Soon, a North Wind Will Blow

A river bottom wakes slowly in chorus with the dawning sun. Crows call out as their brethren arrive from their nighttime roosts and a sundry mix of winter songbirds flit about the lonesome bare branches that protect the river's edge. Feathered pink clouds stain the perfectly white backdrop, a rich aroma of coffee jumps out of my thermos and elicits a deep, invigorating breath. Then, only as hushed as dandelion down on the wind at first, from somewhere behind me, the unmistakable sound of wings slicing through the morning sky. The mallards, about 10 in all, fly in low overhead and then bank sharply up river, falling below the tree line they are soon out of sight. I blow through my duck call a short but eager greeting series of quacks, but I do not see them rise up above the sycamore and elm trees. I look out on the river and the small pool of water that has been slow to freeze from the gentle though constant current. Perhaps they didn't see the 6 decoys bouncing lightly in the river's eddy as the sun has not as yet vanquished the long morning shadows.

I take a sip of coffee from the stainless steel lid of my thermos as tendrils of steam encircle my head and then vanish. Something catches Nellie's eye and she whines in response- I am sure the ducks are close; though they have eluded my own senses my dog misses very little. I keep my head down while I watch the chocolate eyes of Nellie shift down slowly. I peer out from under the bill of my hat to see wings fluttering and mallards looking for room to land among the dekes without hesitation...

Man, this cool weather we've had lately has got me geared up for hunting season. Ghost-like memories of past hunts and day dreams of future ones only serve to fuel my anxiousness for autumn. Yes dove season is here, but that is just a tease, a dry run for the real thing. Well, at least teal season begins next weekend. I know I shouldn't wish my life away, but I love hunting. Here's hoping a north wind will blow, sooner rather than later.

On Notice

Just so you know, if you read your name on the following list consider yourself permanently "ON NOTICE."

Reap the whirlwind, Murphy. Reap it.



Make your own 'on notice' list here.

Space: the Infinite Frontier

As an organization, the only thing of note that the Chicago Cubs have ever spawned is one Mr. Harry Caray. Of course he first announced Cardinal games along side Jack Buck, but I'll not split hairs. I actually prefer Harry's short-lived science themed talk show, Space: The Infinite Frontier, to his broadcasting days with the Cubs.



I just had a minor epiphany- I thought of 2 more people to come out of Chicago that were great, too bad they had to leave that city in order to become Hall of Famers. Of course I am thinking of Lou Brock & Bruce Sutter! Thanks, Chicago, for all that you do.

OK, Summer, We Get It

Are you like me? Are you pretty much done with summer? Sure the BBQ's have been great, fishing has been fun, and who doesn't enjoy baseball, but enough already with the oppressive heat. Walking across my front yard sounds like 10 bowls of Rice Krispies crackling in chorus. The elaborate wallows in the backyard next to the house foundation that the dogs have established would make even the most fastidious of pigs jealous. Any chore performed outside has become an experiment in hydration, and let me just say this, those Gatorade folks are full of shit man. Yes, I have lost track of how many triple digit days (the above forecast is for today) we have endured so far this summer here in SW Missouri, and quite frankly I do not want to know, I just want summer to go away... NOW!

I flushed about 2 dozen doves on my way to work this morning that were picking in the dry grass in front of my office building. Two of them nearly got splattered across my windshield, but of course they were able to make evasive maneuvers, as doves are renowned for, and escape death. All in due my time my pretties. It's officially 29 days until the dove opener and with it, the start of the fall hunting season.

It can't get here soon enough for me.