Monday, November 9, 2009

Fishing From Daddy's Point of View


When the boys returned home from fishing they were so excited to show me the pictures. I was so excited when Ward said - "Hey, I'll blog about our trip". So here ya have it!


For those of you that know me, realize that I am not one to blog, Facebook, or twitter. So here it goes.

Gage is a fisherman. Last Friday November 6, Gage turned seven. For his birthday, he asked for an overnight fishing trip. With his newly purchased pair of waders and boots, he and I carefully studied the many opportunities to catch trout in western North Carolina and ultimately settled on the area around the famous Tuckaseegee river, just outside Dillsboro.

On Friday morning the two of us set out in search of the elusive mountain trout. Any fisherman knows that a real fishing trip always begins at the local fly fishing shop to find out about the local rivers and what the fish have been biting. So naturally our first stop was the Waynesville Fly Shop. Now everyone knows that flies for fly fishermen are much like shoes for women, you can never have too many. This rule held true on Friday, as we were able to add several new flies to our box as well as gain valuable information for the weekend ahead.

Unfortunately, due to the TVA generating on several local rivers we were not able to wade fish the Tuckaseegee. We spent Friday fishing the Pigeon River instead and Saturday fishing the Ravens Fork and Soco rivers in Cherokee. The weather was absolutely perfect, the scenery was spectacular, as always, in western North Carolina this time of year. We had a sack lunch on the river Friday, a tradition for all our fishing trips. Gage picks the rock. We saw squirrels, a few hawks, and heard gun fire from a nearby firing range.


After a long day of fishing on Friday we had dinner in Franklin at Cody's, a local favorite. Gage wanted steak. We took some great pictures of our meal. Danielle, our waitress, took our picture and brought Gage a large dessert. We took turns playing the Nintendo DS, talking about school, friends, and fishing.


The evening ended in the hotel with Cartoon network. Saturday was spent fishing most of day with a side trip into Cherokee to buy a bow and arrow with some of his birthday money and eat at Subway. We meet several fly fishermen on the river and shared stories of fish that got away or were seen but never had. The day ended with the drive home just in time to have a home cooked meal and tell stories about the trip.
Ultimately, no fish were brought to hand. In fact, only a few fish were seen.

Needless to say, Gage was disappointed and at one time said to me the trip was ruined because we did not catch any fish. During the ride home I began to think about my own fishing experience as a child and young adult. I have my grandfather George Adcock Sr, to thank for my love of fishing. Which I have managed to pass on to Gage and hopefully Davis and Truman one day. While I cannot give credit to my grandfather for ever having the traditional grandparent relationship with me, as a teenager and young adult he did the one thing he knew how to do best, take me fishing and hunting. In fact, most all of my memories of him are of our many trips to his farm to fish or hunt and the meals back at home afterwards. Many of those trips ended without any fish being caught. In fact there were many trips together that we hardly spoke at all. But I would not trade those memories for anything now. Out of those times together I learned that he was a self made man of few words, he borrowed money to start his own business repairing cars in the 1940's, Adcock's Garage. My great grandfather told him he would never make it, because no one would ever pay someone else to fix their car when they could do it themselves. For over 50 years he was an honest businessman, he gained the respect of many in his community and provided for his family, he was good at what he did and a hard worker, like most of his generation. The time I spent fishing with him made me realize all these things about him. Things that I may not have otherwise. He taught me to simply enjoy fishing. He certainly did. He taught me that at any age you can fish and that you can have fun doing it.

So I hope that one day Gage will look back on this trip and realize that there is more to a fishing trip than simply catching fish.


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Friday, November 6, 2009

7 years old today & Citizen of the Month


Gage is 7 years old today. He woke up early this morning, crawled in bed with me and asked me to tell him about the day he was born. I am so proud of what a polite, caring, young man Gage has become. Gage was also named Citizen of the Month for his class this past week. He just continues to make his parents proud!

For his birthday he asked for fishing waders and boots. They make him look way too grown up. He and his dad head to the mountains this morning for a weekend of fly fishing.

Happy Birthday my adorable Gagemister!





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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Living with "Mo" happens to be MY 300th Post


Poor Truman - being the 3rd born he is slighted in so many ways. His older brothers tend to dictate the games that are played, the movies that are watched. He has been robbed of his toddler years. He went from a baby to a 4 year old overnight. But this year when school started for the older boys Truman was given the opportunity to get a taste of toddlerhood. ELMO!! We started watching Sesame Street and quickly the love affair began. It was "Mo" this and "Mo" that. Mo, Mo, Mo.... We were "Mo" for halloween and when Truman wasn't wearing the costume he wanted to carry it around, even willing to dump the matchbox car that is normally attached to his hand. Ward and I were kicking ourselves for getting rid of all those action elmos that Grandpa George had given Gage and Davis.

But right before Halloween Truman's dreams came true. A friend gave him his own Elmo. I can not even begin to tell you all the places "Mo" goes with us.
To Mom's Morning out 2 days a week
To lunch with friends (even needing a high chair)
To take the boys to school each morning
Mo eats dinner at the table with us at night - he is a chicken nugget kinda guy.
Mo sleeps in the crib - gotta watch the hard plastic killer eyes - they can be weapons.
Lucky for us he stayed in the car for trick or treating.



Did I mention "Mo" is bigger that Tru? I am just thrilled he has a little bit of Toddle Time left in him.





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Monday, November 2, 2009

Fashions for your Post Candy Hang-Over Halloween Pleasure.

To begin with a little back story. Whenever something new clothing wise is purchased Ward always ask if there will be a "fashion show tonight?". He thinks it is incredibly fun to put on your new clothing a strut. (Maybe he likes to relive his JC Penny modeling days). So not long after the boys Halloween costumes were chosen Ward mentioned a fashion show to the boys.

We cranked up the music, I was the master of ceramonies and the boys did the stray cats strut around our den.

Some choose to dance their way into the room.

Some choose to look head on into the camera, in hopes of making the front cover of People.

Some are just really way too cool for the fashion show...

While others get groovin as soon as the music begins and do not stop, even once it ends.




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