Full moon Saturday night. Tradition has it that in August it’s called a “Sturgeon Moon.” (And yes, there are sturgeons in the rivers of Arkansas.)
I took photos of this Sturgeon Moon with my phone, even though I suck at that. They weren’t awful, at least. This one (below) was shot at 30x zoom.
It would’ve been respectably sharp if I’d had a better way to brace my phone.
I plodded uninspired through my Sunday-morning routine. For some reason the doldrums had kicked-in overnight. That didn’t bother me, because I accept that some days will be better than others.
Outside later, sometime before 7:30am, I heard the sound of a small aircraft approaching. It was low, it was slow — gauged by how long I could hear it without seeing it — and it was loud.
The flight didn’t show up on my airspace apps. That’s not unusual for general aviation ’round here, much of which isn’t equipped with ADS-B Out.
Eventually it broke into clear sky overhead — a vintage Stearman biplane, or possibly a modern replica. I was so smitten that I didn’t get a picture before it flew out of sight.
Before the sun rose too high and started cooking things, Smudge and I hung out at the picnic table to watch for wildlife. I brought along the binoculars I keep on a hook by the cabin door — Vortex Diamondback HD 10x 28mm.
Nice glass for the money. Very handy, too, for most things. Unfortunately, there was nothing much to see from our perch yesterday morning.
In that spirit, or the lack thereof, I puttered unproductively the rest of the day. I switched-out my everyday-carry knives — Chinese for American, American for Chinese.
I replaced my Benchmade Bugout with a Kubey Tityus. A Case two-blade trapper took the place of the Rough Rider Barlow.
No particular reason. Just itchin’ for somethin’ different.
At the urging of a friend who’d seen my selfie the other day, I trimmed my beard. (Not pictured.)
I got two private messages commenting on yesterday’s post, both suggesting the same thing — specifically, that my American life on The Mountain would be easier if I shared it with a companion.
“You’re not getting any younger,” one observed bluntly.
I guess my first reaction to that is that “easier” isn’t the point.
Second, I’m convinced that such a person doesn’t exist. Besides, I don’t believe I have another courtship in me.
I didn’t choose to be alone, but here I am. And since that’s the hand I’ve been dealt, I choose to find the joy in solitude.
I’ll take joy over ease any day.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable