Still thankful after all these years
By Dave Bates
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
My students were working on a list of things we’re thankful for on the last day of school before starting Thanksgiving vacation. It was one of those corny activities that elementary teachers do before vacation. We call it a fun activity but it’s really just a cheap excuse to eat pumpkin cookies.
Everyone chooses a shape of a favorite leaf: oak, maple, cherry, birch, elm. We cut our leaf out of one color of construction paper and then mounted it on a complimentary colored sheet. Together we generate a list of things to be thankful for. Silly as it sounds to adults, kids remember such simple activities for the rest of their days (I fondly recall making plaster of paris Christmas molds in Mr. Long’s sixth-grade class at Mather Elementary and painting them by hand). The more my kids shared what they were thankful for, the more thankful I found myself. I guess that’s the way it is with gratitude and giving. The more you do it, the more it becomes habit.
So here I sit in front of the fire thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for, thinking I might share a few sportsman-related items with you this week of deer season.
Sunrise and sunset – Some folks might think it strange to position a deer stand so that its occupant can see the sunrise in the morning sky. It goes against deer hunting best practice, for sure, but I choose to do it anyway. I guess I just feel a bit closer to God when taking in a sunrise or a sunset. Sunrise makes me hopeful about what might walk by my stand, about what the day ahead might bring, about new opportunities that I haven’t even considered. I’m most grateful for sunrise. Sunsets bring a tinge of sadness at the ending of another day but they also bring about a feeling of contentment for me. Another day well spent in the woods, pitting my skills against those of an old buck. Although the buck usually wins, sunrise and sunset are the magic time for evening the odds. A time of hope if you will.
Old dogs and puppies – I love all puppies, all babies and almost all shotguns. True, some are cuter than others but they are all beautiful in and of themselves. Old dogs hold a special place of honor in my heart. Their loyalty, given so freely, elevates them to the rank of retired field marshall.
Old knives – I have written more than a few lines on my fondness for old knives bequeathed by a passing friend or acquaintance. I am most thankful to have something to remember them by, even though it seems I am collecting knives too quickly and friends too seldom as of late.
Hunting trips with family and friends – Every one of them could be our last and I am learning not to take them for granted. Speaking of which, I’ve got to book the cabin for next year’s grouse hunt.
New trucks – While I don’t consider myself a materialistic man apart from a fine pointing shotgun or a rifle with elegant lines, I have driven enough old trucks to appreciate all the bells and whistles that come with a truck of the present decade. I won’t dwell on creature comforts but a good heater and four-wheel drive are hard to beat. The new guidance systems are really something when it comes to staying found on the road. Having just gotten rid of my 2005 Tacoma, the replacement 2023 makes me exceptionally thankful.
Snow on the first day of deer season – I still get excited the night before deer season. I am 57 years old and I can scarcely convey how much more excitement a little snow in the air brings with the advent of the first day.
Having someone to track with – It’s always more enjoyable to locate a downed deer with a friend or two. I am thankful for one shot kills that drop at the shot, but when a second or third set of eyes is required, I am most grateful for the assist.
Antique duck decoys – Old decoys just make me content. They transport me back to a bygone era when things were simpler and it delights me to think that I’m sharing a century (or two) old piece of history with its original owner.
Sitting stand with a friend – There are times when one wants to be out in the woods alone. Dare I say, serious hunting almost requires as much. But there is nothing like sharing a stand with a good friend, an old acquaintance or a long-lost cousin to make the hunt most special. To share a stand with a youngster experiencing the woods for the first time is precious.
Truck tailgates and coffee – I am thankful for the gathering place. Sharing stories, telling the morning’s tale of success one more time or making up new excuses for the latest miss, inviting new friends into the fold, planning out the next move are all made more special around the tailgate.
One more season – Need I say more?