The month of May draws to a close and summer stands ready to welcome all those who look forward to this time of year. I don't deal with the summer heat as well as I did in years gone by but, still I survive. With the temperatures getting into the hundreds already here in this part of the country perhaps you can see my reasoning when I talk about the heat. The summer season will change though, and fall will take its' place and with that it gives reason to continue and not complain too loudly. Planning ahead makes all this easier and gives reason for me to deal with the heat and just keep the whining to a minimum.
Vick showed up and spent the night Sunday and we had a great visit. They made the trip in from Oklahoma City and left out Monday morning headed back to Las Cruces. It's always great to see old friends and sit and reminisce. When Vick and I visit we are forever talking about the next hunt as well as the last one and where we think the best water will be for our next couple day fishing trip. We sat and recalled some of the places that no longer permit entry to hunt or fish due either to the encroachment of people and business or due to nature and weather in its normal cycle. Take those particulars along with some new regulations by the state and you will see old hunting and fishing areas being regulated away from the very individuals that provide those state employed people with their salary, ironic huh?
We laid out some plans for a couple new adventures in spite of those gripes and now all I have to do is just hope finance and health permit the trip to those places to actually happen. Never is there enough planning and plotting for these excursions, there just aren't enough hours in just one night to plan these trips out. We did try Sunday night to do just that but, we finally gave up after midnight. With the plans we have in mind I guess it will have to hold me over till we get together again and follow up on them or sit back down and do some more plotting. There is a deer and elk hunt that we've lined out for a couple months down the road, also Lake Elephant Butte here in New Mexico is supposed to be drained in early July so, we want to try a stripper fishing trip before that takes place. Don't know if it will happen or not but then again, a lot of the fun is in the anticipation of the trip. For now I will let the memories of those trips replay till some new trips hit the billboards.
30 May, 2006
29 May, 2006
Memorial Day
This day I sit and think back on those brave individuals that have given their all in defense of this great country. I am thankful to them because without those men and women we could not stand here and enjoy the freedoms that this nation has been given by those brave individuals. Those brave men of courage went into the face of battle and willingly fought and often times gave their very lives for country and for countrymen. They fought for that ideal that America was something more than just a country, but was a country which from the beginning was blessed of God. Let those brave warriors be remembered always. Let their struggles be looked upon as an inspiration for those that would volunteer to follow in their footsteps and serve their country even this day. And let those of us who are the recipients of that courage be eternally grateful and pray their sacrifice not be wasted or trivialized by the everyday bickering of our politics. God bless America and God bless our troops.
27 May, 2006
friends and gumbo
My old friend and his girlfriend will be coming to town tomorrow and hopefully they will be staying overnight. He wanted me to make them some gumbo to which I agreed. The deal is this, if they eat they have to stay, that's the new rules. Vick and I met back in 85 just after I moved to Hobbs and we became quite good friends almost immediately. There was always trucks to work on, repairs on our houses, bar-b-que, beer, and more work on the trucks. Over the years we enjoyed countless hours of hunting and fishing in those public areas of southeast New Mexico where other folks enjoyed these things as well.
The number of hunters and fishermen in the public areas increased over the years so we moved from these overused spots to the more out of the way places that we constantly searched out. The knowledge Vick had of this area was key to much of the success we had in our hunting and fishing trips. He worked in the oil fields helping to build locations for tank batteries and often had to make the roads as well. Since this work was done in areas that hadn't seen much in the way of people it left him with a wealth of information not only of the locations and routes into these places, but on the dove,quail and deer as well. Another plus with all this was, if there was a rancher to be dealt with in getting access to the land he knew who to talk to.
Not only did I have to put up with the fact he was the trail blazer, Vick was also an excellent shot and seldom let me forget. I could do a fair amount of bragging when it came to fishing but not so much on the hunts. Although I improved over the years with my shooting I still am not the shot that Vick is, and to this day he can smoke me every time, so his bragging stood that test, but I tell you this bit of information, when it comes to a gumbo, I can smoke his butt , having said that, I'll leave the rest for another time.
The number of hunters and fishermen in the public areas increased over the years so we moved from these overused spots to the more out of the way places that we constantly searched out. The knowledge Vick had of this area was key to much of the success we had in our hunting and fishing trips. He worked in the oil fields helping to build locations for tank batteries and often had to make the roads as well. Since this work was done in areas that hadn't seen much in the way of people it left him with a wealth of information not only of the locations and routes into these places, but on the dove,quail and deer as well. Another plus with all this was, if there was a rancher to be dealt with in getting access to the land he knew who to talk to.
Not only did I have to put up with the fact he was the trail blazer, Vick was also an excellent shot and seldom let me forget. I could do a fair amount of bragging when it came to fishing but not so much on the hunts. Although I improved over the years with my shooting I still am not the shot that Vick is, and to this day he can smoke me every time, so his bragging stood that test, but I tell you this bit of information, when it comes to a gumbo, I can smoke his butt , having said that, I'll leave the rest for another time.
25 May, 2006
well enough to complain
Today was one of those days that ended up not quite where I thought it would. I was supposed to lend a hand... Let's see now I'm supposed to be the driver and ferry a couple riders in this relocation of autos/moving program for Kenneth, that don't sound too bad. Slight change of plans there, I lost that driver position right out of the gate when I turned out to be the other half of the entire relocation/moving crew. I managed to do the required part but in the process I overworked this old frame by helping load and certain other things and now I will have to maintain a low, near the bed profile, for a coupe days and do the recuperation thing. One of my bad traits is that I fail to listen to myself in those situations of doing for others. I don't know if it is just being hard-headed or if I am a glutton for punishment. In either case the favor is done.
Now for these politicians, for the life of me I can't find a reason in the world to not bring the border to a complete shut down for a while. When it comes to the issue of people coming over the border illegally the government should do that now, and in the same breath, they should immediately start with a tamper proof identification card. If the government can't do the cards fast enough, then give the job to Visa and MasterCard because they sure as hell don't have any problem sending out millions of damn credit cards every year to people who can't afford them so may as well give them the job. Instead of credit cards it would be ID cards that would eliminate the excuse of those employers hiring the illegal workers. Talk about that for starters but don't even begin talking about this 3 year touchy feely phased in crap, called a path to citizenship or guest worker it's all the same stuff regard;ess it never has worked in the past and it won't work now. Remove the incentive and you don't have to worry about rounding up millions of illegals. It's simple, with no work or handouts I can promise they will find their way back home. I don't know if our elected folks are merely hard-headed or if they are just point blank stupid, I'm leaning to the latter. I'm hoping too, that some of those folks up there run headlong into a rude awakening come election Tuesday on their next go-round. Why do these politicians stir me so when I don't feel well?
Now for these politicians, for the life of me I can't find a reason in the world to not bring the border to a complete shut down for a while. When it comes to the issue of people coming over the border illegally the government should do that now, and in the same breath, they should immediately start with a tamper proof identification card. If the government can't do the cards fast enough, then give the job to Visa and MasterCard because they sure as hell don't have any problem sending out millions of damn credit cards every year to people who can't afford them so may as well give them the job. Instead of credit cards it would be ID cards that would eliminate the excuse of those employers hiring the illegal workers. Talk about that for starters but don't even begin talking about this 3 year touchy feely phased in crap, called a path to citizenship or guest worker it's all the same stuff regard;ess it never has worked in the past and it won't work now. Remove the incentive and you don't have to worry about rounding up millions of illegals. It's simple, with no work or handouts I can promise they will find their way back home. I don't know if our elected folks are merely hard-headed or if they are just point blank stupid, I'm leaning to the latter. I'm hoping too, that some of those folks up there run headlong into a rude awakening come election Tuesday on their next go-round. Why do these politicians stir me so when I don't feel well?
24 May, 2006
health & politics
I just came from the hospital where I had visited with Kenneth for a little while. He hasn't been recovering very fast because of the infection which had set in after the surgery. The doctor said he will require about four weeks of antibiotics intravenous and he should be set to go then. Worry over his daughter and her actions are creating a lot of stress and not helping at all in his recovery. I hate that, but there is little an outsider can do when it comes to the internal workings of the family.
I brought him some bananas, oranges and apples and visited for about thirty minutes. That was enough hospital for me. He wants to move his van and car to a different location as soon as possible. He is worried about it being vandalized where it is now. He was in the middle of moving from a place on the south end of town out to a trailer park when this hospital episode hit. The guys will take care of the vehicles and I'm sure that will help with some of the stress for him. Life has a way of helping us prioritize things, it acts as an incentive you might say.
I brought him some bananas, oranges and apples and visited for about thirty minutes. That was enough hospital for me. He wants to move his van and car to a different location as soon as possible. He is worried about it being vandalized where it is now. He was in the middle of moving from a place on the south end of town out to a trailer park when this hospital episode hit. The guys will take care of the vehicles and I'm sure that will help with some of the stress for him. Life has a way of helping us prioritize things, it acts as an incentive you might say.
Tomorrow the senate votes on the immigration bill. I don't know what will happen once it runs headlong into the house bill although I do have my druthers. I feel strongly there must be a priority on controlling the people crossing illegally into this country and then somewhere down the road you can figure what would be the next step in this process. The bed does call and I am going to respond.
23 May, 2006
country clod
Not sure where to start today. I just finished watching a few minutes of Imus and caught part of a conversation he was having with Andy Rooney. The subject of the Dixie Chicks came up and of course Andy as usual showed his uppity-ness and how he "believed" country music was so un-sophisticated and those that listened to country music were just as un-sophisticated. This, un-sophistication remark, was not one of people just being different but was said in a way to demean a segment of the population and their choice of music. Now I don't want to get into the subject of the Chicks, but I happen to listen to a variety of music genres, country being but one of those and for a moment I felt insulted with this arrogance Mr Rooney showed. Thank goodness that lasted but a few seconds when I remembered who it was that was making the remarks.
I'm one of those un-sophisticated people but I don't hold any prejudice against those that enjoy the classics. I am from the country I was born and raised in the country. I enjoy those things that some people refer to as country such as, trips into the woods and listening to the sounds of nature and the fishing and hunting, believing in the value of families and the strength that comes from that, believing it's proper to respect my elders even as I become older, believing there is right and wrong, believing in God, believing this country is special and being proud of its' might, and also believing folks that listen to music which talks about these things shouldn't be demeaned by some people because they don't prefer Brahms or Beethoven. Andy Rooney may have it right when he says I'm unsophisticated if it means my beliefs aren't jaded with the self-righteous superior-minded vision that some, perhaps like Mr Rooney have of themselves. Hope "ya'll" have a good day Mr Rooney.
I'm one of those un-sophisticated people but I don't hold any prejudice against those that enjoy the classics. I am from the country I was born and raised in the country. I enjoy those things that some people refer to as country such as, trips into the woods and listening to the sounds of nature and the fishing and hunting, believing in the value of families and the strength that comes from that, believing it's proper to respect my elders even as I become older, believing there is right and wrong, believing in God, believing this country is special and being proud of its' might, and also believing folks that listen to music which talks about these things shouldn't be demeaned by some people because they don't prefer Brahms or Beethoven. Andy Rooney may have it right when he says I'm unsophisticated if it means my beliefs aren't jaded with the self-righteous superior-minded vision that some, perhaps like Mr Rooney have of themselves. Hope "ya'll" have a good day Mr Rooney.
21 May, 2006
Quick Ivie Trip
One short trip to Brantley, that was the plan. It's Sunday evening now and I am back from Lake Ivie. The trip to Brantley turned into a trip to Ivie to bring the pontoon boat and check out how it would handle with the new top on it. Saturday morning we took the pontoon for a short fishing run and then went back in once we saw everything was good to go with the work Rufus had done on it. Later in the day we took the small speedboat and made our way back into some of the creeks and fished for a couple more hours catching a few largemouth bass and three whites before calling it a day. Next trip down we hope to settle in on the pontoon and just spend the night out on it and fish. Hey, with the temperature this time of the year night fishing is the way to go.
When we arrived at Ivie Saturday about noon, the lake was being used by the tournament fishermen with five separate groups holding events this weekend. The crowd was sizeable and once again I was unable to gather any results of the winners or the winning weight. Everyone seemed to come in with fish, and although the temperature was 100 degrees and above it didn't stop the fishermen from hitting the lake and staying out till weigh-in times of two and three o'clock.
The Sportsman Lounge, which recently got their license to sell alcohol with meals, probably had a good return on that investment from the groups that fished this weekend. Well after dark, from across the street where we stay, we could hear the guys from the tournament as they re-lived the day with all the tales and laughter and those inevitable, "one that got away", stories that always prevail in the midst of fishermen trying to out do the last guys' fishing story. They settled down before we turned in and they all made it up next morning in time to make it to the landing for the next day of fishing, so other than a headache here and there they probably enjoyed their stay.
I'm outa here till later.
When we arrived at Ivie Saturday about noon, the lake was being used by the tournament fishermen with five separate groups holding events this weekend. The crowd was sizeable and once again I was unable to gather any results of the winners or the winning weight. Everyone seemed to come in with fish, and although the temperature was 100 degrees and above it didn't stop the fishermen from hitting the lake and staying out till weigh-in times of two and three o'clock.
The Sportsman Lounge, which recently got their license to sell alcohol with meals, probably had a good return on that investment from the groups that fished this weekend. Well after dark, from across the street where we stay, we could hear the guys from the tournament as they re-lived the day with all the tales and laughter and those inevitable, "one that got away", stories that always prevail in the midst of fishermen trying to out do the last guys' fishing story. They settled down before we turned in and they all made it up next morning in time to make it to the landing for the next day of fishing, so other than a headache here and there they probably enjoyed their stay.
I'm outa here till later.
19 May, 2006
Scope out Skype 2.0
Here is a bit of news that I find refreshing. The Skype system now allows you to make free calls to any landline or cell phone number in the USA for free now till the end of the year. You need to download the new version and then follow the directions. Nothing to it and you can go to calling right away. I tried it out on my number here and although there is the slightest of delays the quality of the system is quite satisfactory. I would suggest to those that use Skype and haven't already done so, to go ahead and download the new version and start making those free calls.
I am heading out in a little while with Rufus on a short run to Lake Brantley. Brantley is just outside Carlsbad New Mexico. He has a boat that he's selling and wants to do a final check on everything before he lets it go. Don't want an angry fisherman coming back to your house before daylight wanting to jump ugly on you about a bad boat buy. I sure wouldn't anyway. Check back later.
I am heading out in a little while with Rufus on a short run to Lake Brantley. Brantley is just outside Carlsbad New Mexico. He has a boat that he's selling and wants to do a final check on everything before he lets it go. Don't want an angry fisherman coming back to your house before daylight wanting to jump ugly on you about a bad boat buy. I sure wouldn't anyway. Check back later.
17 May, 2006
Sunset from Lake Ivie
This was sunset from the east side of lake Ivie. We rode through the park as the deer were coming out to feed. 
The lake looks perfect from here and where the lake meets land in the background is the area we fished that morning. There are several picnic spots in this area and are ideal for a family outing. The boat ramp lies back to the Northwest from this location and has a four ramp launching area and a very nice Pavillion for larger group activities. The weekend of May 5-6 was host to another fishing tournament and the competition turned out well from the amount of vehicles parked at the landing. I was unable to have the results of that competition available to post. 
The lake looks perfect from here and where the lake meets land in the background is the area we fished that morning. There are several picnic spots in this area and are ideal for a family outing. The boat ramp lies back to the Northwest from this location and has a four ramp launching area and a very nice Pavillion for larger group activities. The weekend of May 5-6 was host to another fishing tournament and the competition turned out well from the amount of vehicles parked at the landing. I was unable to have the results of that competition available to post. 
16 May, 2006
home again
Doug and I made it back from the fishing trip in good health. I had been in hopes of finding a way to get on line while at the lake but was unable to do so. I failed to keep track of things the way you need to so you can tell folks about your trip. The only answer to that problem is to make another trip down as soon as possible and try to remember to write things down when they are fresh in my mind. It was great to leave everyday worries back here where they belong and not have the added weight aboard the boat each time we headed out to fish.
I read a couple books while there and picked and strummed on the guitar most every night for at least twenty minutes each sitting. Could you imagine the number of sittings I would have to have before one could actually sit down and hear something worthwhile come from my fingers across the strings of that little Gibson guitar. That amount of time would be unavailable in my life to get to that point. Of course you realize you wouldn't find tickets to hear me play anything so you don't need to worry having to save your coins for that concert.
The time will come when serious items will get brought up here also and find some interesting things to post. I had good intentions of posting some pictures but was unable to gather enough of anything while I was there this time to make it worthwhile. That lies down the road not so far away but till then, I will just say I am back home and looking forward to my next trip to Ivie. Hope to include some of the activities of this trip in future posts.
Everything here was in good shape when we returned. I did have to send in a late payment on something I forgot to mail before leaving Hobbs but even that wasn't a problem. Now to get back in rhythm with life here for that period of time that it takes till I'm able to head out to Lake Ivie once again.
I read a couple books while there and picked and strummed on the guitar most every night for at least twenty minutes each sitting. Could you imagine the number of sittings I would have to have before one could actually sit down and hear something worthwhile come from my fingers across the strings of that little Gibson guitar. That amount of time would be unavailable in my life to get to that point. Of course you realize you wouldn't find tickets to hear me play anything so you don't need to worry having to save your coins for that concert.
The time will come when serious items will get brought up here also and find some interesting things to post. I had good intentions of posting some pictures but was unable to gather enough of anything while I was there this time to make it worthwhile. That lies down the road not so far away but till then, I will just say I am back home and looking forward to my next trip to Ivie. Hope to include some of the activities of this trip in future posts.
Everything here was in good shape when we returned. I did have to send in a late payment on something I forgot to mail before leaving Hobbs but even that wasn't a problem. Now to get back in rhythm with life here for that period of time that it takes till I'm able to head out to Lake Ivie once again.
02 May, 2006
And Then Came Wednesday
I knew it would get here and sure enough just like times from the past Wednesday came to call once more. Lake Ivie, that's the place we are headed to tomorrow morning. How slow the time has passed in anticipation for this trip. You know, it really isn't that big a deal, this fishing trip to the lake. There are places I could go that may be in some way perhaps classier or fancy but, on second thought, "hell yeah it's a big deal", and I am looking forward even to the long drive in the heat of the day if necessary. The time is at hand come daylight.
On another note of more consequences, Kenneth called tonight from the hospital. The day before his sister Jewell was to be buried he did something to the rotator cuff on the left shoulder. He explained tonight that he had been in ICU since Saturday night but was unable to call and let anyone know. There was a rift between he and his daughter about which he didn't go into details over and hence, he hasn't anyone to give him a hand with personal stuff and he doesn't have anyone to come check in on him. Our conversation was interesting.
Somewhere back in the past he and I had a difficult moment that never got talked about, and in that, a tension has been with us for a few years, We still were decent to one another in our meetings and in groups where we happened to appear together. Still the air was never cleared over this incident which was, as in most cases, quite insignificant. We managed to visit tonight for several minutes and in the conversation I explained that those things past were just that, past. Here he was in need of a helping hand for someone to give in what ever measure it may require and any feelings or emotions associated with those ill times should be let go of once and for all.
The visit ended on good terms and with the agreement that my niece or I would check in on him and take all his calls for visits or whatever. I told him to not worry about things and that we would do all we could to help him out till that time he could manage on his own or family could give him a hand. I will bring him a cup of his favorite coffee from McDonald's in the morning before we leave to go to the lake. I could not leave in good conscience should I not do that.
On another note of more consequences, Kenneth called tonight from the hospital. The day before his sister Jewell was to be buried he did something to the rotator cuff on the left shoulder. He explained tonight that he had been in ICU since Saturday night but was unable to call and let anyone know. There was a rift between he and his daughter about which he didn't go into details over and hence, he hasn't anyone to give him a hand with personal stuff and he doesn't have anyone to come check in on him. Our conversation was interesting.
Somewhere back in the past he and I had a difficult moment that never got talked about, and in that, a tension has been with us for a few years, We still were decent to one another in our meetings and in groups where we happened to appear together. Still the air was never cleared over this incident which was, as in most cases, quite insignificant. We managed to visit tonight for several minutes and in the conversation I explained that those things past were just that, past. Here he was in need of a helping hand for someone to give in what ever measure it may require and any feelings or emotions associated with those ill times should be let go of once and for all.
The visit ended on good terms and with the agreement that my niece or I would check in on him and take all his calls for visits or whatever. I told him to not worry about things and that we would do all we could to help him out till that time he could manage on his own or family could give him a hand. I will bring him a cup of his favorite coffee from McDonald's in the morning before we leave to go to the lake. I could not leave in good conscience should I not do that.
01 May, 2006
May First
Today is the first and all the news this morning is related to the illegal folks coming over the borders. It is a strange thing to see all these peoples talking about their rights. It comes to mind that this is a sovereign nation and there are laws on the books which should have meaning to everybody. America isn't some fast food place where you pick and choose which of the laws you want to obey. America comes as a package and the rights that those people are claiming comes with many responsibilities. One of those would be called obeying the laws which this country has concerning immigration. I am opposed whole heartedly to this influx of people coming into the country in an illegal manner. Their slogan of a day free of illegal immigrants, maybe thats not a bad idea, perhaps they could expand the length of the boycott from a day to say perhaps........ "Well, you get the idea".
Two more days till I head out to the lake. Rufus is trying to get the roof on the pontoon boat fixed today. I think today will be the day it gets done. I intend to get a couple pictures of the work and post them later today. I need to do some errands and gather some grocery items and try to finish some packing and see where I am with all this by daylight tomorrow. I get tired of the preparation but it is necessary to get to the next step, right?
Two more days till I head out to the lake. Rufus is trying to get the roof on the pontoon boat fixed today. I think today will be the day it gets done. I intend to get a couple pictures of the work and post them later today. I need to do some errands and gather some grocery items and try to finish some packing and see where I am with all this by daylight tomorrow. I get tired of the preparation but it is necessary to get to the next step, right?
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