American Queen Picture By Jackie Smith

My Facebook friend, Jackie Smith, took this picture last year after a rain. She was 10 minutes above La Crosse and at Dresback, Minnesota. Jackie is a Professional book illustration artist of steamboats/people and pets at Artistic Creations By Jackie. I just love her photos and artwork. Thanks for letting me share your beautiful picture of the American Queen, Jackie!

Happy "Heavenly" Birthday, Dad

Remembering my Dad, Marion E. Love, Sr., today being his Heavenly Birthday, born June 12, 1916.  Picture of him in his younger days.  I miss and love him so much.  

June 12, 1916 ~ November 6, 1987

Bear Crossing In Town

Why did the black bear cross the road? While we can't be sure of the answer, it is confined that a bear was spotted running across Clay Street.

In my hometown of Vicksburg, MS, a woman took to Facebook last Wednesday afternoon with proof that a black bear ran across east Clay Street near the Vicksburg District.

Janet Windham shared a picture she snapped of the bear as it left the roadway. 

 

 "My Granddaughter took the picture because I was driving. We'd just turn onto Clay Street from Highway 27," Windham said. "I put it on Facebook because I thought people needed to be aware. "I have never seen a bear like that."

June, July, and August are peak times for people to run across a bear in this state. The summertime is the breeding season for bears, and young male bears are often kicked out of their mother's home territory. They will move to final a new territory nearby.

Turkey Hunt In Kansas With Sons & Dad

 

My best girlfriend Jeanette's husband (Charlie) and grandsons Kaleb and Oliver, with Dad, Kirk, got their first turkey in Kansas this past week. Kirk is also my Godchild. Here are some pictures to share of their hunts.  

(Kirk) ~ We made fantastic memories in Kansas this weekend to kick off Summer 2023. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit our friends in Wichita this time.

Kaleb and Oliver both got their first turkey. Pops (Charles Ring Sr.) was also successful. I can't thank Elizabeth Janssen Perkins, Dustin Perkins, Patrick Siemsen, and Erin Siemsen enough for the hospitality, hunting access, and excellent food. I'm sure we will be talking about this trip for many years!

Oliver with his turkey and Pops.

Pops, Oliver, and Kaleb.

Kirk and Kaleb.

Kaleb with his fine turkey.

Kirk with his boys!

Oliver and Kaleb.

Kaleb

Oliver is sound asleep.

A great hunt with sons and Dad, Pops Ring.

Number One For The Year!!!

I was out by 8:34 pm. I had no clue if a hog would even come in as I had not turned the camera on but what the heck? A few deer came in, and then the javelinas, who stayed for quite a while. I kept dozing off and looking, and finally, when I did, I could see two hogs. I got up from my chair in my blind and got on the bench quietly as a mouse, LOL. Ear plugs in, safety off, and I put my crosshairs on the bigger of the two because he was offering me a perfect headshot. Pulled the trigger, and down he went. I put one back on top but could see he would not get up and run off. I will weigh him in the morning, and they always look bigger in the daylight. What a great feeling; I haven't shot anything in months, but that 350 Legend is just spot on, so Happy Mother's Day to me! 207 grand total and #1 for the year!! Shot him at 9:43 pm.

Congratulations, Kareen!!!

Newborn Fawn Information

Deer deliver their newborns in the strangest of places! Residents will find them and be concerned about a newborn deer on their lawn, in their garden, under the azaleas, etc. Most call because they think the fawn is in peril and Mom is nowhere to be found. Well, Mom is actually off-feeding and helping to keep predators away. Those who call ask what they should do for the fawn ... Leave it alone, do not touch, move or attempt to feed it. Here's the scoop. Deer are NOT like horses. They do not have their legs under them immediately and need time to rest after birth. Horses get up and go; that's the sign of a healthy horse. A healthy fawn will curl up, nap most of the day and move their heads. They have no scent, and predators cannot find them unless humans interfere. Mom leaves during the day for 2 primary reasons: to feed and to keep her scent a distance from the fawn. Mom will come back (unless something tragic happens) but don't expect her until dusk, and certainly don't expect her if humans hover around. If you are fortunate enough to have the gift of a fawn please enjoy the experience, respect Mother Nature, and let the Mom do what comes naturally. She will move the fawn daily so you may see it in different locations. Please share. Thanks!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Asher!

Today, my youngest great-grandson, Asher, is 2 years old.  Here is a picture with his Mom, Caitlyn, taken last October at Rocky Springs on the Natchez Trace Parkway.  Asher lives in Ohio now and misses him so much.  Happy Birthday, Asher!!  Great Gran Gran loves you so much!! 

Linda's Nice Turkey Kill

My online hunting friend Linda (Sunshine), who lives in Maine, shot this nice 18 lb. turkey with a 9-1/2 inch beard this past Wednesday morning. I'm so happy and proud of you, Linda!! My congratulations!!! Way to go!!!!

My Art Work For The Vicksburg Art Association Spring Collection 2023

For the first time ever, I entered four of my pictures on canvas after joining the Vicksburg Art Associaiton Exhibition at the Firehouse Gallery.  I have always wanted to do this but finally got around to do it now or never.  Since I went early to bring my canvas pictures in, I was lucky to get three on the main Photography wall.  The Magnolia Corolla, Magnolia bulb with raindrops and a Panoramic of the American Queen.

 

For the Spring exhibit, I took a photo outside one night of a Japanese Magnolia Blossom and was placed on the bottom far right-hand corner that was not entered in the 2023 Members Exhibition brochure of the showing.

Since my Japanese Magnolia flower was not entered and skipped over, I was very unhappy since he told me when I went to pick up my canvases that that one had been photoshopped, and I told him no, it was not.  I went outside and took that picture to see if it would work.  Here are my responses to him and his responses.  

• Hi James:  

  
  

  I have been waiting for a long time to join the Vicksburg Art Association and have been encouraged through the years. I did not participate because my former husband got involved and eventually won a ribbon for his artwork. I finally joined and was excited to place my artwork for the show.  

  
  

  When I came to pick up my four artwork pieces Wednesday, you said I only had three. I also entered one for "Spring" of a Japanese Magnolia flower on a dark background. When I showed it to you, you said it was Photoshop which upset me knowing that I had walked out in my front yard and taken the picture in the dark. At 82 years of age, I have no idea how to Photoshop anything. I thought you had my phone number and email address to contact me, and this would not have happened, and my artwork would have been entered.

  
  

  I wanted to let you know how I felt being a first-time member. Unfortunately, it had to happen, but you should not assume something without contacting the artist and ensuring everything is alright.

  
  

  Thanks,

  
  

  Marian Ann Love
• 

  James Biedenbach <james.biedenbach@gmail.com>

  To:mariandeerhunter

  Sat, Apr 22 at 8:53 AM

  Marion,

    I apologize if I offended you with my comment. I did not mean to imply that there was anything wrong with the photo or that even there is anything wrong with photo shop correcting an image. Many artists correct their photos electronically and it is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Artists use to correct their work in the dark room all the time by dodging and burning when they printed before photography became digital. I also apologize that your piece did not make it onto the program. Unfortunately I missed it because I can only assume it wasn’t recorded on your entry form which is where I get the titles for the program. I assure you it was on the judges work sheets during the judging. I hope you will continue to enter your work in upcoming shows because I think it is very good.

  
  

  Regards

  Jim Biedenbach
  
  

  Sent from my iPad

PS: It was recorded on the entry form and also on the back right-hand corner of each canvas with my name and the name of the picture.  

A True Mississippi River Monster!

Per Phillip Nylin of Sabula, Iowa.

Flathead catfish were caught today in Pool 16.

My son Chantz !! This fish was caught in conjunction with invasive carp removals by the Illinois Natural History Survey. They contract commercial fishermen to assist in the removal of these invasive carp. This catfish was released at 57 lbs.

Invasive Big head Carp

My son Chantz

Happy Easter Bloggers & Friends

The 4 points of the Dogwood flower:

1. The flower has 4 petals in the shape of a cross.

2. The middle of the Dogwood flower is a crown of thorns.

3. A nail dent is at the edge of each petal.

4. The nail dents are stained with the color of Jesus' blood.

An American Farmer

Udder Surprise

I took a picture years ago while going through a pasture to go to our hunting camp called Homewood in Claiborne County, MS.  I named them the same.  

A Provider

"NOW THEN, take your weapons, quiver, and bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me." Genesis 27.3.

"EVERY MOVING THING that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything." Genesis 9.3.

"AND GOD WAS WITH the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow." Genesis 21.20.

M. R. James - Award-winning writer/editor, founder of BOWHUNTER Magazine, & member of the Archery Hall of Fame.

Bear Sighting by MS Dept Wildlife Fisheries & Parks

We've had many questions this week on where bears are located in Mississippi. We have developed a black bear observation map that shows all black bear sightings reported in Mississippi since 2016!

Reporting a black bear sighting is a great tool that biologists can use to continue working toward a population estimate. You can easily report a sighting at any time through our website.

View the map or report a sighting through the link below:

https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/black-bear-program/

*The observation map is best viewed on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. When viewing the map on your smartphone, turn your phone horizontally.

I live in Warren County and have never seen one, but one passed through Vicksburg near Pemberton Blvd a few years ago, heading north of town.

What Was Found In Gator's Belly

This 12' 445lb. Gator was caught on private land along the Edisto River, SC, by Ned McNeely in March 2022.

Found in the gator's belly 5 dog tags, 1 bullet jacket, 1 spark plug, & several bobcat claws.

From a local's statement, "Two of the tags were legible, and one phone number still worked. The owner said he had that lease 24 years ago, and those were from his deer dogs."

Happy "Heavenly" Birthday, Rex!

I wish my hunting friend, Rex Howell, a Happy 65th “Heavenly” Birthday today. I love this picture of him walking out from a morning hunt at the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club near Eden, MS. He is with his daughter Erin and son, Spencer, on a Youth Hunt in November 2009. He is sadly missed by family and friends. bodocktimes.blogspot.com

Driving around Vicksburg, Mississippi

My hometown....

Interesting Facts

    1. Your shoes are the first thing people subconsciously notice about you. Wear nice shoes.\

2. If you sit for more than 11 hours a day, there's a 50% chance you'll die within the next 3 years.

3. At least 6 people in the world look exactly like you. So there's a 9% chance you'll meet one someday.

4. Sleeping without a pillow reduces back pain and strengthens your spine.

5. A person's height is determined by their father, and their weight is determined by their mother.

6. If a part of your body "falls asleep," You can almost always "wake it up" by shaking your head.

7. There are three things the human brain cannot resist noticing - food, attractive people, and danger.

8. Right-handed people tend to chew food on their right side.

9. Putting dry tea bags in the gym or smelly shoes will absorb the unpleasant odor.

10. According to Albert Einstein, if honeybees were to disappear from the earth, humans would be dead within 4 years.

11. There are so many kinds of apples that if you ate a new one every day, it would take over 20 years to try them all.

12. You can survive without eating for weeks but only live for 11 days without sleeping.

13. People who laugh a lot are healthier than those who don't.

14. Laziness and inactivity kill just as many people as smoking.

15. A human brain can store 5 times as much information as Wikipedia.

16. Our brain uses the same amount of power as a 10-watt light bulb!!

17. Our body gives enough heat in 30 minutes to boil 1.5 liters of water!!

18. The Ovum egg is the most considerable cell, and the sperm is the smallest cell!!

19. Stomach acid (conc. HCl) is strong enough to dissolve razor blades!!

20. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day & while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

21. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

22. When you wake up, pray for God's guidance for your purpose today.

23. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food manufactured in plants.

24. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Also, eat blueberries, broccoli, and almonds.

25. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

26. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts, and things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the present joyous moment.

27. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed-out charge card.

28. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

29. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive them for everything.

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

31. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

32. Make peace with your past to avoid spoiling the present.

33. Don't compare your life to others. You have yet to learn what their journey is all about.

34. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

35. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

36. Help the needy, Be generous! Be a 'Giver' not a 'Taker'

37. What other people think of you is none of your business.

38. Time heals everything.

39. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

40. Your job won't care for you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. Each night before you go to bed, pray to God and be thankful for what you accomplished today. What if you woke up this morning and only had what you thanked God for yesterday? DON'T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING.

43. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.