If there is one show that Mark and I actually sit and watch together it is Survivor.  We’ve been watching since the first show aired.  I’m always amazed how most of the Survivors on the show have no idea how to provide food when they have to.  I’ve always told Mark that if there is one show that should have a hunter or fisher on it, it is this one.  To me, they would be the ultimate Survivor.  

So I thought it would be fun to have a running contest over the next several weeks.

Here are the rules:

Leave a comment that you would like to join. (First 20 are eligible.) 

After we have 20 people signed up I will put all of your names (the name you list) and the survivor’s names in alphabetical order.  You will then be assigned to that person.  I will have the list posted by 4:00 p.m. central time today.  If you have a blog, I will list your link in the post.  If your survivor gets kicked off you are out of the game.

I will post every Friday the outcome of the eliminated Survivor. 

Winner from the finale will receive a gift from me … The Hunter’s Wife.

It’s that easy.  If you have any questions, you can ask them here or send me an email at jody@thehunterswife.net. 

Check back bright and early tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned…

I was going thru some old photos and came across this picture of Mark after one of his squirrel hunting trips.  It reminded me of my Grandma and how she had lots of squirrels in her backyard.  There was one squirrel that she would feed out of her hand that she named Foxy.  When my sister and I were younger we would call Foxy out from hiding and he would come and eat. 

My Grandma was born in 1909 and grew up on a farm in Kentucky with two brothers.  When we were growing up we spent a lot of time at my Grandma’s house.  My sister and I would spend Saturday nights there so we could go to church on Sundays.  My Grandma was always properly dressed in suits or dresses, got her hair done every other week and never went out of the house without makeup on.  She was a very proper lady yet was still doing yard work, cleaning out her gutters and painting her house up into her 70’s.  The neighbors had strict orders to call my Mom if they caught her.

After Mark and I were married and he was off on one of his squirrel hunts he called to let me know he had a few squirrels for my Grandma.  I was unaware of this arrangement and I was in disbelief why she wanted them.  When it comes to certain hunting issues I always seem to ask Mark to repeat himself.  This was one of those times.  He very slowly and clearly said “Your Grandma is going to cook them and eat them.”  In the defense of Foxy I said very clearly ”No she isn’t.”  When things go wrong or bad or I feel like complaining, I call my Mother.  So I call my Mom to ask what my Grandma was doing with squirrels.  She confirmed … the frying of Foxy.     

I was mortified.   This was the proper lady that dresses up everyday and goes to church and feeds Foxy out of her hand and she is going to flour him, salt & pepper him and fry him up.  I called my Grandma and firmly stated ”You are not frying Foxy!”  She said “Well I am.”  I said in my begging bratty tone “You can’t, that is Foxy and if you do that I won’t go to church with you anymore.”   

My Grandma was a strong, independent woman that lived up until a month before her 97th birthday.  She survived the tragic death of her first husband, took care of her second husband, who in his latter years suffered from Alzheimer’s and she was a breast cancer survivor.  She had seen many historic events in her 96 years of life. 

I had always perceived her to be a “proper lady” when in fact she was a little farm girl who grew up in Kentucky and knew the sacrifices a family needed to make.   If it was putting a squirrel, chicken, rabbit or venison on the table, that is what they did.   But it wasn’t a sacrifice to her.  It was a thankful enjoyable dinner. 

Use it….

Being a part of an online community sometimes opens your eyes to issues that are happening in someone else’s backyard that aren’t happening in your own.   Serious issues that need serious attention.  One of those issues is the Mountaintop removal that is devastating hundreds of square miles of Appalachia.  Denny at The Backwoods Drifter is asking for our support with this crusade.  The Outdoor Bloggers Summit has also challenged those who would like to help spread the word, to write about it this week, February 4-8, 2008. 

If you are unfamiliar with Mountaintop Removal, as I was, this is a great link to an eight minute video that will show you the devastating impact Mountaintop Removal truly is.

ilovemountains.org - has videos and other great information.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

• Follow the links I have listed to learn about Mountaintop Removal. 
• Write a post about Mountaintop Removal.  Feel free to use any links I’ve provided.
• Write your representation and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 2169 in the 110th Congress). Albert at The Rasch Outdoors Chronicles wrote a very helpful piece called “Taking it to the House”. In his article he helps you find your 9 digit zip code, which will help you find your state representative.  He also has listed instructions on how to write and provides a sample letter for you to use.  This all can be done online.
• E-mail your family and friends to help spread the word.

This is not something happening in my backyard.  I had never heard about it until I read it on Denny’s blog.   I am shocked that this type of destruction is not a major story on our major networks.  

But we have our own voice and it is our responsibility to carry our voice.

Please take part in the ongoing effort to stop Mountaintop Removal.

Valentine’s Day is 2 weeks away and I thought some of you might need reminding.  (Mark)  With that, I wanted to make it easier for those of you searching for the perfect gift.   No need to search any further.  You can find it right here at The Hunter’s Wife.

If you look at my title bar, you will notice I added a “Products for Sale” page that has some great gift ideas.  You can get your wife the perfect mug that says “The Hunter’s Wife”, or for the hunter in your life, how about The GunTriever to keep him/her safe when hunting in a tree stand, or some fishing lures for your fishermens/fisherwomens tackle box, or the lighted pink fishing rod for your wife, girlfriend, daugher, or even your Mother. 

If you’re like me, how much easier can it get then to sit at your computer and place an order.  It would take about 5 minutes compared to 25 minutes to get to the store, 45 minutes searching for a gift, 20 minutes to stand in line, 25 minutes to get back home.  You just saved yourself about 2 hours time not to mention the gas for your car.

Head over to my “Products for Sale” and fine the perfect something for the perfect someone.