My son and I went to Decatur today. Spent about half a day just walking through stores and looking at stuff. Not having been to the mall in years, we made that our first stop. Only problem with that was that we got there too early. While waiting for the stores to open, we had the pleasure of watching all the walkers walking in the mall. I don’t ever remember seeing that many people making use of a mall for exercise before.

Most of the people walking were older and most likely retired. Some walked alone and some either in pairs or small groups. I was amazed to see some of these elderly groups make lap after lap around the place. I was winded just watching. It was also interesting to watch as the faster paced power walkers came by navigating themselves through the others like racecars on a track.

While all walkers seem to all be moving at a different speed, they all seemed to have time for a smile and a wave as they passed. It was a very pleasant early morning atmosphere.

Well, as we left the comfort of the warm dry surroundings we ran into street flooding outside. Driving was slow and tedious at times and we passed two or three accidents on the way home. From what I could tell they were all minor and more of an inconvenience to those involved than anything else.

Arriving back in Cullman I took my son into Wal-Mart for a haircut. While he was getting all trimmed up, I had the pleasure of sitting on the little bench just outside and got to watch all the people come and go. To me, this was priceless. I got to see and hear the shoe squeakers and the umbrella drippers. Got to see a few wet t-shirts and one really wet young man who had been outside collecting buggies. But, the thing that will stick in my mind for a while wasn’t really what I wanted to see. A rather large woman, not fat mind you just large, walked in front of me. Why she needed to stop where she did I’ll never know, but it was right in my line of site. There in front of me was a big ole’ half moon coming up. She was wearing her jeans like she was a full fledge lil punk with his britches half off. And let me tell you these were half off. It was kinda like a car wreck, you couldn’t help but look and I couldn’t help but smile. What’s even funnier was that the people she was with were walking behind her and never said a word. Damn, only in Wal-Mart.

Yesterday I fished on the Mulberry river near my home. The fishing was slow but the scenery was great. Well, today my partner Todd and I braved the rain and fished on Lake Catoma here in north central Alabama. While the fishing was still slow, a few more and bigger fish were caught. Todd is shown here admiring a fine spot he just landed…then released.

Todd went on to catch another spot but it wasn’t quite as big as his first one, he actually threatened me as I reached for my camera…yep, it was little. Needless to say there is no picture for that one. I did however manage a nice spot of my own which you can see below. It too was released unharmed.

The next fish to show you is my big largemouth. This fish took us both by surprise when she flashed just under the surface the first time. She pulled so hard at first that I thought I had hooked a big cat instead of a bass. All bass today were quickly photographed and released to fight again another day.

Tip for the day…fish slow. When you think you are fishing slow enough, slow down some more. All fish caught on jigs today.

For the past few days I have had the privilege of being off work. I have spent a great deal of this reprieve in the great outdoors. Even during the coldest months the Mulberry river gives up a few bass here and there. The bite was a little slow but the weather was perfect. The bass here was the only one I caught that day. Lost a couple more…but you can’t really count those.

                                              
While I spent some of my time fishing, some of my time was spent looking. Looking at some of the most gorgeous scenery around, I only have to step out the back door…well sort of. The property where I live borders the Mulberry river. Even in the dead of winter she is stunning to look at. The blue of the water, the browns of the forest and the splotches of green from the evergreens make Alabama a site to behold.

While sunsets pictures from the beach are great, our Bama sunsets and sunrises are often pretty special as well. Hope you enjoy. I have to go for now, fishing on the lake tomorrow morning. Maybe I’ll have some bigger fish to show next time. Have a great day everyone, I’m outa here.

Three of our own won't be home for Christmas...ever!

On Thursday (12-22-2011) three U.S. citizens were killed while riding a bus in Veracruz Mexico. These Americans along with several Mexicans were murdered when gunmen attacked the bus they were traveling in. Just traveling for the holidays, hurting no one and died for it.

Veracruz has become another hotspot as the Zetas gang and the Gulf drug cartels battle over control of the area. Reportedly, this was not a single incident and other busses were attacked and more innocents were killed on the same day in the Veracruz area.

While everyone seems to have a solution or opinion about what should be done along the border to end this drug war, one thing is certain, Mexico is no place for American citizens right now. When you cross the border into Mexico you are on your own. The police can’t help you. The drug cartels are not afraid of the local police. To them they are just more targets to shoot at.

One solution to this problem could be that the Mexican people need to stand up and fight for themselves. Over 46,000 people have died in this senseless drug battle during the last four or five years. The main problem that keeps the citizens from standing up to these gangs is that guns in Mexico are illegal. Only the military, the police and the criminals have guns. What’s really sad about the whole mess is the criminals are getting the guns from the U.S.

The United States could greatly help the Mexican government by drying up the gun and ammo streams flowing across the border. Without their supply of weapons coming in the gangs would soon begin to suffer at the hands of the military and police. Right now the local police are out manned and out gunned.

It’s going to take cooperation from both countries to get a handle on this borderline bloodbath. It probably won’t happen any time soon. So until it does, my advice to all U.S. citizens-Stay out of Mexico.

A Tribute: To Clay Leopard

Now some of you reading this will not have a clue who Clay Leopard is. For those of you that do know him…no he has not passed away, or at least to my knowledge. For those of you that have ever heard him play guitar, you know what one God given talent he has.

I first met Clay years ago as an eighth grader. Even at an early age he was an amazing musician. While his mom and dad paid for his music lessons so that he could play his guitar in church, secretly he spent his free time learning Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd. And boy did he learn good. Hoop if ya happen to read this, please comment and tell everyone I’m telling the truth. On up in about the tenth grade Clay and I were at a friends house listening to some music. We happened to be listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s double platinum album, which by the way hadn’t been out very long. Clay heard the first few notes crank up when he said something to the effect of hey I can play that. Now I new he was pretty good, but I had to challenge him just a little. I said “ so you can already play that whole song.” He said, “no I can play that whole album.” We spent the next hour testing him on his very brazen statement. We started the record over and Clay fussed over his guitar for the first few minutes, tweaking and tuning. We figured he was just stalling until he found the sound he wanted and a big smile came over him as he began to play. Note for note…he played perfect.

About half way through the record we decided to test him a little more. As he would play we would turn the volume down so that he couldn’t hear it then gradually bring it back up, he was always in time. We were blown away. He was a perfectionist when it came to his music. Even to the point where he had trouble finding just the right group to play with in order to succeed.

Sometime after high school we parted ways. Clay made a few really bad life choices that to this day seem to have him weighted down. I hope someone out there that knows him now will show him this little tribute. I have made some bad choices too my friend and I don’t hold yours against you. You have a talent that somehow the rest of the world needs to see. What do you say ole’ friend…shall we play. Stop by anytime, I have two guitars strung and ready.

If a song ever reminded me of someone this one is Clay's.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD2BwwGE9uo&feature=related