A Hunting He Will Go!

Very early this morning, long before dawn, my sweetheart bid me fond fare-thee-well, climbed into his trusty, old hunting truck with our dear little trailer securely attached behind it and rode off into the sunset! Oops, that doesn't quite fit the timing of the story, does it? He rode off down the street, turned the corner and headed toward the freeway south a ways where he stopped to pick up our dear son before heading east for the opening days of hunting season here in Oregon. This is an annual event. We prepare our thoughts and supplies all year long for this time. I know it's coming and I usually have plans for my time at home while he is away. That's the way it is this year, too. But this time, as I stood at the edge of the driveway and watched him turn the corner and drive away, my heart felt like it was in my throat! Along with a few tears, too!! This time I wanted to go with him. Not to hunt. Just to be there at the trailer when he returns to camp where I could have a warm pot of stew ready for him, our son, my sweetheart's brother and a few other family members. And I wanted to be there to see the joy on his face when he returns to camp with the prize - a deer, venison for more stew in the months ahead. I have not gone to hunting camp with my sweetheart since our children were in elementary school and I have not had a problem seeing him go. I've always been fine with it. But this time it was different. This time we have the little trailer and I love to spend time camping with my sweetheart. It wasn't possible for me to go with him this year so I will anticipate his return in a few days. And look forward to a time in the future when I will be sitting on the seat of the truck beside him as we drive away, headed for hunting camp.

In the meantime, I have plans. Big plans. Oh, it wouldn't be exciting to some people. I just plan to do some things I've not had a chance to do. Things that make a mess and must be picked up before day's end. Now I can make the mess and leave it until the projects are complete. Messes than involve paint. I hope to paint new, cut-to-size baseboards that will be ready to install when my sweetheart returns. And I have plans to paint a few other things while he is away. One little Friday find that you haven't seen before is waiting for attention. I won't tell you what it is but I'll show you just a bit. Very soon it will be ready to make its debut. When that time comes I'll show you the before and after photos so you can see how much my sweet little piece was transformed. So, without further adieu, here it is!

You will like it. I know you will! Soon it will find it's way to the final place planned for it. Until then I'll work hard and fill my time with things planned - and a few unplanned, I'm sure. I'll watch grandchildren this afternoon and spend some time with my dear, little mother and paint. And paint some more. And watch a chick flick or two. And defrost the big freezer in good faith that my sweetheart will return with meat to fill the shelves! Until then please feel free to stop by and say hi. I'm never too busy to visit with you. I may hand you a paintbrush and put you to work. Couldn't we have fun chatting and painting and just being together?