As the time slowly ticks away toward the beginning of the muzz deer hunt 2012 I look to my left and see my wife staring off into the distance with no expression at all on her face.  I just finished telling her about my conversation with Magpie about something doing with the upcoming hunt.

She does not acknowledge I have said anything.  Suddenly I realize what is happening.  It’s “the other side of the longest week” coin.  Her side.

Oh yes, it’s real.  There is more to this hunt than just my not being able to put all things into the trailer or the back of the truck.  To not be able to load the beer and ice into the cooler before Tuesday morning at 7 a.m.  To have to store a large bag of food in the freezer until it’s time to leave.

Much more.

The rifle leaning against the trim of the door.  The stack of things in the garage that must be skirted around to get to the car.  The bag of clothes with the zipper open, on top of the bedroom dresser.  The boxes and bags in the sun room, next to the door.  The lists on the counter in the kitchen.  The long extension cord stretched across the lawn from the outside plug to the trailer.  Everywhere you look  is a reminder of the upcoming event.

The conversations each night as we relax from the days scurrying around.  Me trying to accomplish “one more thing” on the list.  Something that needs to be in the trailer and I won’t need between now and then.  Her, trying her best to stay out of my way and not have to listen to my age old story of “what if I forget something”.

She is longing for the 8 a.m. hour of Tuesday to get here.  It’s a very long week indeed, but she has had to listen to this for at least two months while I prepared the camp trailer for my honored guests.  The remodel of the trailer has long been finished and yet I have another task that I think will improve upon it.  She stopped me from doing that last week and now, does she wish she hadn’t?  I would be busy outside with that and not constantly pacing up and down the stairs, to the bedroom, into the closet and out to the garage or sun room.  Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.

Well, my dear, only 4 more days, and it will be on day four, that at 8 a.m. I will give you a loving kiss goodbye and jump into the truck for the long drive to camp.  Only 4 more days.  Hell, it was 4 days ago and it was only Monday of the longest week!  What is happening?  Still 4 days to go!  Oh my God!

Bears Butt

Sept. 21, 2012