Just stuff

[Bill Murphy]

Old "hunting stuff" is hard to let go. My collection includes my grandfather's Lefever, several pictures of him and my dad in hunting themes, two of my grandfather's police style dog whistles that go way back. My grandfather was born in 1856, died in 1929, so his "stuff" goes way back. His Lefever pigeon gun was made in 1887. I also have a collection of collars and tags from every setter or pointer that has ever been a member of my family since my first Irish Setter, born in 1948 when I was two years old. Recently, I finally let go of an expensive set of chest waders to a shooting buddy, no charge. I am smart enough to know that these waders could get me killed in my debilitated physical condition, so they went away. I have my dad's Jones hat and unfortunately, it doesn't quite fit me. I have not had the heart to sell any of his remaining bird guns, although one was sold shortly after his death. There is no one to care for this stuff or any of my stuff, so I guess it will be sold or given to someone when I am gone. I guess you guys will be first in line. Murphy

[Bill Jolliff]

I agree wholeheartedly with everything said above about "your stuff", especially your old stuff that has become part of you and not likely to be easily replaced with something else.

I'd like to share my story of my L. L. Bean Maine Guide boots pictured below. I got them 48 years ago this month. They are on their 4th set of lowers replaced by Bean in Maine. The last time the cost was about $40.00 because they had to add some leather to stitch the new rubber bottoms to. They said they probably could not replace the lowers any more. That's OK, I'm 81 and not too likely to wear the bottoms out again but I'll try.

And as an alternative, they offered me a new set of boots at no charge instead of replacing the lowers. Nope, I wanted my old ones.

Those lacings I use are parachute cord. Works good.

A good friend of mine who I did a lot of hunting and fishing with died last month. As a tribute to him and the many times we hunted grouse together, I wore those boots to his memorial service.

Ah, yes, our treasured stuff.

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