Good Weekend

My job doesn't come with weekends or holidays off, but I've just finished one of the best weekends I've had in a long time.

Went fishing and camping with Aaron. Good times with a good friend. We caught enough fish for a fried fish taco party with the wives and childrens. Got to go to church this morning and sing at the nursing home tonight. Ate at Applebee's twice.

I'm going to bed and the railroad will probably wake me up soon and call me back to the grind, but that's okay. I'm recharged, refreshed, and restored.

Potential for the foreseeable future

1. Tonight I get to go camp out and fish with Aaron.
2. I have a week of vacation in 43 days.
3. I'll get to retire from the railroad in 28 years.
4. If Leslie hits it big in Vegas, #3 will be months rather than years, #2 will be permanent, and #1 will happen more often, with more of my friends.

Limited Success

Caught a few catfish Tuesday night, but not many. I think it's just going to be slow until around September when some of this heat wears off.

Caught more bass on my jugs than catfish this morning.

Challenges

I believe that challenges keep men interested in life. They create vigor and increased testosterone levels, two things severely lacking in our fat and metrosexualized society. My latest challenge is the catfish.....

Last month bass fishing was so good that it was almost too easy. I didn't set any lake records or anything, but I was catching lots of fish and quality fish everytime I went. For a change of pace I've been catfishing lately, but without much success. I've tried several different places, different times of day, but the finny fiends are besting me. I have one more place to try, and I think that today is going to be the day that mister whiskers will be subdued. Chris and I are going to try in shallower water armed with jugs and rod/reels. Shad, perch, hotdogs, red meat, soured feed, and maybe dynomite. We will face this challenge and overcome. I'll report the outcome tomorrow.

Life's Ups Downs and Lateral Movements

Still getting bumped around a lot at work, but working where and when I can. Vacation will be here in less than two months now. I'm ready for it. A day or two of dove hunting and then on to fabulous Las Vegas.

Fabulous isn't a word I use often, but it is a perfect word to describe Las Vegas. I've been there twice now and the reason I'm going back is because it makes me feel fabulous. I know it only does it because it wants you to give it more money, but for two or three days the charade is a pleasure.

Fishing success has slowed as the temperatures have risen.

My girls are growing. Annie is rolling over and blabbers all day. Georgia is half-crazy, and Jones is just like her mother. Seems like I've been at home a lot lately. That's good, and that's bad. When I'm working a lot, Leslie has to get out of bed with the girls, and since she's up, usually goes to the gym or ladies' Bible class, or story time at the library. Then it's home for naptime, and since they've been busy the kids are tired enough to take one. Then play time around the house, then supper time, then bath, books, and bed. Pretty good routine.

Lately though, there has been no routine. There is no story time or ladies' class because it is summer, and it is too hot for the kids to play outside much in the middle of the day. In addition, I've been home quite a bit which has reinforced another opinion of mine.....Men aren't wired for this. I've got to get out of the house and do something. In large doses, my kids drive me crazy. I really believe that women are wired with the capability to handle all of this better than men, especially with younger childeren and especially with girls.

If anyone comes across this post and is offended, thinks that I'm living in the dark ages, or that I mistreat or am unfair to my wife, feel free to comment, and I will explain in better detail.