Bamboozled by bamboo!... wish I were (really) hiking!

Hello... again!

Went for a pretty long hike today, but didn't get very far from the house... I haven't felt tip-top for the last few days, have a bit of a bug, slightly swollen glands, and, quite possibly, a touch of the gollywobbles.

My wife, Cari, (Happy Mother's Day Honey!)and I stayed holed up in the house for the start of our day. The weather was so-so, I was tired and felt "yucky", so we didn't venture out to Church. Instead, we watched sermons on the "tube". Eventually, however, we felt the need to at least stand outside for a bit! Sitting in the house is HARD!

So, I came to the conclusion that a hike might brighten up the day. I got Cari to agree, even though the day was kinda drear and rainy-like. We started our hike with a brisk walk to the truck... then drove off a 1/2 mile to "Kennebec Ice Kreamery" for a bit of a treat... for "Mother's Day", of course!

Then, it was downtown bound, to Campbell's True Value, to gather some "garden necessities"... I must have hiked two or three aisles! We then headed home, and thought about going out into the garden. The garden truly is one of the favorite hiking places for me, but I prefer to meander in its' rows and hillocks in fairer weather (actually, this year we have no rows or hillocks... just big, beautiful, raised beds!). We made a couple of trips in, carrying gear (shovel, hoe, etc.), then prepared a couple of beds, finally placing asparagus, onions, peas, carrots, ...think that's all!

Cari was pretty cold by this time, and it had started to rain. She decided that she was probably done hiking for the day, and wanted to go home. I felt like I could make it a little further, and wanted to venture on. Off she went, alone, for home. I watched as she made her way down the little pathway between the raised beds, cross a small piece of grassy area, and eventually disappear into the shed... I was now alone.

Funny, I was starting to lose the desire to hike, now that I had lost my hiking partner to the warmth of home. But, since I was out there, I figured to push on to the next chore. I fixed up a couple more raised beds, put the compost and peat moss to them, and gave them a good mixing. I felt that my days journey was pretty much complete, and was prepared to go home, when I realized I was being "stalked". Yes, there were stalks of bamboo coming up on the lawn...

I had spent a good part of my "Hiking time" these last couple of years in hot pursuit of Mr. Bamboo, and thought that I had him on the run. I knew that he had been crippled by my constant attacks, but THERE HE WAS, all over the place, and coming at me with all he had! It looks like I had been BAMBOOZLED!

"bamboozle   /bæmˈbuzəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bam-boo-zuhl] Show IPA verb, -zled, -zling.
–verb (used with object) 1. to deceive or get the better of (someone) by trickery, flattery, or the like; humbug; hoodwink (often fol. by into): They bamboozled us into joining the club.
2. to perplex; mystify."

Well, it was obvious that I could not return home until I confronted Mr. Bamboo, so off I went to retrieve a swoe... a major battle ensued, and, at the end, I knew that I had won the battle, but not the war! The bitter foe was nowhere in sight, but I knew he was lurking somewhere beneath the lawn, waiting to surprise me in a day or two...

So, off to the house to get warmed up, take nourishment, rest, and regale you with tales of the days hiking! I hope you've enjoyed our time together, and, that someday soon, I will be able to relate some REAL hiking stories... but, until then, take good care of yourselves, and enjoy all of the ways that God has chosen to Bless you.

God Bless!

Stickman

Jean's Gems, ready to walk for the "Relay for Life"!

Hello everyone!

It's that time of the year... again!

That could mean just about anything depending on who you are, and what you do. My sister, Jody, (and many, many others), is in the midst of getting ready for the "Relay for Life", held this June 9th, at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. It is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. (Did you know that 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime?)... They have lot's of other fundraisers also, including a delicious turkey fry, with fixin's, and seeking out donations and items to be raffled or auctioned off. A very worthy cause to support. Jody captain's the awesome "Jean's Gems, the next Gemeration", The team was started up in honor of our Mom, Jean Hibbard, who we lost to cancer. We also honor our Dad, William Frederick (Bill, Fred, or Freddy), who we lost at age 55, and our brother Terry, who passed from cancer at the age of 46. Yes, cancer touches EVERY family... I hope that you will be supportive of a team in your area, participate in a relay, or make a generous donation to a worthy cause. For our area, check out the ("Relay for Life", Skowhegan), online... You will be able to get a load of information, check out all the teams and their members, and even make a donation!... might I even suggest helping out the team dearest to my heart? "JEAN'S GEMS!" ...Thanks! ...also, for all of you hikers out there... this is a great opportunity for you to put some miles on those old boots, for a worthy cause! Check with a team... they would love to include you! Or, consider starting a team!

Thanks, and God Bless!

Stickman