Thankful: Part FOUR

NOTE: If you haven’t read parts 1-3 of this series this week, take a minute to look back at them under the “archives”, then finish with this one.

It’s almost Thanksgiving and I’ve got tons of things to be thankful for. My family and I  are very Blessed. I give thanks for that every day. I’ve also got quite a list of things I’m thankful for – present and past – when it comes to the outdoors. I’m sure you do to. This is day four of sharing some of them, in no particular order. I hope you enjoy the list.  You’ll probably recognize many of them. Some I felt the need to put a short explanation behind. Others, you just figure it out.  And HEY — I’d love to hear comments from you on some things you are most thankful for in the outdoors! Just click the comment button below…

PART FOUR:   My Mom and Grandma Romoline for teaching me to cook * My dad for teaching me to fish, clean fish, and bury the heads in the flower bed * Almost  beating Pam bream fishing one time * My 1965 Cabella’s catalog (The Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 reel was $16.69 + 45 cents for shipping and handling)  * Summer vacations in cabins and trailers and tents on lakes around the south every year for 30+ years with David & Beth * Catching so many big white perch with Dan that we literally sunk the boat * Landing 8 nice bass on eight straight casts and my wife, looking up from reading her book in the back boat seat, asking “okay, isn’t that enough?” * Wood Marine * The Browning Model 11 * Simmon’s Sporting Goods *  The WP Wonder * My paper shotgun shell collection * Banded ducks * Lucky fried chicken breasts from the Sterlington Quick Stop * Fishing in a bass tournament with Dave DeRousse (just one, though) * Bayou Bartholomew * Bayou De’Loutre * D’Arbonne Pointe * The North Fork Lodge (wish it was still there) * Lake D’Arbonne in the middle of Farmerville, come on, don’t forget your rod and reel…

Old bass baits  (Bass Orenos, Zara Spooks, River Runts, Chuggers, Jitterbugs, and the Lucky 13, to name a few) * Slow days in the woods with Rocky * A vast library of outdoor books, which I will read some day (okay, probably not)  * Never getting a ticket for catching over the limit  (I know…ha ha) * The Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge * Fish Lake *  Mosquito repellent * People who give me cleaned fish, plucked ducks and deer steaks (hint, hint, hint )*  fresh quail from Bayou Bird Hunts * fried buffalo ribs * Ben Duty State Farm * Striper fishing on Texoma * Charged batteries * Chartreuse glitter Crappie Bites * Bobby Garland jig tails * Electric filet knives * Preaus Motors.

* A college education so I can understand the multitude of state and federal rules and regulations on hunting and fishing *  Black Grape Jelly Wagglers (did I already mention that?) * Wood ducks * Bruiser Bob and Dr. Pomoxis, their antics and their fish fries  * That Glen and JC don’t like little crappie * A dozen yo-yo’s on the boat dock in the spring * Anderson’s Bait Shop * Taterbugs * Witherington’s Amoco (where 100 crickets, a coke and three gallons of gas cost about a $1 when I was a teenager) * Box stands with windows and heaters * Dry duck blinds * Remembering to put the plug in the boat * Lively shiners * Quiet crickets * Crawdads in the spring  (little ones for the fish; big ones for me) * Fishing with the Seekers of Men (give it a google) * A new life for Bussey Brake *  And at least 40 fishing caps… and always looking for more … * Catching lobstah, eating lobstah in the Portland Bay.

* Fried turkeys and chicken and dressing * bacon wrapped jalapeno/cream cheese stuffed duck breasts * deviled eggs * shrimp and grits * fried buffalo ribs * pecan pie * pound cake * banana pudding * more banana pudding…

Happy Thanksgiving!

And at the very  top of the LIST — my wonderful, loving wife who has put up with all this, supported this (and actually encouraged it)  and gotten right in the middle of it for 38 years. Thanks, D. Happy Anniversary !

** *******

IMPORTANT

NOTE

 Duck season opens Saturday, deer season is in full swing, the crappie are biting, there’s food to cook. I’m taking a few days off. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

We’ll be back on

Monday, November 28!