Duck Fever

Mornin'!

Long time no share. :) We're still around though - just busy bees! 

Today, I have an EXTRA special treat for y'all.  The husband is sharing a manly post.  I've eagerly been waiting to post this for awhile due to some edits, but it's finally ready.  I'm SO excited to share "his view," especially from behind the camera one, cold morning at the blind...

Y'all enjoy...

-S

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This year has been full of firsts and Duck hunting was one of them. I've always wanted to go, but there were so many factors that usually stood in the way. Earlier this year, God blessed my family and me with a new job closer to home, WAY CLOSER. Since starting my new career, I've had more time to spend with my sweet little boy, my beautiful wife, and my beloved hunting.

The group of guys I hunt with always try their luck at the draw for a duck blind on the first Saturday in August..every year. The wait was finally over and we figured that one of us would get drawn near the top. I heard one of the TWRA officers say, y’all that have known me for awhile know what’s coming,  “Michael! …My..Och….O?? (looking for the guy whose name he just butchered).” That’s when I heard my father-in-law’s voice “NAW! It’s Maiocco!” Beginners luck. We didn't have to do much to the blind, thanks to previous the owners. I had the itch to score some high flyers ever since. My wife, mentioned in a post awhile back, that the men folk made a Bass Pro run...the day before opening of duck season. For me I had to get the essentials (floating gun bag, shells, etc.). During the check out I got sticker SHOCK. I double and triple checked the receipt for the LARGE error this clerk made..to my disappointment there wasn't one. While I’m blocking the entire checkout line, my father-in-law drops some real outdoor truth on me “Yea, it adds up quick!” and boy he was right.

After the larger than expected purchase, I still lacked a key item. Luckily, my in-law’s had a pair of waders I could use until I got my own. For all of those non-hunters out there, we haven’t had the best duck hunting weather this year. It was the second weekend duck hunting had been open and the weather was a real nice Blue Bird day. If you translate that into the Duck jargon, you ain't gonna see nothing, Jack! (In the Uncle Si voice). As an avid duck hunting co-worker said “A dern duck likes the nasty, coldest weather there is.” And you guessed it, the weather ain't be right for them this year, but we might get lucky this weekend.

When there isn't any wild game to be taken, I always fall back on my other favorite part of hunting…enjoying God’s great outdoors. That’s what I did that morning when I didn’t even fire a shot. I thanked Him for the great fellowship with my brother-in-law, father-in-law, our friends, and for our amazing scenery. Take time in your busy day to thank Him for your scenery too.

This was a view from my scenery that morning.

-Michael

 A little closer look at that big orange ball coming up.

My little family on the levee behind our blind after the duck blind drawing. 

Mase and my beard a few months younger.