Bits & Balderdash

Happy Birthday Nick Oliver!

Last Tuesday evening we were invited to dinner with Nick and Jessica Oliver to celebrate Nick's birthday. We met at the Chicago Speakeasy I Des Moines for a wonderful dinner and a great surprise for Nick, who did not know that we were attending! Great fun was had by all and we are already looking forward to the next time that we can all get together!

Deer Season 2012!

Deer season for this past year (2012) is officially over with my AGAIN not filling any tags! Now, if I believed that was the only measure of success than I would have had a very disappointing hunting season. But the reality is I had some incredible encounters with very good deer.

I had a basket racked 8 point at about 6 yards and missed due to a very small branch that miss directed my arrow over the deers back! I had an incredible tall tined buck at 30 yards and got not one but two shots at and missed BOTH!!! (buck fever, I think so!) these two encounters don't even count the numerous does that I had in range ... And I passed on them!

Another great deer season with the bow and now my thoughts are turning to the Iowa Spring Turkey Season!

Health Issues...

Finally succumbed to my first real humdinger of a cold this season. On the last day of the deer season, I was in my stand for about 4 hours when I just knew I needed to go home. Arrived home around 11 AM and went straight to bed, aching all over, I was sure I had the flu. Got up the next with a tremendous chest cough that listed though the weekend! I don't feel all that bad ... Just hurts to cough!

I can't complain though .... Many others having it far worse!

Hope all is well with you,

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

This Is A Test ... Part 2!

Ok the first part of the test is over and I was able to post to my blog from my IPad and I'm a happy camper. I'm still trying to get the photo thing figured out ... I needed to get to a computer to do final editing of the post and photos. But this is a huge start!

There will be more to come!

Thank you for your patience!!

This Is A Test ... Only A Test!

We have turned the calendar and have begun a new year.

In looking at my blog I realized that 2012 has the lowest number of blog posts since the inception of my blog in 2005. I have given this a great deal of thought and consideration. During this contemplation I realized that last January (2012) I purchased an IPad and because of this I no longer brought my laptop home from the office every evening.

The IPad is an incredible tool ... I can do almost anything on it that I could do on my laptop! Except blog! Therefore, the number of post for this past year was a direct result of me not having my laptop with me, basically all the time.

At this point you may be thinking ... "Why don't you just get the Blogger app and get back to work?" I did. The app was junk!! However, I downloaded the new app and as I sit here this afternoon I'm blogging from my IPad! So again ... This is a test; only a test!

This process is ongoing!

I remain,
Pastor Steve

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

What I'm Looking For!

Not Christmas; Deer Camp 2012!!!

October 1st was the opening day of the Iowa Archery Season and from day on I have had some great encounters with the elusive Iowa Whitetail. 

Truth be told ... I missed a couple of shots on big deer but I am not discouraged! And when the second half of the archery season open again on the 17th of December, I will be ready!

As for right now, we  are in the midst of the Iowa Shotgun Season. I'm hunting the second season, which runs from Dec. 8-16. We have not seen the overall number of deer as we've seen in the past few years but there are a number of factors involved in that statement. Drought, warm weather and Blue Tongue Disease (AKA:Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD))

Bottom Line: Still hunting and more stories and photo's to come!

Stay tuned...

Pastor Steve 
 

Lynn's Surgery

I mentioned in my last post that the lovely and gracious Mrs. Cox had to have not quite emergency surgery but it was close!

After two days of excruciating pain Lynn had to have the herniated disk between the C6 & C7 vertebrata in her neck removed. A titanium plate was inserted and the two vertebrata are to fuse together. Incredible stuff! I found that you could go on-line and watch an actual surgery!!!

She was off her game for about 6 weeks but now .... normal! We are do very thankful the thoughts, prayers, cards, calls and visits!