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

Happy Haircuts

What does beer and hairclippers mean? Brave people. As you can see Eric wanted a buzz cut, but I thought about something cooler. The mop top, then the Mohawk, he wasn't a fan though. So I just buzzed it buzzed. Then Jeff wanted to go for the super goatee,I suggested the handlebar, but I lost. All in all we had a blast. Even got Bub to model my bear claw neckless. As for Rat dog she is in a new home with yard and a 10 year old boy. The garage stray dog story has a happy ending. Smoked a turkey last, was really good, but hard to keep lit. Got two does during deer season which puts me at 58 deer in my career. Missed a chance at a dandy buck at Potato Creek SP. Hope to see everbody over Xmas. Got some killer summer sausage.

Finishing Up

As with all good things, the Bloomington job is over, and am stuck to the confinds of north central In. However I did get my bear skull and claws Friday. Can't wait to clean up the claws and make my own bear necklace. Spent some time with Dad a couple Sundays ago and we made a picture frame with some barn wood from Scotty's Then rehandled a knife for my buddy Conan with some moose antler. Starting on 2 pair of moc's for an another guy. So it's good to be busy. Waiting for Saturday and the start of deer season. See ya then

Keeping Busy

I've been working in Bloomington for the last 6 weeks and has allowed me to go to the shop every evening after work. First a stray dog that I named "Rat" showed up and wouldn't leave. Second some long awaited projects to complete before deer season starts and a new work location. A huge knife from from some exotic stainless and a moose antler I bought in Maine, an antler dagger, and finally another moose antler kokopelli. One of my better pieces. Then Taunya and Jeff came one weekend and Jeff got a dog. Yeah! He said he was going to train her and find her a good home, but I think she's not going anywhere.

Maine bear

Taunya,Bub and I just got back from a 10 day trip to northern Maine. Isolation at its best. Our quaint little cabin had gas lights and stove. No TV, no cell service, no electricity, no problem. Our cabin was 10 miles from the highway and 30 miles from Canada. Bear hunting was the reason for the trip, but the tranquillity was the gem. Night was DARK hand DARK, the star show was incredible. I also got my first bear. A 225lb sow was the the biggest of the week. As a seasoned hunter I was amazed how ghosty a bear moves in the woods. It was almost dark and there she was 40 feet from me. Not a sound. A quick shot and deadly silence. The 30 minute until my guide Darrin showed up was unbearable. But when I finally laid my hands on her beautiful jet black coat, I got the shakes like my first deer. A tear and a wave of emotion almost over took me. I never felt so alive. A quiet moment and thanks given to my bear brother for feeding my family and Taunya said a Cherokee prayer to make it complete. Bub was a ham and made many friends with locals and did me. They all said " Is he your bear dog?" "Naw, he's more like a sandwich dog" I replied with many chuckles. We were all so relaxed no one wanted to leave, but back to the grindstone for us all, Bub excluded, you know the dogs life. We saw grouse, turkey, and moose. We will go back next year for a bigger bear or maybe a moose if I get lucky enough to draw one of lottery tags. And you can't go wrong with $4 lobsters, Mmmm.