Author: doubledacres

Attempted Humor

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(Please note that this story is fiction but we still changed the names to protect the innocent.)

Our story begins in the town of Paragould, Arkansas in the early fifties.  The Greyhound bus stopped at the Ledbetters Restaurant, “Home of the Baked Possum”, and the passengers would get off and stretch their legs and get a bite to eat.  The layover usually lasted about an hour.

Well the Ledbetters had just got finished building a brand new two hole privy and were quite proud of it.  It was the talk of the town and the news had traveled to the Arkansas Missouri.  This would be the first time passengers tried out the new facility.

Mr Ledbetter decided they needed to go that extra mile and get one of those brand new PA systems his son Goober had shown him in the Sears and Roebuck catalog.  He figured they could use it to welcome the passengers and to announce when they would be departing the premises.  He figured he could also use it at the annual hog/turkey contest.

Goober had done a great job of installing the PA system.  He happened to have an ornery streak in him that folks say he inherited from his Grandpa Gomer.  He took it upon himself to add a speaker in one of the holes in that brand new two hole privy.  A two hole privy was a big deal back then.  It was a sign of prestige.  My grandparents had a two hole privy and one thing I couldn’t understand was, WHY?  Why would you want a two hole privy in the first place.  I am sorry but I am not going to sit next to someone in an outhouse.  Nope!  Ain’t doing it.

The bus showed up at 5:00 p.m. on the dot.  The passengers started unloading and Goober kept an eye out for a victim.  Then he sees this lady, who was carrying a few extra pounds, making her way down the path leading to the new privy fit for a queen.  She is wearing a flower print dress and one of those straw hats that has fruit on it.

Goober watched her patiently waiting for her to enter the outhouse.  To him it seemed like an eternity because he couldn’t wait to spring his practical joke on this poor unsuspecting lady.  She opens the door and steps inside.  Goober gives her a little time to get settled on the throne and he picks up the mic to the PA system, and says, hey lady could you move over to the other hole?  I am trying to paint down here.

Ten, nine, “boom” the door flies open and out comes this portly lady moving as fast as she can.  From the banana on the fruit of the world hat she was wearing, hung a roll of toilet paper and it unrolled as she ran down the path headed for the restaurant.  Her feet get tangled up and down she goes with her dress hiking up around her neck and her bloomers become visible to the whole world.  Now old Blue, the bluetick hound has seen all this commotion unfolding before him and the bloomers are just too much for him.  He starts barking treed and the ole rooster upon seeing the bloomers begins attacking her.

By this time ole Goober is rolling on the floor laughing so hard he pees his pants and his dad is running as hard as he can down the path to shoo the rooster off this lady and to comfort her and help her up.  He also managed to get ole Blue to shut up and things begin to quiet down.

Mr Leadbetter finally manages to get her to her feet and inside the restaurant.  He apologizes profusely to the lady as she sat there with that roll of toilet paper still hanging off that “nanner” on her hat.  Ole Blue was never quite the same, the rooster has never crowed again and Goober came up with this idea he called “karaoke”.  The poor lady finally made it home at which time she immediately threw her hat to her goat!!!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.  Spread the love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally! Frost On the Pumpkin!

/ doubledacres / 2 Comments

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“How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days.” – John Burroughs

I have waited patiently to wake up and see the pumpkin covered in frost.  I adore autumn.   Bonfires are a must, with the aroma of cooking chili hurrying along to tease the unsuspecting noses of those gathered around the bonfire.  Hoodies can finally come out of the closet.  Animals begin growing their winter hair and the geese head south.

Halloween is just a few days off.  The streets will be filled with goblins and witches seeking to fill their bags with candy.  Then it won’t be long until the turkey will be sacrificed and used as the main course to fill the bellies of Thanksgiving diners.

“Autumn carries more gold in its pockets than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop

I had a friend tell me once, note: he hates the fall, that “fall is like the undertaker, preparing the body for burial”.  I guess that is one way of looking at it.  Myself, I like to take drives and admire the work of Mother Nature.  My understanding is that this year the colors aren’t going to be that good due to the lack of moisture.  In the fall the leaves have a chance to “wow” you like the flowers did in the spring.  The squirrels begin hiding food for the winter.  Drum roll followed with a Snoopy dog dance, no more grass cutting and the horseflies have left the building!  Yes!  Sorry.  Got carried away in the moment.

It has been a long, dry, hot summer and I am ready for the snowflakes to throw themselves upon the ground until they have reached a depth of 8 inches.  I will have a fire going in the wood stove with a pot of beans cooking.  I will sit and watch my feathered friends eat from the bird feeders.

“October is nature’s funeral month.  Nature glories in death more than in life.  The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming – October than May.   Every green thing loves to die in bright colors.”  – Henry Ward Beecher

I hope you enjoyed my words and I appreciate you taking the time to read them.  Wishing everyone a Happy Fall Season!  Spread the love.

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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time To Rant

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment

My mind is whirling with all the BS going on in the U.S. today.  I see friends arguing and calling each other names over politics.  Friendships destroyed and families torn apart.  For what?   When did we let politics become more important than friendships and family?   I see people who have no respect for anything and they are quick to criticize.  I see a Main Stream News Media creating a massive divide in this country that is surely going to end in disaster.  Hate seems to be more popular than love.  It seems to me that America is circling the drain and I say to myself, is it too late to put the plug back in the drain.  I hope so.

The top 5 pastors in America have a net worth of 960 million dollars.  Really?  I am a christian but this isn’t religion, this is big business.  I am sorry but that is my opinion and I am sure someone will ream me for it.  I know some pastors that have a great ministry and they do a fine job of preaching the “Word” and helping needy communities on a lot less.

Parents with children.  I am sorry when you go out to a restaurant show the other patrons a little respect.  When you let your children chase each other around the tables it isn’t funny, it is annoying.  To you parents who take the time to teach your child to behave, thank you.  Teach your children the word “no” so that when you tell them they can’t have a candy bar they will refrain from throwing themselves on the floor, screaming and kicking.

Hollywood, get over yourself!   I don’t give a rat’s arse about what your political views are just like you don’t care about mine.  I even respect you less when you use your “stardom” to influence John Q Public.  All the actresses that came out condemning the antics of the POTUS where are you on the subject of Harvey Weinstein?  Maybe I just missed your comments and if I did please forgive me but you seem to be pretty mute about his behavior.  Football players, kneeling to get attention for police brutality.  Where were you when your own was expressing his christian beliefs and got blackballed from football.  He was kneeling.  How about the football player who killed a mother/wife because he ran a red light because he was intoxicated.  He got an eight game suspension.  Really?  I don’t condone police brutality but you have seemed to help alienate a lot of people from your cause.

In the past there has been some bias in the news world but come on.  Can you be any more bias?  Now tune in for the 6 o’clock opinions.  Nope no news, just a bigger spoon to help stir the pot and create more hate and discontent.  I find it  kind of odd that you dropped the Vegas story so quickly.   Did your story fall apart?  Do John Q Public a favor and report the facts and be unbiased in your reporting.  If you are going to be bias then at least do a better job of hiding it.

Sorry for all the ranting but I could go on all night.  Folks whether you believe it or not the country is falling down around us.  Our politicians are failing us.  MSNM is failing us.  Parents are failing their children.  Most of all, we are failing each other.

We need to think about what the consequences our actions will cause.  Example, protesters.  Protesting is a powerful tool when used correctly.  I am sorry but when you invade shopping malls screaming your demands or blocking a freeway you aren’t making friends.  You are causing more hate to be cast your way.  Those people can’t do anything for you.  If you are protesting the government and receiving government benefits, send your checks back or don’t pay your taxes.  This will get the attention of the people who can help you.  Protest in front of city hall every day.  We protest bullying and your protests that you are using is just another form of bullying.

Well I am going to shut up.  In a world full of opinions someone is probably going to get their feelings hurt.  I hope I didn’t make anyone think less of me.  Bottom line is that we need to come together and heal the divide in this nation, not create a bigger abyss.   We are not only destroying our planet but also respect, trust, and integrity.  I am not a Democrat or Republican.  I am an American(gun toting, Bible thumping, redneck I think I was referred to) that wants everyone to come together and heal this great divide within our borders.  United we stand, divided we fall.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  Spread the love.

 

 

 

 

PLEASE, Don’t Litter

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment

“Sooner  or later, we will have to recognize that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution.  What mankind must know is that human beings can’t live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans.” –  Evo Morales

Today I am going to address something that really gets my Scooby-Dos in a bind.  Littering and pollution.   Really?  This a subject that we shouldn’t even have to discuss.  Why do people insist on trashing Mother Earth?  Has she offended you?  Are you just down right lazy?  Do you just not care?

If you have read any of my blogs you are privy to my romance with Missouri rivers and streams.  In my journeys I have covered a lot of miles on the rivers.  I can’t think of any time on the river that I didn’t find a gravel bar trashed, tires in the river, appliances, etc. and it is heart breaking.

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Got this off one gravel bar on the Big River

The problem seems to be getting worse instead of better.  I know there are more people that float the rivers than there were 10 years ago.  However there seems to be a greater group of people who do their best trying to clean the rivers up.

In Missouri we have Operation Clean Stream.  There are various teams located throughout the state that police different areas and streams and have an organized clean up once a year.  Usually the fourth weekend in August.  It is unbelievable the amount of trash they collect each year.

In August of 2017, Operation Stream Team volunteers removed 539 cubic yards of trash and 2,029 tires from Missouri rivers.  There were 1,934 in attendance at the locations of the Arnold Area, Big River (lower and upper), Bourbeuse River, Meramec River (middle, lower and upper), Huzzah and Courtois.

You can find out more at openspacestl.org. and there is a Facebook page called Missouri Stream Teams.

“If you can’t be in awe of Mother Nature, there’s something wrong with you” – Alex Trebek

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Sadly a common sight on the river.

“We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.” – Margaret Mead

We really need to get a handle on this.  It isn’t that hard to haul your trash out with you.  It isn’t going to take up anymore room than it did when you took it in.   Maybe we need to start charging a deposit on cans.  I know folks will still leave them however there will be more people collecting those cans to turn them in instead of just leaving them.  I know when I was a tad pole I would pick up soda bottles to make extra money.  Just a thought.  Don’t kill the blogger.

What is it going to take to get people to respect Mother Earth and keep her clean.   The rivers are faced with trash and pollution problems that aren’t going to go away unless we the people do something about it.  I know, I know.  I hear you shaking your head thinking we have a lot of other problems that need to be addressed.  Well my friends this is a serious problem and it needs to be addressed.  Clean water is needed for survival on this orb and if we run out of it the outcome isn’t very pleasant.  It is our life and future.  Please stop destroying the waterways with pollution and trash.  PLEASE!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  Clean water is essential for life and we just can’t keep ignoring the problem.  Spread the love!

The River; A Magical Treasure (For Some)

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“A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

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“A river seems a magic thing.  A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” – Laura Gilpin

I was finally afforded an opportunity to spend some time on the Big River.  I decided to kayak and fish the St. Francois State Park area of the river.  I went on a Thursday so I had the park pretty much to myself.  I was even able to accommodate myself with some time to read some of Emerson’s work.  The only distraction I had was the chirping of the crickets and the crackling of the fire.

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Home for a couple of days.

The river was really low.  It was hard to fish and float.  I did manage to catch some fish though.  Not very big but when you are fishing with an ultralite with 4 pound test they don’t have to be very big to have fun catching them.  I did catch enough to consume for supper on the second day.

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My time spent on the river is always magical and mesmerizing.  It has been that way since I was a snotty nosed kid.  I cherish the world of the river and the way it can recharge my spirit and soul.  To see the fall painting that Mother Nature had brushed onto  the foliage was a site to behold.

The first day on the river I never crossed paths with another person.  I had the river all to myself and it is hard to explain what a great feeling it is.  My mind races trying to take in all the wonderful things that I am surrounded by everything grabbing my attention at once.  Even though I have been here before I feel like a child in a candy store.

I wish I could explain the “peaceful  easy feeling” that I experience upon every visit to the river.   It is quite refreshing and it gives one a great opportunity to find themselves.

The downside of the river is that everything cooked on an open fire tastes amazing so therefore one tends to eat too much.

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Coffee, bacon, biscuits and eggs

 

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Funny how many times I have read this book and when I get out on the river and clear my mind of all the garbage it has accumulated since the last visit, I find something I have missed.  Emerson did not believe that one could simply change society by changing the laws, or by imposing new regulations.  For one to effectively change the laws of a state, the minds of the citizens must be changed first through culture  or education.  Forgive me for getting off subject.  This is food for another blog on another day.

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I am a realist and I know the river doesn’t work as well for some as it does me.  Not everyone is comfortable on the river and not everyone likes to fish.  I urge you though to find your “river” in life, no matter what it is.  Then share it with the rest of the world.  Spread the love.

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I also realize not everyone likes reading Emerson.  In closing I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you enjoyed it.  I wish you luck in finding your “river” and “Emerson”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver Mines Recreation Area

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment
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Turkey Creek meets St. Francis River/Silver Mines

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” – John Muir  Our National Parks

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

I would like to share with you an area in Madison County Missouri located along the St. Francis River.  It is a piece of paradise named Silver Mines Recreation Area.  It is part of the old Einstein Mines where the Einstein Mining Company began mining silver, tungsten and lead in 1877 and ceased mining in 1946.  The area is known  for its Precambrian and felsite rocks.

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

Silver Mines offers a variety of recreational opportunities and is abundant with historical and geological wonders.  The St. Francis River is the only river in Missouri classified as a “white water” river.  It is very popular with kayakers during the spring high water.  Parts of the river are used for swimming, other parts are good fishing and the state holds an annual kayaking competition the third weekend of March, providing  the water levels are sufficient.  There is a two mile trail that follows both sides of the river with some breath taking views, for those addicted to hiking.

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

When I was younger we would meet my grandparents there and camp for the weekend.  I took a couple of walks down memory lane and I recalled all the good times we had there.  It was all tent camping and sometimes it got rough.  There were some great camp sites and the park was well maintained.  The area is alive with spectacular scenery and is occupied by many varieties of wildlife.

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St. Francis River near Fredericktown, MO

“In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” – John Muir

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out til sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” – John Muir

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

 

“Any fool can destroy trees.  They cannot run away; and if they could, they could, they would be destroyed – chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides, branching horns, or magnificent bole backbones.” – John Muir

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

Well I hope you enjoyed reading and I thank you for taking the time to do so.  We are blessed with some very nice state parks in Missouri and I tip my hat to the Missouri Conservation Department.  If you have never been here, be sure and put it on your bucket list.  Spread the Love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So You Want To Be A Farrier?

/ doubledacres / 5 Comments

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I remember when one of the local colleges offered an eight week course for folks that wanted to be a farrier.  Over time I had a few clients who told me,”Well this will be the last time you will have to shoe ole Dobbin.”  Me: “Oh yeah.  You selling him?”  They would go on to tell me that they had signed up for the 8 week course at the college and they would be doing their own shoeing.  Out of 6 clients that signed up for the class I only had one client shoe all four feet of his horse.  He then hired me back, said he had enough.

Then there are the ones that sit there and watch you as you work and they tell you, I think I can do that.  Looks pretty easy.   Then there is that age old question, ever get kicked?  Really?

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Then there are the bargain hunters.  They have no loyalty to their farrier.  They are just looking to get the cheapest price they can.  I remember one time while fueling my truck a guy hollers over at me and says, how much.  I said $2.55 a gallon.  He said no, how much?  I said, well it will probably hold around 30 gallons today.  He immediately says, NOOOO!  How much do you charge to shoe horses.  I said, do you have a farrier now?  He said yes but I thought you might be cheaper at which I immediately replied, you couldn’t afford me.  Yep, they are loyal to the end.

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Then you have the internet farrier.  Yep you read it right.  This is the group that cruises the internet to learn everything they can find concerning ” How to Shoe Your Horse”.  So while you are shoeing their horse they are standing looking over your shoulder telling you what you are doing wrong.  I mean geeze, these guys are pros.  They learned from that all important school “Lame Horses or Us.”

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Then you have the farrier that if someone doesn’t agree with your assessment of his/her shoe job they swell up like a little bantee rooster and get their feelings hurt.  Bring a horse into a room of 4 farriers and you will get 10 different ways to shoe the horse.  The lovely world of horseshoeing.  Also be prepared to be told you charge too much.

Then there are the great things you get to experience.  I remember one such time.  I was on the back end of the horse with its back leg over mine when all of a sudden the horse made a gut sound that sounded like a freight train roaring down the track.  I just got out of my mouth, well he shouldn’t colic any time soon, when all at once its tail went up and yep, liquid road apples come out of the back end like it was coming out of a power washer.  Before I could get out of the way it hit me on the side of the head and my back and…..never mind just trust me it was a mess.

Seriously though, I am proud of my trade.  I am a firm believer in continued education.  It is hard work and you have to be well disciplined.  It is too easy to get up in the morning and say, I think I will call in sick today.  You have to be a business man and be able to deal with the public.

I am semi-retired now.  I still have around 40 head of horses on my books.  I am thankful for all those who helped me better myself.  Dr. Don Walsh, Dr. Amy Rucker, Dr. Joanne Kramer, Kelly Case, Bob Schantz, Dr. Thomas Loafman to just name a few.   If you decide to walk the path of a farrier I urge you to seek out continued education through clinics.  Bob Schantz, owner of Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop, along with Homestead Veterinary Hospital, Dr Kramer and Dr Rucker have some great workshops during the winter months.  Be sure to check them out.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I deeply appreciate it.  If you are considering a career shoeing horses I wish you well.  It is hard work but take pride in yourself and your work and it can be a real rewarding experience.  Spread the love!

 

How Do We Measure Success?

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment

“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;  To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson wrote this sometime in the mid to late 1800s I believe.  I came across it a couple of years ago and it came up on my radar again.  In today’s world and my age I consider just waking up on the right side of the dirt as a sign that I have succeeded.  If he were to write that today I really wonder what he would have said?

………This is to have succeeded.  In life?  Love?  School?  I am going to approach it as “in life.”  What is success? According to Merriam-Webster, outcome result; degree or measure of succeeding; attainment of wealth, favor or eminence; one that succeeds.

I racked my little brain and I couldn’t think of anyone that I can say is breathing easier because I am alive.  As far as “a redeemed social condition” I had to wrestle with this one and I am not sure I have the right idea  however I think Emerson is referring to a certain social group (culturally, politically, economically, etc,  really guessing here)one may have helped beat gambling addiction, alcoholism etc. in one of those groups.

To appreciate beauty.  Wow, now that could be a loaded gun.  I know how society seems to label beauty, usually they don’t look past the outside beauty.   I am of the opinion that beauty is the whole package.  One can be beautiful on the outside but so ugly on the inside.  I see people that are bullied, ridiculed and treated like low class citizens because they may carry a few extra pounds, a noticeable scar, birth mark etc..  The majority of folks just seem to look at a person on the outside without finding out what their heart is made of.  They could have a heart of gold and no one ever notices.  Seems so sad and such a waste.  If you are a person that looks at the “whole” person and not just the outer shell I truly believe that is a true sign of success and you have my utmost respect.  So many people are incapable of it.

Oh my gosh , the light bulb just went off!!  I thought of someone that breathes easier because I am alive.  My doctor.  I mean how did I overlook that.  After all if I was on the other side of the dirt my doctor would lose that income.   After all the money is in the treatment not the cure.

Aw, the betrayal of false friends.  Now this is one that can hurt.  What is that little saying going around the internet, oh yeah.  The only reason some folks are alive is because I don’t want to go to prison, or something like that anyway.  That can be a tough pill to swallow.  There are some really cold people in the world and they don’t seem to have any problem hurting other people.  I think some folks just crave the feeling.  Here is another real sign of success I think.  If one can truly forgive a false friend that betrayed them I think that is another true sign of success.

I don’t know if it because I am getting old and less trusting, it just seems harder and harder to find the best in others.  There is so much dishonesty and hate in the world today that it is hard to trust.  To find the best in others you are going to have to trust them.  In the past I have recommended horse trainers.  These were trainers that I thought they knew what they were doing.  Boy was I wrong.  I have saw what I thought was good in a lot of folks and just set myself up for a hard fall.  With me it is a tough one and if it is something that I have to accomplish to have succeeded in life, I may be running a little short on making it.

Once again thank you for reading my blog.  I hope you enjoyed it.  I truly wish everyone a successful and prosperous life.  One filled with success and good times.  Spread the love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagination: A Good Thing to Possess

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment
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I named this rock formation “Alien Rock”

I didn’t get on the river until around 4:30 p. m. and I knew I wouldn’t have time to do a lot of fishing.  I did realize that the retreating sunlight should present some great photo ops so I began looking for those shots that would show the amazing beauty of Mother Nature.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

My mind was working overtime and my imagination was like that of a 60s “flower child” who had taken a hallucinogenic drug.  I took several pics of the rock I had named “Alien Rock” trying to capture what I was seeing in my mind.  I think the above pic was the best picture to portray what I was seeing and I hope you can see it too.

To me it looks like an alien’s head slowly ascending out of the water just revealing its eyes and nostrils that had just broke the surface of the water.  I imagined it rising completely out of the water revealing a body as tall as the bluffs around it.

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Well, maybe I am losing it.  Maybe the crazy stuff going on in the world is finally taken its toll on me.  Maybe I have drank too many Jack and Cokes in my life time.  Naw, one can’t drink too many Jack and Cokes.  I got it, I need to quit drinking the kool-ade!  That’s it!

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge.  That myth is more potent than history.  That dreams are more powerful than facts.  That hope always triumphs over experience.  That laughter is the only cure for grief.  And I believe that love is stronger than death.” – Robert Fulghum;  All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Thoughts On Common Things

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Was the alien there extracting lead from underneath the river bed; after all this is part of the old lead belt, or was he looking for a McDonald’s fish filet sandwich?  Maybe he is stashing green kryptonite in case he ever had a run in with Superman?  Was he a game warden in disguise spying on me.  Oh so many possibilities!

Hello, earth to Wayne.  Well back to regular programming.  Once I figured out what the alien was doing I began floating back to what the locals call the “Bone Hole” and fished as I went.  I managed to catch a small largemouth and several small perch.  I think the alien must have scared the fish off.  Oh crap, it is getting dark.  Where did that alien go?  I am skeered I tells ya!

“Logic will get you from A to Z; Imagination will get you everywhere”. – Albert Einstein

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog.  I am a firm believer that great artists ( painters, writers, musicians, etc.) are full of imagination.  I feel it is a must to be really good at what you do.  I think we need to emphasize it more than we do.  One can not suffer from too much imagination; well maybe I need to rethink that one.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  It is deeply appreciated.  Remember to spread the love.