Well, we're back in business...

Yesterday was a pretty special day here at Bailey's Harbor.  We restocked the pond!!

As you may recall, I wrote a while back that we had lost pretty much all of our fish to the bad winter.  We kept an eye on things out there this spring and didn't see much fishy activity.  And as time went on, we only saw a few bluegills and some frogs still around there.  The neighbor boys came over one afternoon and we threw a line in just to see if there were any fish hiding anywhere else.  Upon completion of our "scientific research" we concluded that there were 6 bluegills and 1 crappie (which we caught twice), lots of tadpoles and the beginnings of a crop of pond scum (which I usually get in the spring when the farmers are fertilizing their fields). 

I treated the pond and got a handle on that, the water was clear and warmer, and it was now time to welcome new arrivals. 

So Pam and I went to the Shelby Fish Farm yesterday and purchased several bags of fish, most in the 4-6 inch range.  Our neighbors, the Seigles, gave us a gift certificate to purchase some of the fish.  The boys fish here quite often, and it is neat to watch them grow up having learned to fish and to appreciate nature.  We really appreciated their gift and used it to purchase some of this new crop.  The boys are now vested in the outcome of this stocking.

Just in case you have never been to a fish farm to purchase young fish, this is how it is done.  Here Steve, the owner of the fish farm,  takes a net full of minnows and puts them in a plastic bag for transportation.  He fills the bag with oxygen and seals it so the fish will survive the trip.















Here are some of the bags, getting ready to move to their new home.  Of course, no move would be complete without a "Howdy" from the welcoming committee, so Pam has a few words of welcome for them.

 Below are some pictures of Jarred and me as we arrived home and released the fish into their new digs. 

I know you can't see them very well, but when we released them, this one particular group of bass swam around in a circle for a while and then hit out to explore this big new place called Bailey's Harbor.

Our restocking yesterday consisted of 50 bass, 50 bluegills, 20 catfish, 3 amurs (grass carp), and about 4 pounds of minnows. Steve said the bluegills are big enough now (about 6" each) for the boys to catch (and release).  And he said the catfish might be about 8"-9" by this fall.  The bass will be about a year away before they amount to anything.  But at least we are off and running again.

We also bought some new fish food and did our first feeding.  They seemed to like it because they came up and gobbled away.

Maybe the next time our grandsons come for a visit, the fish will be just right (not too big, not too small) and they will begin to learn about fishing. 

"Carpe Diem" really means "fish all day."

Hooah

Memorial Day activities...

A few weeks ago, I was part of our VFW group who assisted in placing flags and geraniums on the graves of Veterans at the Graceland Cemetery as part of our County's observance of Memorial Day.  There were several members of our Post who helped with the cemetery activities.

The ceremonies on Memorial Day took place at the Shelby County Courthouse  where our VFW color guard participated with units from other organizations, the Boy Scouts, and various civic officials. 

There were quite a few community people there, but it was, for the most part, an older collection of folks. I wish there had been more young people attending. This is something they need to celebrate and remember and unfortunately, it seems that they aren't.  To many, this day and the sacrifices of those who secured our liberties and freedoms is nothing more than a footnote in a textbook or a three-day holiday.  Too Bad.  With the average age of the people in the color guard picture, they probably look on them and see this as strictly an old person thing.  Too Bad.  If we replaced these older people with soldiers of today's military forces, maybe they would get it.  Unfortunately, these younger soldiers are pretty much like their contemporaries -- they are not organization joiners.  Too Bad.

But, be that as it may,  the weekend was very nice, and it was a great time to charge our patriotic batteries. 

All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
(Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899)

Hooah

I guess I'm now a "Poobah"...

I don't know if this is just a local thing, but every time someone is elected to a leadership position in some organization like VFW, Kiwanis, a lodge of some kind or other, around here say they are now the "Grand Poobah."

Well, I was elected the Post Commander for the VFW Post 4239 for the 2014-15 year so I guess that now makes me a "Grand Poobah."  My year begins in July, following the state convention.  I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve Vets and their families.  Below is the picture taken at the installation of officers which was held last month.

Shown here is the current Commander, Tom Kinninger (l) with me at the installation of the 2014-15 officers.

There are three things I hope to keep in mind as I start down this road:  First -- This is something I learned a long time ago in the Army.  When you think you are a great leader, put a piece of string on a table and try pushing it in a straight line.  It won't work.  You cannot be the leader by simply pushing people.  You have to get out front and pull the string (lead) to get things in line, moving forward.  Second -- This is something I used to tell my Lieutenants ... "Lead, Follow or Get the H_ _ _ out of the Road." and Third -- (and this is an old Indian saying) "He who is about to tell the truth aught to have one foot in the stirrup."

A Leader not only sees the way and means to an end, but also knows that the end is possible.

Hooah