When Forgiveness Seems Impossible, Let The Hiking Trail Be Your Healer
We’ve all got something we wish we could change. Something we find hard to forgive ourselves for. Maybe it’s a poor decision that’s been made. A regret that we wish could be done over. Maybe it’s a moment where we’ve hurt someone unintentionally yet the scars and the pain continues to live on. I don’t know what it is for you but for me well, I know this pain all too well. I am not always certain how to make it go away. But what I am certain of is that the healing can be found in nature and a hiking trail is a perfect place to begin the journey.
It’s Called Life and No One Can Escape Making Mistakes
No one can escape making careless choices. It’s called life. We live it. We learn from it. And then hopefully, move on from it. If anyone tells you that they’ve never made a bad decision well they’re either lying OR they haven’t lived long enough yet.
I’ll gladly put my money down on knowing that one day, more than likely, they will probably find themselves in the same boat as we are. I pray not but chances are strong that they, too will make a regrettable decision at some point in their life. And although it’s just part of it, it does NOT have to be a life sentence. The car doesn’t have to stay in the ditch. We can get it back on the road and headed in the direction that God had us pointed in. But we’ve got to get quiet in order to hear his voice and there’s no better place to truly listen than when we’re walking alone out in nature.
In The Middle Of God’s Handiwork Is Where Healing Begins
Have you noticed how the stress level goes down when you’re in the woods on a hiking trail? It’s like the world stops and all you hear are the sounds of birds singing and squirrels barking. I love to listen to birds. Their songs are so beautiful.
I’ve always been a more visual person noticing colors instead of paying attention to the sounds in nature. But over the last several years, I don’t know, but the sounds when I’m out on hike really jump out at me. Everything seems more alive. God’s handiwork is more noticeable when I’m in the middle of it and I can’t help but be in awe.
Stop And Listen
If you stop and listen you can hear a plethora of different songbirds singing in harmony with one another. You can hear the wind waltzing from one end of nature’s ballroom to the other. Have you ever really stopped what you were doing and LISTENED to it? It begins and then it ends and then repeats itself over and over. Years ago I actually wrote a poem that included those very words all put together almost the same way. I didn’t realize it until I was sitting here typing it.
Funny how we can remember something so vividly that it leaves an impression in our souls. But that’s what nature does to us. It leaves an impression to heals us, to remind us that we are one with something bigger. Someone bigger. And it will heal us if we allow it to.
One of my favorite scriptures is Job 12:7-10 from the NIV version of the Bible. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not knowthat the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Nature Is Our Greatest Teacher
Nature is our teacher.
I’ve actually learned more about myself when I’ve been out in the woods hiking, or in a treestand hunting, or simply taking a run around a nearby lake. If we will seek Him in nature we will find our peace.
And better yet, we will find the healing that we’re longing for and that we so rightfully deserve. But we first must get quiet so that we can hear His voice and get direction for our next steps.
Those next steps He has for us might just be on a narrow path covered in dirt. And the path may very well lead to forgiveness of self, bringing with it a sense of stillness to a restless heart. We’ll never know what He has planned until we take that first step toward Him. It’s time to lace up!
What Are The Turkey Hunting Must-Haves When Preparing For Spring Turkey Season
Who else is excited that spring turkey hunting season is right around the corner? If you’re like me you’ve been getting up before sunrise listening for any gobbles in the distance. You’ve already bought your turkey tag and you’ve been practicing with your slate and box calls in preparation for opening morning. But let’s face it, no matter how organized and ready we think we are we always manage to forget something on our hunting checklists. Taking stock of your gear is key to not only seasoned hunters but especially to those beginners just getting started.
What You Need, In Addition To A Shotgun, To Get Started, Turkey Hunting
Hiking/Rubber Boots
Comfortable footwear is very important. You will be walking for long periods and in various terrains when you’re out turkey hunting. In the springtime, it’s common for there to be dew in the early morning hours so you need a boot that will be water-resistant as well as a sturdy sole and good arch.
Muck rubber boots are what I wear year-round for hunting. I’ve had the same pair for probably five years now. Although I should probably invest in a new pair, I just can’t seem to part with them.
They’ve seen it all. Every success. Every disappointment. My Mucks have stood the test of time. They are not only comfortable and reliable as far as footwear goes, but they have kept my feet warm and dry over the years so I have no intention of making a change just yet. It would be like getting rid of an old friend.
Turkey Calls
Every good turkey hunter has an arsenal of calls in their stash and if you’ve never used one you’re in for an experience. There are several different kinds to choose from and although all of them serve a purpose, each hunter ends up having a personal preference.
When I first started turkey hunting I had NEVER even so much as picked up a turkey call much less used one. I won’t lie. Learning to use them can be tricky and a little bit intimidating. But if you have someone to show you the proper technique then you’ll figure it out quickly.
There are several different kinds of calls. The ones I’m most familiar with are mouth calls, slate calls, and box calls. I will admit right off the bat that I have NOT figured out how to use a mouth call so I won’t even begin to explain that.
Our son, Jacob, is VERY good at using a mouth call. I have tried over the years and usually end in gagging and choking. Maybe one day but not today.
Slate Calls Are Easy For Beginners And My Personal Favorite
The call I use the most and LOVE using is the slate call, also known as pot call. It’s the most versatile and easiest for beginners.
Slate calls consist of a pot and a striker. The pot is made out of wood or plastic and has a slate on top made from glass or crystal. The strikers come in all different sizes and both are made from various kinds of woods. They can be reasonably priced or you can have them specially made which can get rather expensive.
The Best Way To Learn How To Use A Call Is By Watching Someone Else
My husband’s cousin, Terry, is a champion at using a slate call and he’s given me more than one lesson. Once you figure out how to hold your striker and then apply it to the slate call, you’ll be calling toms in no time.
Youtube is also a great place to find videos for learning how to use a slate call. In the early years of learning to call in a turkey, I would watch video after video after video to get the whole turkey call thing figured out.
It helps though to be in the woods and hear exactly how turkeys communicate with each other for yourself. I would spend hours watching other people. But it’s when you hear the clucks, yelps, and putting for yourself that you know what it is that you’re supposed to be mimicking. And you can put that into practice.
Box Calls Are Effective For Calling In Turkeys
The box call is another effective call for calling in turkeys. It’s made out of wood and it creates friction from sliding the lid across the surface of the box. Box calls are convenient because everything you need is right there together. They can get VERY loud, depending on the pressure you apply and can be heard from great distances. They’re great for beginners.
Because they are so compact they can easily move around in your hunting vest and create sound while walking to your hunting spot. I generally take my ponytail holder and wrap around the end to keep the call from sliding around and making noise. It’s happened more than once. I’ve been walking to where I’m going to hunt and the call has screeched in my vest scaring off potential turkeys close by.
Turkey Hunting Vest
A turkey hunting vest is one of those things that you don’t think you need but once you use one you’ll never go without. They serve many purposes and are a must for spring turkey season.
I’ll just tell you first and foremost the thing I love the most about having a turkey hunting vest is the fact that it’s got a cushion built right into it.
Turkey Hunting Vests Make The Best Seats
Yes!!! If you’re a seasoned hunter or just beginning you’ve got to know that during turkey season you will be forced to sit in some uncomfortable places. Rocks, old dead logs, and rough ground. Your butt and back will hurt like crazy and you’ll be wishing for comfort. With a hunting vest, you won’t have to wish. It will come right along with you and you won’t even know it’s attached.
Another perk to the hunting vest is that you’ve got compartments for days. Hidey holes for your calls, extra bullets, gloves, strikers, and so much more. It’s a little like packing your suitcase for travel only instead you’ve got your hunting gear arsenal all in one place to root through as needed.
It fits like a vest and is lightweight. It sounds like it might be cumbersome but it’s very comfortable and nonbinding. It’s one of my favorite gear purchases. If you don’t have one, you NEED one!
Camouflage Clothing: A Must For Turkey Hunting
Turkeys Have Keen Eyesight
Turkeys have very keen eyesight. They don’t miss a beat when it comes to seeing any sort of movement. It’s not only vital but crucial that you make sure you are as well hidden as possible. Camouflage clothing is the best defense for good coverage.
Although there are different patterns of camo, during the springtime when everything is GREEN “Realtree” is the best choice for buying hunting clothes. It’s the closest thing to the colors in the woods this time of year, therefore allowing you to blend into your surroundings.
Coverage Counts
Coverage is so important when you are hunting turkeys. From the top of your head to the tips of your boots, you need to be covered. No skin showing! At all!
I always wear long sleeves and pants that I can tuck into my Muck boots. Although coverage is key, make sure that your turkey hunting clothes are comfortable as well. There is nothing worse than sitting down beside a tree and having the waistband of your pants searing into your gut. It makes for a LOOOOOOOOONG day of hunting.
Turkey Hunting Mask and Gloves
In addition to making sure your complete body is covered, your face is one of the most important body parts that you need to address. Our faces have a constant movement that we don’t realize. From blinking to licking our lips to wiggling our noses, we just can’t help not sitting completely still.
Face Masks Keep Turkeys From Seeing Your Movement
A couple of turkey seasons ago I hunted by myself at the back of our property. I hunkered down in some weeds and had leaned against a tree. I might add that calling in a turkey for yourself is hard and a skill I have not yet mastered. So trying to maneuver a turkey call AND hold my gun was nothing less than a challenge.
The tom was coming into the call perfectly and so my adrenaline was racing. With every scratch on the slate call his “gobble, gobble, gobble” got closer. I was excited to say the least. To call in my own bird AND bag this tom was going to be victorious.
The Moral To The Story Is To ALWAYS Wear Your Face Mask and Gloves
This is the point of the story where I emphasize just how keen a turkey’s eyesight is. As I sat there anxiously waiting for the tom to show himself, I heard the smallest of sounds to my right. Of course, reflexes took over and my head instantly spun around to see what was making that sound. A hen! And she busted me immediately which led to the tom taking off back into the direction from which he was coming.
Mad at myself is an understatement because I wasn’t wearing my face mask or my gloves and I knew better. I had gotten hot and decided that I was in ample cover that nothing would be able to spot me that low in the weeds.
Wrong!!
I was just at the right height of the hen and she spotted me almost instantaneously.
Even though we tend to focus on jackets and pants for coverage, our heads, faces, and hands are just as important if not more so. Remember, it’s your hands that will be holding the gun when you get ready to pull the trigger. Turkeys see EVERYTHING, even your hands. So make sure you are properly covered.
Sawyer’s Insect Repellant For Ticks and Chiggers
The last essential that I would deem as important is insect repellant. I don’t know about you but the only REAL downside to being in the woods is TICKS and CHIGGERS. Well, and SNAKES! I do hate snakes, any and all of them. I don’t even care about the argument regarding black snakes killing mice. Don’t try and convince me otherwise because I’m too old to change my mind on that one.
When You Find A Good Insect Repellant Stick With It
For our family, we use Sawyer’s for keeping those pesky ticks away. We’ve found over the years that it works the best for repelling ticks, chiggers, and whatever other insects we might run into. Scent control really isn’t an issue during turkey season so using an insect repellant is perfectly fine but it’s important to use one that is effective. Sawyer’s is the only one we will use.
Hunting turkeys in the springtime is one of the most fun things we do as a family and we look forward to it every year. After a long winter, it’s always inviting to get back out into the woods to get back to what we love to do…HUNT!
Whether it be hunting wild morel mushrooms that are just popping up or trekking around for old turtle shells, our family loves to be in the woods. Spring turkey season is definitely a favorite! And when that time rolls around you can bet that we will have our turkey hunting essentials packed and ready to go. Turkey hunting success comes when you are adequately prepared. Having the essential tools on hand will help you call in and successfully harvest a turkey.
It Is Possible To Prepare Deer Meat In A Way That Wildgame Haters Will Love It
Deer meatloaf is one of those dishes that you either really love or really dislike. Actually deer or venison, in general, is something that you either like to eat or you absolutely hate with your whole heart. It’s a little like politics and religion. You choose a side and then you stand on it.
My mother made the BEST meatloaf of anyone. Although she would have NEVER used deer meat. However, because she did make the best meatloaf it stands to reason that I would follow in her footsteps and make the second-best. Mine, though, is hers resurrected. And it’s tweaked with minimal changes with the biggest difference of meat choice. Ground Chuck vs. Ground Deer Burger!
I consider myself to be a good cook just like her. However, when you’re trying to convince a person to try a new recipe it can sometimes be tricky. That being said if you’re trying to convince a “deer meat hater” to try something you’ve cooked you’ve got your work cut out for yourself.
I should know because although I am surrounded by family members that live and breathe to eat anything that includes deer meat, I’ve also got family and friends that refuse to even TOUCH it. I mean absolutely REFUSE to even TRY it.
Deer Meat Is For Even The Pickiest Eaters If Prepared Right
I mean to tell you that I have done everything I know to do to convince them that it truly tastes good. Actually, in some cases, it tastes better than beef. But they hold fast to their misconceptions. And lay down the law that they will NOT ever, and I repeat EVER eat, much less even try one single solitary bite of deer meat.
I’ve even gone so far as to threaten that “one day when you’re starving to death you will surely come knocking on my door for food and I all I’ll have is deer meat. What are you going to do then?”
I have a sister-in-law who assures me that she would die of starvation before she would ever put one bite in her mouth.
I’m waiting for that day and I hope to live to see it. Because I KNOW that when you’re hungry, and I mean really HUNGRY, you WILL eat whatever is there in front of you. And that includes deer meat.
Which brings me to the point of this post.
I have many recipes up my sleeve when it comes to wild game but one I am most proud of and one that I’ve tweaked over the years is my Deer Meatloaf, otherwise known as Venison Meatloaf.
It’s simple to fix and I promise you that your family will request it again and again.
Deer Meatloaf is a family favorite
Just a couple of months ago I had a spurt of energy and decided that I would make one of our sons and his wife a meatloaf for supper. They had just had a baby and I thought it would make things a little easier for them not having to worry about fixing dinner.
Well when our youngest son heard I was making meatloaf for the middle son, well then HE wanted one also. So, okay, now I’ll make TWO.
No problem. I’ll just thaw out ANOTHER pound of deer burger. No big deal.
There’s always a chain reaction no matter what you do. When our second oldest son found out I was making the middle and the youngest sons their own meatloaves, well you can guess what transpired next.
Yep, you guessed it. Another son. Another thawed pound of deer burger. And another meatloaf. I was hoping I had enough crackers and eggs. Thank God I did.
I did make three meatloaves that day. And everyone was happy. But it just proves that when you have a recipe everyone loves, they will request it over and over and truly never get tired of it.
My Deer Meatloaf Recipe is one of those recipes. Your family will make you pull it out time and time again, and although you will get sick of making it, your family won’t. And nothing would make me happier than if you would let me share it with you.
Deer Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients:
1lb ground deer burger
1.5 sleeves of crushed saltine crackers
1 Cup diced green pepper
1 Cup diced onion
2 eggs
Barbeque sauce
Ketchup
Garlic salt, salt, pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
In large bowl, and I mean LARGE, mix burger, onion, green pepper, crackers, eggs, and seasonings together. Put in a couple of squirts (big) of bbq sauce and ketchup.
There’s no easy way to do it but to get your hands right in there and mix it thoroughly.
Shape it and place it in a glass Pyrex dish sprayed with Pam. I usually put a cup of water in the dish with the uncooked meatloaf for moisture. It keeps the meatloaf moist while cooking.
I am told that my meatloaf is the moistest, so listen to me. I’m an expert on this subject. Not really. But through trial and error, I have learned how to make moist meatloaf. Yours won’t be dry and you’ll be glad you did it like that.
Back for an hour.
After 40 minutes take a cup and a half of bbq sauce and brush on top of the meatloaf and let it continue backing for the remaining 20 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting.
Voila!! Yummy! Mash up some potatoes. Throw a little gravy and green beans with it and you’ve got supper.
The extra work will be worth it
Deer meatloaf is a little time consuming with the preparation of cutting the green peppers and onions. Crushing the crackers can be a pain too but you’ll have leftovers to eat on the next day. We make deer meatloaf sandwiches out of what’s left for lunch the following day and grab some potato chips as a side.
No matter what time of day you decide to eat it, your family will thank you and you’ll find that even the ones who don’t like meatloaf will end up having a change of heart on the subject.
And if you’re really lucky you’ll convert an “anti-deer-meat-eater” to join you for a plate of fresh-baked deer meatloaf. If they do, I promise they’ll be back for seconds.
Trail Mix Recipe That Is Not Only Easy But Consists of Just Four Ingredients
Who doesn’t LOVE to eat when they’re out hiking? Or better yet, who could pass up on grabbing a handful of trail mix when the bowl is being passed around? I know that my will power is extremely weak when it comes to M & M’s, peanuts, raisins, and almonds. If there’s a bowl of trail mix within arm’s reach I’m grabbing some.
Whenever my husband goes hiking with me, he’s the official “back-pack carrier.” He’s an eating machine and complains when I don’t pack enough snacks. That’s really the only reason he wants to carry the backpack.
It’s NOT out of love. It’s out of needing to be able to access the food quickly and easily. And whenever his stomach growls.
Therefore I generally pack plenty including several bottles of water, tuna packets, cheese and crackers, and…MY HOMEMADE HAPPY HIKERS TRAIL MIX!
It’s a favorite for us and I want to share it with you!
What You Need to Make Happy Hikers Trail Mix Recipe
It’s really very simple and inexpensive to make. All you need are these four ingredients:
2 Cups of M &M’s (any kind) 1 Cup of Roasted and Salted Almonds 1 Cup of Raisins 2 Cups of Planters Peanuts
That’s it!!!
Just combine all four of those ingredients into a Rubbermaid airtight container and mix thoroughly. You’re good to go!
When we’re out hiking I keep our Happy Hikers Trail Mix in a ziplock bag inside my backpack. I haven’t tested it in extreme heat yet so I’m not sure if the chocolate candies will melt. We’ve hiked mostly in the mountains but so far we haven’t had any chocolately messes.
I will say this, it’s addictive. I made a batch to write this post and I’ve stopped to go into the kitchen multiple times to shove handfuls in my mouth. My husband is in Denver at the moment with his railroad job and I can honestly say that I don’t know if there will be any left when he gets home. We’ll see. There will either be some left in the glass bowl OR I’ll be sick from eating too much.
My money is on a stomach ache.
Regardless, this protein-packed hiking snack is perfect to not only take on the trail with you but it’s also a great snack to make for your grand littles when they come for a visit. It’s easy to make and very inexpensive. It takes literally minutes.
Little hands love bite-sized snacks and Mimi’s Happy Hikers Trail Mix Recipe is a hit on the trail AND off.
I don’t know about you but I love springtime. I guess maybe I should say that by the end of winter I’m “ready” for spring. There’s just something about spending four months being COLD that welcomes those torrential spring rains and the endless mowing that will soon follow.
You can’t have the rainbow without the rain and you can’t have new growth without spring showers.
I have always equated spring with new beginnings. Springtime is when the world wakes back up from its hibernation. It goes to sleep from around early December and then awakens from its slumber in March.
That’s when the magic happens. The moment when a new life emerges.
Turkey season is a hunting season like no other and what makes it even greater is that it signals the onset of spring.
There’s nothing that makes my heart leap faster than to go out on my deck first thing in the morning and hear that “gobble, gobble, gobble” in the distance.
That sound, alone, is the epitome of a new season coming on. A tom gobbling to find his “woman” is one of my favorite sounds EVER! If you’ve never experienced sitting in the woods, calling in a turkey, you are clearly missing out.
Spring wakes up your senses.
It’s about new sounds, new smells, and witnessing all the new colors that are slowing unfolding. It’s like taking a drink of an ice cold glass of water on a really hot day. It’s refreshing and it’s the beginning of something beautiful.
The beginning of anything is just like that. Whenever you start something, whether it be a new job, a new goal, or even a new relationship, it’s kind of the same. That feeling you get when something, or someone, is new quenches your thirsty soul.
I can’t imagine a better time to begin anything new than to start it in the spring. The weather is perfect. Everything is coming back to life. It just feels right to dive right into something different when everything around us is beginning to grow.
Trees are beginning to bud. Baby birds are in their nests just waiting to spread their wings and learn to fly. The grass in our yards is growing at an alarming rate from the seasonal rain that’s been dumped from the sky. Even those little yellow daffodils are popping up in groves around the timber’s edge. Everything is in motion of new growth.
Shouldn’t we be also?
I don’t know about you but springtime inspires me. The outside temperatures are warm enough that you don’t have to wear a jacket. Yet, it’s cool enough during this time of year that you can still be outside without gasping for air. I hate the air conditioning and would leave my windows open all year round if I could get away with it.
I suppose that it’s the reason that spring is one of my most favorite seasons. I guess if we break it down we only have FOUR to choose from. And I suppose another reason would be is because it comes right after the snowy cold season of winter. And I HATE being cold.
If you’re like me, the beginning of anything is easy. It’s the staying with it that’s the hard part. I am the starter of many projects and although I’ve completed many, I can also be a procrastinator. Give me a good book and I’ll get to Chapter 3 and slap a book marker in it. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll pick it up and finish it. I said MAYBE! Yes, I am one of THOSE people.
I don’t know about you but my mind tells me that NOW would be a great time to begin something. ANYTHING! Although it’s not under the best of circumstances we’ve been given a lot of TIME to get started on whatever goals and projects we choose. It’s the PERFECT time to self motivate and just BEGIN.
If the sound of birds chirping and the smell of that springtime air don’t inspire me, or you to DO SOMETHING new, I honestly don’t know what can.
With this COVID-19 in our faces every minute of every day I can’t think of any place better to be than outside taking in all things “spring.” It will be gone before we know it and then we’ll wish we would have spent more time enjoying it.
Go out and take a BIG, DEEP breath and breathe in this beautiful springtime day. Get up before the sun comes up this week and step outside to see if you can hear a gobble or two. I bet you can!
And begin something new this week. Something you’ve been afraid to try, just take that one step toward it. The rest will follow. But take that first step this week. There’s no better time than right now. No excuses, just action.
It’s spring! New growth is all around us and the perfect time to begin a “new” thing. So let’s begin and GROW right along with nature.
