A Dixie Lady Deer Hunter

Monday, October 31, 2011

Missing My Brother


A year ago today was a very sad day for me because I lost my only brother, Marion "Buster" Edward Love, Jr., to diabetes. He was 65 years old and is sadly missed by our entire family.  Here we are celebrating one of his birthdays in the mid-or late 90's.  Missing you so much Buster!  


January 14, 1945 ~ October 31, 2010

Happy 23rd Birthday "SPOOK"


Today is my granddaughter, Victoria Leigh, aka, SPOOK's, 23rd birthday.  She was so named by her Father, Terry, when she was born.  Here she is holding her birthday gift, Jibba Jabber, that I gave her back when she was 7 years old in 1995.  It fitted her perfectly!  She is such a sweet granddaughter and is now married and mother of a son, Ian, my great grandson.  I'm wishing Victoria happiness today and all the year year with many, many blessings.  Happy Birthday Victoria!  I love you, Gran Gran  xxoo

Guest Post - "Don't Rush the Moment"

I was approached last week by Kasey of HuntandFishGuides.com who offered to do a guest post on my site called, “Don’t Rush the Moment.”  It is a reminder for us hunters to keep our wits about us, keep calm and don’t rush our shot when the opportunity arises.  I know from experience that this can be very hard to do…but it pays off in the long run.  So, sit back and enjoy the article and if you like, you can leave a comment about your great “moment” in hunting!    

DON'T  RUSH  THE  MOMENT

Months of backyard target-shooting are paying off.  You’ve practiced and practiced for this whitetail hunting trip; you’ve dialed it in.  You consistently get three arrows right where you want them.  Your equipment is ready.  YOU are ready.  Now just be careful and don’t get sick.  Don’t catch that ‘buck fever.’

You’ve been sitting in your tree stand now for three hours, bow across your lap, arrow nocked and ready.  That same squirrel has made fourteen trips to your bait pile, the mosquitoes are enjoying the banquet feast and your left foot is falling asleep.

But the breeze is from the right direction,  peak time is approaching and there is still got about an hour and a half until sundown.   A sound catches your attention some fifty yards upwind, seems to be coming from the run near where you saw that huge scrape yesterday.  Wait.  Calmly.  Don’t get antsy now.

Movement.  Nothing.  Out of nowhere, a good-sized doe and a button buck are nosing along the path.  They weren’t there a second ago; at least not that you could see. Are now though, but the angle is wrong; she’s too far out for a good clean shot, so exercise patience. Wait.  Something better may come in.   A sound from the other direction.  Fifty yards out.  He’s big. Got a basket, maybe six, no, eight points at least.

Your heart starts to hammer, your breathing rate increases.  Time to dial back and wait.  That squirrel is back at the bait pile, but is cautious now.  The doe comes in closer; she’s looking off to the east, quartering towards you, bad shot and she’s halfway behind a tree.

The buck sniffs, blows.  The doe and the button scatter.  His head is up now; might be a nine point.  He needs to come in just a little closer, turn just a tad more.

This is when it can hit.  Buck fever rears its ugly head and all the practicing, all the work, all the excitement can surge into that moment of no return and you let the anticipation get the better of you.  This is when you need to  quietly take a few deep breaths and be patient.  Wait for it.  No matter your fingers itch.  No matter that danged mosquito who’s been buzzing your forehead has stopped to feast.

Wait, watch; be aware of the other sounds, the wind direction, what that buck is doing.  Don’t rush the moment.  Don’t let that sense of ‘he’s mine!’ cloud your thinking.  Don’t lose your chance, or worse, fire off a wounding shoot.  Jam all those emotions down deep into your boots and stay focused on what you are out here to do.

Closer now; he’s almost in range. Wait for him to take that step.  You are dialed in perfectly for that thirty-yard shot, but he’s still closer to forty out.  Wait for your comfort zone; don’t push the envelope. You don’t want to miss.  He looks away, intent on something only he can hear.  Another step, he turns, his ears focused away from your tree stand.  You pull back; hold it.  Hold it. He takes another step, quarters away. Now! 

He jumps, stands. Wait.  Don’t fly down from your stand.  See what he is doing; see where he will go.  The view’s better from up here.  He runs, but you know you got a good shot.  You can just see your arrow; bloody with bright red blood: lung shot.  You hear a crash.  He’s down.  Don’t do what a friend once did: now is not a good time to fall out of your tree stand.  Take it easy.  Follow the blood trail.  There he is. Down twenty yards from where you got him.  Now he’s yours.  Now he’s MIF—Meat-in Freezer.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

My New Margaritaville Sunglasses




I recently received in the mail my new pair of MPT (Margaritaville Polarized Technology) nylon lenses.  The polarized lenses act like slatted windows blinds – where light hits a reflective surface it bounces and scatters, reducing virtually no glare, allowing you to see clearly and fight eye fatigue.

I selected the Calypso style, in a Tort/Gold color, and have a very comfortable fit.  There are many styles of frames to select from and retails at $160 to $180 a pair, which includes the following:




*  100% UV A/B protection
*  Heat Sculpted Polymer frame
*  SunGrip rubber nose pads
*  SunGrip rubber temple tip insert
*  Spring hinges
*  Integrated Margaritaville Leash System
*  Island Style detail
*  Ships with custom Margaritaville Case with a 
    microfiber cleaning bag

With hunting season upon us, I know I will enjoy wearing them for extra protection from the blinding glare and to protect my eyes at the same time. 

I’m very happy with the choice I made and you can check out a pair for yourself at http://MargaritavilleEyewear.com


Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fairground Street Bridge Axed


A month or so ago I went by my old stomping grounds and took pictures of the Fairground Street Bridge because the plans were to move it downtown at the site of the on-going construction of the Lower MS River Museum and Riverfront Interpretive Center.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District, which is spearheading the museum, nixed that part of the $23 million project, citing cost.  About five contractors each quoted $10 million to move it about a mile and a half to town. The contractors felt that it was too brittle to move and there was a lot of uncertainty about that, and really could not afford it.  Now, they are saying it would be cheaper to replicate it.

The bridge is about 200 feet long and 15 feet wide, was built in 1868 in Dubuque, Iowa, as a means for trains to travel.  It was dismantled and erected in Vicksburg in 1895 when there was no more use for it in Iowa.  During that time, the bridge served as a throughway for horses and buggies to travel over the railroad tracks to the river.  It has been closed to traffic for 20 years.

For now the portion of the site where the bridge would have gone will be left open in hopes of filling it with an alternative attraction for now.

The concept of building an interpretive museum began in 1992, when the City of Vicksburg purchased the retired MV Mississippi IV for $1. The title returned to the Corps in 2007. Groundbreaking for the museum came in November 2009 and is scheduled to open August 2012.

Fairground Street Bridge

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Happy "42" Birthday Debi




I want to wish my sweet daughter, Debra Ann, a very Happy 42nd Birthday today.  Debra is a mother of two sons, Stephen and Michael "Ethan" and a daughter, Lucy.  This photo of her was taken when she was about 5 years old with her three sisters, Theresa, Kathleen and Marian Suzanne, Suzi.  The family wishes her lovely memories, joyful moments, and glorious dreams.  With lots of love! 
MOM  xxoo

KIWI for Your Hunting Season!


I'm looking forward to using these KIWI products for our hunting season 2011-12.  My husband and I will be using the water repellent, soap and laces for our hunting boots and the fabric protector for our one-man stand that we purchased a few weeks ago to hunt out of.  Be sure and check out KIWI products to enjoy your great wild outdoors! 

KIWI Camp Dry - Heavy Duty Water Repellent:  KIWI Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent creates a tough waterproof barrier that keeps you dry - even in the harshest conditions.  Use it on your favorite boots.

KIWI Camp Dry Performance Fabric Protector:  Performance Fabric Protector:  KIWI Camp Dry Performance Fabric Protector allows you to make the most of your outdoor adventures without worrying about the elements.  Its non-silicone formula repels water, dirt, and oil stains without discoloring your fabrics - and restores durable water repellency to ensure you stay dry.  It's ideal for jackets, hats, scarves and gloves.

KIWI Saddle Soap:  Dirt and dust from the outdoors can break down leather, making it appear worn, dirty and cracked.  Specially formulated with a fine soap, KIWI Saddle Soap thoroughly cleans, softens and preserves smoother leather.  It also contains a quality wax for added protection as it cleans.

KIWI Outdoor Laces:  Keep your outdoor boots adventure-ready with KIWI Laces.  Braided for extra durability, they'll ensure you're ready to take on any adventure that comes your way.  

If you're not already a fan of KIWI on Facebook, feel free to do so at www.Facebook.com/KIWIShoe care

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Ashley Elliot's Second Buck

My hunting friends, Linda and Bob, who live in Mount Vernon, Maine, sent me a picture of their daughter, Ashley, who recently got her second buck at a "perfect" 190 yard shot.  It weighed 113 lbs. and a 4-point.  She got her first buck, an 8-point, five years ago and it weighed 157 lbs. Ashley is also an avid turkey hunter.  Her Mother and I met on bowhunting.net forum about 12 years ago and we have stayed in touched all these years.  I know her Mom and Dad are so very proud of her and so am I.  Congrats Ashley!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Your Local Whitetail Forecast

I came across this article on the Outdoor Life site of a weather prediction database for whitetail deer which is powered by Weather2Hunt and thought, this is so cool!  You can type in your zip code and it will give you a 5-day Whitetail forecast, 24-hour Whitetail forecast and a 5-day Whitetail forecast with the moon, wind and sky.  Each graph baseline is based on whitetail movement and harvest data recorded in the field in the last 10-plus years.  Today's rating is very good for the Vicksburg area.  This is a great tool to go by before you set out on your hunt and will increase your chances of getting a very nice deer.  All this is based on fact and not theory.  It can also be used for fishing and turkey hunting forecast.

Monday, October 24, 2011

My Squirrel Friend Is Back

Yesterday as I was sitting at my computer, something caught my eye.  It was my squirrel friend. Haven't seen him in awhile and could be because we have a cat now and she was nowhere in site. I had left the backdoor open because the weather was so pretty outside yesterday.  I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures.  He soon got out of range and went to the doorway of my computer room, which leads to the utility room and then outside.  I saw him on the ledge near my flower pot and leaned over and got these pictures.  I was afraid he would come in the house at one point.  Our cat, Allie, must have been sleeping in the house somewhere.  I made a noise to see what he would do and he was trying to figure it out.  He then went around the pot to the other side of the ledge and I went back to my computer.  Got one last shot on the ledge.  He soon jumped down and was leaving.  I made my way to the backdoor and saw him on the steps.  I said, "What are you doing?" and he looked at me and took off running down the steps and flew up into the cedar tree as fast as he could.  It was neat to see my playful squirrel friend again.  He was really brave to come that close to the house with the backdoor wide open.
 
Don't see Allie so it must be safe.

This might be a good place to hide my nuts.

Wow, the back door is open!

Peek-a-boo, I think I see you!

What is that noise I hear?

Better get out of here while the gettin is good.

Mercy, she caught me...outta here!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

New Citizens of America

I just happened to overhear on a Jackson TV station the other day that forty-eight new Americans stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance here in Vicksburg.  They took the oath to "support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America" and became naturalized citizens.

The ceremony, jointly coordinated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Vicksburg National Military Park, was held in the shadow of the USS Cairo, a restored Civil War gunboat sunk in the cause of preserving the Union and resurrected as a permanent memorial of the fight.

I was pleasantly surprised to know that this had taken place here in my hometown this past Friday.  It was indeed an honor for Vicksburg.

Those who became citizens emigrated from 25 different countries.  Some according to The Vicksburg Post, came as refugees, some seeking asylum, and some on work or family visas.

F. Keith Ball, magistrate judge for the U. S. District Court in Jackson, spoke about the power of the individual citizen in American society and government, reminding them of not just their rights as Americans, but their responsibilities to vote, serve on a jury, volunteer in their communities and serve others wherever they see a need.  He also recognized the work each had put into being able to take the Oath of Allegiance.  "You didn't reach this day simply by raising your hand and saying you wanted to be an American citizen," Ball said.  "You've reached this day through a whole lot of effort and a lot of determination.

The theme of the day was "Embrace Citizenship - Experience America through your National Park."  Vicksburg National Military Park Superintendent Michael Madell said a number of naturalization ceremonies have been held around the country at other national parks, including Ellis Island National Park in NY which commemorates the historic entry point of millions of American immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.  "You are now owners of America's national parks," he told the group.

Countries and territories represented at Friday's ceremony were Afghanistan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Tips on Hunting Rabbits

An article in The Vicksburg Post yesterday about MDWFP offering tips on hunting for rabbits.  
The Mississippi rabbit season opened on October 15, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has offered some tips on hunting the creatures.

The MDWFP advises hunting to scout for areas with an ample mixture of native grasses, legumes and other broad leaf plants, and low brushy cover.  Rabbit populations are expected to be mostly abundant where habitat is suitable.

"Almost all of our open public lands allow hunters to hunt small game with dogs, although some areas may have special regulations," Dave Godwin, coordinator of the MDWFP's small game program, said in a news release.  "Some of the public land areas in the Delta that were severely flooded may have fewer rabbits this year, but rabbit populations will recover quickly where habitat is suitable."

For more information on rabbit hunting and management, visit home.mdwfp.com/rabbit or call 601-432-2400 for information on hunting regulations.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Hornaday and Boone and Crockett Club


Hornady Presents Boone and Crockett Club from Boone and Crockett Club on Vimeo.



Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America.  The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship.  Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Roberson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws.  The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Montana.

A threat by outside lobbyists in an ATTEMPT TO BAN ALL LEAD IN HUNTING AND FISHING:



Lead Bullets

Anti-hunting and anti-fishing interests are currently litigating against the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to force the EPA to expand its Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) authority in order to regulate traditional ammunition and recreational fishing tackle.

When the Act was established in 1976 Congress explicitly excluded from regulation any article subject to excise taxes -- including pistols, revolvers, firearms, shells and cartridges.

The EPA has already once declined a petition that asked the agency to prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead for shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers because it did not have the authority to do so under the TSCA.

Anti-hunting and anti-fishing interests assert the EPA does have the authority and that a lead ban is necessary to address the significant impacts to wildlife populations that are resulting from traditional tackle and ammunition.

The assertions made by the petitioning groups lack credible scientific foundation, especially when seeking a blanket ban on all lead use. Outside of the California condor, where every death is significant, there is no evidence of a lead crisis at the population level – an entire group of one species living in a specific area.

The biggest threat of lead in wildlife is with birds that have gizzards, which hold on to and grind up food, rather than pass it quickly through their systems.

Proponents of the ban cite the impacts on individual raptors, such as Bald Eagles even though raptor populations are increasing across North America and the Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species list as recently as 2007.

If a complete ban on lead in ammunition where achieved it would have a dramatic negative impact, because of the increased cost of alternative metals, on the cost of ammunition, and therefore participation in hunting and recreational shooting, which in turn is the engine that drives most of the funding for conservation and wildlife management through the excise taxes paid on the purchases of ammunition.

Sportsmen groups have rallied to push forward the introduction of the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act (S.838 & H.R. 1558), which will amend TSCA in a manner that serves to protect and enhance our hunting, recreational shooting and recreational fishing heritage while concurrently facilitating the important benefits that the hunting, shooting and recreational fishing industries contribute to the betterment of our nation’s economy and treasured natural resources.

The Act is now being discussed and considered in committees. To learn more:


Lead Elephant

Lead in all its forms has become a four-letter word in our society. Of late it has become a tool for environmentalist, animal activist and anti-hunting and fishing groups – a tool with dangerous consequences, in some ways maybe more so than the metal itself. If there ever was an elephant in the room that could affect how we hunt, shoot, and fish from here on out, this is it.

Environmental groups are now claiming that wildlife on a large scale are being impacted by lead poisoning, either by ingesting spent lead, or in the case of large raptors and scavengers, ingesting lead fragments from consuming gut piles or unrecovered game.  They further claim a human heath risk from eating wild game. They make no secret; they are pushing for a complete ban on the use of lead in all ammunition and fishing tackle.

The facts surrounding this issue are complex and the ramifications of a complete ban far reaching. 

Lead is the easiest and least expensive metal to form into bullets, birdshot, and sinkers. As such lead is at the foundation of the traditional outdoor actives of hunting and fishing. All forms of hunting with a firearm, plus recreational, law enforcement, and military shooting involve lead ammunition. In fishing lead is used in weights, sinkers, and jig heads, and in flyfishing, in split shot and twist-ons.

Because lead is so widely used in the products that support these activities, two issues emerge – funding for wildlife conservation and management, and the low cost participation in these activities by young hunters, shooters, and anglers.

It’s no secret that sportsmen and women, shooters and anglers pay for the majority of wildlife conservation and management through the excise taxes on equipment purchases, including ammunition. It is also no secret that if equipment manufactures are forced to use alternative metals that cost more to source and produce into product, the cost of these products has to go up, and in some cases go up substantially. Ramification #1 is future conservation funding – as costs go up participation goes down, purchases go down and excise taxes go down. Ramification #2 is the loss of inexpensive ammunition for young shooters getting into shooting or hunting. The last thing conservation, our wildlife, and hunting and fishing needs is another obstacle keeping young people for getting active outdoors.

Shots Fired
On August 3rd, 2010 environmental groups petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a complete ban under the Toxic Substance Control Act. Congress had specifically excluded ammunition from this legislation and the EPA rejected the petition on the grounds it did not have the authority for such a ban. Subsequently, environmental groups filed suit against the EPA claiming they do have authority to ban lead ammunition. Those behind this petition would have us believe that any amount of lead deposited into the environment is a threat to wildlife and humans.

Real Science
Lead is a naturally occurring element in the environment and has no functional or beneficial role in biological systems. Based on our knowledge of its toxicity, lead has been banned in paint, toys, and gasoline – gasoline being of the biggest concern in transfer to humans. Over concern for waterfowl eating spent lead pellets and the threat of lawsuits by environmental groups, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service banned lead in all waterfowl hunting in 1991. The ban followed from research documenting the accumulation of lead shot in wetland habitats that were heavily used by waterfowl hunters, and other studies reporting mortality in bottom-feeding waterfowl following the ingestion of lead pellets while foraging.

Depending on a range of factors lead can be toxic to some wildlife, but it is primarily an issue with birds.  This is because birds have gizzards, which hold on to and grind up food, rather than pass it quickly through their systems. The right type of lead can also be a toxic to humans depending on the amount consumed, over certain duration of time, individual body size, and age.

Proponents of the ban cite the impacts on individual raptors, such as Bald Eagles even though raptor populations are increasing across North America and the Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species list as recently as 2007.

Understanding this issue and sorting fact from fiction is difficult because of all the variables. It is being made even more difficult by groups asking for more science.  Many studies  have already been conducted and a technical review of existing scientific literature on the subject was completed by The Wildlife Society, the premier professional organization for wildlife science and management, in collaboration with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. These studies show that potential ingestion rates and health impacts vary by species, age, body size, amount consumed, method ingested, and geographic area. Some have measured the amounts and distributions of lead fragments found in carcasses and gut piles. We know that ingestion rates are related to lead concentration in the specific environments where animals may possibly ingest pellets or fragments while feeding. On the extremely low-hazard end are individual bullets fired in the field. On the high side is where shot-shell pellets concentrate where shooters regularly use the same locations, like dove fields and trap and skeet ranges.

Other than condors there is no evidence lead bullets are a serious conservation issue at the population level – meaning an entire group of one species living in a certain area. With the endangered California condor, every death is significant and so banning the use of lead ammunition in condor range made sense and sportsmen have supported this effort.

Considering human health, we have to realize that the lead in gasoline was emitted into the air and settled everywhere in our environment and that is very different from how hunters and anglers are depositing lead.  The question is not whether lead fragments or pellets can be found in wild game. The question is can this be a source of lead toxicity for humans? The only reported human health issue from ingested lead ammunition comes from a study of subsistence hunters in Northern Canada that ate lead-harvested wild game in high quantities every day.

The punch line is, if there is more science needed it would on be at the population level for a specific species in a specific area. The real question with lead is should our policy-makers take a sledge-hammer approach to an issue science says is tightly limited to certain populations and situations?

Bottom Line
The tools used for centuries by hunters, shooters, and anglers are in the crosshairs of environmentalists whose agenda appears to be mixed. Some would say theirs is a real concern for wildlife and humans. Others contend the plot to ban all lead is just another attempt to chop the legs out from under sportsmen and the user-pay model of wildlife conservation.

A blanket ban on all lead ammunition and in fishing tackle is clearly overreaching, especially when it includes lead that has no chance of being deposited in the environment, like indoor facilities for shooters, self-defense and law enforcement training. This is not a one-size fits all issue. The science simply isn't there to support a human health issue. As for wildlife, in terms of the health of populations and ecosystem function there may be the need for localized restrictions, but those decisions are best left to local managers, not judges. Our wildlife professionals need to clearly articulate to policy-makers what is a conservation issue requiring drastic regulatory changes and what is a non-issue, or a personal choice based on a desire to not kill or sicken individual birds. 

S. 838
After the environmental groups filed suit a Bill was introduced to Congress supported by sportsmen’s organizations that would amend the Toxics Substance Control Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the EPA. The S. 838: Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act is now being discussed and considered in committees. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-838

Where this issue will land is yet to be seen. What we do know is that sportsmen care about wildlife, all wildlife, and have proven so time and again. If or where real science, not advocacy called science or agenda-based science, but real science that holds up to scrutiny demonstrates a population impact and the use of non-lead products is warranted, sportsmen will do their part. The best thing you can do now is stay informed and let yourself be heard, especially regarding the proposed Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act.

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Art Park @ Catfish Row

Yesterday, we went to town for an errand and I decided to drive by the Art Park where the kids love to go and play.  Well, no one was there...it was in the mid-fifties and a bit cool to come to the park or get wet.  Here are a few pictures I took as I walked around the playground.  

Playground for the kiddies.

River City Story Walls.




Catfish Splash Fountain

Catfish swimming on floor of the fountain.

There are times when smoke or steams comes out of the stacks.



Catfish Row exhibits Vicksburg's colorful history.  The Parterre Garden, Catfish Splash Fountain, Paddle Wheel Commons, River City Story Walls, "Big Mama" Sprague Artifacts, and Riverfront Mural Promenade provide playful insights into Vicksburg's yester years.  Here, art brings to life Vicksburg's continuing legendary place in history.  

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Little Deer Season Humor

"Before trying surgery I'd like to wait and see if you just shed them in the spring."

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Sweet Allie Cat






We inherited Allie over a year and half ago when my next door neighbor had to move from her home to an apartment after her husband past away.  Allie was 3 years old at the time we took her in. My neighbor loved cats and had to get rid of them and could only take one cat to her apartment.

I asked her recently how did they come about getting Allie.  She said one night about 3:00 in the morning her husband heard this kitten meowing outside their window between our houses and got up and went outside and picked her up.  They bonded right there.  It was surmised that the mama cat must have dropped her because she was only about 3 weeks old.  They went to Wal-Mart and got some milk and put it in a bottle.  She was so hungry that she bit the nipple off.

When her husband got sick, Allie always stayed near his bedside and comforted him until he passed away.

Since Allie has become a member of our family, she is real close to my husband now.  She does have a strange habit sometimes of walking around in circles.  Don't know why she does that...but could be because she was traumatised and abandoned at an early age.  Other than that, she has been a joy to us.  Here are a few photos I took of her on our back steps the other day while I sat on the opposite steps.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sunday @ Sandbar

Three young adults enjoying a beautiful day on the sandbar on the Louisiana side.  They look like little ants walking around.  

Getting ready to leave and they see two towboats coming around the bend.

Waiting for them to pass.  I would imagine the waves from the towboats will be a problem in their small boat.

A small towboat pushing three empty barge containers dowstream.


You can barely see them waiting in their small boat for the Maritime to pass by.  These two towboats were pushing only three containers each and have seen up to 25 or more at a time being pushed by towboats.  Containers being empty and heading downstream makes a trip for the riverboat pilots easier to maneuver.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

A Towboat Whistle

As you can tell by now I love to go to the overlook and take pictures of the towboats going up and down the river. Well, yesterday after we made some short errands, went by the overlook and there was a big tow just sitting on the south side of the bridges. Usually, I see the towboats slow up after they pass under the bridges going south but this time it was coming north and slowed down.  What he was doing was getting supplies to make the trip up north to its destination.  I decided to go down to the Riverfront Park and wait for the towboat to pass. As we walked over to a bench you could smell the river from the breeze with the warm sun beaming down on us.  Just before we sat down I thought I head a boat motor and looked over and saw this small boat going by.  It was the delivery boat.  Then I heard a loud whistle blow from the bigger boats perhaps for the children playing on the playground.  We waited for the towboats to make it's way in front of us, so I could get the names off of the boats.  Two boats were pushing this big load.  As it passed by, I waved, and he blew his whistle at me!  I was so surprised and not expecting that!  As he made his way passed us, I was able to get the name off of the back end of the bigger boat and it said, MV Jinx P. Smith, Port of Vicksburg.  Never saw a boat with Port of Vicksburg on it before and found out that it was named after a deceased riverboat pilot from Vicksburg. (see link under towboat picture)  It was an exciting and unexpected experience for sure.  We left after the towboats finally made their way around the bend in the river heading north.

The supply boat.

Pushing a very long empty barge containers.


 
Northbound
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