Before my dad’s health declined and he was still alive, we’d go crappie fishing together. We didn’t always finish our trips with a lot of fish, but the time together was well spent. One evening in particular we caught so many fish that we were tired. Threw the undersized crappie back. If the water moccasins hadn’t been so plentiful I would’ve just stayed put long after dark.
Another day I’d like to relive was the one when my dad, brother, & myself were all working together one chilly January day to finish burning brush piles on some lake property. The clouds cleared out and the sun made things rather pleasant. Dad wanted the wood ash for his garden. And he got plenty for it that day. We grabbed some burgers and fries at the nearest town for our lunches and sat down together to eat on the water’s edge of the lake.
Another day I’d like to relive was the one when my dad, brother, & myself were all working together one chilly January day to finish burning brush piles on some lake property. The clouds cleared out and the sun made things rather pleasant. Dad wanted the wood ash for his garden. And he got plenty for it that day. We grabbed some burgers and fries at the nearest town for our lunches and sat down together to eat on the water’s edge of the lake.
We went after the singles and it happened. A single bird flushed in front of the dog and gave me a crossing shot from right to left. I swung and fired in one motion and stood there in astonishment when there was a puff of feathers and that quail tumbled to the earth. My favorite dog – a Brit named Freck – retrieved it and started bringing it to my dad. He said “ no Freck, take it to John”. I squatted down and he put it right in my hand. The look on my dad’s face when he said “great shot, son!” is burned in my memory - 50 years later.
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