Let me apologize for not having an enchanting outdoor piece this week. Other facets of life have taken center stage, like work, a family reunion and a baptism. And today is my wife and I’s 18th anniversary, so with her is where I’ll be found. Also, the heat and humidity pushed their way up into the Midwest, again, which is not to my liking at all, at all.

But there are a couple of bloggers out there that have posted things that I would like to share, if you don’t already follow them. Please visit :

Bill at Fall Road Archer has posted a video recap of his early season trout fishing. He captures the essence of an outdoorsman’s lifestyle better than just about anybody. The pursuit and the environment he’s enveloped in is magic.

And, at Gordon Setter Crossing, write-ups are starting to be posted about their grouse season in the mountains of Montana. Dogs, and the pursuit of game birds among scenery such as that…Again, it’s awesome.

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How about some old pics of the golden retrievers that have been in my wife and I’s life? There’s something to share!

First, Tessa -

Tessa as a pup with my dad.

Then Tessa as an older girl after a hard mornings hunting.

Then there is Floyd. He never turned into a hunter and was a terrible swimmer. It was the funniest and saddest thing to watch him try to swim. He made his mark on our household, though. Thirteen years of being a family dog, turning himself into one of my wife’s favorites, so much so that she is planning to write a children’s book about him. The hardest thing I’ve had to do so far in this life was to drive him to the vet to be put down. Worst trip I’ve made yet.

Wow, that was a long time ago. Wish I was in that kind of shape again.

There were Amber and Otis, too, as far as golden retrievers go. On my wife’s side of the family, we have a few older photos of the goldens that were in her life as a kid. I’ll post photos of all those dogs another day. We have also had three American Cocker Spaniels. And of course, right now, I’ve got this ding-dong :

Trapper

The weather is supposed to cool down real good over the next couple of days, so the boy and I are planning on getting out and harvesting some squirrels. Should put some more trout in the freezer, too. Hopefully, something outdoorsy will grace the pages of this little blog for next week. Until then – take care!