FIRST OF ALL: Let me say how much I have enjoyed this site and enjoyed the opportunity of
being one of the moderators on this site. I have enjoyed the exchange of ideas and the discussions
which have given so much knowledge.
I want to thank Tom (Bogmaster) for accepting the position of moderator and know he will do a super
job. I hope everyone will support him as I know they will.
I have a number of folks to say a SPECIAL "Thank you" to. Asa, you have been a wonderful help
and have provided so much to the site. RdFx; I am proud to have been able to "meet" you-- at least on
this forum and thank you for your inspiration (and the maple syrup :grin: ). To the Wackyquacker: well, what can I say! :twisted: your
good hearted teasing and gigging has been a blast! To Newt: sorry you didn't get your PINK TRUCK
but that is the way the cookie crumbles! HA! To Mallard: Hang in there man! You have provided me
with a lot of interesting emails and stories. You are a consumate trapper (pretty good at mink also :lol: ).
I know there are some folks that I am leaving out and I apologize for that. I want to thank EVERY
MEMBER of this forum for making it what it is and I feel very honored and proud to have gotten to
know some of you.
SECONDLY: Yes, I am having some rather serious health problems. PLEASE-- I WANT NO SYMPATHY
or expect any. I really don't want to go into a lot of detail but just wanted to give a little word of
explanation. Due to the health, I have had to close my businesses and will no longer be buying furs
or skulls. My wife has graciously agreed to dispose of my remaining inventory by helping me sell
what is left and that is a big chore for her. I do want to spend as much time with my wife, children,
and grandchildren as possible now.
NOW: Can I get on my soapbox for a minute?
I would like to explain the benefits of smoking!! After 40 plus years, I think I have become an expert.
So I think I can speak about the benefits with some authority. As a foolish man, I used to make light
of the fact that the scientific and medical community stated that smoking would take 7 years off a
person's life. I made the flippant comment that it would be the last 7 years and they probably wouldn't
be worth a dang anyway. Now, those 7 years seem so very important. Anyway, now to the benefits
of smoking.
1. Not being able to walk 100 yards without having to stop and rest -- Benefit--- plenty of time to reflect
on just how stupid I was to ever start this habit.
2. Having to give up trapping, selling off the things you really enjoyed the most, just because there is
not enough strength to lift a 5 gallon bucket with a few traps and equipment in it. - Benefit-- more
money to pay for doctors, medicines, and trying to tie up loose ends before it is to late.
3. Going to bed in 60 degree window open weather and not being able to breath very well so sleep
even comes hard. Benefit-- More time to think about what will happen to the ones you love once
you are gone.
The list could go on and on but I think you get the idea. If I could physically meet any of you who might
have started smoking or who smoke, I would gladly get on my knees and BEG you to quit. Not for my
sake, but for your sake!! Please, I AM begging you. It is not worth it.
Again, I want NO PITY and am not saying this for any other reason than to try and encourage some of
you to stop smoking. I am 56 years old ( I know, some of you thought I was much older :eek: ) and have
no one to blame but myself.
HOWEVER, I have had a very good life in that I spent many years trapping and had a wife who understood
that it was a love of my life and put up with me and was supportive for over 35 years that we have
been married.
If you and I never get to meet in person, perhaps we will be able in some future life and time, to meet
on our traplines and camps and visit. But be very careful, I might get some tips from you and beat
you out on taking fur. I have always felt that somewhere in the great beyond, there is a special place
for trappers. The fur is thick and always prime. No trap thieves. So many animals, that everyone gets a shed full and
there aren't enough stretchers to put it all on. In that special place, I hope to meet all of you and we
can share some great stories. May God richly bless each and every one of you and may you live long and trap all your years. :wink:
I'll try and stop by this forum as I can.
I can't thank all you enough for the experience I have recieved from this forum. THANK YOU ALL.
The Rascal
