Cosmos Bee MegaFlare - .357 Magnum

Opening weekend for deer hunting is coming in a few days.  i grew up in a family of avid hunters, outdoorsmen/mom, and general nature lovers.  There was always a time when we were somewhere in nature or taking a family trip to see the sites.  That is one thing i really miss, the way my family was close before my father died.  We had our dysfunction at times but we were a close family almost 40 years ago.  i share with friends how we used to enjoy doing things as a family, hunting was one of those family outings once a year.  Deer hunting season is a passion in Wisconsin - akin to shutting down the state to support the hunters.  The season doesn't run as long, but it sure runs deep.  :)

As a family, we would come home after the weekend fun with a blessed bounty from the woods.  We would usually process the deer at home.  We would setup in the garage for the skinning and butchering and setup in the kitchen for making sausage or further cutting/cleaning and processing the meat for the freezer.  Roasts, stew meat, tenderloins, steaks... we had our fill of venison each year and that certainly helped feed a family of four boys and two girls.  The time working together with eachother, that bonding time is really what i miss.  i think i maybe miss them more, don't know?  You see, i was the one that moved to the south for work and school years ago, while my family remained in the Nortwoods (typo intended).  At times, like now, i can feel it/them calling me back home.  Deep roots growing up in the north woods... Ojibwe feet.
http://www.mpm.edu/wirp/ICW-51.html

Must be the season, my favorite, Autumn... seasons.  This is time of the year to stock preparations for the winter months...  actually we're already in the throws of some decent winter storms already, west and north of MS.  My past recollection of Autumn was always a time to bring in the harvest and stack the firewood, process the deer and fill the freezer with food, shelves stocked with canned goods and plenty of water, or fresh well water like we used to pump by hand.   These were  not considered "preparations" back in the day, but they were common sense and needed in order to make it through the winter months.  This concept of preparations is not in the mind of many these days, it is not even considered by some unfortuantely as we have turned into a drivethrough society in essence.  Time to stop a second and pause in the season, breath in the cool air and see what your heart tells you.  It is time to prepare - start with your heart.

The seasons are changing and my Ojibwe feet tell me that a winter storm approaches.  Bundle up and pray most importantly.  Stay close to God and He will keep you warm and fed and at peace in your heart.  i love the forest in the winter, such peace and solitude.  Blessings and Love, Remember the Strength of Family,

~ antbrother