The Hunting Times

I have been working with the taxidermist in South Africa since about May to get the heads and hides shipped over.  It's been a journey, same as the trip itself. Once the animals were done at the taxidermist, they were crated and delivered to the shipper.  The shipper got the crate from SA to Chicago.  I then had to hire an 'agent' in Chicago to retrieve the crate, deliver it to both the US Fish & Wildlife (who authorized that the animals were legal to hunt and possess in the USA) and then to Customs (who charged us $300 in taxes to import these "goods").  Bastards. Once cleared in Chicago, they were put on a semi and delivered to my door step, with a little help from Pa Jerry, who met the semi and loaded the crate into a pick-up truck. So all told, it took 8 months to have the animal heads & hides processed at the taxidermist.  It took another 3 months to get them shipped and cleared into the US of A. You want some pricing? Six heads and three ...

I do not care if you believe your body emits electro-magnetic energy or not.  If you've ever been in the woods for an extended amount of time, you will find that animals are keenly aware of your presence well before you are of theirs.  Why is that?  Sure, some of it is due to movement and odors.  But I suggest that the animals are sensing things that we humans, long ago, forgot how to.   Enter HECS.  A clothing system that hides your "energy."   Does it work?  I don't know.  It seems to have some very compelling stories.  In other words, I think that yes, there is something to this.   I also think that there are other methods to disguise your energy and intent that make these articles of clothing unnecessary.  But since not everyone knows how or can do this, maybe you ought to consider giving this a try. I might even invest a couple hundred of my own greenbacks and give it a try.  There does seem to be lots ...

In today's flooded market of camouflage clothing, what would make someone consider jumping into that business?  How about getting some of the predicted $38 billion that hunters spend on "stuff" each year?  Well, whatever the reason, Pnuma (noo-muh) has started a new camo clothes business. The niche?  Their clothing will NOT be available in stores and will come with a lifetime (LIFETIME) warranty.  So, since there will be no retail markup, their line should be less expensive. Pnuma will not launch until late July, so we do not know exact products and costs yet, but this does pique my curiosity.  Just because it's new?  Not really.  I am very fond of my Kryptek (TM) camo clothes - function, form, fit and pattern.  Albeit they are VERY expensive.  Nice, but pricey. This Kryptek jacket is over $180 But hey, if I can get warmer, cooler, or a plain better camo product for a low cost, then I'm all in! I am willing to bet that sometim...

So I was mowing Saturday, I threw a drive belt on my Ferris IS2000Z 61" zero turn mower.  The shop had one in stock, but I could not get it until Monday.  And now, $84 later, it was time to put it on. I grabbed the manual.  It said take off the mower drive belt.  Check.  Then it said, and I quote, "Remove the hardware that secures the clutch anchor pad to the PTO clutch."  No pictures. All jokes aside, I have a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.  I could have written a better description in my sleep.  At least put a picture in there.  Oh well, hard won knowledge is not soon forgotten.  Wanna make a joke about my schooling?  Great, put your arse under the mower, figure it out quicker, and THEN I might listen. I jacked up the rear end, put some jack stands underneath, and then crawled under to investigate.  I found there a piece had to be removed for the belt to go around - and ...

With the kids out and 25 years past our last major renovation, we have once again jumped into the remodel the house phase. We are putting in a new tub, tile floor, and painting the kids' bathroom.  We had already updated the sink and counter before the kids moved out. The master bath is getting a total make-over.  The tile is coming off the walls and floor, the tub is coming out, and a new sink, vanity, and medicine cabinet are going in. The kitchen had a wall blown out and a new tile floor going in.  It is also getting a larger refrigerator - split door design with ice dispenser in the door.  The back-splash has been removed and new paint is going in. New carpet is going down in the living room, dining room, and hallway with all new paint. The master bed got new furniture and we blew out a wall to make a new walk-in closet. The living room and family room got new furniture:  desks, couches, and lounge chairs. Mama is picking out new curtains as we...

Word travels fast around the Jones' household - what's good for one grandchild is good for all.  No way Jack was going to let Connor out fish him.  So, off to Crazy Craig's it was.  We were just on our way out, so playing with the kittens didn't happen - to our knowledge.  But we did stop and take a few pictures: Hooking up the bait and then fishing.  The stories Jack told were priceless.  I heard about the hat and glasses.  We discussed the bait.  And even a bit of patience was taught - well, as much as a 4-year-old could take.  He wiggled the pole, reeled in the bobber, he just plain teased the fish. It seemed to work though.  Here's Jack with a Monster Blue Gill. I didn't get to stay.  Hard telling how long they fished or how many they caught or how big they were.  But I do know this - they have some fishing stories! Alex and Grandpa Jerry came by to watch and laugh.  I told Alex he has about 3.5 year...