This past weekend a little event in Lapeer, Michigan marked the end of this summer’s “shoot” season. I pulled the “tin-tepee” in the drive and commenced unloading the bows, quivers, dirty clothes, diaper bags and empty coolers. When the chore was done, I grabbed a beer, fired up the grill and sat on the folding chair Pappy sent home with us when we left Tennessee earlier this year. The Little Woman (Miss Heather) came outside with tears in her eyes and a glass of wine. Thinking maybe that she just received some bad news, I asked her what was wrong. She said that they were happy tears but sad just the same; sad that the shoots were over for the year.
I smiled.
Heather went on to say that while #1 (Dylan) and I were unloading she was feeding #2 (Dan, aka Wee-Wicki). The Buckthorn bow hanging above the fireplace that Misslemaster gifted her had caught her attention. From there, the plains bow from Half-eye, a bamboo bow from Robustus and a trade bow from Bryan Irwin. Also above the mantel there stood the string making jig from Jon and a bamboo quiver from Mississippi Dave. As she panned the living room special memories from this year kept appearing. Displayed on our bookcase the “Tennessee Classic” armguard that she won in the raffle was next to the possibles bag that I received from BearG. The knitted yellow baby cloth from Patsy Ray, Will’s CD, an arrow from Mr. Kowalski, Dan’s baby bow from Gary Davis, bone points, stone points, quivers, knives and atlatls. The living room was peppered with gifts, trade items and memories, many signed by their makers. She then turned attention to her bow; the bow that she made at The Classic. She recalled all of the help she received making her first bow while being very pregnant. Cracker, BearG, GregB, Seabass, Pappy, Gary, BCBull, Misslemaster, Dave from New York, Badger, Jon, Pat B and a slew of others all shared their time and expertise.
Then getting the best of me, I briefly turned away to flip some corn and brats on the grill. Truth be told, it was my opportunity to push back a tear which by then developed in my own eye.
“It’s been a great year. Thank you”, she said to me. “Thank you for absolutely everything”
