Opa's place -Where an old rooster visits with friends

[Opa]

It's cool here this morning and the sky looks rather ominous. Given that the temperature is still 20 degrees off what would be required for them to be snow clouds, they still look like snow clouds. I think it is just nature's way of reminding us of just how fleeting summer is. Summer seems to get shorter each year. It's like the spring, summer,fall, winter numbers are 1,3,1,7, and that might be figuring winter a little on the low side.

Yesterday, my friend Bob came out and we went to visit our old farmer friend on whose property we hunt. The farmer is an 88 year old bachelor and it is amazing how good his health is. Hopefully he stays healthy for many more years. Hunting his property has been an incredible gift. Bob and I were talking yesterday about the 30 plus years we have hunted there and we know of no one who has had a better success rate than we. Between he and I and our sons we have probably taken 500 deer from the property.

Bob and I have known each other since high school but didn't become friend until we both happened to hire on the same fire department resulting in a friendship that has now spanned 41 years. Last hunting season his chronic back problems had gotten so severe that he was unable to hunt with me for the first time since 1979. He has spent the time since undergoing a vast array of testing and treatment that may have improved his back to a point that he my be able hunt this year. Last season I gave him one of the five deer I killed and yesterday I sent him home with an ice chest full of meat. I could see his not having any venison while my freezer still had lots.

 

[ibpboo]

May your dear friend's back problems be quickly resolved so he can enjoy hunting with you very soon.

 

[NotAFarm]

Opa,

The corn and bean fields here are starting to show signs of the nights in the upper 30s and low 40s. It won't be long and the tree leaves will follow suit and be changing, too. Winter does, indeed, seem to take-up the majority of the year here, as well. I hope that Bob and you have a successful hunt this year and that your farmer friend enjoys abundant health for many more years. True friendships are rare and to be valued.

Thoughts and prayers for everyone who is having miserable weather related problems.

Mary

 

[Highlander]

We are starting to show signs of winter here too, although to be honest summer never really arrived. DH was looking at a job in Ascension Island today.... sounded tempting!

I am battling rats here big time. I have always known there were a few and I could cope with them eating a little food and taking the odd egg, but last week they killed all my 3 day old chicks so I have unfortunately had to resort to poison. I really didn't want to as I have cats and dogs that wander around the property but the pb/plaster balls and traps, while they got a few, obviously just allowed the population to spiral out of control and I now am paying for it. So now it's all out war!

Hope the trip goes well Sam, when do you leave?

 

[Opa]

I'm not sure I will be able to go now. I've encountered a snag in my personal life that my preclude my going anywhere for a while. Oh well, we were never promised that life would be easy.

 

[Highlander]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope the situation resolves itself soon.

 

[chickencrazymamahen]

So sorry to hear that you are postponing your trip, the leaves are just starting to turn and other than today, the weather this next week looks fabulous....hope all is resolved quickly and to your satisfaction, will be thinking of you.

Nothing too much new here, time to go fix supper, hope everyone else is doing ok.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Hope you can untangle the snag soon, Sam.

to all

 

[Opa]

While things aren't as snag free as I would like, I will be heading south tomorrow morning. I've already loaded the marble tile that I am taking to Scott and now must decide which tools I should take as both he and Joe have projects they want me to help them with. I'm glad we are getting to go as both sons have scheduled time off from work while we are there. Scott, my youngest, must be either excited to see me or anxious to get some help with his home improvement projects as he has called me twice in the last week.

I also must decide which of the 12 week old Welsummer cockerels I feel is best and get it caged up. Havingfun is going to come to Joe's house on Sunday from Oklahoma City to get it. My Welsummers are exceptionally good examples of the breed and he wants a bird from my flock to use in his breeding program. I've talked to him on several occasions and it will be nice to meet him.rs

When we leave the boys we intend to take several days to get home and since Hope enjoys watching Little House On The Prairie we are going to stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Mansfield. She lived there from 1898 til her death in 1957 and her home was immediate turned into a museum by her friends. As we traverse the Ozarks I plan to use only secondary roads which should make the trip much more interesting.

 

[NotAFarm]

Opa, I'm glad to hear you are able to make your trip. It sounds like you'll have a great time visiting, helping and getting to spend some time with Hope doing interesting things as well.........an all-around wonderful trip!! Enjoy!