As the sun grew warmer in the sky, so did the competition, at least for me. Just happy to be alive on this glorious first day of fishing, Rob was content with an ‘everything is right in the world’ attitude. He was completely oblivious to the raging war that was taking place right beneath his nose. Fish after fish met their fate as they were taken from the depths of the majestic pond. First from the end of my line and then from Rob’s, the waters produced an array of trout that would please any fisherman, well almost any. Although happy that I was catching fish, I couldn’t help being envious of the larger trout brought in by my husband. Each time we pulled one in and lined them up, the bigger prize was always in his favor.
A day’s limit is five and we each had four. Rob’s line pulled and he was once again reeling, this time his last catch of the day, a splendid 12 inch speckled trout. I smiled and said, “That’s a good one!”, as I prayed one last time that the apprentice could outdo the master. Rob, gazing admirably and lovingly at the day’s bounty, was quickly snapped back to reality by my shouts of excitement. Feeling the shudder of the rod against my palm, I jerked my line to embed the hook within my prey. Encouragingly Rob rushed to my side, ready to assist if needed. He scrambled down the bank, as I turned my reel and strained against the thrashing creature that was fighting for his life.
“I see him!” Rob exclaimed as he bent closer to the water to guide the fish into the waiting net. As the fish continued to fight, I hung on tightly. The rod bent and the beast dragged the line from my reel.
“Finally!” I thought to myself, “This is the Big One!” My perseverance was going to pay off.
Meanwhile, Rob had deftly capture the battling fish and laid him on the bank next to the others. Bursting with anticipation, I pushed him aside so I could get a good look at what I expected to be a magnificent catch. I looked down. The fish that I had fought to shore, the one that pulled and strained against my line, the behemoth that had battled for it’s life lay before my eyes…all six inches of him!
“What?? That’s it?” My disappointment was obvious.
Rob gave me an encouraging hug and said, “Well, at least it’s a keeper.”
“Just barely” I mumbled under my breath, knowing that if it had been any smaller it would have to be thrown back to into the pond to it’s freedom.
We gathered our things and with one last longing look at the pond trekked back to the jeep. Clouds had formed overhead and the air felt moist with expectant rain.
“Great” I thought, “Just what I need, something else to rain on my parade.”
We quickly put the bikini top on the Jeep to keep us dry as the rain began to fall and jumped in for our journey home. Reminiscing about the day’s events passed the time as we drove along the bumpy dirt road leading back to civilization. Rob absolutely glowed as he discussed our adventure and as he talked the disappointing feelings about my catch began to melt away. Just watching his excitement and joy was rewarding enough.
“What’s that?” Rob said, as he looked ahead of us on the gravel road. I followed his gaze and saw movement in the tall grass on the side of the road. Rob shifted into second gear and we slowly approached. Red fur and a bushy tail confirmed that what we spied was a fox. From each side of his mouth protruded the ends of a fish that was at least 20 inches long! The huge fish was stiff and led us to believe that the clever fox had snatched it from some unsuspecting fisherman. The foxes’ eyes bulged as he looked at us with surprise before darting into the safety of the thick woods.
I turned to Rob and we both burst out laughing.
“Looks like I didn’t catch the biggest fish today after all!” he said with knowing tone. I gave him a sheepish look and couldn’t help feeling just a little bit satisfied as we continued on our way home.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Anticipation
Anticipation,
How we long for the yearend,
With summers of fun.
Anticipation,
Student’s smiling faces shine,
Teachers smiling too.
Anticipation,
Never ending assessments,
Report cards we do.
Anticipation,
Cleaning out the desks and room,
Packing treasures all.
Anticipation,
Swimming, sun and lots of fun,
Look out here we come!
How we long for the yearend,
With summers of fun.
Anticipation,
Student’s smiling faces shine,
Teachers smiling too.
Anticipation,
Never ending assessments,
Report cards we do.
Anticipation,
Cleaning out the desks and room,
Packing treasures all.
Anticipation,
Swimming, sun and lots of fun,
Look out here we come!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Fishing, Part 2
Jerked back to reality by the tugging on my line, I started to reel. My husband is an avid fisherman and I was pretty excited to think that I would be the first one to catch a fish. As I reeled, images of a large trout fighting and pulling against the line flashed through my mind. Then, I caught sight of it. Rob had dropped the rod he was working on and came to my aid, net in hand. He clamored down the rocky bank where water was being splashed by the ongoing battle and with expertise that only a seasoned fisherman could, he scooped up the season’s first catch.
“How’s it look?” I asked expectantly. Pushing a low bush aside, I strained to see my fish. Well, okay, it might not have been the biggest fish in the lake, but it was definitely a keeper. Or I thought it was. The old fishing net had seen better days and as Rob attempted to pull the fish from the net’s hold, it slipped out of a stretched opening near the bottom. “Whoa!” The slippery prey flip-flopped on the bank and started to slide back into the pond. With keen reflexes, Rob grabbed him just in the nick of time. That was a close one! As Rob was taking him up the bank, I reached for the worm container that we had purchased along with our lunch. The sun beat down on my back and with the warmth came a small surge of black flies. I picked out a plump worm and proceeded to squeeze him onto the end of my hook. By the time I was done, Rob had taken care of the fish, finished prepping his rod and had tried his luck with a few casts. A cool breeze, enough to push back the on slot of black flies, had picked up as I cast for the second time.
“I got a bite!” With a determined look on his face, Rob was reeling hard. The rod was bent and the reel whirred as he brought his catch closer and closer to shore. Meanwhile, I quickly reeled in my line and with the old fishing net, I scampered down over the rocks. At the end of the line, a dark form cut through the water. Lowering the net into the cold water, I tried to keep an eye on him, but the glare from the sun made it difficult. Through splashing water and rays of sunlight bouncing off the water’s surface, I managed to maneuver the net under the struggling fish and bring him safely up onto the bank. Triumphantly Rob reached down to help me. He lifted the net where we beheld a beautiful speckled 14” trout. Speckles of gold, red, green and blue sparkled in the sunshine. Pride and joy flooded the atmosphere.
Picking up his prize, Rob twisted and turned until the hook came free. Carefully, so as not to let the captive slip and drop back into the lake, Rob brought it up and laid it beside the fish I had so quickly caught a few minutes earlier. Coming up behind, I hardly dared to look. Rob stepped aside and I got my first look at David and Goliath. Not wanting to detract from the happiness of the moment, I tried to hide my slight disappointment in apparent inadequacy of my catch. Rob beamed like the sun on a midsummer’s day.
His rejoicing quickly turned to a determination to continue with the day’s task, catching our limit. His hook was quickly baited and his line in the water before you could blink an eye. Now some say that I have a slight competitive spirit. Not wanting to be out done, I baited another hook. With a look of confidence, I settled in, chicken salad dagwood in one hand, pole in the other, waiting for the Big One!
To Be Continued…
“How’s it look?” I asked expectantly. Pushing a low bush aside, I strained to see my fish. Well, okay, it might not have been the biggest fish in the lake, but it was definitely a keeper. Or I thought it was. The old fishing net had seen better days and as Rob attempted to pull the fish from the net’s hold, it slipped out of a stretched opening near the bottom. “Whoa!” The slippery prey flip-flopped on the bank and started to slide back into the pond. With keen reflexes, Rob grabbed him just in the nick of time. That was a close one! As Rob was taking him up the bank, I reached for the worm container that we had purchased along with our lunch. The sun beat down on my back and with the warmth came a small surge of black flies. I picked out a plump worm and proceeded to squeeze him onto the end of my hook. By the time I was done, Rob had taken care of the fish, finished prepping his rod and had tried his luck with a few casts. A cool breeze, enough to push back the on slot of black flies, had picked up as I cast for the second time.
“I got a bite!” With a determined look on his face, Rob was reeling hard. The rod was bent and the reel whirred as he brought his catch closer and closer to shore. Meanwhile, I quickly reeled in my line and with the old fishing net, I scampered down over the rocks. At the end of the line, a dark form cut through the water. Lowering the net into the cold water, I tried to keep an eye on him, but the glare from the sun made it difficult. Through splashing water and rays of sunlight bouncing off the water’s surface, I managed to maneuver the net under the struggling fish and bring him safely up onto the bank. Triumphantly Rob reached down to help me. He lifted the net where we beheld a beautiful speckled 14” trout. Speckles of gold, red, green and blue sparkled in the sunshine. Pride and joy flooded the atmosphere.
Picking up his prize, Rob twisted and turned until the hook came free. Carefully, so as not to let the captive slip and drop back into the lake, Rob brought it up and laid it beside the fish I had so quickly caught a few minutes earlier. Coming up behind, I hardly dared to look. Rob stepped aside and I got my first look at David and Goliath. Not wanting to detract from the happiness of the moment, I tried to hide my slight disappointment in apparent inadequacy of my catch. Rob beamed like the sun on a midsummer’s day.
His rejoicing quickly turned to a determination to continue with the day’s task, catching our limit. His hook was quickly baited and his line in the water before you could blink an eye. Now some say that I have a slight competitive spirit. Not wanting to be out done, I baited another hook. With a look of confidence, I settled in, chicken salad dagwood in one hand, pole in the other, waiting for the Big One!
To Be Continued…
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A Daniel Moment
My two year old grandson, Daniel, was visiting one weekend afternoon in the early fall. A basket of toys is always at the ready for him to enjoy during his stay. Full of cars, books, crayons, paper and other assorted items of interest, the basket lay in wait. Michael, my 22 year old son, had just ascended the staircase to spend some time in his room. Daniel proceeded to tip the basket upside down and watch as the contents scattered across the floor. When I appeared around the corner, I said with a light tone, "Daniel, what is this mess?" He looked at me with the corners of his mouth slightly turned up in a smile and replied, "Michael did it".
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Fishing
I have been working a lot on using sensory details with my class, so I thought I would try it out with a story about a fishing expedition I had with my husband this spring.
Mosquito buzzing droned in my ears as I hopped out of the Jeep, it’s shining black countenance shaded by the dust from the old woods road. Hurriedly, Rob gathered up the tackle box and poles and then began to head through the brambles and thicket to the edge of the mysterious, secret fishing spot. I grabbed the backpack that contained sandwiches from the infamous Jamison’s Market in Greenville, makers of the world’s best dagwoods. Twigs snapped under my feet as I hustled to catch up with my eager husband.
As the forest opened up to the small pond, a cool breeze blew the mosquitoes back into the depth of darkness provided by the trees. Already Rob had a pole equipped with sinker, worm and bobber. He handed it to me and started in on the other pole. His excitement for this fishing expedition had been building slowing over the past few weeks. This pristine pond tops the list of his favorite fishing spots and it took just one look at his face to feel the happiness that was exuding from every part of his being. Hook and bobber flew through the spring air and plopped into the cool water. Within a matter of seconds, Rob hollered, “Look at your bobber!” After casting, my attention had been drawn to the beauty that was surrounding me, the mountains on the horizon, the rocky shoreline, waves gently lapping the edge of the pond. I hadn’t once thought that I would be reeling in a fish on the first cast!
To be continued…
Mosquito buzzing droned in my ears as I hopped out of the Jeep, it’s shining black countenance shaded by the dust from the old woods road. Hurriedly, Rob gathered up the tackle box and poles and then began to head through the brambles and thicket to the edge of the mysterious, secret fishing spot. I grabbed the backpack that contained sandwiches from the infamous Jamison’s Market in Greenville, makers of the world’s best dagwoods. Twigs snapped under my feet as I hustled to catch up with my eager husband.
As the forest opened up to the small pond, a cool breeze blew the mosquitoes back into the depth of darkness provided by the trees. Already Rob had a pole equipped with sinker, worm and bobber. He handed it to me and started in on the other pole. His excitement for this fishing expedition had been building slowing over the past few weeks. This pristine pond tops the list of his favorite fishing spots and it took just one look at his face to feel the happiness that was exuding from every part of his being. Hook and bobber flew through the spring air and plopped into the cool water. Within a matter of seconds, Rob hollered, “Look at your bobber!” After casting, my attention had been drawn to the beauty that was surrounding me, the mountains on the horizon, the rocky shoreline, waves gently lapping the edge of the pond. I hadn’t once thought that I would be reeling in a fish on the first cast!
To be continued…
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