It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas … everywhere you go! We’re closing in on the big day, and it’s a great time of year. That good feeling you get each year at this time is reason enough to celebrate with friends and family.
Janet Ford with her Christmas redfish.
It’s prime time to relieve yourself from the negatives and surrender to the Christmas spirit. There is so much to be grateful for; it should be a stone cold natural.
As the world turns and life zooms by, the holidays give us an opportunity to gear down, reflect and count our many blessings. We’re all in this thing together, so let us just try to get along. Christmas morning can’t come too soon. It always emphasizes ‘tis better to give than to receive. It is one of life’s true lessons.
Local waterfowlers are stuck in neutral right now in between splits of duck and goose seasons. But the first split rated high with good numbers of birds and plenty of variety. Mixed bags of grey ducks, teal, widgeon and a few mallards provided fairly consistent shooting for hunters.
The even better news is the second split is generally hotter than the first, with more birds en route. This better-than-average first split was the shot in the arm locals needed and deserved.
Tim Ford and wife Janet hooked up with Nick Poe and passed a great day. In the wee hours of the morning, they ventured into a local marsh for a limit of ducks and a fine hunt. They regrouped for an afternoon of saltwater fishing in search of speckled trout and redfish.
A productive fishing trip was going to be a tall order with high winds howling. But, after covering some water and searching for bait, the group hit the big bonanza. The trio wore out the reds and solid trout in the two-pound range. This dream day proved why Louisiana deserves its Sportsman’s Paradise title.
Just for lagniappe, Janet hooked up and boated a multi-spotted redfish that was really special, and put the exclamation point on a super day! The polka dot red is covered with distinctive black spots all over on both sides. This is her Christmas gift that just keeps on giving.
And just in case you’re wondering, Tim slept like a baby after their super combo hunt/fish trip. What a gift to be living in Louisiana.
There’s a lot going on in this great world, and some of it not all good. It’s easy to fall into the negative trap. But it’s just as easy to see the cup as half-full. It’s just a matter of learning to appreciate the good and allowing yourself to enjoy all life has to offer.
It takes some getting used to, but practice makes perfect. Before you know it, feeling good and grateful becomes the norm, and those nagging, negative thoughts can fade away.
Remember to say your prayers and cherish your friends and family. In the meantime, wish everyone in earshot a Merry Christmas. Most will return the favor. It’s a cathartic process, and always well worth the effort. Have a Merry Christmas and a grateful New Year!
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