Spend The Time Now!

We have all heard, or seen, the ugly side of life.  You know, when parents get older and family starts fighting over money, their care, etc...  I have come to the conclusion that part of this is due to our kids/family not really understanding us.  I think if we all spent more time in the outdoors with each other, and less at home vegging, much of this could be solved.

Let's face it, we live in a society that is dominated by electronics and the ability to be in constant contact.  There is a commercial out right now for a truck.  In the commercial, the guys are traveling around with their cell phone in the air.  One will say, "Now?" and the guy holding the phone shakes his head no.  They continue this throughout the entire commercial until they get to the end and the guy with the phone says, "Finally!"  While this commercial is about how the truck can get you to these places, it brings up a bigger question- Should we get away from technology every so often?  I think the answer is clearly, YES!  There is a problem with being constantly in contact.  There should be some time where the only people you have to talk to is your family and God.  Who knows what you have all been to busy to talk about lately?  You may even find out something new about them, or maybe some struggle they are going through.

My favorite form of this is fishing.  Taking your cell phone fishing is a big no-no!  Water and electricity do not get along well.  My form does not have to be your form of getting away.  You could go hike for the day.  You could go for a camping trip.  How about hunting?  Bird or nature watching.  How about the beach?  How about just a walk, or a game of basketball, wiffleball, football?  Anything where you have to put your phone down and get away from it.

When you are out and away, you can really talk.  There are no distractions.  Tell stories about your youth.  Let the kids tell you what is going on in their life right now.  Does this have to be some serious minded discussion like something from an After School Movie? (just showed my age there) No.  This is just being a family.  Maybe if we knew each other better, we wouldn't assume things about one another.  Maybe, we would feel comfortable asking tough questions when we need to.  We would know each other so deeply that there would not be questions about each others character.

Life is passing by us all so quickly.  The same technology that has promised to make our lives easier is, actually, making us fill every moment of our day with something.  So today, why don't you plan something with your family this year?  Plan to go hiking when the weather warms.  Or, if you live somewhere where the weather is warm, go do something on your off time with your family this week.  I can remember so many special moments with my family.  Sometimes is was just a cookout with family over, or at their house.  I remember my parents taking us sightseeing or to a huge state park for the day.  I doubt that late in life I will reminisce about playing Words With Friends on my phone with any such delight, or great feelings.

It's a New Year...

Blah, blah, blah... seems like everywhere all we are hearing is it's a new year.  Time to change your weight!  Time to organize!  Time to BUY A NEW CAR!  I think it gets so pervasive that it's actually tuned out.  Well I hope you don't tune me out.

I was thinking about what I have done in this past year. It was strange because I wasn't really thinking about what I have done, I was thinking of what I should have done.  How I should have spent more time with family, or friends.  How I should have went fishing more often.  How, dare I say, I should have been more organized so I could do more things!  Isn't that how it goes though?  People look back through life at the things they didn't do.

My best friend's dad died of cancer several years ago.  He said something that has always stuck with me as he was going through the process cancer puts you through.  This a paraphrase, but basically he said he wished he would have taken the time to do the things he was waiting to do when he retired.  He had worked hard.  A full-time job with his own business on the side.  His dream was to go to Australia and he never had the chance.  He said he should have just done it.  I believe I have learned from him, but maybe not enough.  This summer was the first time I had seen his daughter, my best friend, in at least 3 years.

So I guess what I'm saying is, I can look back at what I haven't done this last year, or just try to do better this year.  Maybe it's best to build on the good I did in this last year.  Go fishing with my family more.  Take some time off.  Spend more time with friends.  Get out and get some fresh air once in a while.  Come to think of it now, I did do more of that this year than last!  Improvement is always good.  Happy New Year everyone!

Hunter Safety Classes: Elmer Fudd needed them

Last fall, my son and I took a Hunter Safety Course.  I mainly took it because he needed to take one, but I also wanted to see what they taught.  It was several nights long, a couple hours a night.  Really not a big chunk of time.  Shoot (haha, get it, shoot and a hunting class?), I spent more time at football practice with him.  So I dove in.

I had told several people about the class.  It ended up being a blast.  My sister, my son's friend, a customer of mine and his wife- by the way, I think that could be sung to the tune of Gilligan's Island!  Those were just the people at my table.  My neighbors were there, as well as, some other friends!  So I can say, I was quiet comfortable.  The teacher was knowledgeable and accessible.  He patiently answered questions.  We watched videos and at the end of the week I had my Hunter Safety Certificate.  Simple.

I did learn some things in the class:
#1- People are not as knowledgeable about hunting as they think they are.  They had a video titled "Shoot or Don't Shoot".  In the video, they went over various scenarios to shoot at game or not.  One scenario was a guy deer hunting sitting by a tree and looking into some brush.  He saw what looked like a deer in the brush, but it was hard to identify.  It came closer, he still couldn't identify.  The instructor stopped the class and said "Shoot or Don't Shoot?"  I would say at least half of the people said, "Shoot!"  That's a little scary considering there were about 50 people in the class, maybe more.  He turned the video back on and it showed a hunter coming out of the brush carrying a deer on his back.  Ok, obviously this was lame.  What kind of fool... Almost got into a rant there.  Anyways, even though it was seemed ridiculous, it happens every year.  This one happened last year in Virginia-  http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/Boy_Killed_in_VA_Hunting_Accident_110980484.html 
It's pretty simple, if you can't see it clearly, don't shoot!

#2 Blaze Orange Saves Lives- He told the story of how the Blaze Orange Law came into effect.  A tragic hunting story years ago, but it still continues even though it's the law to wear orange.  In 2009, a college student was killed while walking in the woods during hunting season http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/254936  This is a sad story for both sides.  Apparently the students didn't have on blaze orange and the hunter, did what we talked about in the first point. Now, a family has lost a daughter and a hunter has year in jail and a lot of guilt on his heart.  So, whether you hunt or not, please wear Blaze Orange out in the woods during hunting season, especially you hikers.  You can buy a vest at our store for under $3.  Isn't your life worth that?

#3 We are the best examples to our kids of how to enjoy the outdoors.  The kids in that class were there with their parents or adults who took the time to take them.  If you know a kid who likes the outdoors and the parents aren't interested in taking them to the class, ask if you can take that child.  Single moms, don't be intimidated.  It's not that hard, unless you're a little squeamish about cleaning game.  We'll talk about that another time!

I hope you take the class if you get a chance.  One day, I would like to teach it.  I just have to get the time to take the training course!  Here is a link to the classes: http://my.register-ed.com/event/studentchooseevent
If you put in your zip code, you can get the classes closest to you.  If you plan on hunting, please take the time to take this course.  When you're ready for your license, come by the store and I'll sell you one!

Uh oh, religion.

If you've ever come to our store you've seen this painting done by my friend, Kathy.  She is an awesome artist and has blessed me with this painting and our logo.  She has more talent in her pinky finger than I have in my entire body!

You might be wondering, why do we have this in the store anyway?  Well, it's simple.  For me, God comes first.  I would not be here on the earth without Him.  This store is a blessing from Him.  I want people to know that, but I also want them to know that while they are out enjoying all of creation, that even the earth and all that's in it knows "the Lord has done this".  Some people may call that religion.  Religion to me is a big formal church like Prince William and Kate married in.  I don't think anyone thinks of me like that, at least I hope not!

Here's a picture I took a couple of years ago in the fall while I was trout fishing in West Virginia:

When I am out fishing in a beautiful place like this, I can't help but think "God, you're awesome".  So I'll warn you, if you come in my store, you may hear about God.  I may pray for you or keep you in my prayers if you tell me about something you're going through.  I promise though, I will never be, dare I say... RELIGIOUS!