Parker Pages

Harold Pickens · 12-24-2013, 03:09 PM

Woke up Christmas Eve morning to 2 whining setters wanting to go outside. I had hoped to sleep in until 7:00, but got up at 6:00. A pot of coffee, a plate of Christmas cookies, and the new Parker Pages awaited.
Mills, do not let anyone give you grief about taking young Mills hunting. I have few memories of my father, but most involve me tagging along hunting with him--rabbits, pheasant, and squirrels. He died when I was but 8 yrs old of the big C. He was on his death bed that Christmas, when he gave me a Daisy BB gun. Although he could not get out of bed, he made me memorize and recite the Daisy rules of safe shooting before I could take my new treasure outside. We lived on a 200 acre dairy farm, so I had lots of room to roam.
He actually stopped breathing that day, but they were able to revive him and he lived but a few days more. I have fond memories of that day as he tried to instill proper gun handling and safety in me. My younger brother has few memories of our father, as he was only 2.
Mills, your son will treasure that time with you. My son is 25, and just took a new position of head tennis pro back home where I live. He wants to go hunting during the muzzle loader season on my farm in Ohio, so he will carry my muzzle loader and I will "bird dog" around the farm hoping to move something to him. I cant wait.

Merry Christmas to all my new Parker friends.
Harold

Mills · 12-24-2013, 04:20 PM

Thanks for the kind words Harold. Both of my boys love hunting and some of my best memories with them are out in the woods, field or marsh. Hope to have many more.

wayne goerres · 12-24-2013, 08:20 PM

Those boys will learn some valuable lessons even at their age. Even at a young age they can learn to stay quiet and still along with gaining an appreciation for the out doors. Keep them hunting mills they will thank you for it later.

Larry the Gun Guy · 12-25-2013, 10:34 AM

As they say; if you hunt with them you won't have to hunt for them.......

OH Osthaus · 12-25-2013, 10:48 AM

thanks for the wonderful yet sad Christmas story Harold.

other than my lovely wife and some great kids - one of the things I have most been thankful for in life is having been blessed with a hero of a Dad, still around at 88. I started tagging along with him in the woods when I was 8, he had to stop bird hunting with me at 82 when a doctor killed him, he was brought back by another and emergency surgery saved him, but he's not been up to a hunt since.

Mills - keep it up.

Merry Christmas all