Slop II

Decided not to hunt today. Last day of big game here (at least for areas that did not get extended). Hard to get too motivated with such little snow. Man, Snowbowl is certainly in need of a good snow dump! So, I took Jake (the Snake) for a fun ride late today. We went up that straight shot above the mansion restaurant (steep grade) then across the top where all of the lots are waiting to be sold. Then down and over through Takima to Pattee and up to Deer Creek.Deer Creek was a mess. Ice on top with mud and full (of water) pot holes. Still plenty of road hunters. I actually passed one coming down. That pretty much takes away the whole purpose of hunting to me. Sad. Anyway, went down and over to Marshall and up that to the base of the former resort. It got dark when I headed back the same way. Pattee coming down was wet and cold. Mud covered, fogged amber glasses in the dark are a disaster. It felt good to ride. Supposed to have more warm weather early this week, so LR and I may have to break out the mountain bikes I guess. Crazy.

Thanksgiving Morning

Went for the traditional Thanksgiving morning whitetail hunt. Came across Mr. Lion's tracks (fresh) in two of my favorite spots. He left me alone and I him. It was a nice morning afield. Now time for some bird and football. Happy Thanksgiving. Gratitude - the parent of all virtues. ~Cicero.

The Field

We had a great day today. Left Missoula with a friend at 6 and spent the day in the Montana flat lands looking for bears and green heads. There is nothing like time in the field with buds just prior to Thanksgiving. The whitetails are in the rut for sure. Saw numerous decent bucks which never would have been out in the open in mid-morning. Following smoked oysters (in cotton seed oil) and crackers with hot coffee from the thermos, I took a long nap. It was cold and blowing flurries. Wen stole half of my ham sandwich while I was snoozing too! Rascal! Good dog. She earned it.

Quick Remedy

A guy would think that with all of the bicycle tube repair kits we have around I would not have to resort to Kwik Seal Plus Kitchen Adhesive to repair leaky waders for tomorrow's duck hunt in Ovando. Oh well. The tube kit did not hold in the crotch area of the waders. It is always interesting waterfowling in a grizzly area.

Oriental Cooking

Came across Pearl S. Buck's 1972 edition Oriental Cookbook today. A survivor of our family library. Buck was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia and was raised in China by her Presbyterian missionary parents. She wrote The Good Earth, which is a favorite read. She was the first American woman to win a Nobel Prize for Literature. This cookbook is loaded with goodies from the Asia region. Think I'll start with Japan's Oyako-Domburi. "Oyako" means 'parent and child' and refers to chicken and the egg. 'Domburi' is the large rice bowl in which the meal is served..." p232.

The Sock

Got in a fun quick one this afternoon to the Sock after raking some leaves in the University area with some fellow MSEFers. After this ride we hit the Warren Miller movie. Pretty wet at the moment here. Snow at the bowl below though!