My party-in-a-box friend, Kay, came to stay with me when I had my port surgery a few weeks back, and I neglected to post about our hunting expedition then. Please excuse me, I was still under the influence of drugs. Here goes...
When we got home from the Surgicenter, we were both really tired, so we turned off the phone and took a nap. Wasn't long before we were awakened by my pups barking. Nick and Holden were standing by my big birch shade tree....and looking up. Couldn't see anything at first, but then, there it was, a critter in the tree.
I could tell it was rather large, too big for a squirrel, so I thought it was a nutria. John always hated to see them around the farm. They burrow holes in the ground and the banks of the ponds. That can be very dangerous. The tunnels can undermine the integrity of the bank and if someone inadvertently steps on or drives across the make shift home, it can cause major troubles. Nutria were accidentally introduced to the US many years ago and have made themselves at home, at the expense of farmers and other native animals.
But, my concern right that moment was getting the dogs inside so there would be no contact between them and whatever this was. They didn't want to leave. There was "something" in the tree and they were all too willing to stand guard and make sure everything was safe. Finally, they reluctantly came in. Once they were safely inside, I had to make a decision, what should I do about the critter? I know what John would have done. He would have walked to the gun closet, picked up his gun, loaded it and walked out on the deck and took aim. I wasn't feeling so confident. Still under the influence of the anesthesia from the surgery, and warned not to drive, make any major decisions, or sign any important documents for the next 24 hours, I did what any "widow woman" would do....I called my neighbor, Rick.
Rick has been ever so helpful since John passed away, always here within five minutes of me calling for help. And today was no different. He was on his way. But, in the meantime, the thought occurred to me in my still drug induced state, this is a photo opportunity, so Kay and I began our plan. Rick was there shortly, but by then, Kay and I had scoured the closets, for our "hunting outfits".
After he stopped laughing at our garb, he took aim and the critter fell from the tree. Please know, I do not like to kill anything, except roaches, ants, rats, mosquitoes, spiders...well maybe a few things, but I am a "live and let live" person. But, this was a threat to my pups and can cause a lot of damage.
The furry carcass didn't move. "Check to see if it's dead, Rick," I yelled from my safe perch up on the deck. He walked over and with the barrel of his gun, turned it over.
I learned that lesson when I was just a little one, just cause it is not moving, doesn't mean it is dead. I picked up what I thought was a dead squirrel once, only to find out it was just stunned. The squirrel woke up and thought my arm was a tree limb and I was marked for life, but it was a lesson well learned. Make sure it is dead.
"It's a ground hog," Rick said. "Oh no, I thought it was a nutria. It's not against the law or protected is it?" I said. "Oh no, they are pests too. I just tore the axle out of my trailer after I ran over one of their burrows," he said. I felt better after that, but I still felt sad looking at the dead wood chuck on the ground.
But that didn't last too long. Kay and I had a photo op and we weren't going to let it pass. So, this is what we did.
Two wild women with a gun...actually, it is a BB gun. But we still had fun. Sent out an email to some of my buddies and told them we came home from surgery and it was such a beautiful day, we decided to go hunting. Bagged a "hog".
But that is not the end of the hunting story. The next day, we went to get lunch at Pie's, a local eatery that serves the very best BBQ in the world. Please note that I am a NC certified BBQ judge and have judged more BBQ than you want to know! So that mention is backed by taste buds well honed by years of tasting fine pork.
As we drive up at Pie's, there is a truck with a huge wild turkey on the tailgate with a handsome young fellow proudly holding on to it. Turkey season opens for youth this time of year and this young man had a beauty. But couldn't let this photo opportunity pass.
When we got back home, I sent out another email, "Feeling better today, but busy. Went hunting again, but only had time to bag one gobbler."
Still makes me smile. Hope it makes smiles for all of you, too.
PCQ
When we got home from the Surgicenter, we were both really tired, so we turned off the phone and took a nap. Wasn't long before we were awakened by my pups barking. Nick and Holden were standing by my big birch shade tree....and looking up. Couldn't see anything at first, but then, there it was, a critter in the tree.
I could tell it was rather large, too big for a squirrel, so I thought it was a nutria. John always hated to see them around the farm. They burrow holes in the ground and the banks of the ponds. That can be very dangerous. The tunnels can undermine the integrity of the bank and if someone inadvertently steps on or drives across the make shift home, it can cause major troubles. Nutria were accidentally introduced to the US many years ago and have made themselves at home, at the expense of farmers and other native animals.
But, my concern right that moment was getting the dogs inside so there would be no contact between them and whatever this was. They didn't want to leave. There was "something" in the tree and they were all too willing to stand guard and make sure everything was safe. Finally, they reluctantly came in. Once they were safely inside, I had to make a decision, what should I do about the critter? I know what John would have done. He would have walked to the gun closet, picked up his gun, loaded it and walked out on the deck and took aim. I wasn't feeling so confident. Still under the influence of the anesthesia from the surgery, and warned not to drive, make any major decisions, or sign any important documents for the next 24 hours, I did what any "widow woman" would do....I called my neighbor, Rick.
Rick has been ever so helpful since John passed away, always here within five minutes of me calling for help. And today was no different. He was on his way. But, in the meantime, the thought occurred to me in my still drug induced state, this is a photo opportunity, so Kay and I began our plan. Rick was there shortly, but by then, Kay and I had scoured the closets, for our "hunting outfits".
After he stopped laughing at our garb, he took aim and the critter fell from the tree. Please know, I do not like to kill anything, except roaches, ants, rats, mosquitoes, spiders...well maybe a few things, but I am a "live and let live" person. But, this was a threat to my pups and can cause a lot of damage.
The furry carcass didn't move. "Check to see if it's dead, Rick," I yelled from my safe perch up on the deck. He walked over and with the barrel of his gun, turned it over.
I learned that lesson when I was just a little one, just cause it is not moving, doesn't mean it is dead. I picked up what I thought was a dead squirrel once, only to find out it was just stunned. The squirrel woke up and thought my arm was a tree limb and I was marked for life, but it was a lesson well learned. Make sure it is dead.
"It's a ground hog," Rick said. "Oh no, I thought it was a nutria. It's not against the law or protected is it?" I said. "Oh no, they are pests too. I just tore the axle out of my trailer after I ran over one of their burrows," he said. I felt better after that, but I still felt sad looking at the dead wood chuck on the ground.
But that didn't last too long. Kay and I had a photo op and we weren't going to let it pass. So, this is what we did.
Two wild women with a gun...actually, it is a BB gun. But we still had fun. Sent out an email to some of my buddies and told them we came home from surgery and it was such a beautiful day, we decided to go hunting. Bagged a "hog".
But that is not the end of the hunting story. The next day, we went to get lunch at Pie's, a local eatery that serves the very best BBQ in the world. Please note that I am a NC certified BBQ judge and have judged more BBQ than you want to know! So that mention is backed by taste buds well honed by years of tasting fine pork.
As we drive up at Pie's, there is a truck with a huge wild turkey on the tailgate with a handsome young fellow proudly holding on to it. Turkey season opens for youth this time of year and this young man had a beauty. But couldn't let this photo opportunity pass.
When we got back home, I sent out another email, "Feeling better today, but busy. Went hunting again, but only had time to bag one gobbler."
Still makes me smile. Hope it makes smiles for all of you, too.
PCQ
5 comments:
LOVE the photos!!!! That one of you holding the groundhog is priceless!!!
Pat, I love reading your blog ! You writing talent is a wonderful gift! You're always in my prayers! :D
You two are hilarious!! Love to both of you. Love, CLEE
I think you're the coolest chick - ever!
That is such a wonderful story! I enjoyed it SOOOO much. Glad you are feeling better. Tell Kay hello and remember... we love you :)
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