Story Time Kiddies!
Well I'm back from a week-long gallivanting about of Kansas. First I went to B.O.W. (Becoming an Outdoors Woman) with my mom and 128 other awesome outdoorsy ladies. For those interested, here's the website: www.uwsp.edu/CNR/bow/
So I spent three days running around in Rock Springs Ranch, a lovely little 4-H camp where they hold the Kansas B.O.W. camp. Some pictures can be found here. I give fair and open warning that somewhere in there are 3 pictures of my mother skinning and fleshing a raccoon. Don't like them, then don't look.\
http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn124/EccentricFurry/BOW%202008/
I know some of you reading this might not like seeing animal death--but I will assure you we didn't kill the coon. It was a roadkill case the instructor brought in from the evidence freezer the Kansas Dept. of Fish and Game has. Also, I know all about anti-fur trade stuff, and frankly, despite my connections to the furry fandom, I don't see anything wrong with skinning and tanning rightfully and respectfully acquired animals. So please don't bitch at me--you won't change my mind any.
*Ahem* now that THAT'S out of the way...I had two related classes. One was Bird-Dogs, and the second one was Hunting Upland Birds. I also took the trapping and skinning class--I gotta admit, I didn't like the trapping part, but skinning is interesting. My last class was Intro to Backpacking. Since one of my husband's "bucket list" items is to go backwoods camping, I figured I'd learn more about it when I could. It was a pretty fun class :) I think I'll enjoy it when I get the chance.
After that, I had a couple days to recuperate in Wichita with my mom and little brother before we drove up for a burial service in Chillicothe, MO for my Grandfather. It was sad, but a unique opportunity to talk to rather far-flung family members who I'd not met before/not seen in years. I have a cousin who helped on the Manhattan Project! It's way cool :)
After that was all overwith, my whole family (Dad included now) trooped back to Wichita. I found out I have the option of getting a new dining room table. My parents are going to replace one of their dining tables with the one from my Grandfather's house. I also have the opportunity to take over my great-grandmother's china collection. It's just beautiful! For those interested, look up "Desert Rose" on Macy's website. I'd be getting a full set like that :)
After that I hung out with my family for a few days, got to go see that new movie "An American Carol"--which was REALLY funny if you are conservative or just hate Michael Moore. Kelsey Grammar does a great Patton, and John Voight does a STELLAR job as General George Washington.
Got home today and have spent the afternoon and evening unpacking, washing clothes, finishing a commission before getting started on ones I got at B.O.W., and updating all these darn websites :P
Anyway, I'm gonna go flop out with my hubby on the couch--Being away for a week took a toll :P
From your happy and wiped out bat,
Ecco