Christmas

Notice I didn't say merry, well thats because we lost Dad to his battle with cancer on Thurday the 20th. Now Christmas to me was never a religious time for religion has never done anything for me, but my family has. That's what this time of the year is about for me. Dads battle was long, hard and valiant,as with most things in life. A little before he died he got to go flying which was one his greater joys. He even got to see a WWII  German ME 109, he was thrilled. As a man who loved to build and fix things. Thats what I'll miss the most. Showing him something that I built or telling how I fixed something. Maybe the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. First Mom, then Pat, now Dad, it seems that the list is growing. Give a man fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man fish, feed him for life. Went fishing yesterday, didn't catch anything. Need to lose some weight anyway. Miss you Dad.

Deer season

I just finished  my 1st deer season in Ohio. Not quite what I expected, now it wasn't the area, so much as the property. I did a semi-guided hunt with Pike-Adams deer hunts at a price cheaper than a lease. It is a good property just the landowner wouldn't quit logging why season was on. Anyway saw a few deer, no bucks other than a spike. A huge 15 pt buck was taken a nice 10pt lost, but I managed to kill 2 anterless deer, which puts me at 60 taken during my tenure.Not sure if I'll do it again, but I will for turkey season. Good thing, bought a new smoker before season and my freezer died during. The last thing I wanted a new freezer empty, and a non smoking smoker. Not a problem now. Got my first taste of how fast the river comes up and then goes down 8 to 10' a couple weeks ago. No sweat this time,but I bet my times coming. Trimmed the dinning room out 2by rough saw cedar, had some leftover so decided to make a TV stand which I am very proud of. The little cabin is coming along and couldn't think a more peaceful place to grow old. Bub loves his fenced yard and he thinks he's top dog being able to let himself in and out.

Breaking News "Fat boy can still ride"

It's been at least 7 years since I was on a horse, but today I got my wish to ride once again. My new friend Sam Sais said he and his girls were going to check the area I will deer hunting this year and asked if I'd like to go along. A quick 30 minute drive and I was there and there she was, Jenny. Jenny the mule, as I said it's been awhile and I've noticed a girth expansion, but I've never ridden a mule. She was a delight, surefooted and whatelse, muleheaded. Riding through the mountain on this incrediable fall day brought back a wave of emotions that overtook me. I was brought to tears. All the memoirs and joys I had with the horses, the southern rides in Hoosier NF and around the farm. Southern Ohio is just as beautiful. We saw a bunch of deer and turkeys. I had the realization how the  twist and turns in life are part of the fun. As I gaze out the kitchen window at the river, I never would I have guess 5 years ago that I would be living in cabin,on the river in southern Ohio, in a state forest, riding around the woods with a 300 lb retired cop on a borrowed mule. I can't wait see were I'm at in 5 more years

Settling In

Been busy settling in Otway. Scott and Marsha came down over Labor Day and helped install a set of steps down to the river. Cooked some good food, like armadillo eggs, which are japelenos with cream cheese covered with sausage wrapped in bacon, then grilled. Decided to paint some native american signs on my concrete pump house. And doing alot of fishing. Got a couple farms I'm going to hunt during deer season which is closing in fast. Got a new stove installed, log siding sealed, windows caulked, and checking into some spray foam insulation for the underside of the house. Fall colors are started to pop and the view from the deck ought peak in a week or 2. The best thing is that Dad even came down a couple weeks ago. He's so tough to hang in there like he has and to make that trip all the way over to our little cabin was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. Even got to play the dulcimer and piano for him. Even install a door board like out at the farm so Bubby can let himself in and out.

July 4th

This 4th of July was special since Scott & Marsha came over to spend a few days and check out the house. We had a great time, fried alligator,bear burritos and jerky. Scotty and I even figured a way to the river and went for a ride. Met a neighbor who told us about the awesome fishing. Carpet guys are laying new carpet in the bedroom now, so I'm going to get some bait later and find out. Also showed them the cool murals painted on the flood wall in Portsmouth.

House Update

We finally got our little river house in Otway. Took a weeks vacation to start moving in. Going to get the inside ready before moving completely in. But the outside was in need of immediate attention. Dennis showed up Monday and we  kicked ass. We install half log siding on the entire house, and the change was unreal. It was a very satifiying thing and ever time I look at the house I will cherish the time my brother and I got to spend together,plus installing the coolest siding

Bear this

 I got my bear last week and it looks great. Although the day I got it Bub got in my travel bag and ate the bearclaws off my neckleace. Better news, I am buying this liitle house in Otway Ohio with river frontage. Across the river is 15,000 acres of Shawnee SF, hunting and fishing in hills of southern Ohio. Hope to close in a few weeks. I can put in here and go clear to the Ohio river , too cool