Another season in the books.

Once again I am done guiding hunters and fisherman for the year. I find myself relieved and ready for a break. Thankfully I have not had many days off for the last seven months or so. Now the boredom and guilt start to settle in. The boredom is easy to explain, and usually easier to deal with. The guilt of being unemployed is what is the most difficult to face, especially when Lena gets up early to go to work and I have nothing to do. Thanks to God, we had a good year so I can sleep a little easier.
Once again I learned a lot this year, not only about what I am doing, but about who I am and what I don't want to be. I met a lot of wonderful people this year who gave me great advice that I hope to never forget. I witnessed a few hundred sunsets and sunrises that would take your breath away. I witnessed some unbelievable events. My patience and kindness were tested. I was both disappointed and delighted by other people.
My core principals were hardened by the fire of my own anger. I lost respect for people whom I once held in high regards, and I gained respect for others where I had none. I guess there are things that will continue no matter where I am or what I do in life. It is all part of growing up and growing older. If I learned one thing about myself this season, it is that I value Honesty above almost all else. I believe honesty contains a combination of traits including; Integrity, honor, humbleness, respect, and accountability. Those who are dishonest posses none of those qualities.
I have met a lot of people who don't amount to much in the eyes of our world, but are honest even when the stakes are high. There is nothing I can respect more than that.
I am so thankful to have the work I had, create new relationships with others, and cut ties with negative baggage. I am most thankful to be home again with my wife. I can't even count how many nights I left her alone while I was gone working. Like all things in life, sacrifices are made to reach an objective. I am thankful for the sacrifices that Lena is willing to make for us, and the sacrifices that she is willing to deal with.
I hope she can deal with me for more than two nights in a row, it may take some getting used to again.
I actually have some work to look forward to, (kind of). I have one more elk to cut up and process, and parts of two others. Trapping season starts Wednesday. Wrestling season is in full swing and I am back to coaching. I also can find some time to write more again, hopefully I can remember some of the things that I wanted to write about this summer and fall. We'll see.

Giving Thanks.

I am thankful for everything that I have, and a whole lot that I don't have. I am most thankful for my wife, she is truly one of a kind and without her I would certainly be a lost cause.

I am thankful for my family. My Parents, Brothers and their families, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all my cousins. This includes the inlaws too.

I am thankful for my friends, the ones who have really been there for me behind the scenes.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for where I live.

I am thankful when I can wake up in the morning and go to work.

I am thankful everytime I eat, even if it is the same meal more than once.

I am thankful for strong hands and a strong back.

I am thankful for my education.

I am thankful that I am an American.

I am thankful for those who taught me to work hard.

I am most thankful for the blessings of our Lord.

I am also very thankful for what I don't have. I don't have to worry about a whole lot of things that come with being very poor, or very wealthy. I am thankful that I don't have a cluster of problems. I consider my self a very lucky man, and I couldn't be more thankful. I have a good life.

Lena's first bull Elk.

Lena got her first bull on saturday, it would have been her first elk, but she also shot a cow two weeks before. Yes, we can shoot two elk in Montana legally. We had a great hunt and made some memories that we will have for ever. I will write all about the hunt and the season when I'm unemployed again.