I am going to try segments to keep my thoughts separate.
First off. Thank you Mrs. Robertson for letting Bub come and play with us. What a super cool guy. We have all talked with bub for years, but you cant really know a man until you look him in his eyes and shake his hand. I can say I know Paul Robertson now.
The last few days have been some of the best in my life. It may be a long story, but Im typing it anyway, you can stop reading anytime you want. It all started after I left one super shiddy day at work on Wednesday, lots of scrambling around to allow me to leave for 3 days. Some of you read or heard about my fortunate/lucky muzzle loader hunt last winter. After dad and I cut him up I handed the hide/head over to dad so he could bring it to a friend to do a Euro mount. Over the last 8 months I had bothered the dad every few months asking where my mount was, losing patience each time. Turns out my buddy that asked me to hunt with him on his farm that night snatched it from dads house and brought it to his taxidermist for a full shoulder mount as a gift to me. When I swung the bedroom door open Wednesday after work, he was laying on my pillow
. That changed my crappy work mood, and fast.
Wifey and I make the trip down to Marshall. I barely get the camper level and Clinton Ha-Ha Anders hands me a bow sock. Inside is one INCREDIBLE gift. Pat's "Little Thumper"! Can you believe that? If you have been on here for a spot you remember him building it. Pat, Im honored to own it and will treasure it. Thank you my friend.
Its the giving at Marshall that never ends. Be it goods, gifts or words. It never ends. So much bow and arrow knowledge passing hands. So many gifts passing hands. Patrick might be one of the most thoughtful people walking Missourahhh, or the USA. It was a pleasure meeting you and Eric, both class acts and a joy to converse with. Funny? Oh yah! I told Pat-trick it makes Michigan to Missouri not such a far drive after all.
The live auction was good to me. I walked away with a genuine Patrick cactus quiver with a reverse twist sling, awesome work cat killer! There was a lot of very cool items getting auctioned off. I stayed for the duration and am pretty sure we raised some good coin for the club. Matt walked away with genuine Norm Blaker atlatl dart, COOL Matt!
I was gifted a spindle and hearth from a fella I had never met. Just started talking friction fire with him and the usual, "follow me" came out of his mouth. He had nice little kits assembled in the back of his truck. I say my thank you's and walk down to talk with Scott at his booth. While looking over his turned bowls he hands me one and says, "what could you use this for?" I say maybe a change bowl or key bowl, or both! It was fairly shallow and maybe 8" round. He hands it to me and says, "Here, give this to Jean". She loves it buddy! Thank you again.
Speaking of my wife. She had an absolute great time with all the kids and her new friends. She wants to come back I guess?
Seems every other time I walked back to the tin tent to check on her I had something in my hands. Fire kit, bowl, alcohol stoves, arrows, a bow, and the list goes on. She is excited to join me for Elm Hall, weather permitting. This was her first and wont be her last. She was totally impressed by all of you guys. Like it or not? We are VERY unique group and a very talented group of people.
Wanna hear something cool? This should tell you what we think about each other. Saturday night some jack hole across the woods starts lighting off fire works and our dogs start freaking out, debris is landing just behind our camp and that's not cool. Greg asks them to stop, they scream "Nope, sorry!" Greg takes right off towards the house through the woods and Cody and I follow to keep our buddy in good hands, like he needs help
. Well, they light another off and Greg asks again to stop. They holler "F-U!" this time. Now they got all of us off our butts and heading that way. It was great to see. They went to far with words and a group of guys who know respect had enough. That's what I call friends. Ended up they stopped before we got there and the night settled back into fire popping and constant laughing, like it should be.
Ive never had a group of friends I feel closer to. Not even high school friends that we did some crazy stuff with. These guys are real, caring, thoughtful, giving, gracious and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
All the wives, kids and grandkids around camp made it even more special. When it boils down, that's what events like this are all about. Passing it on to the next generation to ensure it keeps going.
Im told the club received a Federal grant for improvements. Cant wait to see what Mike and the gang improve upon in the next 12 months. I know they will and I know they will do it right. Thanks Wilder Creek Conservation Club for hosting this event.
Before anybody gets bent out of shape about Clint's Blackhawk "bow" pics. You would need to hear the full story, but you probably wont unless you where there. Trust me when I say it was a proper move by Clint. The bow and the "person" deserved it.
Thank you my friends for the arrows and the thought behind the bow. You are all very dear to me. Even you Pauly and Clint, but just sometimes and not always.
