Archers Elk - A Great Accomplishment

Well he did it! After 7 hard years of hunting, The Archer finally brought down a bull elk, a hard thing to do up here. Here's the story :
A few nights ago, well after dark, my husband went out looking for our Archer, who had been gone all day. Being gone all day isn't unusual for our avid 19 year old hunter, but not coming home after dark falls is. Around 11pm neither of them had returned and I was beginning to wonder what had happened to them. Super Catman and I took communion in my kitchen and we prayed for their wisdom, safety and protection. Some time around midnight the 4-wheeler and the truck drove in much to my and the kids relief. Both of them had packs full of meat and a digital camera to tell the story. Archer was walking on air. He scarfed up some food and headed to bed, knowing he would need sleep for the big pack out the next day. Every time I woke up, I prayed angels around our meat - that it would be protected from predators and spoiling.
Before dawn I was up making breakfast for the hungry men. Sock Fashion Expert wasn't feeling very good, so I left her home with Moonbeam. I wasn't so sure about the whole pack out job thing, but I figured I was needed. I also didn't want to miss the special thing that meant so much to our Archer. After hiking a few miles through forest, over slippery downed trees, up mountainous country and into dense brush, we came upon the elk.
Much to all our relief, it remained untouched. After a few pictures, the men took out knives to begin butchering. I was shocked and horrified when my husband handed me a knife - "you've got to be kidding" I was thinking. He instructed me on how to cut meat from the ribs and assigned me the job. Ugh!! Well, I guess I can try. Okay, well it wasn't that bad. I imagined that we must have been a little like the Indians of Early America. "Many hands make light work" right? So I took the straps from the ribs as Art Dog, My husband, and Archer worked on other parts. It went pretty fast. Nothing was wasted. We loaded the meat into garbage bags and then into our back packs.
They were all amazed that we were able to pack it out in just one trip that day (besides what they hauled out the night before). My husband hauled over 80 lbs, Archer hauled close to 90 lbs, I'm not sure what Super Catman had, but I hauled a little under 60 lbs and Art Dog had a little over 50 lbs. It was quite a deal. We worked hard but felt a feeling of accomplishment when it was over. As for me, I was content to see my hot tub registered within its chemical limits and I spent a good long time relaxing in there!! Now for the processing!!

Hot Tub Folliculitis and Other Maladies

Its Hard To Discipline Moonbeam with "Baby Jail" When Art Dog Has Pity On Her!

A wet fog clung to the air as Super Catman and I made our way down the damp road. The golden colors of the trees and the thick mist upon the mountains portrayed its own kind of beauty. Surely we live in one of the most enchanting places on the face of the earth. Not long after Super Catman nearly missed me with his bike, we saw something a little eerie. A wide pool of blood emerged in the middle of the road. Near it were drag marks into the bushes. Most likely some one shot a deer and gutted it here, but we couldn't be sure. Its not uncommon for city hunters, fearful of bears, to gut their deer on the road. Unfortunately, the blood and gut piles attract predators which makes it a little less safe for us to be out there. We kept a wary eye as I jogged along, trying to keep from stepping in it. I was relieved when I'd ran my 4 miles and Super Catman pulled into the driveway with his bike.
Yesterday we had our girls accountability group at Mists house. It was good to see each other again and we all had a lot to talk about. Mist and Elasta Woman both got their bucks already and they were thrilled about having the meat supply for winter. Goat Girl and I smiled big when we heard the stories. Mist is cute as can be and due for that little one to come next month already. Mist's Sister-in-law and family, missionaries to Kashmir, are also getting ready to make a trip to the USA. Stories of Missionaries, hunting, children and babies, and "God Sightings" burst an air of energy all around the room. Prayer was followed by Artisan Bread and warm, steamy vegetable soup.
In other news, I have survived into my 3rd day of clean eating. It hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be. I had to pass up brownies, cheese cake and other "good snacks" at home. At the hospital, Int'l Vanilla Creamer and trick or treat mini candy bars called my name. As difficult as all that was, I did manage to resist all of their seducing pleas for me to eat them. On the up side, I feel like I have come out of a (dietary) fog into the light. Really, I do. After just a couple of days I have an incredible amount of energy. Last night, I had a cup of coffee sweetened with honey early on in my shift. Normally, I would have had one or two more before the night was through but I didn't even need them. I wish I could get it through to myself how much happier I am and how much better I feel when I eat right. Do you notice a difference in clarity, energy and general well being when you eat clean?
As for the maladies, well they are here too, lurking. One of them is breeding in the cesspool swamp that I call my hot tub. Its none other than the "Hot Tub Folliculitis" malady, a bacteria that grows in hot tubs. Actually, it infects follicles, causing a mostly localized reaction. Sock Fashion Expert, Super Catman and I all have the rash. Once I researched the crud, it was a rather disturbing enlightenment. For the time being, my hot tub is under "quarantine" and "shock" treatment as the chemicals wage a full scale attack. My other malady has been that I've been a little too focused on Hawaii. Its time to put the thing in God's hands now and rest knowing if it's really His will, He can bring it to pass.

In light of these ponderings, I suppose I shall possibly take refuge back in my plastic container bath tub which has been quite lonely as of late. I wish you, all my bloggie buddies, well :-)

Caption Please.....

Maybe you can help me think of a good caption for this one :-) Its Moonbeam with her Papa....