Where The Red Fern Grows

It has been a couple of weeks since my last dispatch. Had been up in the red dirt country trying to pursue long beard gobblers, during some of the coldest weather I have ever tried to turkey hunt in. Then back down south the rain and wind has given us fits. I have no pictures to post yet of trophy long beards, and have not even ventured forth to fish because of the brutal winds.

What I have done is get some needed upgrades to the shack, here between the swamp and the sea. I have gotten some of the garden in and it seems to be prospering. I have also had a lot of alone time to be in thought and to be thankful for this little piece of sandy heaven and all that goes with it.

I was reminded of a favorite book and movie, from my childhood entitled "Where the red fern grows". Most every young southern boy who has hunted the woods and swamps with a dog knows the tale. If you have never read the story of Big Dan and Little Ann, I highly recommend it. Although it is about two red bone hounds, it also uses an old Cherokee legend about the red fern. The legend states that a Young man and young women became lost in the woods and died due to the cold. In the spring when their bodies were found a red fern was found growing between them. This became known as a symbol of a love that could not die.

The other day I found this red fern on my little piece of sandy ground near my house. If you don't believe we are sent messages from above, then your just not opening your eyes to see the beauty around you. The message in this, when the fish don't bite and the turkeys don't gobble, stay positive and look around you never know where your red fern will be.

Captain Scotty sends.