Chain Saw Class in the Forest

We haven't touched based with the blog in quite a while.  Billy has been busy every day this week from 9:00-5:00 taking a chain saw class.  This crawling out of bed early routine is becoming an aggravation for him.  He is totally amazed each day at how much there is to learn about chain saws.  I really wish that I had taken the class now; however, don't know if I would be able to hold the chain saw upright for any length of time with my sternum healing.  Speaking of sternum.  I have FINALLY quit whining about it.  I still scream bloody murder if I cough or sneeze, but the improvement is promising.  Thank goodness that is over.

We had planned to take the ATV out for a spin on the trails on Monday with Kathy and JC but the rain came pouring down.  Instead we drove over to the OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Center and picked up a US Forest Service truck for us to keep.  We can use the government vehicle for official duties, training, or meetings.  Yippee!  This forest is VERY big and it is a long drive from one side to the other.

Then we took a spin through a small section of the forest in our truck on four wheel drive.  There are countless roads through the forest here, and I doubt that we will ever explore all of them.  We drove over to Rodman Reservoir to discover that the Corps of Engineers is drawing the water down, and fishermen are enjoying a "heyday" of catching large bass.  The fishermen regret that current regulations require them to fish and release as the pond is being drawn down.  My brother recalls that he and and his best friend Dean used to enjoy fishing Rodman Reservoir (http://www.jimporter.org/lakes/ocala/) when they were stationed in Jacksonville, FL.  I think Billy is itching to return to our sticks and bricks house to pick up our fishing boat.

Billy came down with a nasty cold last week so Maggie and I went out for walks in the forest alone.  Wow!  Won't do that again.  I saw an old abandoned road off of the path that I was following so I decided to step off my path and explore where the road traveled.  After walking about 30 minutes I realized that I was out in the forest without a hunter's orange vest so I quickly turned around to return my familiar path.  Unlike when we were kids playing in the woods I could not find the path anywhere.  Maggie and I walked until I could find a cell phone signal and called Billy to "trace this call and tell me where I am." Obviously that idea was hopeless so we walked on until we heard traffic and followed the sound of the traffic to the paved road.  My, that was a long walk.  After Billy recovered we walked together out into the surrounding forest, and he carried the GPS along so that we would not become hopelessly lost.  There is endless beauty out there and many bear and deer tracks.

Today is my sister's birthday.  "Sisters are different. They heard the sobbing in the darkness. They lived through all your triumphs, all your favorites, all your loves and losses. They have no delusions. They lived with you too long. And so, when you achieve some victory, friends are delighted - but sisters hold your hands in silence and shine with happiness. For they know the cost." –Pam Brown  I love you Beth.  Happy Birthday.

Christmas from long ago!

Life is indeed Good Today.  Maggie and I are off to the laundry mat.

Driving through the Forest!