Went out before dawn, with my trusty Osage hunting bow, and two oak arrows with stone points. I had been dreaming of doing this all week long, while away in South Carolina. When I got back home to Alabama last night, I had doubts. Worried the fatigue that had borne down on me would prevent an early rise. Thankfully our little Labrador saw fit to wake me with her full bladder at 4AM.
A push of the button, and my morning coffee started to brew, filling the house with that intoxicating aroma that I have come to depend on so much. Addictions come in many forms, and coffee happens to be mine. With that task started, and a quick jump into my cloths that were laid out on the chair, I only had to let the dog in, and grab a couple granola bars. Just in case an appetite arose while out in the blind.
We had a frost this morning, so the need for some warmer clothing was warranted. Most times, this time of year in my part of Alabama, a long sleeve shirt is all that is needed to start the morning. As fate would have it, I dressed entirely appropriate for the conditions, as I sat in the natural blind in total comfort. So much in fact that I fell sound asleep in short order. To be sure the deer were not oblivious to my snores. I awoke a little after 8Am disappointed with myself. Realizing that deer had come and gone from the clearing, I just sat back listening to the morning sounds, and watched the antics of a couple crows. Taking in the sights, sounds, and smells relaxed me to the point of nearly falling asleep again.
Catching myself from another head nod, I took notice of one of the smaller Pecans I've been eyeballing for culling. With decisions made, my destination was to get back to the house for some more coffee, and the chain saw. That and a couple fried eggs with toast. That task given due haste, me and our little Lab ventured back into the forest, seeking a different prize.
Tree felled, and logs rendered, it was time to lug these little gems back to the yard. Can't help but notice as I get older that these little chores seem to take more effort than they did at twenty something, or thirty something. Fifty something is looming closer than I care to admit these days, but time marches on, and carries us to our destinies along with it. It was only fifteen hundred feet or so out back to the culling, just seemed further carrying logs through the under brush. The trips to retrieve the remaining fire wood will have to wait until this afternoon. My wife has John Wayne playing on the television, and for some reason, I feel a nap coming on.
