H.I.T. Course

Since my mother has had morning sickness alot lately, I've been shouldering more of the household duties, from cooking (no one would say that it's good), to doing dishes, folding clothes, dusting, etc., etc. It gives a great sense of responsibility and accomplishment- and it has convinced me that if all women were feminists, and thus there were no homemakers, all civilization would collapse within weeks. This is my H.I.T. course- Husband-In-Training, and it's quite a task. Only the bravest dare attempt it; it makes Marine bootcamp look like a nursery. The tasks that mothers constantly attend to are much harder than it seems. I'd like to quote John Seymour on this subject.

"'I'm only a housewife, I'm afraid.' How often do we hear this shocking admission. I'm afraid when I hear it I feel very angry indeed. Only a housewife: only a practitioner of one of the two most noble professions (the other is that of a farmer); only the mistress of a huge battery of high and varied skills and custodian of civilization itself. Only a typist, perhaps! Only a company director, or a nuclear physicist; only a barrister; only the President! When a woman says she is a housewife she should say it with the utmost pride, for there is nothing higher on this planet to which she could aspire."

To which I heartily agree. So let's give three cheers for those homemakers around the globe, the silent custodians of civilization itself. Meanwhile, why would I want to be a nuclear physicist? I'm studying to be a farmer...

-due to technical difficulties, I'll be adding a picture later-

~Sherlock

Of Traps and Bandits

Today is a very sad day, for on February 20, trapping season ends in Alabama. My season totals are: 1 raccoon, 1 non-target critter, 3 empty snapped traps, 4 flipped traps, and bait robbed 4 times. Quite a season. I'm content with one raccoon for my first season, but they'd better watch out next year.

Although my trapping season may not seem extraordinary, a dark thread of mystery and crime runs through it all, for I was visited four times by the most wanted criminal in Alabama forests- the infamous Bandit Coon. Striking under cover of darkness, he would flip or snap an entire trapline, stealing the bait for himself. He still roams free, so if you're wandering the forests at night- beware. The Bandit Coon can be very dangerous. Although as a baby he was cute enough to win anyone's heart, don't be fooled. Look at this picture- his mug shot after spending ten years in a prison camp. I wouldn't want to meet him on a dark night...
~Sherlock

First Coon, or, I Got 'im!

After 6 nights of unsuccesful trapping I got my first raccoon this morning. I was still rubbing my eyes when we reached my site on the river (exact location secret). As we walked toward my first set, a Duke # 1-1/2 hole set with my homemade peanut butter-honey-vanilla flavoring bait, I saw something furry. My first impression was that it was an animal running away, maybe a rabbit (perhaps the last thing I expected was a trapped animal, I'm not sure). Then I noticed that it wasn't getting anywhere and it dawned on me. After taking him home I spent about four hours skinning and fleshing, due to my inexperience, to achieve these results:
~Sherlock

0.39 Centimeters of God's Grace

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. Psalms 113

God shows us His grace and His mercy and His love in many ways. The greatest way He shows us this is in our salvation in Christ, second to that, this is one of the greatest. For a small package it packs a lot of GRACE. Truly a gift we do not deserve, but one he is so gracious to give.

Praise and Honor and Glory be to the Lord. He forms life in the womb.



6 weeks old and a heartbeat that is fluttering away. Pray for my Esposa and our little blessing. Thank the Lord for me again as you pray.