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Show Notes: 57 – Pranks at Work and Other Fun Stuff I love pranks and tend to do a lot of them on friends and family. One of my favorite targets is my friend “Wis”. I probably pick on him a little too much but it just shows how much I love him. He is a great guy and a good sport. In this episode I talk about some of the pranks I have pulled at work and with coworkers. I am fortunate that I work for a smaller company where such things are still sort of tolerated to a point. Many of the places I have worked in the past would have fired me and the staff for some of the pranks we have pulled so I am thankful I work in a place that still has a sense of humor. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 56 Find the Adventures Wherever You Go – Off the Beaten Path From my personal experiences I believe that everyone likes things for different reasons. Just because someone we know had a good experience at a restaurant or business or adventure doesn't mean you will. You may have the exact same experience and not enjoy it because of your personal tastes and preferences. Does it mean that it is a bad thing or just bad for you. Sometimes we go on adventures that don’t turn out the way we want but you can still find joy and fun in the little things. This podcast talks about some tips and tricks I like to use when traveling and I urge you to do the same. Find the little mom and pop places, support the local business, and avoid the cliché experience for the one that leaves a lasting impression on you and those you are around! Our Recommendation for fishing around Bradenton and Anna Marie Island: https://www.onamissionfishing.com/ Capt. Taylor Cowieson Our Recommendation for fossil hunting: https://fossilhuntingtours.com/  with Fred Mazza Place we finally were able to buy a 3 day fishing license:  Academy Sports & Outdoors #363 7125 SR 64 E BRADENTON, FL 34212 (941) 9419510 Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 55 Being an Adventure Grandpa – Adventures with Kane While I could not have any children, I have been blessed to have 5 amazing step-kids from 2 different marriages. In turn they have all gotten married and/or moved on in life. I currently have 5 grandchildren with one on the way. While I wish that they all lived close enough to spend more time with them, I do have 2 that live here in town with me. Kane is 4.5 years old and is my little partner in crime. We get into some trouble, but I love sharing things with him and teaching him about the world around us. We have a lot of fun adventures and I hope that he continues to have adventures throughout his life and with his own kids/grandkids someday.  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: Mistakes are made; Changes happen. Some lose hope, others push forward a sense of purpose. Be the change and the hope you want to see in the world. Do not let things beyond your control change the person you want to become. Find the joys in life and be happy where you are with what you have. I am not saying to be content if you don’t want to be, but avoid the thought that your happiness is dependent on others, things, or when “blank” happens. Here are some of the quotes from this podcast: "We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope." - Martin Luther King Jr. (attributed)  "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." - Albert Einstein  "But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” — Martin Luther King, Jr. Norman Schwarzkopf was a Commander-in-Chief of the US Central Command during the Gulf War. He told a story about an early mentor of his, a general in the Army. There was a decision in regard to the politics of the war that had to be made. The importance of this decision was 10 years of history going back and forth with the pentagon to decide which direction the Army would take. This decision would affect the structure of the Army and there was a meeting of some of the highest-ranking officials. In this meeting there were stacks of documents and technical explanations on the probable outcomes of the two directions the Army was choosing between. In the meeting the general stated, “The answer is obvious, gentlemen” And he told them the way they would proceed. Afterwards, Schwarzkopf was confused. He knew there was no way that this general could have read or understood all the information.  Schwarzkopf, who was a lower ranking officer at this time asked his mentor, “There is so much information here, there’s so much to consider, no one’s really going to know for sure. How the hell could you just make that decision like that?” The general replied, “This has been a decision that no one’s been willing to make for 10 years. The best minds have been on it and they can’t decide, so you know what? We need to pick one and do it. Decisions are power and I’m here to make them. That’s what I’m in this position for. That’s why I’m a leader.” Schwarzkopf asked, “What if your wrong?” The General replied, “If I’m wrong, we’ll find out quicker, and if I’m right the job will be done” Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories! Support the show

Show Notes: I’ll never understand how the youth can have the same girlfriend or boyfriend for the entire time they are in school. I always used dating as a means to meet new people and learn what you like and dislike and to find a compatible person to marry. In today’s society, to go out on multiple dates each time with a different person, is not the norm. All the youth I interact with through the youth I teach in church to those I hire in the retail industry all think it is weird. They do however ask for dating ideas. This podcast gives you a couple. I think dating adventures and fun experiences should be normalized again. Meet more people and learn about yourself. Learn what excites you and find that perfect person to create your team and partner. This needs to continue when you are in a relationship or married. Remember it isn’t just for dating but to continue to do forever.  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 52 New Year and New Fish to be Caught Crazy how fast we age and life moves on. In this episode I discuss breaking down and buying a pair of reading glasses. Things change and so do all of us. I love spending time on the water and in the garden. I like working hard and spending time chasing new fish. Tying flies has always been something I enjoy. One of my favorite authors is John Gierach, his books are favorites of mine. If you have a minute listen or read a couple of them.  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 51 Teaching Youth and Critical Thinking to Form Your Own Opinions The youth are still amazing, and I look forward to seeing what they are able to accomplish. As a Gen Xer I was able to live during a time of no internet and mass information, through the transition and I continue to live in this new world where everything is at our fingertips. Many lament the life of the children of today while I am excited. In this podcast I share my feelings about screen time for the youth and what I feel we have lost as a society. Some of the hardest lessons I have learned in life have been in the out of doors. Learning and using the internet and all the media we have is wonderful, but it still doesn’t replace spending time with the youth and children outside. I have been blessed in my life to teach many people in outdoor situations. Some things just can’t be understood until you are in the moment.  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: I started to see a trend the last couple weeks while guiding this summer. Sometimes People are so intent on forcing the experience to happen a certain way that when it doesn’t, they feel like they have failed. Bad casts catch fish, not paying attention to the fly losses fish, not rolling with punches steals the joy. Embrace the chaos and enjoy the day. And when someone tries to help you, let them. If you don’t then you are denying the person, the ability to be helpful. But if you want to do things on your own, that is fine. Just be prepared for the consequences  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: It has been a great start to the summer fly fishing season. I absolutely love to fish the high mountain streams for trout. This podcast I talk about fly fishing and why the high mountains are some of my favorite places to fish and enjoy.  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: Nancy and I just recently returned home from our 10th anniversary trip to North Carolina. We fished at some great places and had an amazing time visiting with friends and exploring a place we had not been to yet.  We stayed in Maggie Valley near Asheville and had a wonderful time fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, some local waters, and the Cherokee Nation. We both caught our first Southern Appalachian brook trout. It was a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend going out and fishing around Asheville!  The guys at the Rivers Edge Outfitters shop got us all set up to fish around Cherokee.  https://www.wncfishing.com/  The team at Tuckaseegee Fly Shop (Tuck Fly Shop) were also outstanding and gave Nancy and I all the info we needed. Remember to always buy stuff when getting information at fly shops. I tend to get a dozen flies and some local fly shop stickers!  https://www.tuckflyshop.com/ Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: This past week one of the people I have admired in the YouTube realm decided to hang it up for a while perhaps forever. His departure was sad for me, but I understand why. Doing podcasts and YouTube videos is very time consuming and if you don’t have a LOT of followers and subscribers you pay for everything. I do this because I love it. I recently found out that if you add links to things like Amazon for products you use you can get a small commission if people buy the item. I added a couple to some of my most recent short videos. Not to get rich or to have people think I sold out, but to try and offset the costs of what I am trying to do.  All I want you to get out of my videos and podcasts is entertainment and knowledge. I have said for a long time, my ways are not the only way and that if you are having fun you are doing it right. Rest assured I will never promote any product I don’t use. I get discounts on a lot of items and brands because of my retail job during the off season. I am also offered a variety of guide discounts through various companies. I take advantage of that when it is possible. My lifestyle and job is not inexpensive. To be able to do the hobbies I have costs money. I pay a lot for the monthly items for this podcast and my YouTube channel. I have yet to receive any compensation. I would love to get advertising compensation from the channels or even a small commission on things my followers buy but I will not sell out to rep brands or products that I do not have faith and believe in.  Feel free to reach out when you have questions about my gear or items. I will be honest with a good, bad, or ugly review. Again, my way isn’t the only way. Lots of companies make great gear. I use what I like to use. I change if I think something is better. I just want to have the best chance to succeed in the jobs and hobbies I love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your listening and watching. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 46 Guiding a Late Season Muzzle Loader Elk Hunt – A Great Way to End My 2024 Season What started out as a slow hunt turned out to be amazing in the end. We chased elk on a multiple of ranches. 2 guides and 2 hunters. The few elk we were able to find in their post rut recovery areas kept giving us the slip. After bouncing around and not getting a shot during the 5 day hunt my hunter opted to fly home and the other guide had to leave for a Colorado hunt. I offered to guide one more day since it was the last day of the season. I am glad I did! It was a much better way to end the 2024 guide season. If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 45 Learning to Cope with Life and Death – Raising Chickens and Guiding for Money Life and death are parts of life and not so much a beginning and an end to me. I have struggled a bit being a guide for big game. Taking money to help people kill has always caused reflection. There are right and wrong answers, and you may agree or disagree with what I do. When taking a life I feel sorrow. Sometimes I feel the sorrow more profoundly than others. I will attempt in this podcast to explain what I go through.  The world in which I live in the United States has been for the most part removed from the death of animals. Many people are still very involved in the gathering of their own meat. Depending on how this is done can be difficult for people who have not had a lot of experience with death. I feel people would be much better off if they were more connected to nature and death. Predators are abundant and just doing what they do. Growing up I raised and hatched chickens. I had some difficult times as a kid having to put down injured birds and seeing the destruction of predators on animals I raised.  I enjoy having clients who appreciate animals and the pursuit. I had an amazing experience with Mark during an archery elk hunt this past fall. It is stories like this that take clients into the realm of friends.  If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!   Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Our Scotland/Ireland Adventure! Day 1: Flew to Edinburgh, rented a car and stayed at an Air BnB (hotel) near Falkirk, Scotland. It had a pub attached so we ate there. Nothing fancy. Day 2: We drove to Inverness by way of Stonehaven so we could see the Dunnottar Castle. On our way to Alcaig, Scotland we stopped at Gannets https://www.gannetslaurencekirk.co.uk/ We highly recommend eating here. Amazing people and food! Day 3: Today we fished with You Fish Scotland https://youfishscotland.com/ Day 4: We left the Inverness area and drove to Oban. We stopped at Loch Ness on the way and saw Urquhart castle and stopped at the Drum Farm Gallery Gift Shop. I love getting artisan type items when I travel, and we got a couple great pottery pieces here for our kitchen. Then we went to the Barcaldine castle where we had a reservation for the Caithness Room. Love, love, loved it. https://barcaldinecastle.co.uk/  Day 5: We headed to take a trip with West Coast Railways on the Jacobite Train. More commonly known as Hogwarts Express. Day 6: After shed hunting and mud larking, we drove to Cromlix where our next Air BnB was located. Day 7: We drove to a little farm near Balquidder to meet up with Darren and make our very own silver rings. It was the highlight of our trip. Unfortunately, we did a poor job of filming and have only a pic of the rings. https://www.darrenrice.co.uk/product/silver-ring-making-workshop-in-scotland/ Day 8: We went to see an old library and had a tour and saw some amazing first editions.  Day 9:Flew to Cork, Ireland. We met with Glenda Powell with the Blackwater Salmon Fishery. We spent the morning fishing for Atlantic Salmon, and I caught my first and only salmon of the trip. Nancy was learning how to 2 hand cast with Glenda and they had a great day. Highly recommended! Book with Glenda, you will have a ball. https://blackwatersalmonfishery.com/  We booked an Air BnB on the southern coast of Ireland near Clonakilty. It was spectacular. Day 10: Started out heading to Cork to fish again on the river Blackwater. Then we headed back to Clonakilty and hiked and fished along the cliffs where we could.  Day 11: We did a bit of shopping and we both would like to come back to Ireland again. We didn’t spend enough time here.  Day 12: Flew back to Edinburgh and stayed in a tiny house in the countryside near Perth. It was so pretty and quiet. A fantastic little spot. We did a little antiquing and Nancy got to feed some highland cows (coos). It was wonderful. Day 13: We decided to do a touristy thing and went to the National Wallace Memorial. We are very glad we did.  Day 14:  Always sad going home but it was also great. This trip we decided that more than 7 days is too long for us.  If you have a chance to go you should! I loved our trip.  If you are enjoying the stories and the podcast, I would really appreciate a 5 star review and please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories!  Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads Support the show

Show Notes: 43 A Life of Art, Painting, Drawing, Woodworking, Decoys, Knife Making, Fly Tying, and More Locations: Everywhere I have been and ongoing  1970’s to Present From my youngest moments I have been an artist. My Grandpa Dean and Grandma Betty were both skilled oil painters. I began true art training with them. My love grew for charcoals and pencil art in high school, and I was blessed to be the visual art Sterling Scholar. This led me to courses in college I don’t think I would have taken otherwise but it changed how I view the world and spaces in it. I continued studying and practicing art on my own for many years before falling into decoy carving and learning to paint realistic color on a non-flat surface. The learning curve was harsh and now I have returned to flat art and color and oil painting because why not continue to learn and grow. Once again, I have found peace in my mind through an art and I love the creative process. I think I may jump into paining decoys with oils now just to see how I like it. I can always paint over it and start over if I want. Like Bob Ross says, “You can do anything you want in your world.” Art is my world… I would love to connect with you all at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!  Thank you and go live your stories! Original episode artwork created by Scott Simkins. Music Courtesy  of Unicorn Heads and used with Permission: Sunshine on Sand; Performed by Unicorn Heads   Support the show