Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Alzheimer's

For many, many years now I have been trying to learn something new. Those of you who know me well know I have tried many different  adventures. Naming a few have been, canning, jelly making, skiing, tubing,knitting,sewing, quilting, fishing, scrap booking. This year I was taking my car in for an oil change when the mechanic asked if I would like to see what he caught that day. Sure I thought going out to the garage. Out there by my car (which he was fixing) was 7 coon, 2 beaver, 2 mink and a muskrat. I was intrigued and listened to everything he had to tell me about them and how he caught them. I learned about different traps and how to bait them. Then  he told me about an Amish fur buyer that I should see for all my trapping needs. He told me he had been trapping since he was a little kid and if I liked the outdoors I may like it. I thought this will be for me. So I went home and talked to my son-in-law who would like to go in 50/50 with me. That meant I would buy the traps (2). I would check them and if I had something he would shoot it. (I don't want to shoot the critters). So he thought that sounded good and it would be part of his Christmas. Well my daughter heard us talking and she thought she would like to try it. OK...she can have my 50% if she checks the traps. So with son-in law in tow we went to see the Amish fur trapper. There were several buildings on the property so I said it must be the one with lots of mud mushed up as that meant people had stepping in that area. We knocked on the door and heard a voice that said come in. This was at dusk. Upon opening the door I couldn't see a thing. I stepped inside. I felt something squishy under my shoe. Still only seeing pitch black I said I came to buy some traps but I can't see you. The place smelled really rank! A small voice said I'm over here. Then an older voice said I guess its time for a light. Then the first lamp was lit. I could see I was surrounded by skins hanging from the ceiling. raccoon, fox, beaver, muskrat,coyote. Wow. I looked down and I was stepping on a raccoon as the floor was lined with animals to be skinned. I moved my foot quickly! The second lamp was lit. Now I could see supplies and a small boy who was helping his father skin the animals. He said he was 5, the only child, a good helper. Again I heard how to trap coon. How much each one was worth as they go by the pound and he pays cash. Well I left with 12 traps, 1 muskrat trap, a setting tool, and fish oil to bait them in. Then I learned the peak of the season was over but I have a  month to try it. My thinking was I will practice this season and next year I will be really good at it. So...each day I check the trap lines in my woods and along the creek (daughter quit after one day) and so far I have only caught 2 raccoons and a possum (no money for those) and ...hopefully not Alzheimer's as I have learned something new to challenge my brain!