This year has flown by for us. It certainly is true that the older you get the faster time moves. My wife and I can attest to that.
I'm caring for my wife Pat after she had a nasty fall one week ago. She was entering an office building for an appointment when she fell, full body, landing almost directly on her face and left hand.
The result was three broken bones in the left hand, heavy swelling to her left eye about the size of a lime, and lots of swelling with black, blue and now yellow on the left side of her face and down through her chest.
The palm and inside of the wrist of the left hand are black from bruising. Her poor, tiny hand is swollen and looks nasty.
The orthopedic doc is keeping it wrapped in a bandage and wants her to mover her fingers and thumb as a form of therapy. The rest will take time.
I was able to get out today on a local lake with my new Wilderness Ride 115 fishing kayak. Just a test run to see how she worked.
This thing is considerably stable to any of the other yaks I have owned or paddled. You can stand in it, which I did in shallow water close to shore, but it would take practice for an old guy like me to be able to do it with consistency and confidence.
This boat has a new, adjustable seat that is very comfortable. I had it in the high position most of the time on the lake which made casting a lot easier.
We are in the midst of busy outdoor seasons. You can do just about anything you are interested in from hunting to fishing, bird watching and camping. There's something for all of us just outside the door.
Take care and have a safe fall.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Boots, Camo, and Hunters Orange Signal Fall Seasons
The true angler still has the boat on the trailer or tied up to the dock ready to get out for another go at the fish.
But some have put fishing on hold to take up fall hunting. Small game; rabbits, squirrels, turkey, waterfowl, and upland birds are some of the hunting to be had. Some of seasons are open while others will soon follow. Check the hunters guide for details or read my column this Sunday in The Oakland Press.
Anyone hunting with a gun by now should have taken it out of the case, check that it is unloaded and run a brush and cloth with a little oil down the barrel.
Likewise, a light coating of oil on the outside of the long gun will do wonders to keep it in good shape. Be sure the action works smoothly. If not give it a slight squirt of good gun oil and try again. If it's still not operating good, get it to a gunsmith.
It would hurt to shoot a few rounds through it before hitting the field. Pontiac Lake range is open and Oakland County Sportsmens Club invites the public to tune up on their range.
In any event, all of these things, cleaning the gun, working the action and taking it to the range, help remind us to be safe in the field. Be safe and enjoy the fall.
Hunter and four-legged friend enjoy some bird hunting. Photo courtesy of the DNR.
But some have put fishing on hold to take up fall hunting. Small game; rabbits, squirrels, turkey, waterfowl, and upland birds are some of the hunting to be had. Some of seasons are open while others will soon follow. Check the hunters guide for details or read my column this Sunday in The Oakland Press.
Anyone hunting with a gun by now should have taken it out of the case, check that it is unloaded and run a brush and cloth with a little oil down the barrel.
Likewise, a light coating of oil on the outside of the long gun will do wonders to keep it in good shape. Be sure the action works smoothly. If not give it a slight squirt of good gun oil and try again. If it's still not operating good, get it to a gunsmith.
It would hurt to shoot a few rounds through it before hitting the field. Pontiac Lake range is open and Oakland County Sportsmens Club invites the public to tune up on their range.
In any event, all of these things, cleaning the gun, working the action and taking it to the range, help remind us to be safe in the field. Be safe and enjoy the fall.
Hunter and four-legged friend enjoy some bird hunting. Photo courtesy of the DNR.Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Fall is Definitely in the Air
Whether we have officially arrived at the first day of fall isn't important to tell fall has arrived. (The first day of "autumn is Sept., 23.)
What is important are the signs that are being shown to us that the weather is changing. Sundown occurs sooner, cutting the length of daylight slightly more each day.
A big indicator to me is the sour cherry tree in our front year has started shedding leaves. There are probably other tree species that are beginning to lose their leaves, but because this one is right here at home, I notice it when it begins.
The other factor I've noticed is the lack of birds singing. From very early dawn-before early light-they can be heard chattering and singing.
This pleasant sound is around all summer as sort of background music that accompanies us whatever we are doing outside.
Although for the most part the birds aren't singing, there are more of them feeding. Hummingbirds especially are plentiful around the few remaining flowers we have with the color red in them.
All summer long, one hummer shows up to feed either on it's feeder or the Baltimore Oriole feeder. Now there are as many as a dozen or more scrapping for a turn at flowers that are losing their bloom.
Both females and males are present often attacking each other at the feeder, on tree limbs or phone wires, and even in the air. Hummingbirds are known to be very territorial.
Check out my column this Sunday in the sports section of the Oakland Press for other changes signaling the arrival of fall.
What is important are the signs that are being shown to us that the weather is changing. Sundown occurs sooner, cutting the length of daylight slightly more each day.
A big indicator to me is the sour cherry tree in our front year has started shedding leaves. There are probably other tree species that are beginning to lose their leaves, but because this one is right here at home, I notice it when it begins.
The other factor I've noticed is the lack of birds singing. From very early dawn-before early light-they can be heard chattering and singing.
This pleasant sound is around all summer as sort of background music that accompanies us whatever we are doing outside.
Although for the most part the birds aren't singing, there are more of them feeding. Hummingbirds especially are plentiful around the few remaining flowers we have with the color red in them.
All summer long, one hummer shows up to feed either on it's feeder or the Baltimore Oriole feeder. Now there are as many as a dozen or more scrapping for a turn at flowers that are losing their bloom.
Both females and males are present often attacking each other at the feeder, on tree limbs or phone wires, and even in the air. Hummingbirds are known to be very territorial.
Check out my column this Sunday in the sports section of the Oakland Press for other changes signaling the arrival of fall.
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