myself up snoring. I asked Nimrod if I scared the elk away with my snoring. He replied "No, but the drool puddle you left is big enough for an elk to come wallow in." Nice guy, isn't he? Once I was awake, we decide to head back to camp. Wait, the colace is kicking in, I better find a tree. I am good to go now. :)




Again, I fall asleep on the quad, Nimrod has to hold onto my hands so I don’t bounce off. We spend our midday strategizing and napping, I am beginning to get the hand of this hunting thing. Walk, stalk, sleep, eat, sleep, walk, stalk, eat, sleep…

This afternoon we go back to the same spot. Wrongway had seen a big bull in there days ago and we thought we could get on him. There were a few clouds in the skyline, but no worries. We walk in and get setup in tree line so when the elk came to feed, we would be there. Guess what? We were wrong about the clouds. We had enough time to get under a tree and the rain came down. Nimrod had a trash bag in his backpack, so I sat against a tree and he huddled over me while the rain poured. He didn’t want me to get wet because I still had an elk to kill so he took the brunt of the water and got drenched. But guess what he kept talking about? "I hope my gun doesn't get too wet. " Talk about messed up priorities! Well, it is the extremely expensive custom rifle he won in at an auction so I guess should be thankful I get to even touch it. :) Anyway, moving on...Wrongway was under another tree, I don’t know how he fared. Oh yeah, the rain gear was on the quad. Good thinking on our parts, huh? Finally it stops and the boys are excited. Rain and cooler temps are supposed to make the elk go crazy. This hunt was a done deal. We were going to nail an elk. As we’re sitting under the tree laughing about how we forgot our rain gear but it won’t matter because in a little while the elk would be here to kill, Wrongway loudly whispers, “Grab the gun, there’s a big bull!” I grab the gun and we sneak around our tree towards the opening where the elk were. Rats! The cow and calf saw us and bolted-along with the bull! What an adrenaline rush for nothing. What were they doing out, it was too early and he was not bugling. No warning, nothing. Just as we get over that rush and quick disappointment, here comes another bull and cows. They are 15 yards away from me. Nimrod has me dial in on him but then tells me he is too small, a 5x5. The first bull I see to shoot is too small? Those of you non-trophy hunters understand my confusion. Those of you that are trophy hunters, totally get it. We become statues as they move on so as not to scare them. We couldn't move anyway because guess what comes with rain--mud. I mean several inches thick mud.

We make it back to our quads, change out of the wet clothes and put on the rain gear so the ride home is not cold and wet. The. ride home was something I have never experienced before. Remember I said we ride for an hour on a dirt road to and from camp. Well, now it is a mud bog. I sit behind Nimrod so I can't see where we are going (and it is dark) but I can fell the pull of the mud on the quad. The farther we go, the heavier the mud gets. Pretty soon it is flying everywhere. It hit me in the head, arm, leg, face-everywhere! I can't see it coming so it I am blindsided by flying mud. Nimrod is getting it as well. He can see from the headlight and can dodge a few clumps but not all. And, we're not talking nice soft mud. We're talking about big, hard, rocky chunks. All of a sudden, Wrongway pulls up beside us and is laughing hysterically. He said that watching the attack of the Killer Mud on us is quite comical. So I start throwing mud clumps at him. We kindof have this mud fight going down the road. Suddenly, we start bogging down and it isn't so funny anymore. Nimrod has to put it in 4 wheel drive as we stall and I start praying. I REALLY do not want to get stuck. It is wet, cold, muddy and a long way from camp. Wrongway can't stop and help us because he runs the risk of getting stuck as well. We finally maneuver out of it and make it back to camp, very slowly. At camp, we realize just how coated we are in mud. Our quad, our clothes, our equipment, everything. Nimrod and Wrongway attempt to clean off most of the mud so tomorrow it isn't too hard to get out.

A quick dinner and shower. Don't even ask about what gets washed out of my hair. It is 9:15 and we're off to bed.

Elk:2 Me:0

Hunt Contiues

Day 3
3:00am-up and ready for round 3. It is colder today. Another layer is added. At least my system is back to normal and I don't have add another layer on top of being bloated. Give thanks for the small things I say.

3:40-we're off a little later than the previous days. The men are stoked-colder weather, moist area-these bulls are going to be going crazy. We should experience another bugle frenzy. I am going to get the big bull today. Remember the mud from last night? It is still there. We're in the dark again dodging mud chunks. But, it is okay. When I kill the bull today it will make for a good story.

4:40am-back to our regular place but there is a twist. We have to walk and walk in the mud. Add 5 pounds to each of my boots. In the dark the three of us go clump, clump, clump. Hmmm, something is wrong. We hear nothing out there in the trees. Where are the elk? Where is the bugle frenzy? I mean God hit a mute button on ALL animals. There are no coyotes like every other morning, there are no moo cows AND there are NO elk. What happened to my perfect conditions and the mud being worth it? We walk and walk. Nimrod bugles but nothing answers back. At first light we see moo cows but that is it. The elk are gone. They have left us high and dry-not literally. Nimrod and Wrongway are dumbfounded. They cannot believe that there are no elk. The elk defy hunting logic-how dare they!

Luckily, the morning was not totally wasted. I learn Wrongway has a secret. He is a walking snackshack. We stop and he pulls out Milky Ways, fruit pies, moon pies, you name it. At this point, he has become my best friend and has a new name-SnackShack (Have you seen Night At The Museum?). We chow down out in the mud and it isn't even 7:00 in the morning. We head back to quad and peel off the mud so that we can make it back to camp relatively unharmed. On the way back, we run into a hunter who killed an elk last night. I am happy and sad. I want to kill my elk. I miss my kids.

After we get to camp, Nimrod and I drive(I sleep) an hour into town to get cell phone service so I can call my kids. We talk to them and they are having a blast with Grammie and Grampie. They don't miss me. This is good, right? I mean I want them to be happy but they could pretend to be a little sad. Buckaroo does wish me good luck on killing an elk........ So, that was a bust. But my kids are safe and happy and I have a big elk to kill. I nap on the way back to camp.

4:30pm We head out to a new area. The other one is obviously a bust. New scenery changes and a new problem. The mud is gone but the area is infested with cactus. All kinds of cacti-little prickly pear, mini barrels, long spinally ones, ones I have never seen before. Nimrod and I pick our way around the land mines of cactus to get to the clearing we want to sit at. The elk are already out grazing so we have to be very sneaky through the trees-tough to do when there is cacti to avoid. We make it to the clearing and get settled in. Nimrod makes sure my hat(which I hate wearing) is on. Apparently blond hair is like a beacon that screams, "Run elk, run for your life!" On the other side of the clearing we can hear 2 bulls fighting and few bugles. Any minute a bull should be walking out into the clearing, and he does. Only it is a spike; too small to kill. This guy decides to meander through the clearing towards us and we have to play the statue game. No moving at all. Ten minutes later it is getting harder to stay still and he keeps moving toward us. He gets within 12 yards of us before he realizes we're there. The whole time he is staring at me, I am thinking, "Don't look him in the eye. He doesn't know blue eyes." Genetically speaking, I don't think I was made to be a hunter. He finally takes off but still never really recognized what we were. Our statuesque behavior tricked him. We continued to wait for a big one to come into the clearing. At sunset, a bull steps out into the clearing but he is only a little one and I am not shooting. We pick our way through the cactus land mines back to the quad at dusk and as we head there, we push a group of elk (it sounded like a 100 but was really 15-20) out in front of us. Never did see them, but heard a few bugles. It is beginning to feel like I am hunting a ghost. I can hear it but I can't see it.

I am really not looking forward to 3:00am tomorrow.

Elk: 3 Me:0

Day 4


3:00am: I am getting used to this but am not liking it. Nimrod makes me breakfast and we're off.
4:30am: We get to our area and decide we're going to start on a different route that we have taken. Very few elk bugles but enough to peak our interest. We start following the bugles and get closer. Nimrod starts to call on and he responds heartily. This excites us as we get set up for him to come to us. Snackshack starts using his Hoochie Mama (female elk noise) call to lure the bull in. Nimrod and I are set up so that when the bull steps out into the clearing he will be nailed. I am calm and excited. The bull is calling back to Snackshack and moving in. As Nimrod and I play statue again, we see leg movement in the trees. Nimrod tells me to get ready, he is coming. And he comes, only it is another spike. I want to scream but I can't because I'm a statue. He meanders in not even seeing us. We can still hear the big bull bugling close to us. That little bugger is close to us, less than 15 yards, and he better move so I can kill my big bull that is coming in. But, he sees us and decides to come check us out. He moves closer and again I have to avoid eye contact. I really wanted to spit at him but knew that wouldn't do me any good. Well, he just stands there staring at us. Nimrod tries to shoo him without startling him too much so the bigger one can "feel" safe coming to the call. It was a bust! He sniffs us out and starts barking at us. That is the kiss of death. The last time we heard the big one he was far away, probably back at our quads laughing at us. I have had two close encounters with elk. I never anticipated getting this close to the elk. My trusty guides are doing a great job; however, the elk are not doing their best to cooperate. My slam dunk hunt is not turning out the way I thought it would. Luckily, Snackshack makes the it all worthwhile with his never-ending supply of junk food. I forgot how much I love MilkyWays.

Back to camp (with my mini-nap on the quad) for some lunch. We have been taking 2 hour naps after lunch and they have been my lifesavers. According to Nimrod, they have increased my snoring level but at this point I don't care. If he and Snackshack don't like it they can sleep outside. I need my beauty sleep!

We decide to head out to the water tank Nimrod and I went on the night before the hunt started, hoping the big elk we saw will come back. The wind is blowing which should make the elk thirsty and want to drink. We hike to the tank and Snackshack stays on the ridge so that he can call us on the walkie talkie if the big bull starts to move in. Nimrod and I get settled in once again. This time I bring my book with me so while we wait I can get some good reading in. Nimrod said he's never had a hunting partner read while they were waiting for the animal to come in. He's never been hunting with an English teacher. I got quite a bit of reading in because NOTHING showed up. The moo cows didn't even humor us until sunset. We did see a few coyotes come drink at the tank, but they don't really count as an animal. They are more like a rodent. While I enjoyed the reading time, I am a little dejected by the lack of activity. On our way back to the quad we hear a few elk bugle far off in the distance. I just want to tell them all to "stop messing with my mind!" but they can't hear me because they are too far way.


Home again, eat shower and bed. I am tired and weary.

Elk: 4 Me:0

The Mess Up and The Finale

Day 5

3:00am-I am up again and am beginning to wonder why

3:30am-Snackshack shows up all smiles. He tells me today is BBD-Big Bull Day. He just knows this is it. His enthusiasm sparks a confidence in me. I believe today is the day. I know that I will not be getting up at 3:00am tomorrow because I will be home in my own bed with my kids sleeping in their own beds.

4:45am-We have gone to a new area. There are a few clearings and a mountain. Our hope is that one of them will come off the mountain into one of the clearings. As daylight approaches, we hear a few bugles and one sounds pretty big. As that goofy sheriff, Roscoe P. Coltrain on Dukes of Hazard used to say, "We're hot pursuit!" We followed the bull off and on, he teased us with a bugle here and there. Next thing I know, we're halfway up the mountain, still haven't seen him and I am a little tired. Good news though, being on top of the mountain, I can get cell phone service. I call my friend who has my kids and get a quick update. Before I can really find out what has been going on and talk to the kids, I lose service again. But, I thought, "God is good. One moment of connection with my kids is better than nothing." We finally decide to throw in the towel as we realize we are not going to catch this sneaky bull and head back down the mountain. When we get to the quad, Nimrod lets me know we have walked 3 miles already. No wonder I am tired. I am finally starting to feel a little fatigue in my legs from the last 5 days. Well, Nimrod and Snackshack think we need to take the scenic route back to camp. Not my idea of fun, but do I have a choice? The road we drive on is horrendous. We might as well have been on a rock crawling adventure--that is how big the rocks in the road are. When we stop to check a tank, Snackshack gets a flat tire. Good thing we have slime, whatever that is. I am beginning to get a little hot and hungry, and sleepy, cannot sleep on this road. But, I haven't complained this whole time so I figure I might as well not start today. I, being the great hunter I am, suck it up. And, I am glad I did. Out in this clear meadow, the men start to talk so I turn on my cell phone for kicks. Guess what? I got service! I call my friend back and get to talk to Punky Girl. She was off to music class but at least told me she loved me. After I hung up, I lost it! I need to get home. I need to see my kids and hug them and hold them. Nimrod knows I am not doing too good. This puts a little added pressure on him to find me an elk to kill.

Back at camp, I take a much needed nap and eat a ton of food. This blows my theory that I am going to lose weight on this hunt. The MilkyWays and Zingers are getting to me. Anyway.... we head out earlier than we have and we go back to the cactus patch. Snackshack still believes that today is BBD. He heads to a nearby ridge that looks down on us so he can tell us what is ahead of where we are. Driving down the road, Nimrod and I come up on a bull and his cows. They are out in the middle of the afternoon! No wonder we can't find them at sunrise and sunset. This one is too small, but we're excited. A few minutes later, Nimrod sees another bull and some cows. We get off the quad and start sneaking around a tree to get a good shot. He is a nice bull and not too far away. DRAT! His cow sees us and is startled. I try to get a good shot, but nothing. He is gone before I get on him with the scope. Now, we are really excited. Snackshack is right, today IS BBD. W drive on down further and then decide to park and walk awhile. My legs have not forgotten the 3 miles this morning but I know it is time to bag the big one so I carry on. We find a group of elk 300+ yards away from us. Nimrod glasses the elk and says there are two decent bulls. They are not trophies but nice bulls. I ask him if he would shoot them if this were his hunt and he said no, but he would've been able to kill the bigger one we just saw that I couldn't get dialed on so I need to shoot an elk with a shot I know I can take. These bulls were out in a clearing and were grazing so it made for a relatively easy shot. I am debating on whether I want to "settle" in my mind for one of these elk, Nimrod hears a bugle to the left of us. Sure enough, here comes a satellite bull towards us. Nimrod says we have to move towards the bull I am debating on before this satellite bull sees us and scares all the elk away. Also, the ones we are watching start moving away. I need to make a decision fast. Okay, here goes. We start sneaking towards the other bulls. Just like in the hunting shows, we're arched over and tiptoeing towards the other bulls. As we get closer, the bulls have moved into the tree line and cows are out grazing but we HAVE to cross this clearing they are grazing in to get to the bulls. By now you know, if they see or smell us, we are dead in the water. So, I pray and pray hard. I want to kill my bull and I want to do it tonight. I am praying the whole time we are sneaking across and those cows don't even look up until we are almost to the other side. They never did acknowledge us. We move through the trees and towards this watering hole we can here the bulls at.

As we come over the edge and look down towards the watering hole, we cannot see any bulls but we can hear them bugling, this is awesome. I hadn't heard a big bull bugle until now. You can totally tell the difference between a "BIG" one and all the rest. Even a tone deaf person like me knew the "toad" was down below. There are some cows and calves here and there and we can see antlers moving through the trees so Nimrod has me get setup on the tripod so when we see our monster bull step out, I am ready. My nerves are calm, I go through my mind the kill zone area, I remember to chamber another bullet after I shoot, I remember to breathe. I am primed for action. As a bull steps out, Nimrod tells me not to shoot, that isn't the one. Next thing I know I hear the words I have been waiting 6 days to hear, "There he is." Only, I don't see anything. I am looking across the waterhole at the trees and see nothing. I tell Nimrod I don't see him and He tells me he is right below us, 34 yards. I still don't see him. Nimrod is about to have a heart attack. Finally I see the elk's butt. (Sorry, don't let your kids read this.) Nimrod tells me to shoot just behind the shoulder where the black starts. I see no black I only see his butt. I tell Nimrod this and he is getting a little annoyed with me. Remember, we are whispering because there are elk all around us. He says aim for the shoulder, so I aim where I think the shoulder should be and shoot. (Sidenote, for all of you hunters reading this, I KNOW this was a bad shot and should not have taken it-no lectures please.) It was like fireworks went off. Elk scattered everywhere! I had no idea there were so many around us. I go to chamber another round and the casing jams. I can't get it out to chamber another one. I cut my thumb trying to chamber it. (More like took a chunk of skin out of my thumb, but that is besides the point.) I tell Nimrod I can't get the bullet loaded. He fumbles with it and gets it to slide. I get ready again as the elk are now standing around trying to figure out what happened. They now play the statue game. There are 2 bulls to my left and 2 bulls to my right. Nimrod tells me to shoot him again. I ask, "Which one?" How Nimrod didn't have a heart attack right then, I don't know. So he says, through gritted teeth, "The first one on the left." By now, my nerves are shot, my mind is frazzled and my thumb is throbbing. I shoot and miss. He takes off. I never even really saw how big he was. I was too tunnel-visioned to see beyond his body. The two bulls and some cows on my right are still hanging around. Again, I try to chamber another round and again it jams. This does not bode well for my nerves. Nimrod tells me to shoot one of the other ones, which happen to be the first two we were sneaking in on. I shoot and really miss out in front. I can't chamber the gun again so Nimrod fixes it and I shoot one more time. In case you lost count, that is 4 misses for me. The elk go over the ridge and that is it. Just to put this in perspective, starting with my first shot, it took you longer to read this than all of it actually happening.

Nimrod starts to look for the casings I discharged and then we went to see where the bull was when I missed the first time. We couldn't find what I hit instead of the elk, but we assume it was the tree he was near. We follow the trail the elk left but there is not one drop of blood. I definitely missed him. I am sick to my stomach and beyond frustrated. Nimrod is frustrated but tries to be positive and handles it very well. Not one negative thing comes out of his mouth. The only thing he says is, "If you didn't have a good shot, you should have told me." I reminded him I did. I guess he had tunnel hearing. Not only that, but he was already field-dressing the bull before I ever pulled the trigger so he was focused as a veteran hunter forgetting I am a greenie. We start talking and realize we saw two different things. He is nine inches taller than me and was standing to the left of where I was and had a great view of the elk. This is a life lesson of how 2 people in the same situation can have 2 different perspectives.

We get a hold of Snackshack on the walkie talkie and he thinks I killed one. Who wouldn't after hearing 4 shots? He hid his disappointment well. He predicted BBD and he was partially right, but human error plays a role. But, on the upside, he found another big bull where he was sitting. We tell him we'll meet back at camp. It is a slow ride home. Both of us are lost in our thoughts of "should've, could've, would'ves." We get back to camp and tell the story to Snackshack. He laughs and takes a positive spin on it. He also lets us know he saw a big elk where he was sitting. It was enough to get him excited, despite my miss.

8:45pm-after a long, hot shower and a warm dinner, I am ready for bed. I was really hoping to be in my own bed. Now, I am seriously mad and sad. I had my chance I and I blew it. I feel like maybe I got greedy and should have killed one of the smaller ones we had seen. Shoulda, coulda...Time for bed. I really want to kill my elk. Did I miss my chance?

Elk: 6 Me:0

Day 6

3:00am-up again and REALLY ready to kill an elk

3:30am-Snackshack is back, hopefully for the last morning. Well, we only have today and tomorrow left so I can at least say I won't be getting up early on Thursday. Nimrod and Snackshack are trying to decide where to go, back to where I missed last night or where Snackshack saw his big one. I think we should go back to the area we were last night. This is the first time I have had an opinion so Nimrod decided to go with my choice. Snackshack decided to go back to where he was and will call us on the radio if he sees anything. We head out again, hopefully for the last time. I pray and pray the whole quad ride. I really want one more chance and believe that God has an elk for me.

Nimrod and I park the quad and as soon as he turns if off, we hear the bugling. They are everywhere. I am so thankful and excited. Nimrod even thinks we hear the one I missed last night. Trust me, you start to learn the different bugles, and this one is unique. We start to move towards the bugling. Remember, it is pitch black. We have our little lights on our head to see but it only shines 3-4 feet in front of you. We get a read on what direction they are heading, which is away from the water and back into the trees. We decide we're going to go ahead of them and cut them off. We take off and guess where we're at? Back in the cactus land mines, of course! So, I am carrying the gun, trying not to run into the back of Nimrod AND avoid the cactus. Oh, and I have a blister on my toe--but I have to keep up my mantra-"No Complaining". After we walk awhile, we can't tell where they are going. It sounds like the elk are splitting up. We are standing at the edge of a clearing thinking they are going to step into the clearing at first light, but now it sounds like they are moving farther down from us. We have to make a decision, which way do we go or do we stay? The wrong choice could get us busted by the elk. We decide to go across the clearing and get more ahead of the elk. The wind is NOT in our favor and if they smell us, we're done for. What happened to my optimum hunting conditions from the first five days? They left with the elk we never saw.

We safely cross the clearing and can hear them coming. It is starting to get light enough to see. Nimrod gets us positioned to see the elk walk through a small clearing. They are getting closer, so I get ready on the tripod. But, there is a big cactus under the tripod. I tell Nimrod I can't shoot off the tripod because of the cactus. He just looks at me with a look of "You have got to be kidding me!" He "politely" tells me, "Get over it. You can stand in the cactus." "FINE!" But I really can't because my legs don't spread far enough to go around the cactus and I am NOT standing in the cactus. But, I digress... A few cows come through and we're back to playing the statue game. A small bull walks through with the cows. We hear the bulls bugle but they are not with the cows. We know he is not the one we want, we can hear bigger ones. We have to move ahead through the trees and not spook this group of elk. Here we go, sneaking through the tress and cactus again; at least it is light enough I can see to avoid the cactus. We get to the next clearing and wait. We finally see a few bulls coming through but Nimrod says we're not really close enough for me to get a shot. There is a big tree about 50 yards away that we have to sneak up to. We get to the tree and Nimrod starts glassing the bulls to decide which one I should shoot. Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement. Nimrod notices it too, there is a cow grazing out into the clearing just enjoying her sweet breakfast. Now, we're in a pickle. We have to play the freeze game so that we don't scare the cow but I need to find my bull to shoot. I start praying again that she doesn't see us. She starts to move on and I see antlers in the trees. I get excited. Nimrod only sees legs so he doesn't know if it is really a bull or not. We are definitely closer to this elk than the ones Nimrod is glassing but I don't know if he is going to come out. Nimrod tells me to get ready. As I am a greenie, I am not going to get a better shot than this one. A few cows and calves start to come out. I am calm, I know I can do this. Here he comes. Out steps a bull 115 yards from us. He is a nice 5 point and I think I should shoot him but am waiting for Nimrod to give me the go ahead. Unbeknownst to me because I am so dialed in on him, he lets out a bugle right before I drill him, just like on the hunting shows. I know, a made-for-tv original. I hear Nimrod say, "Shoot him" so I shoot him and chamber another round, all by myself, yeah! I am ready for anything which is good because he starts walking right toward us. The cows and calves take off, but he doesn't. I am not sure what to do. Then he turns and starts to walk away. Nimrod tells me to shoot him in the butt. I am not going to shoot him in the butt. Just as I am standing there trying to figure out what to do and if I really hit him (based on my track record, that would be a no) he turns and gives me enough me of a body shot to take. I shoot him again and this time he takes off. I turn to Nimrod and say, "Please tell me I hit him." Nimrod smiles, "Oh yeah, you hit him!" I start to shake a little. I can't believe it. My adrenaline is going. And, in the midst of all this, the other bulls are still in the clearing. Nimrod looks over at them. I tell him not to even tell me how big they are. I don't want to know if the big one is over there. Well, at this point it really doesn't matter because I have killed my first elk; but still, I didn't want to know if he was over there. Nimrod assures me they are not bigger than mine. At this point, I am shaking and a little out of breath.

We get the walkie talkie out to call Snackshack. He answers us and immediately begins telling us what he has seen over where he is at. He won't stop talking long enough to tell him I shot a bull. Finally, Snackshack takes a breath and Nimrod loudly whispers, "Snackshack, we have a bull down!" That got his attention. He wanted to know all the details but Nimrod told him he needed to get here with the quad so we can haul the elk out. I let Snackshack know I will tell him everything once he gets here.

Now the nerves and adrenaline kick in. I am shaky and unsure what to do. Nimrod keeps smiling and tells me to watch the bull to make sure he doesn't get up because if he does, I am going to have to shoot him again. I don't know if I can do that. I can barely hold the gun still. I start crying and Nimrod stares at me. He laughingly says, "I thought you weren't going to cry." I always make fun of the people on the hunting shows when they cry. I look at him and reply, "I get to see my babies today." He just smiles knowingly. I think he gets it. As we are watching the bull, he is rolling around and deciding whether he is really going to die or not. I realize that I killed the bull that I saw, not one that Nimrod or Snackshack found for me. This makes me a little proud. :0) Bulls are still bugling around us. We have to start moving in on my bull but try not to startle the other elk. I sneak ahead with the gun on my bull. Nimrod hangs back as a move ahead. I can hear this bull bugling closer and closer. Suddenly Nimrod whistles at me. I turn around and there is this bull less than 50 yards behind me and he is staring at me. I panic a little, I don't know if he is going to charge me like a Brahma bull or not. I swing my gun towards him but know I can't really shoot him. Nimrod starts to laugh. He whispers that I need to watch my bull and he will take of this one. Then this bull starts barking at me. No news flash here. I am getting used to elk barking at me. But, the great thing is I don't have to be a statue this time. I turn back around and continue to sneak up on my bull. As I am moving towards him, he finally rolls over and does the death kick. It is about 7:15am. We have had a busy morning!!!

Nimrod and I make our way to the bull. As we get to him, we realize he has died in a cactus patch. This is going to make skinning him quite difficult. I look at his antlers at the same time as Nimrod. He says, "Oh yeah, this is a monster." I am still remembering only seeing 5 points when I shot him. As I start counting he left side, he has 7 points. Wait, that doesn't seem right. Nimrod rolls him over and says, "Oh no." What do you mean oh no? There is no oh no now, he is dead. I think Nimrod might cry. He only saw the 7 point side when I was getting ready to shoot so he thought this bull was a MONSTER-a 6x7 or 7x7! Funny how we looked at the same elk and saw two totally different things. We seem to have this problem.

Anyway, Nimrod is still excited but is mentally taking our names out the record books. We look him over and I still can't believe it. He really is dead and I really get to go home today. And, he REALLY stinks. I did not know this about elk. Nimrod whips out the camera and takes a few pictures of me and the elk. We are waiting for Snackshack to come, he should be with us in about an hour. Nimrod decides he better go get our quad which has our gear. He tells me he'll be back in about an hour, leaves me with the walkie talkie and starts walking back to the quad. What am I going to do for an hour with dead elk. I try my phone, no service. I check the backpack and find some food, yeah! I have a little snack and play with my phone. I learned how to do a few more things on it. Suddenly, I realize how hot it is getting. I walk to find some shade and my toe starts hurting from my blister. Man, this hunting is starting to become a challenge.

An hour passes and I can faintly hear a quad. Nimrod calls me from the walkie talkie and I guide him to where I am. We take more pictures, eat our celebratory Snickers bars and wait for Snackshack. It has been almost 2 hours. He needs to get here soon so we can start skinning the elk and boning the meat. Snackshack finally arrives and starts complaining about the cactus and how it is going to flatten the tires on his quad, again. This might be true, but there is not much we can do about it now. Too bad the elk couldn't have picked a shady, non-cactus place to die. Again, not the ideal elements I was anticipating for my hunt. A few more pictures with Snackshack and it is really hot. Now, the work begins.

I had no idea what work was involved once the elk is killed. I hadn't really thought about what happens to get from killing the elk to getting the hamburger we eat. Nimrod and Snackshack start gutting him and skinning off the hide. This is gross, stinky work. I am hot and my toe hurts. I start complaining while standing there. Nimrod looks at me like "You have got to be kidding me!" He nicely says, "I thought you weren't going to complain on the hunt. I said, "Well, the hunt is over and now I can complain." Rather than annoy them, I crawl under a tree in the shade and lay down. I know why the elk lay under these trees. It was nice and cool and the ground was soft. So, as they are in the sun, up to their elbows in blood, smelling the nasty smell and avoiding the cactus, I took a rest.

Around 12:30pm they have the elk quartered, the meat wrapped up and strapped on and are ready to ride the quads back to camp. They checked the air in the tires to make sure we could make it and we were off.

1:30pm: Back at camp, in the shade, they cut the meat from the bone. The two of them were a riot to listen to. Both of them thought their idea was the better one but neither one of them wanted to take the lead and tell the other what to do. How they ever got it done, I don't know. I went inside the trailer and made some lunch for the boys. After lunch I took a long, hot shower and got ready. When I was done, Nimrod was ready to load up the quad in the trailer, get the trailer road ready and take off. We had to get the cape to the taxidermist, 2 hours away, before 5:00pm.

4:30pm:We got the cape dropped off, stopped at Starbucks, and were finally on our way home, another 2 hours. I called the kids to let them know we would be home before bed time. They were very excited. The whole way home, Nimrod and I rehashed all the details of the hunt. I asekd him if he enjoyed it. His response was, "Next to the birth of our kids, this is the best experience of my life!" Well, that makes a statement.

7:00pm-We are finally home! My father-in-law met us at the house with the kids. They were so excited to see the elk and find out what happened. I took them inside while Nimrod and his dad unloaded the necessities. As I told them the entire story of the hunt, they were rivoted. I don't think either one of them blinked the whole time I was telling the story. Their faces followed my every move as I acted it out. I have never seen them so captivated by anything. It was the greatest feeling. I still get teary-eyed as I think about it.

10:00pm-Nimrod has taken the meat to the butcher, taken a shower, kissed the kids good night and we are FINALLY back in our own bed. Home Sweet Home.

Elk: 6 Me:1

Sleepless Nights and Love

So, I have this problem that is keeping me up at nights. No, it will not significantly affect the rest of my life or the rest of the world; it doesn't even affect the rest of my family, but I am losing sleep over it. As I lay there in bed, what keeps going through my head is,
D
R
I
P,
D
R
I
P,
D
R
I
P
AAUUGHHH! I have leaky faucets and they are driving me crazy! I really can't sleep. My husband has tried to fix the faucets. He has MANY redeeming qualities, which I will get to later, but plumbing is not one of them. Well, they still drip and I still can't fall asleep. I have debated for weeks about whether to call my dad and ask him to come fix them. In my mind I contemplated about how my hubby would take this. Would he be offended if I did this? Would he question his manhood? Would it strain our marriage? (By the way, I can guarantee no man had ever agonized this much about leaky faucets and the impact they have on a marriage!) So, I prayed that Nimrod would not be offended if I asked my dad to help and made the call. I thought that maybe my dad could tell me how to fix them and I could avoid all the inner turmoil I was anticipating my husband going to go through. When I talked to my dad, it was a little more complicated than I expected it to be so he said he could come look at them and probably fix them. Not only that, but he could empathize with my distress and and lack of sleep over the constant dripping. Apparently, I inherited my sensitivity to leaky faucets.
When my hubby got home from work, I told him I had the best news, my dad was going to give me the perfect gift! Nimrod said, "He is coming to fix the faucets, isn't he?" I was so surprised he knew what I was referring to. I said, "Yes. I am so exited!" He turned his back to me and replied, "That Sucks." I was floored--my heart fell and I knew my worst fears came true. Trying to hold back tears, I asked why he thought that. I was bracing myself for a really big emotional conversation and was preparing in my head ways to give him affirmation about his great qualities and who he is as husband and father. He proceeds to tell me that that morning he decided he was going to call a plumber and have him come in and fix the faucets while we were gone on my elk hunt and have it as a surprise for me when we got home. Now I was REALLY floored and tears did fall. What love! What thoughtfulness!! This is why I married him. After 12 years of marriage, he really does know me and it is the little things that mean the most. AND, he wasn't mad at all, I just ruined the surprise he planned. But, hey, my dad is free so he's good with it.

Fall at Our House

In most regions of the country, Fall is marked by the changing of leaves and cooling of weather. Well, not so in my family. It is marked by when Dove season begins because this is the changing of meals, when I never know what kind of meat we will be sampling for dinner that night. So, in reality, Fall is AKA Hunting Season for our household. While I love the bonding that occurs with my husband and son, there are a few things I prefer not to refuse to eat. However, I do enjoy the pictures I get from these outings. Just wait until I get my elk, then you'll see some fantastic pictures :)

Buckaroo and his "kill" for the night. Only enough for him and Punky (Oh, darn!)

We had a random rainstorm that lasted maybe 6 minutes so the kids ran out and tried to catch raindrops on their tongues before lightening got close. Looking at the sky, you would never know there was a rainstorm happening.

"Spooky" Apple Festival

I decided to take Punky Girl to an Apple Festival at a ranch near our community, Did I just say a ranch? Yes, a working cattle ranch has orchards of apples, pears and peaches-it is quite a little jewel in the desert. As we were driving there, I told her that the trees she saw outside were called Joshua trees and we were in the Joshua Tree Forest. Punky said, "OOOOO, spooky!" I asked her what was so spooky and she said, "The forest, there are bears here." I had to laugh at this point. I said, "Punky, does it look like there are bears out there?" "No, Mom, it actually looks like the desert." Hmmm, perceptive isn't she? I told Punky that we would be safe and no bears would get us while we were apple picking. Luckily, she believed me and I didn't have to fight off bears to get us there. But, I was prepared :) We did see a few wild turkeys that live at the ranch but those aren't "spooky" enough for Punky.

While we didn't gather many apples, we did get some apple butter, a homemade apple pie (which is why I REALLY went), a few pears, and some really cute pictures.

My friend from the Midwest said the first time she saw a Joshua tree, she thought it was something out of a Dr. Suess book. She might have point if you really look at them.

Here is the "spooky" forest. I think they look like rabbits popping up all over the desert.

Punky Girl was eager to go apple pickin'

Punky and her trademark red shades-they make all the great pictures

Labor Day Weekend

We headed North for a long, relaxing weekend with the kids anticipating a fun-filled time where we would hang out by the lake and they would catch fish. No one let the fish know that and the fish didn't cooperate very well at all. But, despite starving because we had no fish to eat, we managed to have a great time. Luckily, we had a trailer full of junk food to tide us over. We also enjoyed some great rain, a few hands of poker, which I finally beat Buckaroo at, and quality family time picking on each other and getting mud in places it doesn't belong. My hubby got to spend some alone time in the great outdoors, which always makes him happy. Punky got to peel out on the quad and jump some hills, (I shiver when I think about her turning sixteen if her quad driving is any indicator of what is to come). I got to read 2 books, oh my!

"Look Mom, no hands." Maybe this is why we caught no fish :)

No fish were caught, but apparently crawdads are a good runner up. This was caught as the raindrops of a HUGE storm were beginning.

Our resident "cool rider"-mind you, it was raining, but all riders NEED shades

What a couple of handsome men

My very own pot of gold!

Notice I have no pole in my hand, my favorite kind of fishing

Buckaroo

Capturing Buckaroo's personality on camera is more of a challenge. He doesn't like his picture taken, and when he knows you want a picture, he gives you a cheesy grin-he comes by it naturally from his father. His intense personality comes out when he plays sports, board games, or just about anything competitive. What I love most about him is that he is strong in who he is and knows what he wants. I tried to get him to play soccer last year, thinking he might enjoy it. His response to me was, "No, Mom, I need to focus on baseball." What kid replies like that?! My baseball-lovin' son is who.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of him! He just pictched a no-hitter to win the world series. Rock on!

If his tongue were hanging out, he would look just like his dad dribbling down the court.

You can see how focused Buckaroo can be

Buckaroo's first full 60 target 3-D bow shoot--his first real trophy-a proud moment

Punky Girl

As I began working on this blog, I went through pictures of the kids that I wanted to add. It was fun to go through the albums and see the many facets of the kids. Punky Girl is definitely the one with a colorful personality. As we have joked since she turned breech right before she was born, she knows what she wants and what agenda she is going to follow, no matter what anyone else thinks. At first I was dreading the whole life of raising an independent, determined little girl. But as my family and friends have pointed out (over and over), she comes by it naturally so I really need to get over it and figure out how to "harness it for good, and not evil"-a line from some movie I am sure. Having watched her interact with her friends, I have since come to realize that she is definitely a leader. I jokingly tell my friends, she might not be going down the right path, but she'll have a group of followers right behind her. Here are few glimpses into the life of one little sassafras!

They say that dogs are loyal to their owners. In our family it is the other way around with Punky Girl and Stinko-dog

Punky Girl loves to play imaginary. Her favorite job is a fireman (when it is not being a mom or a teacher) This is her original, uniquely created fire fighter's uniform.

She definitely has a little show-off in her personality

My nemesis, toads-- her favorite Summer pastime

First Day of School

The first day of school, sigh, comes with mixed feelings. Our summer was short and hot, but am I really ready for the regimen of school to start? The kids played so well together this summer, almost like they liked each other, I hate to see that end. And yet, the days of them being siblings and pushing each others buttons can be gone forever (fat chance of that happening!) Buckaroo has been counting down the HOURS until school starts. He started a week ago, talk about a math lesson. As a "grader" he can hardly wait. I asked him what he was excited for and he said, "a new teacher, a new class, seeing friends, playing at recess, all of it!!!"While Punky Girl doesn't go to school yet, she will go daily for a couple of hours to a preschool where she can boss the rest of the kids around. And so, the inklings of an empty nest are starting. However, dare I say this aloud, I am looking forward to the quietness of our home. Oh, rats! I did something wrong. I won't really be home. I will be teaching high school students--I traded in my quiet time to torment other people's children. I might have to reevaluate my sanity as the year goes on.

Does anyone else have kids who can't do a normal picture without the promise of being able to do a goofy one?

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About Me

Who am I? I am a 30ish woman living in a small town where I love to go to the grocery store and know just about everyone as I peruse down the isles. I have been married for almost 13 years to my high school sweetheart, an "untypical male" of a man whom I like to call Nimrod. We have two beautiful children (who look like me, of course-not really according to our whole town!)Buckaroo and Punky Girl have added so much joy and a few extra pounds to our lives, but they are worth it:)

I am gal who loves God and am blessed to be a child of His. I give thanks everyday that Jesus is the Sonshine of my life. I love the church we attend and am thankful for a great church family.
Some of my favorite things to do are laugh with my husband over the little things that go on in our lives, watch Buckaroo play baseball, and watch Punky Girl play in her imaginary land.

Something I am passionate about is kids-any age-but my heart is with teenagers, whom I taught for 8 years and have recently started teaching again. My degree in English feeds my passion for reading-which sometimes gets me in trouble with my husband :)

As a family, we LOVE sports! My hubby is the best coach ever, just ask our son. We love to watch and play baseball and basketball-except Punky Girl, she's a football girl. She definitely marches to her own drum! We also like to camp and shoot 3-D tournaments with our bows.

I love hanging out with my friends. I am priviledged to have 3 friends from junior high that I am still close to and could not live without!

Email

Email me at gvethx@gmail.com.

Why Walkin' On Sonshine

If you're wondering where 'Walkin' on Sonshine' came from . . .One day I was singing along (off key, of course) with with my daughter's cd and the song, "I'm Walkin' on Sunshine," which gave me a little kick in my step. So I got to thinking about how songs can do that and then began to wonder what else puts a smile on my face and and song in my heart. I realized that Jesus, the true "Son shine", is what really puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Music fades but His light never does!